Be part of our journey by way of our high 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 street, the confinement of lecture rooms for the vastness of the good open air, and the hustle of cityscapes for the fantastic thing about nature.
As a father, witnessing my sons develop and study by way of these experiences has been nothing in need of 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 want to take you on a vivid journey by way of essentially the most breathtaking pure wonders within the US we’ve encountered. It’s not simply in regards to the locations themselves but in addition in regards to the unbelievable magnificence that left us in awe, the laughter that echoed towards the majestic backdrops, and the priceless moments that unfolded in these beautiful settings.
These landscapes aren’t simply lovely sights; they’re the canvases that maintain our household’s most cherished recollections, every a testomony to the awe-inspiring fantastic thing about the pure world we’ve been lucky sufficient to discover as we’ve mastered RV life.
10. Saguaro Nationwide Park
First up is Saguaro Nationwide Park exterior of Tucson, AZ. We don’t have cacti like this on the East Coast, so this was loopy to see. When you don’t know, Saguaro NP is known for its giant saguaro cacti, the biggest cacti in the US. These giants can reside for as much as 200 years.
The park can also be residence to abandon tortoises and a wide range of fowl species, which was fairly enjoyable for the children to identify. It’s additionally residence to roadrunners, however we didn’t see any getting chased by a coyote, sadly.
Like most of the nationwide parks we visited, Saguaro had a pleasant Junior Ranger Program for the boys to study in regards to the desert setting and its inhabitants, which is why Oregon is likely one of the greatest 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, fashioned from sulfuric acid dissolving limestone, creating an enchanting underground world.
You actually must see it to consider it.
We had been additionally lucky sufficient to look at the Brazilian free-tailed bats fly out of the cave entrance at sundown. The boys thought we had been at Batman’s bat cave!
8. White Sands Nationwide Park
Simply down the street 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 had been in one other world. The dunes are product of white gypsum, which is outwardly fairly uncommon, and creates a shocking white desert.
We purchased some sleds from the customer heart and had a blast sledding down the mushy 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 had been simply as mind-blowing for me and my spouse because it was for the boys.
There are many family-friendly trails by way of the forest, and I like to recommend mountaineering as many as potential to develop an appreciation for the large, historic timber.
And in the event you preserve your eyes open, you would possibly even spot an elk or two.
6. The Drive Via Utah (Canyonland, Arches, Moab)
This one on the record is a little bit totally different. Sadly, we didn’t have time to cease and actually take pleasure in this space, however the drive by way of was lovely sufficient to say.
Simply driving by way of, we loved varied 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 isn’t having 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, good for swimming and snorkeling, they usually keep a brisk 72 levels year-round.
That’s good to chill off within the sizzling Florida solar. We obtained to swim with some Manatees at Three Sisters Springs, and the boys cherished the vastly well-liked 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 velocity data have been set.
The boys completely cherished it after 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 a number 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 not 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 might simply sit and stare at these landmarks for hours.
The park can also be residence to various wildlife like black bears that the boys cherished studying about (from a protected 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 historic volcanic subject.
Our favourite half was grabbing the flashlights and exploring the talus caves. They had been darkish, chilly, and damp, however we had a blast. It’s additionally a fantastic 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 your complete 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 this planet. At low tide, we cherished exploring the tide swimming pools, and in the summertime, we cherished watching the Puffins.
Seaside has an enormous seaside subsequent to Tillamook Head, and the realm has numerous hikes, every with incredible forest and ocean views. The world is breathtaking.
The seashores are good for constructing sandcastles, flying kites, beachcombing, and clamming, a brand new exercise we realized with the children. The 2 cities supply family-friendly eating and procuring, making it an entire household vacation spot.
I feel that is the place we’ll ultimately 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 collection of journeys; they’ve been a journey of discovery and bonding.
Every park, path, and sundown has taught us one thing new in regards to the world and ourselves. We now have shared tales underneath starlit skies, marveled at nature’s grandeur, and realized to worth our planet’s valuable presents.
Watching my boys’ eyes gentle up with marvel and curiosity has been my most treasured expertise as a father. Our journey doesn’t finish right here; we proceed to sit 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 will likely be totally different from ours, however the pleasure of exploring with household is a common treasure everybody ought to expertise.
