TRAVELTRAVEL NOTES:
MADE IN THE USA.
From East to West, North to South,
adventure surrounds us, right here. 
I Thought a National Monument Was Small — Then I Saw Escalante
I didn’t really know what the Grand Staircase–Escalante was until I drove through it. This post breaks down what it actually is and why it feels so different.
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument: My Favorite Hikes and Places to Explore
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument wasn’t even on my original plan, but it ended up being one of my favorite places in southern Utah. From slot canyons and desert waterfalls to remote dirt roads and small towns like Escalante and Boulder, this guide shares the places I explored and would go back to.
Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park: My Favorite Hikes, Views, and Historic Spots
A firsthand guide to the best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park, including Hickman Bridge Trail, Chimney Rock Trail, Capitol Gorge, and the historic Fruita orchards.
National Park Passport Stamps: How to Collect Them at Every National Park
A guide to collecting National Park passport stamps, how the Passport To Your National Parks book works, and where to find stamp stations at visitor centers.
Capitol Reef National Park: Utah’s Most Overlooked Park
Capitol Reef National Park is one of Utah’s most overlooked parks. Learn about the Waterpocket Fold, Fruita orchards, pioneer history, and the hikes that reveal this unique desert landscape.
Stargazing in Utah National Parks: Where to See the Darkest Skies
Southern Utah is home to some of the darkest skies in North America. From Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos to the open desert of Capitol Reef and Arches, these national parks offer incredible places to see the Milky Way and thousands of stars overhead.
What Is Slickrock? Understanding Moab’s Famous Rock
Slickrock is one of the most famous riding surfaces in Moab. Here’s what slickrock actually is, why it’s so grippy, and how it became iconic for mountain biking.
Potash Ponds Near Moab: What Those Bright Blue Pools Really Are
What are the blue ponds near Moab? A look at potash mining along the Colorado River.
Moab’s Uranium Boom: How the Atomic Age Reshaped a Desert Town
In the 1950s, Moab was the center of a uranium rush that reshaped the town’s economy, identity, and landscape — long before bikes and national parks defined it.
The Moab Fault: The Crack That Shaped the Desert
The Moab Fault explains the tilted rock layers, dramatic cliffs, and exposed geology around Moab, Utah.