My heart jumped as the turtle obliterated before my eyes. We’d just pulled over the side of the road to try and rescue him, but I saw the car coming at full speed and knew this little guy didn’t stand a chance. For the next ten miles we passed squashed turtle after squashed turtle. They seemed to like the hot but very dangerous pavement, and who wouldn’t after hibernating all winter long? It’s the ongoing friction between our world and theirs, right?
The turtle explosion was only one of many memorable moments on this quest so far. Hard to believe it’s been exactly one month! To celebrate we’ve assembled a collection of photos from the start, showcasing the journey.
We’ve camped every night (except four nights in Nashville), driven about 2,500 miles, visited four parks and created three posters. Currently out & about at Mesa Verde.
Best part so far?
Meeting so many kind, generous folks.
![1_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![2_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![3_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=720%2C1032)
![We spend the first few days in each park just getting to know the place, sketching along the way](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/4_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![5_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/5_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![6_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/6_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C759)
![7_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/7_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![First official design of our Centennial Poster Series](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/1_mammoth_cave_poster_1024x1024_national_park_quest.jpg?resize=500%2C750)
![Andres in Mammoth Cave, while he still had his beard.](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/9_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![We tend to set up the larger tent for several days, it's nice not to take down and set up every day. At Gulpha Gorge, Hot Springs NP.](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/8_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![No these aren't torture devices, but high class spa treatments at the Hot Springs NP Fordyce Bathhouse Museum.](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/11_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C759)
![The poster features handcrafted typography and detailed illustration, designed in Hot Springs National Park.](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1_hot_springs_poster_1024x1024_national_park_quest.jpg?resize=500%2C750)
![12_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C642)
![10_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/10_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![10_1_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/10_1_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![13_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![14_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/14_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C759)
![Before we leave each park we make sure to get the classic photo along with our stamps.](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/10_2_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![Great Sand Dunes NP enchanted us with a rough yet magical landscape.](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/15_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C648)
![And so many deer who weren't shy at all.](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/11_2_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C621)
![We backpacked into the dunes for the full experience. The stillness is breathtaking.](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13_2_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![Great_Sand_Dunes_poster_national_park_quest](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Great_Sand_Dunes_poster_national_park_quest.jpg?resize=500%2C750)
![Then we got to Mesa Verde NP, we arrived in sleet and the second night was the coldest camp of all with temps in the 20s. It warmed up though.](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/22_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C759)
![We lingered behind the tour group to get a photo of Balcony House cliff dwelling without people.](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C759)
![](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/21_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=500%2C696)
![You feel tiny in the cliffs.](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/18_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C752)
![17_national_park_quest_photos_one_month](http://i0.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/17_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
![And sometimes you feel at the top of the world.](http://i2.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/16_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C750)
![We usually stay out and about all day, often getting back to cook in the dark.](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/23_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C761)
![After all, why would you cook during the best time of the day? Sunset along Knife Edge Road trail, Mesa Verde.](http://i1.wp.com/nationalparkquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/19_national_park_quest_photos_one_month.jpg?resize=1140%2C760)
We hope you’ll sign up to continue following the quest! You’ll get to enjoy extra stories in a letter sent out once per week. You can also check out this story to learn more about the posters.
2 comments
Beautiful photos, I am enjoying reading along with your quest. Just found you yesterday from Art of Nonconformity.
We just returned from Rocky Mountain National Park and loved every minute of it. Cannot wait to get back to the mountains and other national parks.
Thank you Kevin 🙂 That sounds great, we loved Rocky Mountain NP. Though I must admit my favorite mountainous park so far has been Glacier NP – there’s something truly magical about those valleys, meadows and peaks. Definitely plan your next trip to Glacier!