There’s something to be said about enjoying a pristine pine forest and vibrant thermal activity while inhaling the aromas of a boiling cauldron of sulfur. Just a few hours into our first voyage to Yellowstone National Park, we pulled off the main road to stretch our legs along the short 1-mile loop at Artists' Paintpots Trail and got to witness this thermal basin activity up close for the first time.

Come along as I recap our experience exploring Idaho’s volcanic landscape on the North Crater Trail and check out the must-see views at Craters of the Moon National Monument.

In true weekend warrior fashion, we drove five hours until we reached the Grand Canyon to hike to 3-Mile Resthouse to get a taste of hiking below the rim.

With four parks already explored, it only made sense to add the fifth and final piece to complete the Utah Mighty Five: Bryce Canyon National Park.

I’ve always been drawn to the trails that lead you to a place of solitude. The ones that require a bit of dust, a few miles of trail under your boots and even a dirt road to find. Canyonlands quickly became one of those places that reminds me why I take the long way to find adventure away from the pavement.

The journey started off spectacularly. A well-maintained trail of packed sand wound through impressive red rock formations and deeper into the desert. After a short incline, we witnessed the dramatic ribbon of red rock over the horizon. Past this arch is when the trail transformed into something far more demanding.

After a winter storm canceled our plans last year, we finally made it to Sequoia National Park for a day of hiking snowy trails in complete solitude amongst 2,000-year-old giants in an experience that left my soul feeling alive.

After enjoying a morning hike overlooking the desert landscape we decided to spend our final day exploring the nearby town of Pioche, NV.

With the rain still lightly falling off and on, we headed to the west side of the park to explore Wetherhill Mesa. Discovering the ancient secrets of Mesa Verde's Wetherill Mesa and enjoy a rainy journey through the Ancestral Pueblo people's history at Step House and Badger House Community.

Discovering the iconic Four Corners Monument - the first of many stops on our journey to check off our 10th National Park.