I have fallen for an extraordinary woman with a shared passion for travel. We exchanged vows on 1.11.23 and are patiently awaiting MK's Green Card. In the meantime, we're anchored in the United States, eager to delve into its locales charged with energy and spirituality among nature. Together, we design retreats that nurture our personal development and unity. Our five-day retreats across the United States are thoughtfully segmented, dedicating two days to travel and three days for deep exploration at each site. This duration is balanced - providing sufficient time for individual reflection and collective connection while ensuring our experiences' intimacy remains undisturbed. In these well-known spots, we hope to find pockets of tranquility to share with you.
Our United States bucket list
With the best time to travel (BT2T):
Renowned for its stunning alpine scenery, characterized by rugged mountains, pristine forests, and over seven hundred lakes, including the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers breathtaking vistas. It is also celebrated for its diverse ecosystem, which supports a range of wildlife and plant species and is often referred to as the "Crown of the Continent" for its pivotal role in both the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds.
BT2T: for favorable weather and full access to roads, trails, and services is from late June to mid-September. During this peak season, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open. However, it's also the busiest time, so for a quieter experience, consider the shoulder months of May and early June or late September and early October, keeping in mind that some facilities may be closed.
Known for its fascinating desert ecosystem, highlighted by its namesake Joshua trees. It offers a striking landscape with rugged rock formations and stark desert plains. The park is also popular for rock climbing, hiking, stargazing, and photography.
BT2T: October to May, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. Spring is particularly popular for wildflower viewing and fall and winter offer mild temperatures ideal for climbing and exploring.
Known for its stunning natural beauty and as a haven for spiritual seekers. It offers majestic views and outdoor sports like skiing and mountain climbing and is associated with various legends and spiritual beliefs.
BT2T: Winter and early spring are for snow sports, late spring through summer is for hiking and climbing, and fall is for fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures.
Known for its vortexes, which are areas of concentrated energy, many people visit Sedona for spiritual healing and meditation. The stunning red rock formations also make it visually captivating.
BT2T: March to May when temperatures are warm but not too hot and the desert flowers are in bloom, or September to November when the temperatures cool down and the summer crowds have left.
Iconic for its massive granite cliffs, such as Half Dome and El Capitan, Yosemite also has spectacular waterfalls, giant sequoias, and a range of outdoor activities.
BT2T: May and June are good for viewing the waterfalls at their peak and experiencing mild weather, or September and October are good for fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures. July and August are ideal for full park access and various outdoor activities but expect larger crowds and higher accommodation prices.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Renowned for its stunning Atlantic coastline, offering rugged landscapes with woodland, rocky beaches, and glacier-scoured granite peaks like Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise.
BT2T: May through September when the weather is most favorable for hiking and sightseeing. July and August are the peak months with the warmest temperatures but bring the largest crowds.
2. Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming
Renowned for its diverse landscape that ranges from grassland prairie to alpine meadows and mountainous terrain, offering a haven for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and scenic driving. It is also known for the Bighorn Mountains that dominate the region, providing stunning vistas and a rich habitat for wildlife, including the eponymous bighorn sheep.
3. Black Hills, South Dakota
Renowned for its lush ponderosa pine forests and granite peaks, offering a picturesque landscape home to iconic American monuments such as Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. This region is also known for its rich historical significance to the Lakota Sioux and its proximity to the legendary Deadwood town.
BT2T: June to September offers the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities. If you're interested in visiting during a less crowded time, May to early June or September to October might be the best periods to consider. Autumn also offers the added beauty of fall foliage.
4. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Renowned for its otherworldly landscapes of hoodoo rock formations, offering visitors a visually energetic experience that can be spiritually uplifting, and it is embraced by nature enthusiasts for its unique geology and extensive hiking opportunities.
5. Crater Lake, Oregon
Famous for its deep blue color and water clarity- the deepest lake in the United States, formed from a collapsed volcano. Known for the picturesque Phantom Ship Island and Old Man of the Lake, a full-sized tree bobbing vertically in the lake for over a century.
BT2T: From July to August, when the weather is warmest, the entire Rim Drive is typically open for visitors.
6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Famous for its immense and visually overwhelming landscape. It features a vast and intricate canyon carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, highlighting dramatic geologic colors and erosional forms.
BT2T: April to June and September to November when the temperatures are mild, and the crowds are smaller than the peak summer months.
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Renowned for its striking mountain range, which includes the majestic Grand Teton peak, its pristine alpine lakes and diverse wildlife, making it a haven for hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts.
BT2T: mid-May to late September when the weather is warm and all park facilities, roads, and hiking trails are open.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
Known for its rich biodiversity. Its lush forests and abundance of wildflowers, as well as a range of elevations that support a variety of wildlife and plant life, make it a wonderful place to visit.
BT2T: April to May for wildflowers or October to early November for spectacular autumn colors, although the park is open year-round, and each season offers its beauty.
9. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Renowned for its unique volcanic landscapes and ecosystems. It features two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, which offer visitors a glimpse into the creation of the Hawaiian Islands.
BT2T: The park is open year-round, but it is closed during the drier months of May to October. It offers different experiences with changing volcanic activity and weather patterns.
10. Olympic National Park, Washington
Renowned for its ecological diversity and expansive wilderness, from its dramatic Pacific coastline to temperate rainforests and snow-capped mountain peaks.
BT2T: July to August is the best time to visit the park, as the weather is most stable, trails are accessible, and the full range of its natural attractions is available.
11. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Celebrated for its majestic mountain vistas, alpine wildlife, and over three hundred miles of hiking trails traversing diverse environments from meadows to high peaks.
BT2T: June to September is the best time to visit the park, as the snow has melted, the trails are open, and the weather is suitable for exploring its natural beauty.
12. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
America's first national park is famous for its geothermal wonders, such as the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring, and for an abundance of wildlife, including bison, bears, and wolves.
BT2T: April through May and September through October. These months offer a chance to avoid the peak summer crowds, enjoy milder weather, and see the park's wildlife. Winter can be magical with snow-covered landscapes, but access is limited and very cold. Summer offers the most accessible trails and facilities but is also the busiest and most crowded period.
13. Zion National Park, Utah
Captivates with its steep red cliffs and serene emerald pools, offering a spiritually energizing retreat for nature lovers and a tranquil haven for meditation amidst its majestic landscape.
BT2T: April to June when the weather is mild and the park is in bloom, or September to November when the temperatures cool down and the autumn colors are displayed.
🌟 We Want to Hear Your Dream Destinations! 🌟
Have you ever daydreamed about a magical spot in the United States that seems to call out to you and your partner? Is there a place etched in your heart or scribbled in the margins of your travel journals, waiting to be crossed off your bucket list? 📝✨
Share with us:
*The Name of your bucket list destination in the U.S.
*Why It's Special: Tell us why this place would be a dream come true.
*The Ideal Adventure: Describe the perfect day there for you and your significant other.
Let's inspire each other and grow our travel bucket lists together. Drop your dream spots in the comments below, and let's explore the possibilities that await! 🌄🏙️🛣️
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