I love doing this kind of shopping: nature shopping. Whenever things get hectic at work, and I need to recharge my internal batteries, a nature fix gets the job done. Whether biking or hiking, open spaces do wonders for me. … Read More

— Glistening white sands cover an area approximately 275 square miles of desert in New Mexico. White Sands National Monument is the world’s largest gypsum dune field. An otherworldly landscape, the area reaches temperatures over 100ºF (38ºC) in the summer months, … Read More

— Some friends and I frequently enjoy spending time at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park. It should not be confused with nearby Bastrop State Park. Lake Bastrop offers camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and also has mini cabins for … Read More

— One of the must-see locations in Yosemite National Park, Vernal Fall is a 317-foot (96.6 meters) waterfall on the Merced River, at an elevation of 3,327 ft. The fall is clearly visible throughout several locations in the park, and … Read More

— Every year we try to make a trip to the coast to get our fill of relaxation by the ocean. We try to avoid the summer crowds by going in early October. The beaches and restaurants are definitely less … Read More

— Of the cities we visited while traveling through Italy a few years ago, Assisi was an unexpected dream come true. We thought that visiting the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and his birth place would be enough. Little … Read More

— It is hard to put into words the breathtaking views one finds at Canyonlands National Park, Utah. This was our last stop during our Utah national parks trip last year. Dozens of canyons, mesas and buttes are scattered throughout … Read More

— Another gift by Mother Nature, the Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park is a wonder of colors and textures. With colors ranging from lavender to shades of gray, deep red, orange and pink, this area covers over 93,500 … Read More

— We are lucky to live in Austin, where McKinney Falls State Park is located. With great hiking and biking trails, the park also offers unparalleled views in an urban setting. Onion Creek flows through the park, and in some … Read More

— Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a scenic wonder. In addition to the breathtaking views, though, this National Park Service (NPS) unit has other singular distinctions. For example, the NPS works together with the Navajo Nation in the administration of … Read More