NATURAL BEAUTY OF SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
VIRGINIA
1 DAY | 2 PEOPLE | 2 DOGS | BUDGET $50 | 1 PLACE
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JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
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DAY 1 - Morning
Map is courtesy of NPS
Try to warm up the day before by having a one hour hike and be ready for the exciting day, you are going up to the mountain! The beautiful forest scenery at the top is worthwhile.
Byrd's Nest #4 - First, drive along Skyline Drive to find the Neighbor Mountain Trail mark, which is located a little before MP 27. There is a parking lot for about 10 cars. Now, look for the trailhead that is located at the south corner of the parking lot and see which direction it indicates to go to the Neighbor Mountain Trail. Hike until you find another trailhead indicating Neighbor Mountain Trail/Byrd's Nest #4 and turn left (follow the yellow-blazed sign painted on the trees). After 45 minutes you are at the shelter. Enjoy the fireplace inside the shelter or enjoy a picnic open area. Take your time but be aware that the sun goes down faster when we are in the mountains. |
DAY 1 - Afternoon
On the way to the Byrd's Nest #4 , you might stop at some of the 75 available overlooks.
For more the adventurous and experienced hiker, we suggest to hike the Old Rag Mountain which can be a challenging and rewarding experience. It is the most dangerous hike in the park. This 9 mile round trip trek offers many spectacular panoramic views and one of the most challenging rock scrambles in the park. We promise, your dogs will be ready for a nap after a day hike! The park is home to more than 1,400 species of plants, Chestnut oak and red oak forests, and a diverse array of wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses that can be seen along its many trails. This time of the year, October, we were lucky to enjoy the smell of the wildflowers and the breathtaking colors of fall. Also we got a big surprise because we got to observe a large gang of wild turkeys, around 30 turkeys! We didn't encounter any black bears, but be aware that there is a possibility to see them in the park and it better be from a distance. |
NATURAL WONDERS OF GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
ARIZONA
8 DAYS | 2 PEOPLE | BUDGET $3,000 | 6 PLACES
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JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
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DAY 1, 2, 8 LAS VEGAS
Let the fantasy of lights and entertainment guides you through Las Vegas. The Wax Museum takes you back in time and amazes you with life-size almost realistic famous characters.
DAY 3 LAKE MEAD and HOOVER DAM
The drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon offers an astonishing view of the 112 miles long (180 Km) of Lake Mead with its blue water, and famous for being the 16th largest man-made lake in the world. The surprises do not stop here; after a few miles, there is one of the top construction achievement of the 20th century, the Hoover Dam, which was built in 1935 and stands at more than 725 feet above the Colorado River.
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DAY 3-4 GRAND CANYON
Prepare your heart for an incredible feeling. From your first look at the Grand Canyon, you will keep it in your mind for many years, as an amazing feeling of freedom and wonder.
DAY 5-7 ZION
Enjoy a self guided nature hike in Zion National Park where you can choose to walk through the canyons, take a helicopter ride, or drive around. Visit the dunes, the falls, and be astonished by the colors of the mountains. Driving around Utah is surprising; you can find a cave entrance where a knowledge man tells you everything about dinosaurs' prints in Utah.
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DAY 7 BEST FRIENDS
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In your way back to Las Vegas drive a little bit more to visit this place. Who has not heard about the best place for all animals, Best Friends in Utah? If you haven't heard and you love animals that is the place to visit. There are many houses that were transformed to fit the animals such as dogs, cats, horses, turkeys, and much more. This place is well known because most of their rescue animals are those who otherwise would not be in this life any longer. They give a second chance to those animals that have behavior problems and other challenge issues. If you are around, it is a place to visit.
PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
Why not learn and have fun at the same time during your internship at a National Park?
Stay a day, a week, a month and sometimes a year!
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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Student Conservation Association - Students will have environmental hands on experience and challenges. They have year-round and summer programs. Call 202-513-7146 or contact <here>.
Public Land Corps - Students that are interested in fields related to the environment and social work. Students ranged in age from 16 to 26 years are welcoming to participate. Every summer. Call 202-513-7146 or contact <here> Youth Conservation Corps - Students will work on conservation work projects and environmental education programs. Students ranged in age from 15 to 18 years. Every summer. Call 202-513-7146 or contact <here>. Pathways Program - This program includes 3 others: Internship Program, Recent Graduate Program, and Presidential Management Fellows. They target different areas of interest. Year-round and summer. Contact NPS/Office of Human Resources <here>. |
COLLEGE STUDENTS
National Park Service (NPS) is looking for students that their field of interest is geosciences and other natural resource fields during Spring and Summer, Fall and Winter. Students ranged in age from 18 to 35 years. Call Lisa Norby at 303-969-2318 or email <here>.
Mosaics in Science - For students interested in natural resource (STEM) fields. Students ranged in age from 18 to 35 years. Call Lisa Norby at 303-969-2318 or email <here>. Maritime Documentation - In the field of architecture, engineering, or history, maritime preservation. Call Todd Croteau at 202-354-2167 NPS/Historic American Engineering Record. Or email <here>. Heritage Documentation - Students interested in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, history. Every summer. Call NPS/Heritage Documentation Programs, Judy Davis at 202-354-2135 or email <here>. Historic Preservation Training - Students that are historians, archeologists, architects, curators, planners, and archivists. Year-round and summer. Contact NPS/Heritage Preservation Services, Guy Lapsley at 202-354-2025 or email <here>. |
GRADUATE STUDENTS
The National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI) - Students interested in environmental and public lands management. Contact NPS Management Business Group <here>.
Sally Kress Tompkins Fellowship - Student in architectural history or related fields. Every Summer. Call Lisa Davidson at 202-354-2180 or email <here>. National Park Service (NPS) is looking for students that their field of interest is geosciences and other natural resource fields during Spring and Summer, Fall and Winter. They prefer students ranged in age from 18 to 36 years. Call 303-969-2318 or email <here>. Mosaics in Science - For students interested in natural resource (STEM) fields. Students ranged in age from 18 to 35 years. Call Lisa Norby at 303-969-2318 or email <here>. Maritime Documentation - info at College Student. Heritage Documentation -info at College Student. Historic Preservation Training - info at College Student. |
