There are three National Parks between Minnesota and Idaho. My knowledge comes from the whirlwind trip out to Idaho Falls to get my new van.

I’ve already lost count of the number of State Parks I’ve visited since arriving in Florida. Myakka was on that really stuck out to me.

The next stage of my adventure begins, but before I can reach warm weather, I must brave southern Illinois!

Have your eyes said, “I know what that is!” but your brain is like, “I don’t think that's right"? That’s how it felt at White Sands Park.

Aren’t caves so cool? Heading to New Mexico I knew I needed to go to Carlsbad Caverns, because they were some pretty amazing caves.

My final stay in Texas was Davis Mountain State Park. Without a clue about the park or area, I was excited to explore another TX state park.

"Big Bend Ranch State Park is the prettiest drive in Texas,” according to locals. I just had to brave the 'big hill' to see it.

After a first day in Big Bend where I had to shift plans due to a missed turn, day two I made sure I knew exactly where to go.

As I entered Big Bend I could barely keep my eyes on the road as the descending sun & fluffy clouds put the mountains into stark relief.

A small gem tucked amidst the smattering of parks along the Colorado River, I stumbled upon Inks Lake State Park purely by happenstance.

My original plan after Christmas in Texas had been to head east, but Mother Nature stuck her nose in, so I decided to head south