Wanderlust Wednesday: Grand Canyon and Beyond

Growing up in West Texas, I fell in love with the wide open spaces that the West is known for, which is one reason why I have major wanderlust for places near and far. Every summer, my family and I would travel through New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming to visit my grandparents. My grandma and grandpa Lashlee lived in Utah until they moved to Biloxi, Miss., to live with my parents. My grandma and grandpa Howard lived in Idaho, and then in Wyoming, before retiring to Cleveland, Tenn.

On one of our vacations, my parents bought me a souvenir sweatshirt from the gift shop when we visited the Grand Canyon. In fact, I still have {and wear} this sweatshirt. I also remember hopping from one state to the next when we visited the Four Corners Monument {New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona}. I have many great memories of traveling through these western states, visiting such landmarks as Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Monument, Durango (Colo.) and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, Four Corners Monument, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.

If you haven’t visited these beautiful places, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to the Grand Canyon and beyond TODAY!!!

Looking for a summer road trip? Then check out this itinerary at National Parks Explorer.

The Grand Canyon is beautiful from above, but experience the beauty of the canyons from the back of a mule. Also check out We 12 Travel on “how to avoid the crowds at Grand Canyon.”

For more great ideas on what to do while visiting the Grand Canyon, check out Katherine and Romeo Belarmino’s article on Travel the World. Or check out Girl on a Hike’s post about hiking to Havasu Falls.

Also, take a walk in the wild side and venture out on the Grand Canyon skywalk.

Want to spend the night in the Grand Canyon, but not really into the whole camping thing? Then try glamping in the Grand Canyon.

After spending a few days at the Grand Canyon, head north through Utah to hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park…

Or take in the crimson-colored hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park.

{ Images borrowed from 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 }

I have experienced the beauty of the West, and most of these National Parks, first-hand, and one day I hope to take a road-trip with my husband to once again experience these treasured locations.

Here’s a fun family photo, taken by my dad, during on one of our family vacations to Utah and Colorado.

{ From left to right: Grandpa Lashlee, me, my mom, my brother, and my Grandma Lashlee }

Have you been to the Grand Canyon or any of the National Parks in Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, or New Mexico? Have you camped or gone river-rafting in the Grand Canyon? I’d love to hear about your experiences and what you loved about these National Parks. Leave your comments below.

Yours Truly,
Vanessa