Category: The Golden Gap Year Chronicles Blog
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From North Dakota to Canada: Wild Horses, Storms, and Riverfront Views
Leaving the Black Hills of South Dakota behind, we set our sights on North Dakota and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The drive carried us into wide-open prairie landscapes, where the sky seemed to stretch forever. Our reward for the journey? A park alive with wildlife and rugged scenery that made us feel like we’d stepped…
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Black Hills Adventures with Friends
Sometimes the best trips aren’t about packing in all the big attractions—they’re about slowing down, catching up with friends, and enjoying the moment. Our time in South Dakota’s Black Hills was exactly that: a mix of iconic sights, local experiences, and plenty of porch time with friends who call this stunning region home. A Stop…
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Exploring Myers-Big State Park, the Spam Museum, and a Tractor Museum Stop
Our road trip adventures took us through a stretch of the Midwest that blended natural beauty, quirky Americana, and family history. Each stop was a reminder that travel is about so much more than destinations—it’s about the stories along the way. Myers-Big State Park We started our day at Myers-Big State Park. With its quiet…
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Exploring Cuyahoga Valley and Indiana Dunes: A Midwest Adventure on Foot and Bike
When most people think about America’s national parks, their minds wander westward to the red rocks of Utah or the towering peaks of the Rockies. But tucked right in the Midwest are two remarkable national parks that combine history, scenery, and outdoor adventure—Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana.…
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Arches National Park Adventure: Family Time, Red Rock Wonders, and an Unexpected Journey Home
Arches National Park has always been on our bucket list, and this time we had the joy of experiencing it with our youngest daughter, Lydia. There’s something magical about sharing the breathtaking landscapes of Utah with family, and Arches delivered in every way imaginable. We camped inside the park at Devils Garden Campground, which gave…
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From Red Rock to City Streets: Capitol Reef to Salt Lake City
After our time in Capitol Reef National Park, we discovered the perfect mix of wild beauty, small-town charm, and city highlights before heading north to welcome our daughter Lydia to the adventure. BLM Camping Beneath the Stars We chose to stay on nearby BLM land instead of the park campground, and it turned out to…
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Bryce Canyon & Kodachrome Basin: A Perfect Southern Utah Pairing
When most people plan a trip to southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is an obvious highlight. Its towering hoodoos, striking amphitheaters, and ever-changing colors are unforgettable. But just down the road lies a quieter gem — Kodachrome Basin State Park — and pairing the two creates a trip that blends world-famous sights with peaceful,…
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Discovering Grand Staircase-Escalante: A Scenic Detour We’re Glad We Took!
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument wasn’t originally on our travel itinerary. But with a few unexpected open days between our stays in Zion National Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park, we decided to venture a bit farther — past Bryce Canyon and Kodachrome — and spend a few nights in the town of Escalante, Utah at…
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Zion in Bloom: Spring Adventures by E-Bike
We visited Zion National Park in early May, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The canyon was bursting with spring flowers, painting the trails with vibrant color and adding a magical touch to every view. Instead of relying on the shuttle system, we brought our electric bikes, which turned out to be the…
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Valley of Fire State Park & Kayaking the Colorado from Willow Creek Recreation Area
Our final adventures in the Lake Mead Recreation Area took us to two incredibly different—but equally breathtaking—spots, each about an hour or so from our campsite. Check out the YouTube video below for highlights! Valley of Fire State Park, NV Just about an hour from where we were staying, the drive to Valley of Fire…
Garlands on the GO 