The Parks

The list of remaining National Parks is getting smaller…more achievable to conquer them all.   In fact, in just seven more trips, I think we can hit all of the continental United States parks.  I have yet to determine how we are going to manage the parks in Alaska/Hawaii/American Samoa on a budget.  At this point, it seems that moving to Alaska for a few years might be the best option; or perhaps working in a summer sabbatical into work somehow.

Dry Tortugas:  Need to do this one while visiting Key West. 

Petrified Forest:  A winter trip into Phoenix – either tie in with skiing in Flagstaff, or the Grand Canyon (maybe to Havasu Falls).

Hot Springs:  Already have it booked in November; Southwest had some economical flights into Little Rock, Arkansas – we will also visit the Clinton Presidential Library.

Isle Royale/Voyageurs:  This will most likely be a September trip to enjoy the fall colors. Either drive from Chicago or from Minneapolis.

Shenandoah:  This will most likely be tied in with Washington, DC – and perhaps a longer overnight hike on the Appalachian trail.

Theodore Roosevelt/Wind Cave:  Most likely from Denver; we will take any chance to get into Colorado!  Maybe this fall…

Lassen Volcano:  From San Jose so we can visit Rich and Kathy!  Also – go back to Crater Lake; I want to climb to the top of Wizard Island.

And Hawaii, American Samoa, and Alaska:

Haleakala/Hawaii Volcanoes ($):  Maui and the Big Island – most likely one trip. 

American Samoa ($$$).  The layover is in Honolulu – so we will stop in to see the “World War II Valor in the Pacific” National Monument (USS Arizona).

Alaska:  Denali, Gates of the Artic, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark, Wrangell-St. Elias – ($$$).