Our Airstream – Chase the Big Dream

Mesa Verde National Park

Our next stop in Colorado is a park we have never heard of before this trip – Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde National Park is in southwest Colorado. It was established to protect the heritage of the ancient Puebloans and the park contains over 5,000 archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. The cliff dwellings are supposed to be particularly well preserved and spectacular – whole cities tucked underneath cliff ledges. It should be a fascinating visit.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

We are leaving the Rocky Mountains for the tallest sand dunes in North America! Our next park is Great Sand Dunes National Park. We are looking forward to sledding down the giant dunes. The park is located in southern Colorado.

Yosemite National Park

We are so excited for our next stop – Yosemite National Park. Stunning sheer granite walls, meandering rivers and iconic landscapes. We are camping in the park at Lower Pines Campground in the heart of the park – we feel very lucky to have the reservation. There are only a couple spots that our 30-foot Airstream will fit in – we were so happy to get one of them by booking the instant reservations open online five months in advance! We also are relieved that the park is open – it has been closed due to forest fires for weeks and just opened a week and a half before we are scheduled to arrive. We are also concerned about smoke – we are hoping that the park and campground will be clear!

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are our next stop. The parks abut one another in Northern California in the southern portion of the Sierra Nevadas. Sequoia National Park is home to groves of enormous towering sequoia trees – the largest trees on earth. And Kings Canyon is one of the deepest canyon’s in North America.

Olympic National Park

Next on our itinerary is Olympic National Park – mossy rain forest, high snowy peaks and drop-dead gorgeous coastline teaming with colorful sea life. This park has it all. We envision days of walking the beaches tide pooling, hiking through the mossy rain forests and enjoying the high views from Hurricane Ridge.

Mount Rainier National Park

Our next stop is a highlight of the Pacific Northwest: Mount Rainier and its iconic snow-covered peak, multitudes of wildflowers and breathtaking hikes. Friends from home are meeting us which adds to our anticipation.

North Cascades National Park

Up to the Pacific Northwest to North Cascades National Park. The snowcapped peaks, Douglas firs towering above, lots of green and moss. Glacier fed turquoise blue lakes and the stunning Washington Pass.

Glacier National Park

In northwestern Montana on the Canadian border, Glacier National Park is renowned for pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. It is also a place to experience bygone days with historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Wildlife sightings are all but guaranteed, so we are excited to see this park. Upon the recommendation of a ranger at Yellowstone, we are planning on camping at Two Medicine Campground in East Glacier, and it is a highly rated site. The only problem is that it is first-come, first-serve and high season, so we are a bit nervous as to how this will all turn out . . .

Yellowstone National Park

Shooting geysers, bubbling and boiling springs, gurgling mud-pots, deep blue pools ringed in yellows and oranges. Weare onto Yellowstone National Park! We are sad to leave Grand Teton; we could have stayed there much longer, but it’s time to go to the park next door. We got a small taste of Yellowstone and its stunning beauty when we drove through on our way from Cody to Grand Teton but now we are here for our official visit! Yellowstone is on top on an active super volcano which is responsible for its spectacular hydrothermal features, including 60% of the world’s geysers.

Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Lake Grand Teton Canoeing — Canoeing on Jackson Lake at Grand Teton National Park

We are very excited for this stop – Grand Teton National Park. Dramatic mountain vistas, glistening blue alpine lakes, wildlife and spectacular hiking. We expect this stop to be one of the highlights of the trip and it doesn’t disappoint us!