Be a part of our journey via our prime 10 pure wonders of the US From the Oregon Coast to the Florida Springs, uncover breathtaking landscapes.
Two and a half years in the past, my household and I launched into an journey that utterly modified our lives. We swapped our day by day routine for the liberty of the open highway, the confinement of lecture rooms for the vastness of the nice outdoor, and the hustle of cityscapes for the fantastic thing about nature.
As a father, witnessing my sons develop and be taught via these experiences has been nothing wanting magical. From the rugged shores of Oregon to the crystal-clear waters of Florida Springs, every vacation spot has been a chapter in our household’s storybook of journey.
On this article, I wish to take you on a vivid journey via probably the most breathtaking pure wonders within the US we’ve encountered. It’s not simply concerning the locations themselves but in addition concerning the unbelievable magnificence that left us in awe, the laughter that echoed in opposition to the majestic backdrops, and the priceless moments that unfolded in these beautiful settings.
These landscapes will not be simply lovely sights; they’re the canvases that maintain our household’s most cherished reminiscences, every a testomony to the awe-inspiring fantastic thing about the pure world we’ve got been lucky sufficient to discover as we’ve mastered RV life.
10. Saguaro Nationwide Park
First up is Saguaro Nationwide Park outdoors of Tucson, AZ. We don’t have cacti like this on the East Coast, so this was loopy to see. In case you don’t know, Saguaro NP is legendary for its massive saguaro cacti, the biggest cacti in the US. These giants can reside for as much as 200 years.
The park can also be dwelling to abandon tortoises and a wide range of hen species, which was fairly enjoyable for the children to identify. It’s additionally dwelling to roadrunners, however we didn’t see any getting chased by a coyote, sadly.
Like lots of the nationwide parks we visited, Saguaro had a pleasant Junior Ranger Program for the boys to be taught concerning the desert setting and its inhabitants, which is why Oregon is without doubt one of the finest states within the US that we visited.
9. Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park
Let’s go from the desert to an enormous underground cavern at Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park. The park has over 119 caves, shaped from sulfuric acid dissolving limestone, creating an interesting underground world.
You actually should see it to consider it.
We have been additionally lucky sufficient to look at the Brazilian free-tailed bats fly out of the cave entrance at sundown. The boys thought we have been at Batman’s bat cave!
8. White Sands Nationwide Park
Simply down the highway in New Mexico is White Sands Nationwide Park. If I needed to describe this place, strolling over the white dunes felt like stepping out of Luke Skywalker’s Starfighter.
It actually felt like we have been in one other world. The dunes are manufactured from white gypsum, which is outwardly fairly uncommon, and creates a surprising white desert.
We purchased some sleds from the customer heart and had a blast sledding down the delicate sand dunes.
7. Redwood Nationwide Forest
If you wish to really feel insignificant, simply go to the Redwood Nationwide Forest. This forest in Northern California is thought worldwide for its redwoods, which have been simply as mind-blowing for me and my spouse because it was for the boys.
There are many family-friendly trails via the forest, and I like to recommend climbing as many as doable to develop an appreciation for the large, historical bushes.
And should you maintain your eyes open, you may even spot an elk or two.
6. The Drive By way of Utah (Canyonland, Arches, Moab)
This one on the record is a little bit completely different. Sadly, we didn’t have time to cease and actually take pleasure in this space, however the drive via was lovely sufficient to say.
Simply driving via, we loved numerous landscapes, from deep canyons to towering rock formations and arches like those you’ll see at Arches NP sculpted by erosion. My greatest remorse to this point just isn’t with the ability to spend extra time on this space.
5. Florida Springs (Three Sisters, Weeki Wachee)
Florida is identified for Disney and its seashores, however our absolute favourite a part of the sunshine state is the Springs. The springs are crystal clear, excellent for swimming and snorkeling, they usually keep a brisk 72 levels year-round.
That’s excellent to chill off within the scorching Florida solar. We bought to swim with some Manatees at Three Sisters Springs, and the boys cherished the vastly in style mermaid present at Weeki Wachee.
4. Bonneville Salt Flats / Silver Mountains
The Salt Flats are one other place that feels out of this world. We preferred it a lot right here that we visited twice. Moreover being a fantastically distinctive, otherworldly panorama that’s fascinating to discover, the flats are additionally well-known for being a website the place quite a few land pace data have been set.
The boys completely cherished it once I floored it in our truck and pushed it to the max on the speedway. The huge, flat space is ideal for enjoyable perspective pictures, and we had lots of enjoyable taking footage.
Our campsite within the shadows of the Silver Island Mountains was a stark distinction to the Salt Flats, however extraordinarily lovely in its personal proper.
3. Yosemite Nationwide Park
Phrases can’t describe how lovely Yosemite Nationwide Park is. Till you’ve seen locations like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, you simply gained’t perceive. I may simply sit and stare at these landmarks for hours.
The park can also be dwelling to numerous wildlife like black bears that the boys cherished studying about (from a secure distance).
2. Pinnacles Nationwide Park
Earlier than attending to California, we had by no means heard of Pinnacles Nationwide Park, however I’m completely happy we discovered it. Pinnacle NP is thought for its spectacular rock formations and spires, remnants of an historical volcanic subject.
Our favourite half was grabbing the flashlights and exploring the talus caves. They have been darkish, chilly, and damp, however we had a blast. It’s additionally an excellent place to see California condors, one of many world’s largest birds, however we weren’t fortunate sufficient to see one.
1. The Oregon Coast
My absolute favourite a part of the whole nation is the Oregon Coast. We spent a while on the dunes in Florence and plan on visiting the pure bridges in Brookings, however my favourite spot is the coast in Seaside and Cannon Seaside.
Haystack Rock is an iconic 235-foot sea stack, the third tallest on the planet. At low tide, we cherished exploring the tide swimming pools, and in the summertime, we cherished watching the Puffins.
Seaside has an enormous seashore subsequent to Tillamook Head, and the realm has numerous hikes, every with improbable forest and ocean views. The realm is breathtaking.
The seashores are excellent for constructing sandcastles, flying kites, beachcombing, and clamming, a brand new exercise we realized with the children. The 2 cities provide family-friendly eating and procuring, making it a whole household vacation spot.
I believe that is the place we’ll finally ditch the wheels and challenges of RV life and put down roots.
Wrapping Up The Pure Wonders of the US
As I write this closing, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and nostalgia.
The previous two and a half years of exploring America’s pure wonders with my household have been greater than only a sequence of journeys; they’ve been a journey of discovery and bonding.
Every park, path, and sundown has taught us one thing new concerning the world and ourselves. We’ve shared tales below starlit skies, marveled at nature’s grandeur, and realized to worth our planet’s valuable presents.
Watching my boys’ eyes mild up with marvel and curiosity has been my most treasured expertise as a father. Our journey doesn’t finish right here; we proceed to stay up for extra adventures.
To households dreaming of their very own adventures, get on the market and discover. Life is brief, however the world is huge, lovely, and ready to be found.
Your record of favorites might be completely different from ours, however the pleasure of exploring with household is a common treasure everybody ought to expertise.