That may seem like a weird wish but of all the photos I have I get the most compliments on the ones of my feet.  So by popular demand here is a speed road trip across America with my feet in pictures:

Kayaking 1 of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes

Olympic National Park in Washington

Kayaking with alligators at Everglades National Park in Florida

Walking along the beach in Naples, Florida

Watching the sunset at the beach in Naples, Florida

Arches National Park in Utah

Camping on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas

I have worn this pair of Keen sandals in 47 states. I love my well worn Keen sandals and couldn't let them go to heaven at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas.

I got my kicks on Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona

Taking a break and enjoying the view while hiking the Grand Canyon in Arizona

Foolishly wearing sandals among the cactus at Joshua Tree National Park in California

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

Mount Tampais overlooking San Francisco Bay Area in California

Hood River in Oregon

Who hikes 4 miles up Mount Si in Washington wearing Tevas? Sue, that's who.

Kelp beds at Deception Pass State Park in Washington

Looking for whales at Lime Kiln Point State Park - San Juan Island in Washington

Muir Beach in Marin County, California

Out of my tent and off on the next adventure in California.

I wonder where my feet will take me next.

Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore has 70 miles of beach available for camping right next to the Gulf so you never have to worry about not being able to find a place to camp.  Just drive your car or RV onto the beach and set up camp at the base of the sand dunes.  If you want to drive the entire 70 miles of beach you’ll need a 4 wheel drive.  But a 2 wheel drive vehicle will get you about 5 miles down the beach leaving plenty of space between you and your nearest neighbors.

Pros

• Camping on the beach right next to the water.
• Sunrise over the Gulf and sunset over the Laguna Madre.
• Fresh fish – cast your net out near the southern barrier of North Beach for an easy net full of a variety of fish.
• Windsurfing on the Laguna Madre.

Cons

• Extreme winds at times – good for wind surfing and keeping the fog away but you’ll have fine powdery sand in your food and belongings.  Bring long sand stakes and a sturdy tent if you plan on tenting.
• Garbage – due to the convergence of currents a lot of garbage washes ashore.  Also be on the lookout for the stinging Portuguese Man o’ War.
• Salt – if you stay for an extended time your vehicle and gear need to be washed regularly to prevent rust.
• The beach is a Texas public highway – watch out for traffic.  On the upside, there is a 5 mile closed beach near the visitor’s center with no traffic except for the occasional ranger on patrol.

Amenities

• Pit toilets at South beach.  Flush toilets and cold showers at visitor’s center.
• Gift and snack shops at visitor’s center.
• Windsurfing and kayak rentals.

Directions

Padre Island National Seashore is about a 20 minute drive from Corpus Christi, Texas.  From Corpus Christi, head east on Highway 358.  After crossing the causeway, Highway 358 changes to Park Road 22.  Follow Park Road 22 until it turns into beach.  Park anywhere on the beach and set up camp.

For more info, visit Padre Island National Seashore.

Grand Canyon National Park

Visit one of the seven wonders of the natural world and camp for free in Kaibab National Forest.  The campgrounds are only about a 10 minute drive to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  For an easy day hike, walk the Rim Trail and experience the breathtaking inner canyon overlooks along the way.  Free shuttle buses are also available along the Rim Trail.  For a more strenuous day hike, descend down into the canyon on the South Kaibab Trail.  Pack a lunch and eat at Cedar Ridge or hike down further to Skeleton Point for lunch overlooking the Colorado River.

Pros

• Shaded campsites.  A few sites have fire pits.
• The town of Tusayan is nearby for picking up supplies.

Cons

• There are no toilets, showers, or water available at the campgrounds.  Pay showers are available inside the park at Mather campground – $2 for 8 minutes.  Laundry services are also available at Mather campground.

Amenities

• None.  You’ll have to drive to Tusayan or into the park for everything.

Directions

The Kaibab National Forest free campgrounds at the South Rim of  the Grand Canyon are on Highway 180 about 10 minutes south of the park.  There are several turnoffs into the Kaibab Forest along Highway 180 near Tusayan.  There are no designated sites.  Camp anywhere at least a quarter-mile from paved roads and water.  Some sites have fire rings.  You can also camp for free in Kaibab Forest on the North Rim of the canyon for a quieter, less tourist-filled trip to the Grand Canyon.

For more info, visit Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park feels a little bit Dr. Seuss and a little bit Flintstones.  You can check out the Joshua Trees, do some bouldering or rock climbing, walk through a cholla cactus garden, and camp for free just outside the park on BLM land.  Joshua Tree is one of my favorite National Parks – especially delightful to visit in Spring when the desert wildflowers are in bloom.

Pros

• If you like sleeping on a dry lakebed, peeing outside, and watching the sunrise over the desert mountains this is paradise.

Cons

• No bathrooms, showers, or water available at the campgrounds.

Amenities

• None.  The campground north of the park is near the town of Joshua Tree for supplies.  The campground south of the park is near Cottonwood visitor center where flush toilets and water are available.

Directions

There are free campgrounds on BLM land to the north and south of Joshua Tree National Park.  For a map of the free campgrounds click here.

For more info, visit Joshua Tree National Park.

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life... as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. - Booker T. Washington

For years I thought about hiking the Grand Canyon. Last summer I went to the south rim of the Grand Canyon and decided not to hike down because I was feeling under the weather and wasn’t sure if I would make it back up in the scorching heat. So I looked into riding the mules and found out that – I am too fat to ride the mules.

Never in my lifetime did I think I would be told that I am too fat to ride a pack animal. Not being in good enough shape to hike up the Grand Canyon is one thing, but being too fat to ride a mule – that is downright embarrassing. So I left the rim without descending into the canyon determined that I would come back someday and hike down into the canyon. Someday.

Someday came this spring when I went to back to the Grand Canyon. I trained for 6 weeks prior, but I was still too fat to ride the mules by about 10 pounds so I had to hoof it myself. Screw the mules.

I packed up my backpack with water, Gatorade, Clif bars, and trail mix and took the classic pre-hike solo traveler shot before descending down the Bright Angel trail.

As I descended down into the canyon I was passed by teenage boys who were running down to the river. And I passed teenage girls who were already complaining about their calves hurting. After 6.1 miles and 2938 feet drop in elevation I made it to Plateau Point overlooking the Colorado River.

Amazing view!  I could even see some rafters in the Colorado River rapids below.

Now all I have to do is hike 6.1 miles back up.

The hike back up started with the leader of the high school group complaining about how it was going to step after miserable step once everyone hit the switchbacks. I stopped for my last chance for water at Indian Garden and headed for the switchbacks. And when I got to the switchbacks a mule train came by.

I have never been so tempted to grab a mule tail.

But like I said earlier, screw the mules! I’m going to make it to the top by myself.

After passing and being passed by the same few people over and over again I finally made it to the top just before sunset. I celebrated with my new trail friends for the day. We did it! 12.2 miles with 2938 feet change in elevation. We all felt high on accomplishment.

There were several people at the top who came up to us and wished they could do what we did. They saw our sense of accomplishment and wanted to experience the feeling and the inner canyon. Someday, they said. Someday.

I wonder how many people who say someday actually come back and hike down into the canyon. It is easy to make excuses – not in good enough shape, too fat to ride the mules, etc. But the fact is that many people who hiked the Grand Canyon overcame what many would consider too big of an obstacle to overcome.

I met a guy on the trail who had a double knee replacement. I met a 67 year old lady hiking with a full overnight pack who wasn’t sure if she could do it, but in the end she made it to the top. I made it to the top despite the fact that I was too fat to ride the mules. Not only did I make it to the top, two days later I hiked down and up again on a different trail (South Kaibab) and captured some of my favorite photos from my trip to the Grand Canyon.

All of us overcame our excuse and pushed limits. I don’t advocate hiking into the canyon unprepared – you should hike within your limits and heed safety. But when faced with an obstacle resist that first urge to say – But [insert obstacle or excuse]. Instead think about what you can do.

Rehab your two surgically repaired knees. Train for 6 weeks wearing a full pack. Do whatever it takes without excuses. When faced with an obstacle sometimes you just need to say –

Screw the mules. I’ll make it to the top myself.

And then do it. No excuses.

I got my kicks on Route 66.

Location:  Petrified Forest National Park, AZ