The mountains tower over the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas, silent sentinels that seem incredibly out of place here in what is largely flat and arid land. The desert extends for hundreds of miles, the remnants of what was once a shallow sea that covered this portion of the continent, with the stunning Guadalupe Mountains…
The feeling of descending into the yawning mouth of a cave is one of largely excitement, but also a bit of trepidation. While today’s natural entrance into Carlsbad Caverns is a paved path of switchbacks, well marked and lit, this would have once been done with a rope ladder and lantern. As I descend, I…
For those who haven’t been to Yosemite Valley, any words I’d use to describe it - beautiful, majestic, stunning, awe-inspiring - would seem to be overkill. For those who, like me, have seen and loved this place, those same words wouldn’t be nearly enough to do it justice. Yosemite is, without a doubt, one of…
Where is the dividing line? Where is the dark, thick line that we can use to decide whether a person is/was good or bad? The question fills my head as I wander through the stunning Strentzel-Muir House, the highlight of John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, California. Here, the famed naturalist and “Father of…
Editor’s note: places like this, Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park, are what makes the national parks system so special. Here we celebrate the role women played in the war efforts of World War Two, a story I am so glad Christian is sharing with us today. For more of his writing, click here to…
Editor’s note: In my Ultimate Guide to Southern Arizona, I called Tucson more of just a place to stay rather than a place to see. Sam, our wandering rabbi here at The Royal Tour, proves me wrong in this terrific look at the city and region. For more of his stories, click here to visit…
Editor’s note: I’ve only been to Bogota, and Sam certainly makes me want to experience more of Colombia, especially the Caribbean coast. For more of his writing, click here to view his index. I love national parks; in every country where they exist, these lands are set aside and protected. They are recognized as exceptional…
Willemstad, the capitol - and only true city - on the island of Curacao, is lovely. It is full of beautiful colonial architecture, cultural gems, great food, and wonderful people. But if you have more than just a couple of days in Curacao, leaving the city behind to see other parts of the island is…
Yosemite, land of rock and water, of towering trees and grassy meadows, of deep valleys and their surrounding mountains. It is my happy place. Unfortunately, it is also the happy place for millions of other visitors each year, who clamor to the California icon to hike, camp, and ooh and aah at the breathtaking scenery.…
Editor’s note: the US national parks system is truly diverse, ranging from awe-inspiring beauty to a more subtle wonder, like in this view of Amistad National Recreation Area by Christian, our resident national parks expert. For more of his experiences, click here to visit his index page. The Amistad National Recreation Area lies along the…