Welcome to my 3rd annual “Best of…” blog post! It’s been awhile since I’ve worked on my site, so I figured this would help get me motivated. I will actually be seeing one more park site in 2023 but I don’t anticipate it making anything on this list!
The Best National Parks of 2023
No. 3: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon was everything I wanted it to be! I got the exact view I wanted, plus many others! I had a great time in that park and I got to see a section of Colorado I don’t think many people get to see.
No. 2: Mesa Verde National Park
The whole basis of my trip to Colorado was to see Black Canyon of the Gunnison. I threw in Mesa Verde because, why not? It’s not that I didn’t want to see Mesa Verde I just thought the cliff dwellings were the only thing to see, but I was so wrong!! I had 1.5 days in Mesa Verde and it was not enough! I could have easily spent 3 days. There were other cliff dwelling tours I wanted to do and there are so many hiking trails. I would love to go back some day!
No. 1: Arches National Park
I sometimes question whether I liked Mesa Verde or Arches better, which is weird because Mesa Verde isn’t nearly as popular. I just loved Mesa Verde so much. However, you cannot deny the grandeur of Arches. Seeing Delicate Arch up close is just something I’ll never forget. My time in Fiery Furnace was amazing. Even my hike to Double O Arch was incredible, just the walls of large slick rock all around you – stunning. For this reason, I must put Arches as my number one!
The Best Park Sites of 2023
Over the course of the year I went to 20 total park units, 5 major parks and 15 smaller units. I didn’t want to leave out the smaller units because some of them were really cool!
No. 3: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
I went on one of the Saturday’s that they do backstage tours and let me tell you I was geeking out! Not only did we get to see the scene shop and all the lights/ropes pulley systems, but the dressing rooms that the performers use as well. I’d love to take students there some year!
No. 2: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHP
I visited this site on my spring break trip to NYC in April. Hardly anyone was there, and the ranger tour was really good. I learned a lot and it’s in the best city, obviously!
No. 1: Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras by itself was amazing, not even to mention the beach and food nearby. All of the lighthouses are stunning with so much history. I enjoyed the light house museum and all the ranger programs!
The Best Destinations of 2023
No. 3: Philadelphia, PA
I know I know, Philly? When I went all over the country? Hear me out…I went for my birthday and had a great time. I got a really nice hotel for cheap, I had great food and beer, and I finally got to see Independence Hall. Also, I’m going back for the Eagles game on Christmas and I’m assuming that will be the time of my life, ya know?
No. 2: Ouray, Colorado
I really almost put Ouray as my number 1, but I didn’t actually stay there, so I felt like I couldn’t for that reason. I visited Ouray twice while I was staying in Montrose. Once to do the hot springs, and then to do the jeep tour. I LOVED it. It’s definitely touristy, but not nearly as bad as Telluride or Moab. I will get back to Ouray some day!
No. 1: Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks
My trip to the Outer Banks probably ties my trip to Colorado and Utah, but they were so different so it’s hard to even compare. The water was so warm, I got to do so much relaxing and reading by the beach. I got to see 3 park sites. The night-time ranger program at the Cape Hatteras light house was so cool, and I loved the free kayaking ranger program. I just had the best time on that trip, and it was exactly what I needed before heading into full-on band director mode.
The Best Hikes of 2023
I’m going to do my top 5 because unlike 2022, I actually did a lot of great hikes in 2023!
No. 5: Ashby Gap to Sky Meadows State Park
This was the first hike I did in April when everything was officially green. It rained the night before and everything was still glistening when I started early that morning. I remember being so happy on this hike.
No. 4: The Roller Coaster
The Roller Coaster almost killed me, but it was a huge accomplishment. My biggest hiking accomplishment for sure, just above Old Rag. The section I did was 15.36 miles and 3.971 feet of elevation gain.
No. 3: Warner Point Trail in Black Canyon
I loved this hike because you got views of the valley and the canyon. I also saw a big-horned sheep!! It was short, just under 2 miles but I loved the wildlife and vegetation.
No. 2: Fiery Furnace in Arches
There wasn’t too much elevation gain, not really a ton of views either because you are kind of inside a bunch of tall rocks – like a maze – but it was so, so cool. And the fact that only so many people per day can see the Fiery Furnace makes it even better. Very few people even know what I’m referring to!
No. 1: Bear Creek Falls in Telluride
This hike was hard for me because of the altitude. It was almost 1,200 feet elevation gain, all at over 8,000 feet altitude. However, the views were just…jaw dropping. Right out of a magazine. I’ll never forget that hike!
The Best Food of 2023
Honorable mention goes to the pork nachos at Moab Brewery and the Chicago Dog at Bear Chase Brewery in Bluemont, VA. I ate good this year for sure!
No. 3: Quinoa Salad from Ouray Brewery // Ouray, Colorado
After my jeep tour to Yankee Boy Basin I stayed in Ouray for a few hours for lunch, shopping, and to do Box Canyon Falls. Delicious!
No. 2: Gyro from Skorpios Maggio’s Family Restaurant // Vienna, VA
I went Maggio’s after touring Wolf Trap. It was so. so. good.
No. 1: Beef Brisket sandwich from The Original Ronnie’s BBQ // Richmond, VA
I found this place in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Richmond when I went down to do Richmond National Battlefield. It was the absolute best beef brisket sandwich I’ve ever had in my life.
That’s a Wrap!
When thinking about travel, 2023 was probably one of my best years. I got to see and do A LOT in multiple states, and it was all so different! I saw the mountains, beach, desert, snow, light houses, multiple big cities. There was a lot of good food and beer, and I even picked back up on an old hobby: skiing! Now that I have multiple years of big trips under my belt, I’m really trying to not “top the previous year.” I’m just trying to continue checking things off my list and enjoying everything for what it is.
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