National Parks galore

There are 63 national parks in the US. Yellowstone was the first; New River Gorge the most recent. I've been to a lot of them, but no where near all of them. There are many I still hope to visit and others that I'd like to see again. There are also national monuments, forts, battlefields, lakeshores, and preserves that are managed by the park service. Maryland doesn't have any official national parks, but it has many places that are part of the National Park System.

Zion National Park, 2017

National Parks I've been to

Acadia National Park (Maine, 2024)

Arches National Park (Utah, 2017)

Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah, 2018)

The Badlands (South Dakota, 1985)

Canyonlands National Park (Utah, 2017)

Capital Reef National Park (Utah, 2021)

The Everglades  (Florida)

Gateway Arch (Missouri, 1982)

Glacier National Park (Montana, 1997)

Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska, 2018)

Grand Canyon (Arizona, 1986)

Grant Tetons (Wyoming, 1985)

Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska, 2018)

Mt. Rainier National Park (Washington, 2000)

New River Gorge (West Virginia, 2025)

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado, 1985)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota, 1997)

White Sands National Park (New Mexico, 2002)

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, 1985, 1887-88)

Zion National Park (Utah, 2018)

National Parks are established by Congress. National monuments are designated by the president using the antiquities act. A national monument can later be designated a national park. Both designations protect federal lands. Monuments can happen more quickly. The current idiot in the WH wants to reduce or eliminate some of the national monuments; no doubt for drilling or other rape of the land.

National monuments

Devil's Tower (Wyoming, 1985)

Grand Staircase-Escalante (Utah, 2021)

Little Bighorn Battlefield (Montana, 1985)

Mount St. Helens (Washington. 1990, 2009)

National memorials

Flight 93 (Pennsylvania, 2020)

Johnstown Flood (Pennsylvania)

Korean War Veterans Memorial (Washington DC)

Lincoln Memorial (Washington DC)

Mount Rushmore (South Dakota, 1985)

Thomas Jefferson Memorial (Washington DC)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington DC)

Washington Monument (Washington DC)

World War II Memorial (Washington DC)

National Battlefields

Antietam National Battlefield (Maryland)

Gettysburg National Military Park (Pennsylvania)

Monocacy National Battlefield (Maryland)

Some National Historic Landmarks are managed by the National Park Service. There are over 2600 National Historic Landmarks. Most are managed by the states or private organizations.

Other
Adams National Historic Park (Massachusetts)
Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland, Virginia)
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Maryland) 
Catoctin Mountain Park (Maryland) -- near Camp David

C&O Canal (Maryland, West Virginia)

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia)

Eisenhower National Historic Site (Pennsylvania)
Fort Washington National Park (Maryland, 2024) 

Pictured Rocks National Seashore (Michigan, 2025) 

Bucket list 

Death Valley (California)

Dry Tortugas (Florida)

Giant Sequoias (California)

Redwoods (California)

Yosemite National Park (California)

The Terminus

November 16, 2025 -- The C&O Canal operated from 1831 to 1924 along the Potomac River from Washington DC to Cumberland, MD. The canal's principle cargo was coal. A planned section to the Ohio River was never built. The terminus of the C&O Canal is Cumberland, MD, mile marker 184.5.  It was also the terminus of a Sunday drive that Mom and I took. We traveled via Hedgesville, Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw, and Oldtown. We went back via 68/70.

Statue of mule and driver, c. 2000

Replica of canal boat: the Cumberland, c. 1976

Cumberland basin

Footer's Dye Works: historical building near canal

Where the C&O Canal ends in Cumberland, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) begins. The Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile rail trail between Pittsburgh and Cumberland. Like the C&O towpath, it is popular with hikers and cyclists. 

GAP trail mile 0

Western Maryland Railway

Weverton Cliffs

November 7, 2025 -- Ty and I hiked to Weverton Cliffs yesterday. It was about a 2 mile trek (roundtrip), with an elevation gain of about 570 feet. The views at the top (of the Potomac River) were worth it. They were made even more amazing by the fall foliage which was still near peak.

Part of the Appalachian Trail

570 feet up 

The colors of fall

My hiking buddy

The gain in elevation was mostly via switchbacks, which made it easier, albeit a bit more nail-biting, especially in certain areas. The trail was a lot of stone steps, exposed roots, and rocky terrain. I had to walk with great care to avoid falling or twisting my ankle. Ty often sought out his own path (he doesn't prefer steps). Of course, he had to pee a "zillion" times! He pooped at the top and bottom of the trail. We stopped a few times both ways to rest and have some water. Hiking down is harder in some ways.

Video from up top

Potomac River

Leaves still peaking

Ty waiting patiently up top

The trail

Weverton Cliffs is located along the Appalachian Trail in South Mountain State Park in Maryland. It is located close to Harper's Ferry. It is a popular hike. There was only one space left in the parking lot when we arrived at about 1:15 pm on a Friday. We encountered many people (and dogs) on the trail, but not too many. It was a perfect day weather-wise for hiking through the mountains.

Beautiful fall foliage

Batter up:  nature's homeplate

Spotted along the trail

Looks like an alligator

Another view

Great Falls in the Fall

October 27, 2025 -- With the federal government still shut down, the Virginia side of Great Falls was closed. The Maryland side was open, though the visitor's center was closed. Robin and I went on her birthday.  It was her first time there. I have been many times. Fall is a wonderful time to visit. The colors were vivid, and it was a beautiful day weather-wise.

Happy birthday Sis

Multiple falls

Panoramic view

Video of falls from Olmsted Island

Frothy  (watch video)

Red leaves

Rocky Island (watch video)

Yellows and orange

Rocky banks

My smug look

Beautiful day with blue skies

Ducks in the muck (watch video) 

Michigan Bound!

October 2025 -- After much consideration, I decided to go to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (and Mackinac Island) for my fall trip with Ty.  It was a long drive, but doable. Mackinaw City is about 740 miles from Clear Spring. The first night we stayed at a Super 8 in Waverly, Michigan. We got an early start the next morning and headed to the UP. 

The Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island

Welcome to the UP

After crossing the Mackinac Bridge, I drove US Route 2 along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. We made several stops along the lakeshore. Ty and I walked and played along the lake. Eventually, we turned inward towards Munising. I had booked a Picture Rocks Cruise for later in the day. Ty stayed in a kennel while I was on my cruise. He didn't seem to mind. Accommodations for the second night were in Munising. The motel wasn't fancy, but it was sufficient. I had pizza for dinner. 

Fall is a great time to travel.

On the second day, we went to Miners' Castle Overlook, Twelvemile Beach, the Log Slide, Tahquamenon Falls, and Soo Locks. We crossed the Mackinac Bridge around 7 pm and stayed at another Super 8 for the final two nights in Mackinaw City.   The motel was a short walk to the beach. There were great views of the beach. Ty enjoyed our walks. Dinners were Subway and KFC.

Three Great Lakes:  Michigan, Superior, and Huron

Peak fall foliage

Leaf colors

Beautiful sky

On the third day, we went to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Ferry Service picked us up and brought us back to the hotel. It was a 15 to 20 minute ferry ride to the island. It was Ty's first ride on a boat. We rode on the top on the way and the bottom on the way back. While on the island, Ty and I took a horse carriage tour (another first for him), toured Fort Mackinac, and hiked to Arch Rock. We took the last ferry of the day (6 pm) to return to Mackinaw City. We left the next day for home, making semi-frequent stops for fueling, food, bathroom, and dog walking.

My travel companion

The UP still had old fashioned gas pumps.

Lake Michigan

October 18, 2025 -- Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes. Lake Michigan was the first Great Lake Ty and I encountered when we traveled to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After crossing the Mackinaw Bridge, I drove Route 2 along the coast of the lake. We made several stops along the way before heading north towards Munising. I had a 3:30 pm boat trip scheduled to see Pictured Rocks.

Ty and I on the shore of Lake Michigan

Beach vegetation

Playing in the water

Fall foliage

Lake Michigan Beachfront

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake located entirely within the US. It is the third largest Great Lake by area, but second largest by depth and water volume. Ty enjoyed playing in the surf and biting at the water. He got pretty wet. It was his first Great Lake to experience. There were two more to come. We also enjoyed the fall foliage, which was peaking. The combination of the lakeshore and colorful trees was a site to behold. 

Northernmost Point

Headed for the beach

Changing colors

October

On the first day of our visit to the Upper Peninsula, there was a nationwide "No Kings" protest. The authoritarian policies and corruption of the Trump Administration were the reason for the protests. I agreed with the protests and did my little part.

No Kings 

Wet from chasing waves.