22 States- 9 National Parks- in 38 days

[03_4x4Runner]

I have been to all those national parks over many years most of them more than once. The problem is the bigger parks are getting very overcrowded especially in the summer months. This late in the year it may not be as bad. There are generally more foreigners in the bigger parks than Americans. I enjoy the surrounding countryside around the parks more than the parks sometimes. Amazing scenery out west.

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

I have been to all those national parks over many years most of them more than once. The problem is the bigger parks are getting very overcrowded especially in the summer months. This late in the year it may not be as bad. There are generally more foreigners in the bigger parks than Americans. I enjoy the surrounding countryside around the parks more than the parks sometimes. Amazing scenery out west.

you're right... I was surprised to see more foreigners at our national parks then americans.... its a little sad as I was thinking about it, but figure maybe everybody was just at work and it isn't vacation season. and yes, I found out the surrounding national forest area had AWESOME spots, a lot of people overlook the area and go straight into the national parks.. *but the gems were found around it*.....

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Actually he was US Coast Guard. He was on the USCG Cutter Richey (destroyer escort) during the Korean War. They were search and rescue between Hawaai and Korea during the war. I did 6 years in the coast guard too between 1962 and 1968.

Lived in Kaimuki from 1950 to 1952. It was a great experience. At that time Kaimuki was an almost 90% Japanese neighborhood, with some Chinese and some Hawaiian. I was the only haoli at Kaimuki Intermediate. We moved to the housing near Salt Lake from 1953 to 1954. I was in the Boy Scouts all the while I was there.

Our troop scout leaders were several ex sargents who had been in the all Japanese-American 442 Infantry. Most of our camping and hiking trips were in the back country of Schofield Barracks. We spent a lot of time in the mountains exploring WWII fortifications.

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

Actually he was US Coast Guard. He was on the USCG Cutter Richey (destroyer escort) during the Korean War. They were search and rescue between Hawaai and Korea during the war. I did 6 years in the coast guard too between 1962 and 1968.

Lived in Kaimuki from 1950 to 1952. It was a great experience. At that time Kaimuki was an almost 90% Japanese neighborhood, with some Chinese and some Hawaiian. I was the only haoli at Kaimuki Intermediate. We moved to the housing near Salt Lake from 1953 to 1954. I was in the Boy Scouts all the while I was there.

Our troop scout leaders were several ex sargents who had been in the all Japanese-American 442 Infantry. Most of our camping and hiking trips were in the back country of Schofield Barracks. We spent a lot of time in the mountains exploring WWII fortifications.

well one thing I can say is... A lot of "Haole's" that come out of hawaii come out tougher then when they went in. its one of the last places in the U.S that still believe in 1 on 1 fights... lol.... everywhere else its shoot first over an argument... but yeah, everybody who's been to hawaii that I know usually leaves with a good fist fight in memories... you probably know what I mean...

 

[4FL]

Awesome trip, one I hope to do soon. A few years ago I did something similar, a couple of months traveling across the US not once but twice, it was in an f-350 though. Was just my wife and I; I could not imagine with three kids that age.:wow:

I was thinking of taking off next week for a couple of week trip, out to Yellowstone and Glacier NP, or maybe southern route to the parks in NM and Utah.

 

[ST1FLER]

Epic trip! Planning one with the family now as well as a run to the big Island next summer!

 

[Spenny]

EPIC trip!!! Hit all kinds of sweet spots!

Proof of more to life than MPG's!

 

[Mistaken]

Awesome trip! Memories for a lifetime.

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

Epic trip! Planning one with the family now as well as a run to the big Island next summer!

Awesome... You'll have a great time .... If you can make it to Maui of Kauai they are also beautiful islands

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

Awesome trip, one I hope to do soon. A few years ago I did something similar, a couple of months traveling across the US not once but twice, it was in an f-350 though. Was just my wife and I; I could not imagine with three kids that age.:wow:

I was thinking of taking off next week for a couple of week trip, out to Yellowstone and Glacier NP, or maybe southern route to the parks in NM and Utah.

Glacier has some serious beauty to it .... Much more then the others in my opinion.... I tried to get to Utah but I just didn't have enough time... With an f350 I'm assuming you were pulling a fifth wheeler ... But yeah, plan away because gas is cheap and I'm hoping everybody takes advantage ....

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Great pics man.

Some of my best memories during childhood are road trips with my Grandparents in my Grandpa's '69 Dodge pickup with an over cab camper.

Those types of memories cannot be bought.

You and your wife sound like damn good parents.

 

[tornado_chase_hike]

Wow! Great trip and sequence of pictures!

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

Great pics man.

Some of my best memories during childhood are road trips with my Grandparents in my Grandpa's '69 Dodge pickup with an over cab camper.

Those types of memories cannot be bought.

You and your wife sound like damn good parents.

we are investing in their memories for sure.... and we couldn't do it without the 4runner ... maybe we could, but it wouldn't be as fun ........

 

[Seattle206]

CHEAAHOO! Awesome adventure brah!

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

CHEAAHOO! Awesome adventure brah!

where the rest of the braddahz at?? i know get more then us.....

 

[jdtaylor42]

Wow that is a awesome trip! I can't imagine being on the road that long but I am sure you will remember it forever. We were actuag just at Redwood and Crater Lake last month. Both incredible places. National Parks are by far the best vacations we can take!