Four U.S. National Parks in five days.

Early in 2023 my mother tells me she wants to visit the Four Corners in the western United States. My nephew is graduating from high school in Denver and she proposes it as a family trip. I’m surprised at her choice of destination but start researching what we can do.

In the end, I tell her that if we’re going to be heading out that way I want to visit Arches National Park. It’s long been a desire mine to see the park as an adult; my parents took me when I was younger but I don’t remember any of it.

In Denver, my uncle suggests we stop by Great Sand Dunes National Park on our way to Durango, where we’ve planned to stop and break up our trip. And on the way back, he suggests we stop by Colorado National Monument. A friend’s mom, when she finds out what I’m planning, suggests Mesa Verde National Park, near Cortez. I write them all down; I’m surprised we manage to see them all.

To read more about my trip, click on the chapters below.