Author Archives: Jean Nguyen

How Much Did That 11.5-Week Road Trip Cost?

I’ve said many times that traveling is much cheaper than living in San Francisco. Southeast Asia and most of South America are obviously easier to budget for, but I’ve discovered that even road-tripping around the U.S. is significantly cheaper than … Continue reading

Posted in Budgeting | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Rhyolite

Hundreds if not thousands of ghost towns lay in dishevelment throughout the U.S., and Death Valley National Park is home to a number of forgotten ghost towns that were once mining towns.  Just outside this California park across the border into … Continue reading

Posted in Nevada | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Death Valley

Unlike other national parks, the best time to visit Death Valley National Park is from November through February, where average temperatures hover between a comfortable 60-70ºF.  From May through September, the low season, average temperatures exceed 100ºF.  Despite being the largest national park … Continue reading

Posted in California | Tagged | 5 Comments

Las Vegas

I think if you’ve lived in California your whole life, the idea of going to Las Vegas in your late 20’s or early 30’s would make you groan.  At least it does for me.  Don’t get me wrong.  Las Vegas is … Continue reading

Posted in Nevada | Leave a comment

The Grand Canyon

Finally after numerous road trips and two years of travel, we made it to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Freakin’ Canyon.  Because Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon are the most popular and overcrowded national parks in the U.S., visiting … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mesa Arch vs. Lost Kiva

Mesa Arch sucks. So bad. Mesa Arch is a reminder for why I hate people. We first went to Mesa Arch last year in 2014 at the end of September on a Tuesday.  The idea that a late fall weekday would … Continue reading

Posted in Utah | Tagged , | Leave a comment

White Rim Road

In the spring and fall permits for the White Rim Road sell out fast.  It’s no wonder why. The adventure on White Rim Road in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands offers more than just off-roading.  Tack on … Continue reading

Posted in Utah | 3 Comments

Needles

I should have explained in my first post about Canyonlands that the national park is divided into three districts: Island in the Sky, Needles, and The Maze. These three districts are separated by deep canyons created by the Colorado and … Continue reading

Posted in Utah | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Monument Valley and Around

Monument Valley is arguably one of the most famous landscapes in the American Southwest. After watching Forrest Gump, I knew a snapshot of the epic stretch of road leading up into the valley was obligatory. Better yet, I was going … Continue reading

Posted in Utah | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mesa Verde and Sand Canyon

I knew we weren’t going to leave Colorado before making it to Mesa Verde, the largest and most famous archeological site in the Southwest known to me. These ancient cliff dwellings were discovered by local ranchers only in the late … Continue reading

Posted in Colorado | 1 Comment