The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is an easy, shaded hike through the forest above Idyllwild. Mossy boulders, seasonal creek crossings, and glimpses of Suicide Rock make it a good choice when we want mountain scenery without a steep climb.

Our Point Reyes loop hike connected Bear Valley, Meadow, Sky, and Coast trails through shaded forest, open meadow, coastal fog, and creek-lined woodland. A bee sting added an unexpected scare, but the varied scenery made this one of our most memorable Point Reyes hikes.

Red Rock Canyon in Whiting Ranch feels surprisingly far removed from suburban Orange County. This easy local hike follows Borrego Canyon Trail through grasses and oak woodland before reaching a colorful pocket of red sandstone cliffs.

For our fifth wedding anniversary, we rented a Native Campervan and spent a week exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We'd happily do it again.

Bryce Canyon completely stole my heart during one unforgettable hike. Descending through Wall Street, climbing among towering hoodoos, and completing the Figure 8 Trail quickly made Bryce one of my favorite national parks.

Observation Point rewarded us with the biggest view we found anywhere in Zion National Park. The climb was long and steep, but the changing scenery, Echo Canyon, and panoramic overlook made every switchback worthwhile.

Hiking through the Virgin River beneath the towering walls of The Narrows had been on my list for years. An early shuttle, mild river conditions, and hours inside the quiet canyon made this one of our most memorable days in Zion National Park.

Yellowstone's geothermal landscape is unlike anywhere else on Earth. From erupting geysers to bubbling mud pots and brilliantly colored hot springs, these were the geothermal areas that left the biggest impression on us.

Wildlife was one of the biggest reasons we wanted to visit Yellowstone. A massive bison herd in Lamar Valley and a playful black bear were some of our favorite wildlife encounters in the park!

Canyon Campground gave us a convenient base for exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, from the classic view at Artist Point to the roar of the river at the brink of Upper and Lower Falls.

Old Faithful’s towering eruption brought us to Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin, but the colorful pools, restless springs, and steaming boardwalk beyond it made us stay.

Wildfire smoke hid many of the mountain views we had traveled to see, but Grand Teton gave us other memories: rain at String Lake, a moose crossing the water, and a quiet afternoon in our campervan beside the river.