Four U.S. National Parks in five days.
A road trip through the western United States.
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.
1.
Great Sand Dune National Park.
Early this year my mother said she wanted to visit Four Corners, where you can stand at the confluence of four states. She said it would make a nice family trip after convening in Denver for my nephew’s graduation. I was surprised at her choice of attraction, but agreed and started planning.
2.
Mesa Verde National Park & Four Corners.
The night before we had agreed to sleep in and so we were well-rested by the time we make it down to breakfast.
3.
A pre-dawn hike to Delicate Arch, Arches National Park.
The alarm is set for 03:30 but I don’t get to hear it. I’m up long before then and turn it off so as not to wake my father, sleeping in the other bed.
4.
A day in Arches National Park.
After our hike to Delicate Arch my aunt and I return to the hotel to have breakfast. My parents ate a little while ago but my mother joins us to chat while we eat. It’s a beautiful morning and we take a table outside with views to the surrounding hills.
5.
Colorado National Monument and the road back to Denver.
Leaving the hotel we drive north towards Interstate 70. The lanscape changes from red rocks to a sandy yellow. At the interstate we take a left and settle in for the straight shot to Colorado National Monument. To our right we can see Arches National Park lurking in the distance.