National Parks left to visit - updated for 2022

American Samoa

Biscayne

Channel Islands

Death Valley

Gates of the Arctic

Glacier Bay

Hawai'i Volcanoes

Isle Royale

Kobuk Valley

Lake Clarke

New River Gorge

Virgin Islands

Voyageurs

Zion National Park

 We were scheduled to go to Yosemite and Sequoia national parks but Yosemite was on fire (again) and the RV park close to Sequoia didn't have a spot with electricity for us on our rescheduled days there (not doing that with temps 100+) so we changed some days around and got to Zion a few days early.  

We had been to Zion before but weren't able to do this particular hike called "The Narrows", which is a hike up a canyon in a river, because the river was too high.  That's why we went back.  Luckily the river was just fine so we got some hiking sticks and started wading into the river at 8:30 in the morning! Of course I cringed and whined the first few steps but then it was fine.  We hiked 3 miles up the river among some amazing canyon views.  Absolutely stunning! On our way back I was super glad we had headed out early in the morning.  The crowds were immense and it was yucky hot.  The water wasn't even that relieving.  YUCK.  But, we got it done! We were going to stick around another day but it was too hot, SURPRISE! Well, that and the other hike we were going to do the next day was closed due to a rock slide so I am writing this as we are on the road, headed home!  The Gilliam RV trip 2022 is in the books!

Lastly, we have decided the chapter in the Gilliam Story Book that was about RV adventures has come to an end.  We had an unbelievable time and we know we are so blessed to have been able to do what we did  but it's time to write a new chapter.  We're not sure what that will contain, maybe we follow the original Gilliam's Island and do a (longer than 3 hour) tour, minus the crashing. Or maybe we follow the Griswolds and do a European Vacation or a Christmas Vacation, but we'll let you know when we do!  In the meantime, we thank you for coming along on the ride!  Much love!  

Pinnacles National Park

 We had a 2 day stop to see Pinnacles National Park.  If there is hiking on the website of the park, we always allow at least a day to do at least one hike.  We drove into the park and were surprised to see that it looked like the mountain range about a half hour from our house.  :D  We were a bit disappointed but made that best of it and did a hike, took pictures and got our pin.  

Both Lassen and Pinnacles were a not highlights for us.  We have found the parks on the west side of the country are usually very cool and awe inspiring.  Oh well, as we say, "They can't all be gems". 

Lodi, CA

 Red Zinfandels are my favorite wine so of course Gary scheduled the tour to take us through zin country for my birthday.  He's just that great of a guy.  :)  We got into town around 1:30 and had our first tasting scheduled for 3:00,  Our timing was perfect!  

First tasting, first case purchased. Starting strong!  

We decided that two tastings per day is perfect for us so the next day we planned our route accordingly.  We started early with a fantastic tour of Oak Farm Vineyards.  If you are ever in town I would strongly suggest you go to this winery for a tour.  You get a tour and a tasting in both.  You learn the history of the winery and literally along the way, they have wine stashed here and there on the grounds for you to taste as you walk.  So fun! Ted did such a great job with the presentation we bought another case!  Woohoo!

Third winery wasn't as good but we bought a select few bottles we plan to let age.  (Hopefully at least for a week.  Haha!)

Our last day in town we went to 2 more wineries and came home with 2 more cases.  All in all, I would say our first foray into zin country was a success!  

PS- It was hot here too.  

Lassen Volcanic National Park

 Since we decided to split up the drive from Bend to our next stop, we spent the night in Redding, CA.  Weird place to stop but it's a short drive from Lassen Volcanic National Park. We pulled into Redding where it was 111 degrees. Time to head for the hills!

Lassen is a national park that was granted that status because a huge volcano exploded around 1915-ish.  You could see it from a long way away and the people were fascinated.  They flocked to the area to see the rocks and ash, reporting that some of the rocks were still hot many weeks afterward.  The park has a little bit of geothermal activity as well. It's worth a half day's stop which worked out perfectly for us. I think we only have about 9 parks left to see.  Yay us!