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Great Sand Dunes National Park
On paper, waking early just to start the day with a moment of beauty is pretty romantic. That’s all well and good until you’re about three hours from your destination, and sunrise is coming quickly. The “chasing” becomes more like “taking a panicked road trip in the dark.”
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
We made it to the South Rim of Black Canyon in a little over an hour. Our mini adventure began at Tomichi Point - one of the best views of the canyon just off the first parking lot. I found it difficult to imagine just how deep the canyon cut into the earth, but the tingling and numbness in my fingertips were an effective indicator.
Mt. Marcy
We woke before the sun could rise on our cabin in Lewis, New York. The trailhead was a 45-minute drive, and I knew we’d need at least a half-hour to pack our bags, quickly smear cream cheese on cheap bagels, and pile into the wagon with our eyes still half-shut.
Needing a weekend away from the city, The Beard and I packed our car to the ceiling with our camping accoutrements and bid adieu to Philadelphia for a few nights one warm July evening. Our destination: Lehigh Gorge State Park, a mere 90 minutes away from Philadelphia.
Like the start of most great adventures, the idea of traveling to Joshua Tree National Park stemmed from a need more than a want. It was just before autumn when I remember feeling the suffocation of daily life, including spending eight hours in the city for work, at minimum. The fresh air was calling.