Super-fantastic Journeys

Arizona is a diverse state and it's National Park Sites are no exception.  Arizona plays host to a wide variety of National Park Sites from the ancestral homes of the Anasazi to the wide landscape views of the Grand Canyon. Arizona is a state with amazing rock features and the inspiring dessert plans that pull out every drop of moisture from the dessert they can to grow and bring life to a dry landscape.  I was fortunate to get to travel around Arizona a lot as a kid and went to a number of the National Parks sites as a youth.  I am only reporting as visited the sites that I have gone to since I started this project and have pictures of my own to share.  The sites are ranked by in my order of preference and of course I have my bucket list of sites I still need to visit. #1 Grand Canyon National Park The Grand Canyon is an amazing natural wonder and is something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience.  The challenge is the crowds of this very popular nation

I would have never guessed that Arkansas might be the first state that I would have visited all the National Park Sites in.  I only have one left to go.  I always made fun of Arkansas until I actually visited it. Arkansas is known as "The Natural State" and it is a well-earned title.  There are some amazingly beautiful places to visit in Arkansas and I still have a lot of the state to explore.  There are seven different sites run by the National Park Service in Arkansas.  Six of the site are historical in nature and one site is based on the natural beauty of the area. I have ranked the sites here based on my preferences and only rank the sites that I have been to. #1 - Buffalo National River The Buffalo River became America's first national river when it was established in 1972 and snakes its way 135 miles through northwest Arkansas through the Ozark Mountains.  It is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.  The large bluffs, surrounding

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Southeast portion of New Mexico, 20 miles from the town of Carlsbad.  The park has over 117 caves made in the limestone which was once an ocean reef.  The caverns were formed in this area when waters rich in hydrogen sulfide mixed with rainwater to create sulfuric acid.  The acid ate away the limestone and created the chambers that you are able to visit today.  About four million years ago this process stopped and the cave started making formations as surface water started working its way into the cave.  The formations that we see today is a result of the surface water bring minerals down and depositing them in the area. Carlsbad Cavern is the cave that most people visit and is developed for the large number of visitors the park hosts each year. The Carlsbad Cavern has 30 miles of passages surveyed and has been developed extensively for visitors.  The great room that you visit is 8.2 acres in size and is the largest cave chamber p

National Park Sites in New Mexico New Mexico is called the land of enchantments for a reason.  The diversity of high mountains and deserts provide some great diversity to the activities available at the National Park Sites throughout the state.  While I have traveled to New Mexico for much of my life and have my favorite spots, there are still places I need to visit for the first time.  This is my ranking of the National Park sites located in New Mexico that I have visited and my bucket list to complete my exploration of all the National Park sites in the state. #1 Carlsbad Caverns National Park Explore the world that lies beneath the earth by going deep into Carlsbad Caverns.  You will stand in majestic great halls with mighty stalagmites and stalactites hanging tight to the ceiling.  Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and begin to see all the features of the cave while you listen to the water dripping into the cavern bring life fo the next formation. Read More - Carls