Category Archives: National Monuments

20 Room Dwelling Montezuma Castle National Park

Posted on January 1, 2013

If you’re heading either way between Phoenix and Flagstaff Arizona on Highway 17, it’s well worth your time to stop to visit Montezuma Castle National Monument. It’s only a 15 minute drive from the main highway, and it’s one of the smaller national parks which I have visited meaning that it’s possible to see the entire park in about an hour. Even thought it’s not the biggest park in the system, it’s a pretty impressive sight that’s well worth the … Continue reading →

Posted in Montezuma Castle, National Monuments | Tagged Arizona, Aztec, cliff dwelling, Highway 17, Montezuma Castle, National Monument, Sinagua farmers | Leave a comment

Purple Sand Beach

Posted on May 7, 2012

I really enjoy finding unique beaches. A prime example is sea glass beach in Fort Bragg. I managed to stumble across another one this weekend when I traveled to Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur California. I actually have been to Pfeiffer Beach before (with direction on how to get there), but didn’t realize that it had a little secret — it’s one of the few purple sand beaches in the world. I missed this because the main part of beach … Continue reading →

Posted in California Coastal, National Forest, National Monuments | Tagged Big Sur, California Coastal National Monument, color sand, highway 1, national Forest, National Monument, Pfeiffer beach, purple beach, purple sand, purple sand beach, strange beach | Leave a comment

Sipapu Bridge Natural Bridges National Monument

Posted on April 16, 2012

When people visit Utah, and the many national parks there, Natural Bridges National Monument often gets overlooked (I have to honestly admit that I have bypassed it a couple of times in the past in order to make my way to more famous national parks in the area). Now that I have gone, I know that I will be back to do what appears to be an absolutely breathtaking canyon hike which I didn’t have time to do this time … Continue reading →

Posted in National Monuments, Natural Bridges | Tagged Augusta Bridge, Cedar Mesa, Natural Bridges national Monument, place of emergence, President Bridge, Sipapu Bridge, Sipapu Bridge overlook, Utah national monument | 1 Comment

Wire Pass Trail Photos Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

Posted on March 29, 2012

Most people who make it out to the Wire Pass Trailhead in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument are heading directly for The Wave (advance permit is required, permit not available at trailhead). And while The Wave is definitely a place that everyone should add to their bucket list, that doesn’t mean that those going there should neglect the other wonderful hikes in the area. One of these is the Wire Pass Trail which lead through a slot canyon and eventually intersects … Continue reading →

Posted in National Monuments, Vermilion Cliffs | Tagged Buckskin Gulch, slot canyon, The Wave, Vermillion Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs national monument, Wire Pass, Wire Pass trail | 1 Comment

The Wave Permits

Posted on March 28, 2012

One of the favorite places I have found since traveling to national parks is The Wave at Coyote Buttes in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. This is definitely not your average place, and one that everyone should immediately add to their bucket list. It’s really difficult to describe this place in a way that does its beauty justice. Even the photos of The Wave, as spectacular as they are, still fail to show the incredible beauty of this place. Here a … Continue reading →

Posted in National Monuments, Vermilion Cliffs | Tagged bucket list, Coyote Buttes, Coyote Buttes permits, The Wave, The wave lottery, The wave online permit, The Wave permits, The wave walk-in permit, Vermillion Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs national monument, Vermillion Cliffs permits | 2 Comments

Moonrise at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Posted on October 30, 2011

As I was driving in to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (about 1 mile from where the Gila Cliff Dwellings are located), I noticed that the moon was reflecting brightly in the daytime sky and I managed to get this shot of it. I wish I were a better photographer because even though I like this photo, it doesn’t do justice to actually being there. It’s always exciting when I come across these beautiful scenes that stop me … Continue reading →

Posted in Gila Cliff Dwellings, National Monuments | Tagged Gila Cliff Dwellings, moonrise, moonrise photo, National Monument | Leave a comment

National Park Free Days 2012

Posted on October 19, 2011

Update: The national park service has announced National Park Free Days 2013 Many people don’t realize that most parks within the National Parks system don’t charge any entrance fee at all. That being said, some of the most popular National Parks do charge entrance fees. While these fees are applicable most times of the year, National Parks, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Preserves, National Seashores and National Lakes designate several times a year when they offer free access days. … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Parks, National Forest, National Lakeshores, National Monuments, National Parks, National Preserves, National Recreation Areas, National Seashores | Tagged 2012 free days, free entrance national parks 2012, Get Outdoors Day, nationa parks free martin Luther King weekend, national park week, National parks free days, national parks free days June, national Parks free veteran's day, national parks free weekends | 3 Comments

Tour of the Moon Classic Cycling At Colorado National Monument

Posted on October 5, 2011

By Kristen Lummis (enjoy her blog Brave Ski Mom, like her on facebook or follow her on twitter @BraveSkiMom) Colorado is full of classic bicycle routes, many of which can leave you breathless at a high altitude. The Colorado National Monument ride is different. Located in western Colorado, just shy of the Utah border, Colorado National Monument offers cyclists never-ending vistas of stunning red rock canyons, pinyon-juniper forests, three seasons of wildflowers and a musical accompaniment of canyon wrens on … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, National Monuments | Tagged American Flyers, classic bicycle routes, classic cycling, Colorado national monument, Coors Classic, Tour of the Moon | 1 Comment

Sunset View Overlook Cedar Breaks National Monument

Posted on September 29, 2011

Sunset View overlook gives you a spectacular view directly over the Amphitheater portion of Cedar Breaks National Monument. The overlook is right next to the parking lot so there is no hike involved to get there, so it is definitely worth a stop when you are driving Scenic Drive. This is the description that the Cedar Breaks pamphlet gives about the Amphitheater: Nothing is subtle about the great natural rock amphitheater of Cedar Breaks and its gigantic spectacle of extraordinary … Continue reading →

Posted in Cedar Breaks, National Monuments | Tagged Cedar Breaks, Cedar Breaks national monument, scenic drive, sunset view overlook, the Amphitheater | Leave a comment

Devil’s Kitchen Trail Colorado National Monument

Posted on September 27, 2011

By Kristen Lummis (enjoy her blog Brave Ski Mom, like her on facebook or follow her on twitter @BraveSkiMom) My city-girl niece visited us this summer. She lives in the Denver area and we live on Colorado’s Western Slope. She is 8 years old, full of energy and loves to be outdoors. I am much older, but still full of energy. And, I too, love to be outdoors. We are a good match. So on a cool Saturday, despite the … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, National Monuments | Tagged Brave Ski Mom, Colorado national monument, Devil's Kitchen, Devil's Kitchen trail, leave no child inside, prickly pear blossom, sandstone, slickrock, trail boss | Leave a comment