Not only is the United States of America celebrating the 250th anniversary of the vote to approve the Declaration of Independence (it was not signed until August), Raven About the Parks is celebrating reaching its 600th blog post milestone.  Big changes have happened since the 500th blog post two years ago, including my completion of the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail, visiting National Park number 63 of 63, and the publication of Monumental America: Your Guide to All 138 National Monuments. 

Currently, I am working on finishing American History 101, a guidebook that tells the story of America by detailing 101 National Park Service sites across all 50 states.  I recently climbed Mt. Hood with my cousin and hiked to the top of Boundary Peak in Nevada, my 39th state high point. In August, I have permits to summit Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park and continue north to complete the 214-mile John Muir Trail through California’s Sierra Nevada to Yosemite National Park.  Over the next 100 blog posts, I plan to start writing about National Wildlife Refuges, which I have been visiting across the country over the years (including one in all 50 states). 

Please check out the article I wrote to celebrate the 500th blog post and the Top 10 lists from the first 100, 200, 300, and 400 posts (or click here if you want to see all the Top 10 Lists, including our “meta” Top 10 of Our Top 10 Lists).

I appreciate your time as readers and plan to continue producing quality blog posts and guidebooks to America’s public lands for you all in the coming years. 

Safe travels!

Scott

Pine, Arizona

Know someone who loves National Parks? Gift them our travel guide A Park to Yourself: Finding Solitude in America’s 63 National Parks.