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Epic RV Journeys: Exploring America’s Scenic Byways

Many people ask why I roam the USA, and how I pick my next destination. This guest blogger piece about exploring America’s Scenic Byways in an RV takes the words right out of my mouth. Couple these scenic drives with chasing 70 degrees, and that is how my first year-long journey across the USA began twelve years ago. What perfect timing for this article coinciding with my next road trip through Wyoming. Stay tuned!

Epic RV Journeys: Exploring America’s Scenic Byways

The sensation of having the open road beneath your wheels, the comfort of having your own mobile living space, and the joy of uncovering the hidden gems of America; are the life of an RV traveler. It’s a lifestyle that many have encapsulated as the epitome of freedom. This isn’t just about seeing America; it’s about experiencing America in the most intimate and personal way.

And when you explore America’s scenic byways, the journey becomes the destination. Life on the road is truly an art; every journey is a unique masterpiece. The thrill of the new, the charm of the unexpected, and the delight of returning to your familiar yet always surprising sanctuary on wheels are the symphony of the RV traveler’s soul. It’s about immersing yourself in America’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and charming small towns, painting memories with every mile.

So, as you embark on your next adventure, remember – it’s not just about where the road takes you, but also about the stories you weave, the connections you make, and the horizons you broaden along the way. Buckle up, rev that engine, and prepare to fall in love with every twist and turn of America’s picturesque byways. With the freedom of the open road and the comfort of your RV, the world is truly your oyster.

HIT THE ROAD!

Happy Hiking: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Anyone that follows my blog likely knows that I prefer hiking in the crisp mountain air to a body of water, like this hike to Sawtooth Lake, so metroplex hikes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area don’t exactly compare. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

History of Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is located 11 miles northwest of Fort Worth. The nature area comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands was established in 1964. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States.

HAPPY HIKING!

Colleyville Nature Center

The Colleyville Nature Center is owned and operated by the City of Colleyville Parks and Recreation. This 46-acre refuge which features nine ponds and 3.5 miles of trails is a nature lovers paradise located right in the middle of a neighborhood!

I learned of this pocket of paradise, just 20 minutes from my house, through a group called Hiker Babes. The group is global, and it has both a North Texas Chapter and a DFW Chapter which posts events on Facebook regularly. It was my first time joining them for an activity, and me and my friend Laura had a nice time. And Laura even walked away with a backpack giveaway! Lucky winner!!

GET NEXT TO NATURE!

Ennis Bluebonnets

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Ennis Bluebonnet Trails and Festival

Ennis, Texas is located 35 miles south of Dallas off of Interstate I-45. It is best known for its free Bluebonnet Trails and Festival which takes place the third weekend in April.

The bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas and grows wild across the hills of the state along with Indian paintbrush creating lovely blue and red fields.

Ennis, designated the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas in 1997, features 40 miles of driving trails through the native bluebonnet fields, found mostly on private land.

SNIFF OUT THE BLUEBONNETS

Things to Do in Matagorda

History of Matagorda

Matagorda is the third oldest town in Texas. It was settled by Elias R Wright, one of Stephen F Austin’s surveyors, along with 60 settlers in 1829. Once the county seat and thriving shipping port, Matagorda is now a sleepy fishing village approximately 100 miles southwest of Houston. It is located at the intersection of the Lower Colorado River, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge

The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Katy, Texas. Between my two horse shows at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, I took a half day to check it out.

The refuge includes a visitor center with a variety of stuffed birds and a movie about the Attwater prairie chickens, a 4-mile auto loop and two short trails, 1.2 miles and 0.8 miles.

I visited with my priority being to walk Annie but was disappointed to find that the lek, where the prairie chickens boom, is off limits to the public! What a bummer since the booming season (or courtship ritual) was just beginning. It lasts from February to April.

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Things to Do in Spearfish

There is so much to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota! Most visitors to the area likely go to see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Along with visiting these iconic places near Custer and Hill City, don’t forget about towns farther north, including Spearfish, Deadwood and Sturgis.

We took a five-day girls trip to South Dakota which only gave us a taste of the Black Hills. If I had to do it over again, I would have gone for longer and split my time between the southern and northern parts, basing in Hill City and Spearfish.

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Top Things to Do in Hill City

Well, it’s better late than never, I guess. I’ve taken almost a 3 month hiatus away from my blog with a stint in the hospital (I recommend not getting acute pancreatitis) and a not very smooth move into my townhome. Then the holidays came and my blog on Hill City, South Dakota had to wait!

Now Hill City is covered in snow, but my soccer peeps and I visited while the black hills glowed in beautiful fall colors at the beginning of October. It was my second time to the area, the first being 11 years ago during my year-long road trip across the USA. I liked the Black Hills so much I have wanted to return. I finally made it back and already want to return again!

Several small towns pepper the Black Hills, but Hill City was one of my favorites and great base for visiting Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, and more. We spent five days in Hill City, not only exploring the sites nearby, but also driving up to Spearfish and spending some time around there.

We rented a house on VRBO with a great location outside of Hill City and adjacent to the Mickelson Trail. It had great views of horses, fall colors and sunsets. While I very much liked the location, if I had to do again, I’d stay longer and split the stay between Hill City and Spearfish because there is so much to see and do and it eliminates a lot driving.

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State Sign Challenge: Montana

After spending three weeks in Idaho, I continued to Montana where I spent close to a month. I didn’t get my state sign shot until I was leaving Montana on the Beartooth Highway. Montana is known as the treasure state, so I had Annie where a pot of gold while I donned a grizzly bear mask for the state animal. The eye holes were not conducive to snapping photos, so this is the best I’ve got. Let’s see your state sign pics (taken responsibly, of course)!

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

Things to Do in Red Lodge

Red Lodge is a small city located in south, central Montana with a population of approximately 2,200. It was established in the late 1800’s and relied on coal mining until the Great Depression. Upon many mines closing, residents turned to bootlegging, selling its “syrup” as far away as San Francisco and Chicago.

The city was linked to Yellowstone National Park after the Beartooth Highway opened in 1936. This access to the park coupled with the largest coal mining disaster in Montana in 1943, steered the Red Lodge economy toward the outdoors and tourism.

Over time, it’s lovely downtown has been redeveloped, and the red brick buildings donning American flags feature a variety of boutiques, restaurants and hotels. Despite the recent Yellowstone floods which heavily affected the area, Red Lodge is a great little city to visit with many things to do.

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