Category: Fun

“Gorge-ous” Views at the Newest National Park

Michelle Cardenas

Established as a national park in 2020, New River Gorge is one of the newest additions to the national park system, and it provided us with some memorable firsts. The park is renowned for its rugged beauty, rich history, and the New River, which is one of the oldest rivers on the continent. Spanning over 70,000 acres, the park boasts over 100 miles of trails, offering a variety of experiences from strenuous hikes to scenic walks–although on the rainy, overcast morning we visited, the view was somewhat obstructed until later in the day.

We began our journey by taking a quick look around the Visitor Center, where we familiarized ourselves with the park’s history and features. The park ranger provided valuable information about safe exploration routes, ensuring our hike would be both enjoyable and secure. From the Visitor Center, we headed to the section of the New River Gorge that houses the Castle Rock Trail and the Grandview Rim Trail. These trails, totaling about 3.2 miles out and back, promised a mix of strenuous and scenic experiences.

Our group split up to tackle the different trails. Professor Yawn, Cinthia, Olivia, and Chrissy set out on the Castle Rock Trail, navigating its more strenuous, rocky terrain.

Meanwhile, Stephanie and I took the Grandview Rim Trail, which led us through a beautiful tunnel of luscious vegetation.

The trails eventually converged, and we all continued together toward our final destination, the Turkey Spur Overlook. When we arrived at the “overlook,” we were mostly looking over clouds.

But the sky slowly cleared, and we were able to see some of the river and train tracks in the gorge.

There were also stairs (150, to be exact) to a lookout that gave us an additional perspective.

But with the rain returning, we took shelter briefly under an overhang….

…and then returned to the car….

…while making the most of nature views along the way…

We even gave Flat Sammy a chance to explore!

…Although he didn’t much appreciate the rain.

New River Gorge is a National Park with multiple units, consisting of not only the “Grandview” area, but also Sandstone Falls and the Bridge. We were unable to visit the Falls, but we did make sure to see the Bridge, which was pretty magnificent.

It is the longest (3,030 feet) steel span bridge in the United States, and the third highest (876 feet), and it is really an architectural marvel and beauty from multiple perspectives.

Looking away from the bridge, visitors are graced with beautiful views of the gorge and a distant bridge.

The smaller bridge in the photo above was the former means of traversing the gorge, a route that takes some 45 minutes to drive. With the New River Gorge Bridge, that trip is now less than a minute.

The natural beauty of the area shone through, even in less-than-ideal conditions. Most importantly, this trip allowed me to check off another first with LEAP, creating lasting memories with a wonderful team and making my first national park visit an unforgettable experience.

Caving In: Discovering the Wonders Beneath West Virginia

Whenever LEAP Ambassadors have the opportunity to travel, we make the most of it. So it was that on an off morning of conference sessions, we stepped foot into the Lost World Caverns which, for many of us, was the first time stepping foot into a cave.

Discovered in 1942, these caverns have become a popular destination, offering a fascinating glimpse into the subterranean world carved out over millions of years by the relentless force of water.

Originally, the only way into the cave was through a hole in the ground, and “visitors” had to be lowered in by rope, and then hauled out in reverse.

For us, it was much easier. We entered through a man-made opening, we were immediately struck by the chill in the air, a stark contrast to the surface temperatures. The sound of dripping water echoed (literally!) around us, setting the stage for the natural wonders we were about to witness.

Inside, the caverns revealed spectacular dripstone speleothems, including stalactites and stalagmites.

These formations, created by the slow deposition of minerals from dripping water, were breathtaking. We were particularly fascinated by the columns referred to as “soda straws” or “pencil stalactites,” delicate formations that looked as though they could be easily snapped. 

The formations themselves, with whimsical names like the “Pig Tail,” and “The Veil” left us in awe. Each turn in the path revealed a new and stunning sight, and it was hard not to be overwhelmed by the beauty and intricacy of the cave’s interior.

I didn’t really know what to expect, but from the beginning, it was clear that this was a unique and special place.

The views were unlike anything I had ever seen before, with each rock formation appearing both immense and intricately detailed.

It’s amazing to know that the Earth presents its beauty not only on the surface but also beneath it. Most importantly we all had fun caving in to our sense of adventure!

Exploring Nature in the Rio Grande Valley

by Christina Biello

Following a grueling morning of competition and a light afternoon of sessions…

…we headed out to tour the Rio Grande Valley. Accordingly, we traveled through Brownsville, to Harlingen, into McAllen, and to Edinburg, TX. Of course, with some hikes and adventures before us, we felt it necessary to arm up with coffee and ice cream…

…and then began with a stop in Harlingen, at the Hugh Ramsey Nature Park.

Hugh Ramsey Nature Park

After a challenging competition, we sought solace in the natural beauty of the Rio Grande Valley’s parks. Our first destination, Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, introduced me to this vibrant region and marked my second hike with LEAP since last spring’s memorable time with the City Fellows at Eastham Thomason Park. It was a journey filled with delightful encounters with unfamiliar bird species, lizards, and butterflies, each adding to the day’s sense of discovery.

As we ventured along the trails, Yajaira’s keen eye caught sight of a Texas Spiny Lizard—a master of disguise amidst the flora. Its small size and effective camouflage made it difficult for us to spot even with her guidance.

Throughout our walk, the vibrant Green Jays stole the show with their emerald-green body and striking blue facial features. I found myself captivated by their beauty and unique behaviors.

Among the most memorable moments was our encounter with a Chachalaca, a large, completely brown bird that confidently strutted along the pathway, affording us a rare close-up view.

Later, another of its kind revealed itself nestled discreetly among the trees!

Our wildlife observations extended beyond bird species, including bunnies hopping along the path.

Additionally, the trails were filled with numerous butterflies…

…fluttering alongside impressively large dragonflies….

…and we saw the occasional water bird, including Black Bellied Whistling Ducks.

We also took shots of the Valley’s interesting flora, including a triangle cactus…

…an aloe plant of some sort (suggestions welcome!)…

…and a sulphur butterfly on a white flower…

Perhaps the best shot of the day came from Cinthia, who captured a Buff Bellied Hummingbird “eating” at a Turk’s Cap flower.

Estero Llano Grande State Park

Excited to explore another park, we made our way to Estero Llano Grande State Park. We spotted two park rangers gathered around a table with a container on it as we approached the entrance. Upon closer inspection, we realized it contained a tarantula! The rangers explained that they found it in the parking lot and placed it in the container to ensure its safety. Personally, not being a fan of spiders, I opted to keep my distance…

As we began walking into the trails, one of the first sights that caught our attention was a multi-family bird dwelling! I discovered that the species, the Purple Martin, often inhabits these man-made houses to build their nests. The structure was vibrant and quite charming. Stephanie elaborated on how these birds prefer such homes, which are frequently provided for them.

A House Sparrow “Squatting” in a Purple Martin Home

The prospect of encountering alligators along the Alligator Trail, mentioned by Professor Yawn, filled Olivia, Cinthia, and me with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Walking cautiously by the river, we kept a respectful distance from the water’s edge. Despite our concerns, we were delighted to spot a baby alligator lurking in the water!

Naturally, our next question was about the whereabouts of its mother…

As we reached the expansive deck overlooking Ibis Pond, we settled in for a moment to take it all in. It was a serene conclusion to our time in South Padre, blending relaxation with learning. I cherished the opportunity to reflect quietly with the group, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature.

Colorado Bound: Sand Dunes, Waterfalls, and Wonder

Zapata Falls

by Cinthia Villarreal

Heading into the third state of our Southwest road trip, we knew exactly how to spend our time, starting with a hike at Zapata Falls! After our short hike at Sun Mountain, we now consider ourselves hiking aficionados.

As we embarked on our short but rewarding hike, Colorado’s natural landscapes rewarded us every step of the way by providing beautiful views of snow, forests, and mountains.

The hike consisted of roughly one mile covered in snow and ice. For our final approach to the waterfall, we made our way along a frozen river, which we traversed gingerly.

Walking deeper into the creek and on top of a few rocks, we were able to witness the power of nature. The delicate, yet forceful-looking waterfall captivated all of us, leaving us with no words. In fact, both Olivia and I audibly gasped at the sight of it.  

Being even more adventurous, we decided to carefully climb a step of the river into a magnificent cave where we could see the whole waterfall. Witnessing the power and beauty of nature startled us. The waterfall, once loud and unstoppable, stood still and completely frozen in time.  

Great Sand Dunes National Park

After the one-of-a-kind adventure, we headed to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This was first time Olivia or I had ever visited a national park; to say we were excited would be an understatement.

We had to stop at the Visitor Center to buy souvenirs–and even our own National Parks Passport, which we stamped with a seal provided by the center. 

As we walked over to the dunes, we realized that the small-looking hills we saw on our way were misleading. The dunes were hundreds of feet high, and they towered over us.

With some determination, lots of doubts, and a huge amount of persuasion from Professor Yawn, Olivia and I walked one dune after another, getting higher and higher each time.

This was a true test of our endurance since our feet kept digging into the sand…

….with each step we took which would make us take even more steps and consequently tire us even more.  But getting to the top also made us feel something like champions!

We made sure to capture the moment.

Despite the unanticipated workout, we were overwhelmed by the magnificent features the dunes possessed, how thin coats of snow would rest them, and the golden, transcendental-like appearance the light of the sun would give it.  

As we started the long walk back to the car, the wind picked up to about 40 miles per hour, and, even though we were as cold as we had ever been, we were mesmerized by the way the snow would dance with the breeze on top of the sand, making patterns and moving through waves like it knows exactly what it is doing.

With sand in our shoes and frostbite on our faces, we were able to close out another successful day of firsts for us.