We received a lot of advice about getting to Yosemite early, parking in one of the main lots and then taking the Shuttle, which takes you to just about every popular place, or you can hike from those popular places to where you want to be. This was our plan until my 14-year-old daughter sprained her ankle literally two days before our trip and ended up on crutches.  Our plans for hiking now had to be adjusted to Plan B: driving and parking as close to the sights as possible.

Not many people realized Hetchy Hetchy is another option when visiting Yosemite National Park....

The chance to hike Walden Woods where Henry David Thoreau wandered every morning, to dip my toes into Thoreau's own pond and see the actual site of his cabin where he wrote his philosophies that continue to inspire wanderers, travelers, humanitarians.  To see a place that both inspired and reflected his sense of simplicity, appreciation, gratitude, and kindness.

Tips to know when hiking Barker Dam at Joshua Tree National Park. When I...

Finding Freedom in Historic Concord, the place of the Revolutionary War and birthplace of America. I love to travel because I love to discover myself, who I am, what I want, and declare my freedom to pursue my dreams in each place that I experience. There is no better place to seek out finding freedom in historic Concord, but perhaps not for the reasons that you think.