Mowgli passed away 2 months ago, unexpectedly and at an early age. We definitely weren’t ready for it…as if you can ever be ready for a child’s passing, because that’s what he was to us. I frequently refer to him as my firstborn, the older brother to my human child. Dogs are pure love and magic. They are wonderful at living in the moment and making happiness a priority, both for themselves and for those around them. I’m learning to embody those qualities in order to carry him with me everywhere I go.
In the spirit of enjoying life and soaking in the happy times, I’d like to reflect on some of the best trips I’ve taken in the US, specifically national and state parks which took my breath away. For these places, we traveled during off-peak (or at least not prime peak) season, which ensured minimal crowds, ample lodging options, and reasonable prices for flights, activities, and car rentals. However, this also meant we had to plan accordingly to ensure park entrances, trails, tours, and lodges were open during our visit, since at times they were winding down after tourist season. We combined multiple parks in a single road trip when possible and purchased an annual National Park pass, which has already paid for itself. Finally, especially with the recent spate of tourist-photog deaths at the Grand Canyon and other parks, we made sure to exercise caution when taking photos, whether it was of 2000lb bison in Yellowstone or of the mesmerizing spindly peaks in Bryce Canyon.
Speaking of photos, none of them do these parks justice. They do nothing to capture the colors, depth, or scale of these places, and your eyes are truly the best tool to see them with in person. Here are some photos from our truly stunning trips through the western US.