My Next Big Adventure
Did you know this week is National Park Week? I may have led you to believe my only passion is running and talking about running, but a close second runner-up is visiting America’s National Parks. My husband and I set a goal to visit every National Park in the United States, and our vacations often include a stop to one of our country’s most stunning places for a hike, an unforgettable stay and, of course, a run. So far, we have vacationed at six of the 58 national parks. Clearly, we have a lot of work to do. Considering eight of the parks are in Alaska, this might take awhile.
National Park Week is about exploring amazing places and discovering open spaces, something we do so often with running. It seems only fitting that I announce my next big adventure during this special week. While I may not be training for a big goal marathon at the moment, my adventures are not coming to a stop.
Next month, Mr. rUnladylike and I are going to one of the seven natural wonders of the world – also a U.S. National Park – for four days to experience something we’ve wanted to do for about three years. We are going to raft through 88 miles of Grand Canyon National Park along the Colorado River where the canyon walls will tower more than 4,500 feet above us. We will go through 28 rapids (and hopefully survive), hike the beauty of the canyon and camp under the stars. We will have absolutely no contact with the outside world – no cell service, no phones, no wifi, nothing to plug anything into. Quiet. Nature.
Our trip will conclude with a very strenuous 10-mile hike while carrying our pack on our backs to get out of the canyon, which includes 5,000 feet of climbing. I have been strength training three times per week (more than normal) to get ready for that strenuous hike and carrying my pack.
Running and the beauty of nature take us to places we could only imagine. I’m excited to keep my special National Parks journey going in less than a month from now. The National Park system also has a half marathon race series, so maybe we can explore that together next. *wink*
What is your favorite national park? When was the last time you were completely disconnected from civilization or technology for more than a day?
Comments
OMG that is fantastic!!!! I have a close friend who did that trip a few years back with her family and it literally changed their lives, it was so incredible!! My husband and I have a sorta similar dream of packing the boys into an RV one summer and touring as many national parks as we can. We always said we would go when they are around 10 and it’s finally getting close!!
Cannot wait to see all your pictures and read about your adventure!!!!
I love this! My husband and I also talk about visiting more of the National Parks – I don’t know that we’ll ever make it to all of them, but I love that goal! There’s so much beauty around us that we should all be taking advantage of! Have fun – it sounds like an amazing trip!!
Something else we have in common! I love running, but hiking in national parks is the passion I share with my husband. We’ve been to 17 since 2009, and I’ve run half marathons in several. It’s impossible to pick a favorite, because they’re all so special. But we love all five NPs in Utah, because they’re like nowhere else on Earth. Haleakala (on Maui) is also amazing – we went there after I ran the Kauai Half Marathon last year. Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are breathtaking. Crater Lake is where I ran the most beautiful – and most grueling – 13 miles of my life. And all of the parks of Washington state, including the remote North Cascades, are to die for. We’ve been to the Grand Canyon, too, but we did the North Rim (90% go to the South Rim). We didn’t make it off the rim, so we need to go back! I can’t wait to hear about your adventure. Have an amazing time!
Ahhhhh! I am dying over this Laura. So cool that you have already hit so many. I have to agree with you on Utah’s 5. Arches I think is my favorite park so far with Zion maybe a close second. There is something about our experience at Arches that was just beyond words. Can you believe we didn’t go to Haleakala when we were in Hawaii??? What were we thinking. We are definitely going to go back and hit both NPs in Hawaii on our next trip. I’d love to run the Maui Half Marathon while I’m there too. I may go to Crater Lake in July. I have a trip planned to Oregon and if Mr. rUnladylike can come out for a few days, that is what we’ll go do. I’m dying to go to so many … Glacier, Grand Tetons, Mt. Ranier … I mean, how do you even choose or prioritize. They are all amazing. xo
This is so cool that you’ve been able to visit so many parks together!
OMG this is so exciting! What a once in a lifetime experience to hike and raft through the Grand Canyon. I’m so excited for you!
I love National Parks as well. Did you see this month’s issue of Outside Magazine? The whole issue was devoted to our National Parks.. The park in America Samoa looks just breathtaking. For Memorial Day my husband and I plan on heading to Redwood in California, which I’m very excited for!
It is their 100th anniversary so I love that media outlets are talking about it more. I haven’t seen the issue yet but now I need to go get it. We have a National Parks book that has photos from all of them and they are just stunning. Follow @NatGeoTravel on Instagram to see some really amazing pics from parks across the country. I also love to follow the individual parks on Instagram too to see amazing pics. I’m excited for your trip to Redwood!!! We need to make it there, too! xoxo
This is amazing!!!! I am dying to hit some of the parks out west and especially the Grand Canyon. I cannot wait to hear about this adventure – it sounds truly incredible!
That is awesome! I can’t wait to hear about your trip. It sounds like a blast!
I went to Grand Canyon as a kid, and used to visit Acadia Natl Park every summer, and today we hiked and ran Great Falls in Virginia! It was beautiful.
This is absolutely fantastic Jes!!! It sounds like a dream trip and I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
I love visiting US National Parks – isn’t is amazing seeing the wonder and beauty of nature?
We have been to Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone and Haleakala so far. Every single one I fell in love with and can’t wait to explore so many more. I laugh that we haven’t been to Yosemite yet as it is so close to us. 🙂
Have an amazing trip!!! xoxox
So fun!!! Crater Lake is my favorite place in Oregon. It just happens to be a National Park!!! It is amazing…you can’t even imagine, the most amazing blue ever!!! Love it!!
Yosemite is so beautiful! (Visited for a day while on our honeymoon) Don’t think I’ve ventured to any others really. I’d love to go to Acadia. I live in NH – do it’s not a stretch just need to take the time and make a plan. My parents visit the Grand Canyon last year and they said it was more beautiful than they ever imagined. Hope you have a great time and enjoy your adventure!
Whoa!!! Don’t know how I missed this post but looking forward to the recap on this trip! Happy trails!