After a few prior attempts trying to visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park, we finally were able to get past the visitor kiosk to walk among some of the oldest and largest living organisms on the planet. This amazing state park protects the endangered giant sequoia and provides recreation and education to the park's many visitors. There are dark sky programs as well as a fun junior ranger program for ages three and up.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park in MIssouri's Ozarks features green forests, lovely vistas, and natural bridges thanks to karst topography. It also protects the ruins of a 1900s European castle.
The Cranky Camper visits Jefferson City, Missouri's state capital on the way to Lake of the Ozarks.
With fruit trees, pie, stunning canyons, and natural bridges, Capitol Reef National Park is an adventurer's paradise. While it was quieter than Arches or even Canyonlands, this national park was probably my favorite.
A prelude to the summer 2022 vacation season, the Cranky Camper takes a drive down memory lane in this essay on the American road trip
The Cranky Camper 