We survived! How was Halloween for all of you? I spent the evening watching Mr. Fireman pass out candy to all the kiddos.
Unfortunately, he had to shed the suit right after I took this picture because he had an actual fire yesterday so he was filthy! He still had a blast running back and forth to the door. I think it really might be his favorite time of the year. We even had a visit from two of our favorite trick or treaters.
My sister-in-law always brings our niece and nephew by, and seeing them in their costumes is my favorite part of Halloween. Check out that pirate costume! I was super impressed. Apparently, the eye patch didn’t last until this portion of the evening, though. 😉 Perhaps I’m biased, but I think that may be the prettiest Sleeping Beauty around! Another Halloween is in the books which means my favorite time of year is just a bit closer. Do you think I can start listening to the Christmas station on Pandora? Too soon?
Here’s a small little tidbit about me. Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite president. A lot of people are shocked when I tell them that, but Teddy was a man after my own heart. He did a lot of things that are to be admired, but my favorite has to be that he is one of the main reasons we have so many national parks to enjoy in this country. John and I have had the opportunity to hike in just a few of them, and I wanted to highlight some of these parks as well as give you a few that are on our “must see” list.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is located in Northern Montana. We visited this past summer, and it’s the first National Park we’ve had the opportunity to backpack in. I don’t feel like I’m exaggerating when I tell you that it’s truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Glacier is known as the “Crown of the Continent”, and it fully earns that name. It has over 700 miles of hiking trails that include both day hikes for beginners and longer backpacking trips for experienced hikers. I plan on doing an entire post about our trip sometime soon so for now take a look at a sneak peek of some our pictures. I think you’ll understand why I say it’s so beautiful, and the pictures don’t even do it justice!
Was I lying?
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah, and is probably the most unusual landscape you can imagine. The park is famous for it’s hoodoos which are huge rock spires that stick up out of the canyon. It’s really gorgeous in its own unique way. We did a few different day hikes here. This park is located in the high desert so you definitely need plenty of water on these hikes! Most of you probably know that I am not a fan of hot weather, and the temperatures in Bryce reached into the 100s during the day. In is a testament to how much I liked the park that I was willing to hike in that!
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is not far from Bryce in southern Utah, but the landscape is completely different. The park has huge sheer rock faces, and, we were told while there, it gives Yosemite a run for its money in terms of rock climbers. We did two awesome trails while we were there. The first was Angel’s Landing. This trail is a steep climb to the top of a really high peak. The last few miles of it sports chains to hold on to because of the sheer drop offs at either side. Full disclosure: My mom and I stopped before this point while John and Joel continued up. I was going to attempt it, but I put my hand on the chain and started to climb and I immediately froze up. I knew continuing up would put me and the rest of my family is a dangerous position so I opted out.
The second hike we did was so unique. It’s called The Narrows, and it’s one of a kind because you are literally hiking through the river to get back to some beautiful rock formations. It was such a different and interesting trek, and, despite the fact it was only 6 miles, one of the most strenuous day hikes I’ve ever done.
That’s the list of a few of the national parks I’ve been fortunate enough to visit. I’ll be back with a part two to highlight some of the parks that I hope will be in my near future!
Have you ever been to a National Park? Which one would you like to visit?
Free Range Human 
November 1, 2012 at 5:54 pm
How about Medicine Park in the Wichita Mountains? That was one of Teddy’s favorites….
November 2, 2012 at 6:08 am
🙂 It’s not a national park!
November 1, 2012 at 6:24 pm
I would agree on the Teddy Roosevelt as best president. I’ve always loved him too. I would have to add Grand Teton NP to this list. Definitely a favorite. I always find Yellowstone, although improessive, a bit overwrought with tourists. But, just down the road is GTNP and worth a longer stay. When we were in Zion we did a bunch of mountain biking. Every talks about Moab as a mecca, but Zion is better, in my opinion anyways.
November 1, 2012 at 7:37 pm
gosh I have never been to a place like that but those are gorgeous pictures. I am in awe. def on my bucket list
November 2, 2012 at 9:08 am
We kind of have a love affair going with the American West. Everything is so gorgeous!
November 1, 2012 at 9:44 pm
I love how you transitioned from one passion to another!! You’re too adorable.
As I’ve already told you once today (and multiple times in the past) — your enthusiasm is infectious!! You make me want to be outside ALL THE TIME!! (Which, considering I used to never, ever want to leave the house, is a BIG deal). Thank you for helping me fall back in love with what our world has to offer!!
I’ve been to a handful of Canadian National Parks, but no American ones. You’ll have to show me around one of your favourites sometime!! 😉
November 2, 2012 at 9:09 am
I love that you want to be outside all of the time! That means you’re going to take up all kinds of winter sports since snow is coming your way, right? 😉
I will take you to some of my favorites! Hey, did I tell you I’ve been to Canadian national park too. We went to Waterton while on our Glacier trip!
November 2, 2012 at 6:06 pm
They’re calling for snow this weekend!! I’m so excited!!
November 2, 2012 at 12:18 am
I haven’t been to a national park! I don’t think. I used to complain soooo much when my dad would take us to state parks. I was such a nerd. I just wanted to read books. Lol.
November 2, 2012 at 9:10 am
🙂 That is totally fine! I was that kid too….my mom would actually get made at me because I read ALL THE TIME. Now I just bring a book along when we’re backpacking 🙂
November 2, 2012 at 7:03 am
Great Halloween pictures! Did you dress up too? I’ve never been to a national park, but all of your hiking posts make me want to take up the hobby, Natalie! One day … 🙂
November 2, 2012 at 9:11 am
Yay! You totally should. You get to see so many beautiful things when you go off the “main” path. Plus, it’s a wonderful break from reality. I didn’t dress up. I almost dressed up as Rosie the Riveter, but I’ve been so tired this week that I couldn’t make myself go to Walmart for the one little thing I needed!
November 2, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Aw, I love Rosie! Two of my friends did it, and they looked awesome. Great minds … 🙂
November 2, 2012 at 8:15 am
Beautiful photos of the parks. I haven’t been to any of the ones you highlighted…only Yosemite.
November 2, 2012 at 9:12 am
Thank you! Yosemite is on the list of ones I want to go to. We haven’t made it to California yet, but hopefully in the next few years!
November 2, 2012 at 8:35 am
Oh my gosh, hiking in the 100’s? I can’t even imagine! But it is incredibly beautiful, so I can see why you were willing to do it! And your nephew is too cute as a pirate, both my niece and nephew dressed up as pirates too! A boy pirate and a girl pirate, adorable!
November 2, 2012 at 9:13 am
That is cute! The temperatures were only doable because the heat was super dry. There’s no way I would ever do it here in Oklahoma-our humidity is awful!
November 2, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Aww your niece and nephew are adorable! And I love Glacier, Bryce, and Zion, but Bryce is my absolute favorite! So beautiful!!
November 2, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Thanks! I’m pretty fond of them 🙂 Bryce was really cool. The whole time we were there I just kept thinking it was unlike anything I’d ever seen!
November 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Beautiful photos! Utah is definitely on our list. Looking forward to reading your list of parks you hope to visit!
I’ve been to a few National Parks in Canada, with my favourite being Jasper. We also visited a couple in Australia, with my favourite being the Daintree.
November 2, 2012 at 6:47 pm
I would love to go to Australia! John has been and he really really loved it. I’ve heard such great things about Jasper. It is definitely on my “international” list!
November 3, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Teddy Roosevelt is also *my* favorite president! We are so alike, you and I. 😉 I always tell people it’s because he was a boisterous individual with a great love for the outdoors and of course, that he set aside money and land for the national park system as we know it. He was also a family guy with a truly adventurous spirit—I feel like people like him are few and far between nowadays.
I am a national park lover as well! My favorites are the Great Smoky Mountains (bc they’re so accessible from Chicago), Rocky Mountain, Acadia, Glacier, Yellowstone, Arches, Zion, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Denali << although I was only 9 when we went to Alaska, so my memories are a bit fuzzy. I just remember it was like nothing I'd ever seen before! I can't wait to go back someday. I meet so many people who crinkle their nose when I tell them that I'm headed to a national park to camp for my vacations but I just think, hey, more room for us!
November 4, 2012 at 8:06 am
Yay for Teddy! I think your right-most people don’t even know that much about him anymore. He’s certainly not someone who gets talked about in most history classes very much. You have been to a ton of national parks! I have some catching up to do 🙂 I really want to go to Acadia. I have this vision of Maine, and I think I would really love it.
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