Robert/05-10-2023

After leaving Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota, we decided to try to find a place to stay around Devil's Tower National Monument. It was late June 2012 and it was hot, somewhere north fo 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It turned out to be the hottest part of the entire trip. So we decided to continue west across northern Wyoming . We were approaching a large mountain range that I thought were too close to be the Rockies so I checked the map. They turned out to be...

Alice/05-01-2023

Although national parks like Yellowstone , Yosemite , and Grand Canyon in the western United States tend to draw the public spotlight, several national parks back East deserve just as much attention. It may be surprising to some that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, draws more than 10 million visitors each year, making it the most visited national park in the country (Sorry, Yellowstone).  With over 800 miles of hiking trai...

LyzaHayn/04-06-2023

Hemmed-In Hollow Falls: Your Ozark Hike for Stunning Springtime Views Spring has officially sprung. The wildflowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the rain is coming down in buckets. Here in the Ozarks, spring rains signify an important time for outdoor enthusiasts.   That’s right, folks— it’s waterfall season.  There’s nowhere better to see the waterworks than Hemmed-In Hollow Falls. Measuring 209 feet high, this is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the App...

Alice/03-31-2023

In the old days, when Grandma and Grandpa had to hike barefoot uphill both ways to their favorite camping spot, campers relied heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations and campground guidebooks to find the best places. Those days are long gone, and the internet reigns supreme when it comes to camping guides.  Finding the best campsites in Virginia state parks largely depends on your camping style. If you’re hauling a travel trailer across the country, your camping needs will be a far cry di...

BMcCoy/03-06-2023

God is the God of the Mountain and the Valley: The Great Smokey Mountains, Tennesee Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg are located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The town of Sevierville is situated in Sevier county and is home to approximately 17,000 residents. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are the most popular destinations because of their bustling attractions. All of these small towns are a part of Sevier county, TN. History The history of Sevier county dates back to the e...

The Boy Scouts Communications Merit Badge In February of 1910 , the well known Boy Scouts of America organization began. Over the years this organization has had nearly 130 million young boys and girls participate in their programming and over 35 million adults who have supported the mission and cause through volunteering. This organization is one of the f oremost youth programs that focuses on character development and values-based leadership training. Currently, the Scouting organization is co...

The History of Merit Badges If you know anything about the Boy Scouts of America, you know that these scouts have opportunities to earn badges. But why work so hard toward getting those little decorative patches? Within the Boy Scouts world, merit badges are seen as opportunities instead of simply a task to get done. These badges were always meant to be earned in order to prepare young individuals for the world ahead. Merit badges were strategically designed to emphasize the ability “to do” rath...

Boy Scouts History  In February of 1910 , the well known Boy Scouts of America organization began. Over the years this organization has had nearly 130 million young boys and girls participate in their programming and over 35 million adults who have supported the mission and cause through volunteering. This organization is one of the f oremost youth programs that focuses on character development and values-based leadership training. Currently, the Scouting organization is composed of approxi...

The Boy Scouts of America aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. With over 100 years of character development and values-based leadership training, this organization continues to make a difference to help ensure their scouts are “Prepared. For Life.” Scout units are led exclusively by volunteers who are appointed by a chartering organization. Chartering organizations include churches, local clubs, and other local organizations. These units and chartering organizations are supported by local council...

I love the Grand Tetons. It's my favorite NP. I want to spend the whole summer there....