About Me

My name is Paul.  In 2018, I journeyed to the famous Yosemite National Park on what I thought was an ordinary vacation.  With Maria – my future wife – I spent three days hiking through the park’s granite monoliths, towering waterfalls, and sprawling pine forests.  As it turned out, Yosemite was far from ordinary, and the park blew me away.  This short trip would change my perception of traveling forever…

My visit to Yosemite opened my eyes to the wonders contained in America’s protected lands, the lands that Teddy Roosevelt & John Muir fought to preserve from development and expansion in the 20th century.  Yosemite set me on a quest to visit all of America’s national parks, to fully experience the wonders of our country’s landscapes.

Growing up, I was far from the “outdoorsy” type.  I spent my childhood living in the suburbs, opting to play inside instead of exploring the woods near my house.  This changed while I attended Purdue University in Indiana, where I pursued a degree in Aerospace Engineering from 2016-2020.  At Purdue, Maria warmed me to camping, hiking, and the simplicity of a weekend in the woods.  Meanwhile, my best friends introduced me to outdoor rock climbing, mountaineering, and the excitement of a good old-fashioned road trip.  These new hobbies coincided with my sudden interest in America’s national parks, creating the perfect storm.

Years later, I’m still chasing the goal I set in 2018.  Maria & I – married in 2023 – now reside in Cincinnati, OH.  We routinely spend weekends in our nearby parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, New River Gorge, and Red River Gorge.  Trips to new national parks have become a biannual (or more) tradition, paired with the occasional international trip.  I work in the aerospace industry, striving to cut down the environmental impact that air travel has on the fragile ecosystems I so desperately yearn to explore.

Traveling to our national parks serves as a constant reminder of humanity’s role on Planet Earth.  It reveals the ways we can help – and hurt – the natural world, and vice versa!  Plus, it brings constant purpose and excitement to my life.  Come follow me on this evolving and exhilarating journey to see all of America’s national parks!

Here’s how I spend my time outside of “national park-ing”…

Why Paul in the Parks?

A few years into my national park journey, I realized I was amassing a lot of first-hand experience and knowledge.  An increasing number of family and friends were reaching out to me for national park recommendations.  I realized how difficult it can be to plan an itinerary for many of these parks.  Many don’t know how to prioritize the “best” things to do with a short amount of time.  I also witnessed people falling victim to many of the lessons that I learned the hard way (and suffering the consequences).

I launched Paul in the Parks to consolidate my national park experiences into one place.  For every national park I’ve visited, I’ve composed a condensed guide that summarizes everything a first-time visitor should know.  These guides include helpful resources, maps, and photos.  I also write journal entries that detail my trips and break down lessons I’ve learned.  Occasionally, I even throw together a YouTube video to immerse people in the adventures.

I know there are a boatload of travel blogs on the internet.  Paul in the Parks may never be special to most, but it will always be special to me.  THANK YOU to everyone who supports this blog and supports me in my travels.  I hope you find Paul in the Parks useful and – if you do – please help me out by sharing the site with your fellow park enthusiasts.

Follow Me on Instagram!

More That I’ve Written

I’ve written featured articles for several popular travel blogs. Check out some of those articles below!

South Rim Trail in Big Bend

Walking The Parks