Great Western Road Trip  

Sequoia National Park doesn't immediately present itself as anything more than a nice bit of forest and rolling hills. But hidden within are thousands of the largest living things on earth: the Giant Sequoias. Nothing else even comes close.

Yosemite National Park in central California has some of the most serene and magnificent sights in the world. But it's also very crowded. These are the pro's and con's of Yosemite National Park.

California is an immense state and although we stayed mostly in the northern portion of California, it still has an immense variety of beautiful and intriguing landscapes. These are road notes from central and northern California.

Death Valley is a foreboding name, but it deserves it. In summertime, it's one of the hottest places on earth and any journey here has to be carefully undertaken. We took a short stint through Death Valley and learned a lot about this fascinating place.

Three people died here from accidents the week before we arrived. This is a place whose magnificent beauty may be matched only by its danger. But I survived this harrowing ordeal and I immensely enjoyed it.

Everyone knows Las Vegas, Nevada is the gambling capital of the world. But even if you're not a big gambler, there's plenty to do in Las Vegas. Pretty much anything you enjoy, Las Vegas has it in excess and much of it is even free.

Some people may think that if they want to see a canyon, the Grand Canyon is all they need to see. But Bryce Canyon stands alone and is completely amazing in its own right. It's almost like looking at bizarre cave formations in broad daylight.

As we drive further west, we often have the choice to take the direct 4-lane freeway routes or the scenic routes. Our road trip is based on scenic viewing and flexibility, so we take the scenic routes. These are road notes for Utah and Nevada.

Everyone knows what the Grand Canyon is. Everyone who gets the chance goes, and for good reason. But there are some things I learned on my visit that can help you make the most out of your Grand Canyon experience.

The United States is full of geological wonders and prehistoric monuments. They only increase as you journey into the Southwest. Near Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Petroglyph National Monument is famous for both.

As our road trip continues we spend less time on the road between each stop and we're starting to get used to the distances. But the scenery on the road can still make or break the enjoyment of the trip. This is the second installment of road notes.

Petrified wood exists in every state in the USA and most people have a seen a piece sometime. But here is an entire forest of petrified wood, covering hills and filling valleys, and it's in the middle of the most colorful desert in the United States, maybe the world.

The United States regularly suffers from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and the occasional earthquake. But lava eruptions spewing 40 miles long? I found out that the US is more seismically active than I previously thought.

At first glance, Roswell, New Mexico looks pretty much like any other small mid-western town. But with a closer look, Roswell reveals something extraordinary, maybe even extraterrestrial. Read more to find out what make Roswell, NM exceptional.

I've always enjoyed spelunking as a kid. But Carlsbad Caverns is not just spelunking, it's something different. It's like exploring a vast, underground palace. And it's one of the most beautiful places on earth.

On any road trip, the goal is to see the great sights: big cities and national parks. However, you often spend as much time driving to them as you do actually seeing them. So you want to make sure you have something to see while you're driving.

At the beginning of June, my wife and I will engage in a classic American tradition: road trip! We'll spend the entire month of June touring the entire US west of the Mississippi. Part 1 is what we'll bring.