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The GodFathor's
From the Summit of Devil's Tower, July 2001
How it all Started...
How it all Started...
In June of 2001, I started my first real adventure in life – I packed up my car and left Virginia after almost 22 years. My plan was to start a new chapter somewhere out west and see what I could see while driving from coast to coast – heading for my birthplace of Seattle, WA.
What I didn’t know was that I’d be starting an entirely different journey that would transcend my short three years on the west coast and be with me for the rest of my life: National Park Hopping.
It was Devil’s Tower in eastern Wyoming where I earned my first National Park Passport Cancellation Stamp and bought my first passport book. I then spent a couple extra days learning how to mountain climb - capping it all off by scaling to the summit of Devil’s Tower.
Since that summer, I have been slowly accumulating every National Park Passport Cancellation (NPPC) stamp I could find while adventuring to see and learn as much as I could each time I collected a new stamp.
It’s time to share with everyone where I’ve been, what I’ve seen, the stamps I’ve collected, and all my future travels to come as I strive to collect them all!
In June of 2025, I finally had the chance for a dedicated visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. With half my family from this area, I often 'saw' the Smoky Mountains, but never properly toured and hiked it, let alone snagged the stamps. This trip finally gave me a chance to see so many of the sites, waterfalls, and trails.
Number of National Parks, Historical Sites, Monuments, and Memorials Visited:
As of 7/09/22: 252 out of 433 (59%)
Number of Official 'National Parks' Visited:
As of 7/09/22: 37 out of 63 (59%)
Official National Parks Visited:
Favorite National Parks:
1) Glacier National Park: The wildlife. The sheer volume and quantity of some of the most incredible hikes and views is awesome. I can't think of another National Park I want to spend more time exploring than Glacier.
2) Bryce Canyon: Awe inspiring view and a phenomenal looping hike all through the canyon. I could spend hours just enjoying the view from the overlooks.
3) Shenandoah: So many hikes, Skyline drive is gorgeous, and it has a special place in my heart as Virginia's official National Park.
4) Zion: BEST scenic drive thru views of any National Park and incredible hikes like the Narrows and Angel's Landing.
5) Grand Canyon: A Natural Wonder of the World that can only be appreciated by seeing in person as no picture ever does it justice. Looking forward to hiking/mule riding into the Canyon someday.
6) Capitol Reef National Park: It looks like something out of my favorite Wile E. Coyote cartoons with both short and long hikes. To be honest, I think it is the pies at the "Pie Shop" that put this in my top 6 - best fruit pies EVER!
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