We boarded our cruise ship in Auckland, New Zealand.  For the next 13 days, the cruise ship would be our home away from home.  This trip was going to be the longest cruise we had ever taken…13 days is quite a lot of days on board a cruise ship! We found our room, dropped off a few items, and then found the large food area.  (It was very easy to find! LOL!!)  Lunch was being served for all of those starving tourists just boarding the ship!  We then walked around the massive ship (The Majestic Princess), trying to see exactly what the ship had to offer.  When we sailed away from the dock in Auckland, we were headed for our first port of call, Tauranga, New Zealand. 

We had an idea to finally visit Australia, also known as the “Land Down Under,” and after a lot of research, we came up with the following 29-day adventure (and do not ask me why I did not make it a 30-day adventure…I really do not know why I did not just add one more day to this wonderful trip).

After leaving Carlsbad, New Mexico, we headed west for only 50 miles (via US-180 W/US-62 W) so wecould stop and visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This park, which was once a reef growing beneath the waters of an ancient sea, straddles the Texas and New Mexico borderline. Most of the 80 miles of trails in the park are unpaved. No paved roads penetrate this park. Therefore, you will have to “hike” to explore the interior of this National Park.

A few years ago, my husband and I flew to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the second time in our lives.  The first time we visited Albuquerque was to see my husband’s aunt and uncle.  Our daughter, Amanda, was only 4 months old at the time!  She is now 44 years old…so, it has been some time since our first visit to this beautiful city! 

Star Dune is currently tied with Hidden Dune as the two tallest dunes in North America. It is a majestic dune now measuring 741 feet (225 m) from base to summit. While it can be hiked from the summit of High Dune on First Ridge, it's more direct, and less up and down, to access it via its base along the Medano Creek bed. From the Dunes Parking Lot, hike about 2 miles (3.2 km) south down the Medano Creek bed until the massive pyramid-shaped Star Dune comes into view. Follow a ridge to its summit.

Joshua Tree is home to world-famous rock formations, funky Joshua trees, and a rich diversity of plants, animals, and human history. With stunning desert vistas and seemingly endless days of sunshine, the park attracts over three million visitors per year. There are a variety of activities and sights to experience. We welcome all people and backgrounds to enjoy this magical place.

Enjoy my Death Valley Story! Make sure you scroll all the way to the end to see my photo album!

We spent two nights at the AmericInn Hotel, 75 E. River Road S., Medora, ND.  At the time, this was the only available hotel in Medora.  It was nice but more than a little strange.  Our room had a giant sunken tub in it (FYI:  The tub was not located in the bathroom)!  The tub was right in the corner of our bedroom…by the television!!  Yep!  I guess they do not have a whole lot to do in this very remote section of North Dakota! LOL! (I guess that way you can watch more than one show going on in your room at one time?) I could go on with a lot more "one-liners" but, I guess, I will keep it clean and leave it at that! LOL!  And, to me, it is funny that Medora, ND is actually known for their wonderful annual Musicals and Shows in their "outdoor" Amphitheater.  Unfortunately, we missed the famous outdoor show by only one day! (Go figure!)  Sometimes, you miss stuff because you arrive too early or too late in a town! That's part of life…besides, we only stopped in Medora, ND, to do one thing…Visit our next National Park:  Theodore Roosevelt National Park (the North and South Units)!

This was a trip I had put off taking for about three years. The Dakotas! I really did not think I would want to visit The Dakotas…I am happy to say that I was totally wrong!

At last, THE GRAND CANYON (South Rim)! What can I say? It is, after all, THE GRAND CANYON! You have heard about it your whole life, seen pictures of it on TV, and then…you finally get to experience it in real life! IT IS BOTH GRAND AND AMAZING!

When you leave Canyonlands (the Needles Unit), take US 191 to US163 South for 138 miles. It will take you around 2.5 hours to reach Monument Valley. I will first say that Monument Valley is not a National Park. It is a Navajo Tribal Park. It is also one of my most favorite places to visit in the entire World. Yes, I did say World!!  

Canyonlands National Park:

We left Dead Horse Point State Park on UT-313 and then turned onto US-191S. 

We started our trip toward MOAB, Utah, from Capitol Reef, taking Route 24 to Interstate 70. We took Exit 182 (Route 191) to Route 313 to an unknown State Park. (We were going to arrive in Moab too early to check in to our hotel, so we decided to visit the state park in the area for a few hours). Well, let me tell you right now that Dead Horse Point State Park is an incredible state park! You can hike easy Rim Trails to your heart's content and be amazed at all the beauty you can see from the rim of the canyon trail. 

Bryce Canyon sits atop the Grand Staircase in southern Utah and provides endless views and photographic opportunities. Thor's Hammer, found just below Sunset Point, is the most recognized and photographed formation in one of America's most unique national parks.

Utah Mighty Five