Sign Me Up Please Trivia Quiz

Answer: Oregon

This sign is driving into the park from the south side. Whenever I get to the parks I usually watch a movie about the park before heading in. DO NOT do this. You will see spectacular colors in the video and will not see them all hours of the day. I was disappointed to say the least. Visit the park first and then see the video.

The best time to visit this park is in the summertime between July and September. You will see the deepest lake in the United States. You can also take a boat ride, but no swimming is allowed.

Answer: Death Valley National Park

Here is Badwater Basin. Just 282 feet below sea level. All the white stuff behind the sign is salt. Dried up salt!

Death Valley is a unique national park full of adventures. The hottest temperature was recorded right there in 1913. It was 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually when driving through in the summertime you can expect to see at least 120 degrees F.

Answer: Texas

The most popular trail in the park is the Guadalupe Peak. You can soar to the highest point of Texas in just four plus mile hike, one way. You also have to come down, so double that to 8.5 mile hike. You will gain about 3000 feet during your hike. Once you get to the top you will be blessed with a beautiful triangle monument and a "Peak Bucket" to put your name and a note, if you wish. Texas is one of the best state high points I have seen.

Answer: Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington will be one of the most cherished parks you can go to. It's a humbling experience, to say the least. You can either walk around the park or take a tram for a small fee. You will visit President Kennedy's grave. Around the grave you will see the eternal flame that never goes out.

The home of Robert E Lee is also on the hill overlooking the cemetery. I visited the Women's Memorial where you can register if you served in the services, as a woman.

Once every hour, sometimes half hour, you can view the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. One you don't want to miss.

All the of National Cemeteries that I listed above are real and each special in their own way.

Answer: California

Palm Springs, California isn't far from Joshua Tree. The park has many hiking options including the 49 Palms Oasis trail just outside of the park entrance. You wouldn't expect to see a beautiful water oasis with palm trees in the middle of the desert, but you do!

You can drive through the park during flower bloom season and get blessed with all sorts of colored flowers. So pack up the jeep and head over. Lots of places to camp inside of the park too.

Answer: Mojave National Preserve

If you are driving from Las Vegas through Mojave, you will get to play tag with a lot of pot holes. Be careful not to go too fast or you'll end up changing a tire or two.

Mojave is a large park that has two beautiful features. It has more but my favorite two are the "Ring Trail", which is a short hike where you put your feet in rings to climb up or down. The second is the Lava Tubes. You take a ladder down into the dark cave like area to see the lights shining in from above. Get there around 11 am to get the best free show!

Answer: Yes

You can also find a ton of other things to see in this park. Now the rumor is that Yellowstone is the first national park, but Arkansas will fight you on that note. They claim that the Hot Springs is the first national park. They are sort of right. They were the oldest park in the system, but didn't get the official "national park" status until close to 90 years later.

On a normal day in Yellowstone you will spot buffalo, and please do not approach these animals. You will see waterfalls and lots of hot springs all over the park. My favorite would be the Grand Prismatic colorful spring. You can walk around the spring at the bottom and then take the trail to overlook the spring. Simply gorgeous!

Answer: Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is located in Montana. I hiked the Logan Pass area to Hidden Lake. A short but beautiful hike. I had to head over snow and through an area with mountain goats. They walked right along with the people. As I was heading back to my car, you could spot a bear in the distance. If you are heading into Montana, please make sure to stop by this park.

The glaciers are spectacular!

Answer: Utah

I always say that Utah is the most beautiful state, with all their national parks and rock formations. You can soar to the top of Angels Landing hike in Zion. You can see the Hat Shop formations in Bryce. You can see a lot of archways in Arches NP.

Now I've been to Capitol Reef a few times, but the only thing I like about this park is the apple pies. There are apple trees and cherry trees everywhere. They actually wish you wouldn't pick up the fruit off the ground. This is how they feed the deer in the area. The apples that they pick off the trees are used to make delicious apple pie that you find at the Gifford House. There are also seasons that you can pick your own fruit. Go on their website to see the dates available.

Answer: Arizona and Utah

The Wave is not a difficult hike, but it is one of the most difficult to get a permit for. Only 20 people a day have an opportunity to hike this area. The hike is only about eight miles, round trip, through a desert. But it's a very delicate sandstone and they don't want too many people hiking and ruining the stone. You can put in for a permit online once a month and hope you are lucky. (I was!) and you can go daily to the visitor center in Kanab, Utah and try your luck for another 10 more. Sometimes there are over 50 people applying for a slight chance at that location. It's closer to 500 online.

If you can't get a permit, hop in a high clearance vehicle and go to White Pockets in that same area. You don't need a special permit and it's close to the beauty of the Wave.