Adventure Travel Photography Blog
Maryland has a bunch of fantastic towns and cities to visit, but one thing that’s not always celebrated about this state is its nature! Even the fully paid-up members of the city slicker club will struggle to resist the charms of Maryland’s natural beauty. There’s birdwatching, hiking, boating, exploring, and a little bit of eating thrown in for good measure. So, if you’re in the mood to get some of that fresh air in your lungs then look no further.
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Spending a long weekend in Philadelphia doesn’t just mean the opportunity to take plenty of great photos but is a chance for you to experience a place that has a distinct role in American history. If you’re looking for a long weekend, Philadelphia provides a mix of historical sites, cultural attractions, and more than a few culinary delights. So, here is a little guide to help you make the most of your time:
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Adventurous travelers need exhilarating destinations that can cater to their high-octane demands. Fortunately, across the United States of America, there are endless opportunities to enjoy thrill-a-minute vacations that will take your breath away. Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, water sports connoisseur or are just looking to try something new, here are three of the best Stateside destinations to keep in mind when adventure calls.
It had been many years since I had visited Gatlinburg during my road trip across the USA. I finally returned to see the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The spectacular light show only took one night, so my friends and I found many other things to do in Gatlinburg for our three day June getaway.
Gatlinburg is a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee with a population of approximately 3,500. The popular vacation resort town is known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United States.
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The Alum Cave Trail is an extremely popular hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is located 11 miles southeast of Gatlinburg and the drive on curvy scenic roads in the parks takes about 30 minutes.
Due to its popularity, the parking area at the trailhead fills up by 7am. If you are not an early riser, you can go around 2pm to get a spot as the parking lot clears once the early birds finish up.
HAPPY HIKING!
Synchronous fireflies are a species of lightning bugs that blink synchronously during their mating ritual. There are only a few places in the world to see synchronous fireflies, and one such place are the Jake’s Creek and Little River Trailheads near Elkmont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Every year around the third week of May to the third week of June, depending on the temperature and soil moisture, the synchronous fireflies mate for 2-3 weeks. During this period, the males fly around flashing in unison while trying to attract females that remain stationary on the ground. The females return their signal, and the males fly down to mate, sometimes fighting with others.
LOOK INTO THE LIGHT!
Well, it had been thirteen years since I last visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park as part of my year long road trip around the USA. My first visit was in haste because I wasn’t sure I was allowed to leave my dog Petey in VANilla and didn’t want to break the rules on Federal property.
My second visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park came after spending three days in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Without my crazy dog Annie in tow, I had a more leisurely visit.
I stopped in the Visitors Center in the late afternoon as the tours were ending to find out about the bats and the following day tour options. I learned in late April, I didn’t need a reservation for bat viewing or a cave tour if I came first thing in the morning. That said, I should have purchased the tickets the prior afternoon when there was hardly a line!
DESCEND INTO DARKNESS!
McKittrick Canyon Trail is a popular hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As the name suggests, it is located in the McKittrick Canyon Area of the park whose gates are open between 8 am and 5 pm MOUNTAIN time. Mountain is capitalized because there is a chance your watch is wrong!
With limited hours and hot temperatures in the summer, I recommend hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail in the spring or fall since early starts are not possible.
With two historic cabins, a grotto, the notch, and ridge, the challenging 21.3 out-and-back trail affords hikers many options. During my visit, I hiked only 7 miles which highlights the Pratt Cabin, the grotto, and the Hunter Line Shack.
HAPPY HIKING!
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in West Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert with Carlsbad, New Mexico being 55 miles to the north and Del City, Texas being 44 miles to the south. Fill up with gas in one of these two cities, as the area is remote.
During my drive through the West Texas desert plains dotted with oil wells, I wondered to myself, why is Guadalupe Mountains a National Park? I mean, yes, there are some high desert mountains featuring southwestern terrain and lovely fall foliage, but what makes it special?
While the park doesn’t display jaw-dropping scenery like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, or the Grand Tetons, it is pretty and home to the highest point in Texas. But the main reason for the 135 square miles being designated a national park is for it being the largest exposed reef in the world!
I had no idea I’d be hiking through the Chihuahuan Desert loaded with marine fossils while exploring historic ranches, admiring cool rock formations, and hiking to the top of Texas. Guadalupe Mountains National Park pleasantly surprised me.
For those who enjoy hiking and visiting historic sites, plan to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park for three days and spend at least one day at nearby Carlsbad Caverns.
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I’ve been wanting to hike to the highest point in Texas for a while now. I finally made it to Guadalupe Mountains National Park this past April and knocked out Guadalupe Peak. I’m surprised I overlooked this National Park when I was visiting Carlsbad Caverns during a year long road trip across the USA. I was less than 30 miles away from the park that otherwise requires some effort to reach, as indicated by the many “No Gas” sign warnings dotting the highway.
Carlsbad, New Mexico is approximately 50 miles north of the park and the closest public airport to Guadalupe Peak is in El Paso, 110 miles to the southwest. Definitely come with a full tank of gas and provisions to complete this 8.1-mile roundtrip hike that begins at the Pine Springs entrance.
HAPPY HIKING!