Thanks for all the caring comments! The food poisoning hit hard, but it passed within 36 hours. Also grateful that I ate about 95% of the sausage, thus sparing Julie and Shane any digestive consequences. Lastly, the aerial shots from the mountaintop were shot with a 360 cam on a 10-foot "disappearing" selfie stick (you can see the handle in my hand)... not a drone! Great to have all of you "with us!"
2 days is NOT enough time for the Isle Royale. If you ever find yourself back there, try to stay at least a week. There are so many amazing campsites to check out. Rock harbor to windigo and back!!! Been 3 times, awesome video.
Congratulations on see all of the National Parks in the lower 48! I'm so sorry about you getting sick as this park is quite beautiful once you are there. Sickness is every campers nightmare. I have 3 more parks in the Lower 48 to go!
I feel for you Randy, ugh the last thing you need on an otherwise beautiful trip. Isle Royale National Park is now officially on my bucket list. Congratulations on you having visited all the National Parks on the lower 48!! Hope your doing well now!
Thank You Randy, Julie and Shane and congratulations on visiting all the National Parks south of the 49th parallel Randy. I'm sorry you were sick, it sounds like you had a case of food poisoning. I love all the great videos you share... God Bless the Smith Family ... Robin :-)
Congrats on reaching your goal! I want to say thank you for taking me along on your Journeys. My wife n I live to travel and I have a great appreciation for our National parks. Due to the pandemic and being in healthcare our vacations have been limited to June at a few days when we could grab them. Your videos have given me strength and the energy I’ve needed to continue to push forward. I lived vicariously thru your trips. Thank you. BTW, we finally were able to travel to one of our favorite places, Sedona just a few weeks ago.
Your videos inspire me to knock out some of the national parks on my list. You do such a great job talking about the parks and I’m shocked that you don’t have more subscribers. I love that you get your family involved too. That’s what it’s all about!
I’m glad you keep the adventuring real. Your experience on IR is one reason I as a single mama of 4 hesitate greatly to isolate myself by attempting that park. Thank you for sharing the real side. Your family members are troopers. Congrats on your goal! I’m sure AK and Hi have you itching now.
Oh no!! I'm sorry you didn't feel well but congratulations on making it out there and at least completing a nice hike! Isle Royale is one of my dream national parks and I hope to backpack across it one day. Loved the video and God bless you and your family!
Enjoyed your great words, Chris! Yeah, there were a lot of folks beginning that backpacking adventure on the boat with us. Would truly be an amazing experience. Hope it works out for you!
Sorry you got sick while visiting Isle Royale. We spent 2 days there earlier this month and had a wonderful time. Can’t wait to go back and stay longer. Very peaceful and serene. By the way, we met you at the Notch trail in Badlands NP. We really enjoy your videos. Very helpful and informative.
Hey Michael, thanks for the kind comment and it was a pleasure to meet you in the Badlands. Nice to hear of you appreciation for our National Parks! All the best to you!
Glad you made it to Isle Royale, wondered if you'd go with the fires there. So sorry you got sick, and hope you had a few pleasant memories to take away. Great moose shot! We have had good luck with our boat crossings, Lake Superior so unpredictable. Congratulations on the last of the lower 48!
BTW, I had food poisoning one time from a fast food chicken restaurant. For about 36 hours, I felt like I could die. For more than a year afterward, I felt queasy any time I drove by ANY chicken restaurant. I suspect that summer sausage won't be on your menu for quite some time.
@@ccchhhrrriiisss100 You know the feeling, brother! Nasty stuff indeed. 36 hours is about the right timeframe for me as well. A day to get over the debilitating part and then a half day to return to normal.
Oh man that thumbnail made me real nervous :( So happy you made it back to the mainland safely and bless the Rangers and I'm sure Julie and Shane for taking care of you. I'm assuming you are doing ok currently :) Sending healing thoughts your way. Making sure you are ok first before sending the most heartfelt congratulations on visiting every NP in the lower 48
Congratulations on your ambitious milestone! I'm hoping that you recovered fully from food poisoning, sorry to see that was part of your experience. Thank you for showing us the realities of travel, it's not always rainbows and sunshine!
@@AmericasParks I'm glad that you did, I'm sure all of your subscribers were concerned like I was, and it's important to learn what steps to take if something like that happens away from home.
Well that place definitely looks untouched! Congratulations that's an awesome accomplishment! Sorry it had to end that way hopefully you can go back and celebrate properly! Thanks for sharing 👍
Hey Randy, congratulations on your milestone of visiting every national park in the lower 48. I really liked that scene where you are waxing about the great beauty of the Isle Royale and your wife Julie is complaining about the long boat ride. That's a true marriage.
Thanks for the compassion, Kim! Wasn't planning on using the footage, but thought I'd record some of it for personal memories. As time went on, thought it would really add to the "full experience" of that trip! :)
Enjoy the journey, my friend! That's when I began taking my daughter on trips. Best times we've shared together and so much for building our great relationships. Hope the same for you!
Looks like a beautiful place (minus the food poisoning)! We are going over that way for a big trip this summer, but we'll need to do another time due to dog issues. Hopefully you get to go back and have a better experience.
How's it going, my friend! This is a special place... unfortunately most that I remember was the sickness. lol! Some hike the full length of the island on a several day backpacking trip. That would be cool!
A big congrats on the milestone!! However, I am sorry for the bout of food poisoning but glad you at least had one good day there. Pristine. That is the perfect way to describe this park. I have an inkling that if I make it to all of the parks in the Lower 48, that this one or Voyageurs will be the last one I hit. I would love to explore this park with a nice backpacking trip.
Right on, Michael! What a lot of folks do (and what I'd enjoy one of these days) is to hike from one end of the island o the other. The ferry service accommodates this adventure as they pick-up/drop-off at both locations.
ugh, food poisoning!! Rough!! very nice of the Ranger to give you a ride// sad that you finish of the Park list that way but hey you got to see a MOOSE!! and be on thatremote island/ could have been worse i guess still, ugh that sucks... Very Cool you make it to all the Parks in the lower 48, next up AL and HI then on to Every Park "site"! there are only 400 and something of them no problem hahaha.... awesome video i like all the different points of view form your wife and son too... oh ps Roxana is now calling you America's Dad because you take us on so many trips hahaha
I have hiked Every trail (except canoe portages) on Isle Royale! Minong Ridge is more rugged but more wild and scenic! Lane Cove is very secluded. Have had Moose IN my campsite several times. Love it!
On Minong Ridge I needed to filter water out of stagnant beaver pond? As I'm pumping I see a bull Moose In the water about 20' away just starring at me How cool is That? 1 trip a Earth Watch we saw 13 in 1 day and 33 that 9 day trip All Off trail in back country.
I've been to Isle Royale several times via the Ranger III, which is smooth enough to avoid nausea. When I go again I'll have to take the Grand Portage boat. Looks like I'll have to bring Dramamine. Sorry you felt sick....hope you try again.
My wife and I love your adventures and your precious family. We just returned from a 6 week adventure visiting many of the places you have done videos on. I cannot remember but have you visited and posted a video on Valley of Fire? We fell in love with it.
Hey Joel, nice to hear about your six-week adventure! Trust you had a great trip and made memories for a lifetime. Yeah, did a video for Valley of Fire (great place!), but the video was absolutely horrible. Decided to take it down. lol! Have a super week!
A “worst nightmare” for campers! So glad you got help when you needed it. Congratulations on achieving such a noteworthy goal! Isle Royale sure looks beautiful. I’m sure a return visit, with better circumstances, is in your future plans. Take care always!
Hey, I got Altitude sickness at RMNP on my first family vacation to a National Park. Thankfully we had a few more days and a good night's sleep helped shake it off.
Well, Randy, you finally made it. After hearing you mention this park many times as a goal, hopefully the accomplishment of visiting this island overcomes the pain and misery of your food poisoning. It is nice to hear that you compare the pristine nature of the island to our park, “the mountain” and it does look like a good way to get away from people. OUTSTANDING VIEWS. Kudos to the Rangers for helping you out. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA’S PARKS FOR REACHING YOUR GOAL. Thank you for sharing the hike! On to Alaska and the Pacific in future years, . . . Mike
Always blessed by your kind words of encouragement, Mike! Grateful we enjoyed a full day before the sickness set in. Nasty stuff, but over and gone in 36 hours. Have a super week!
Congratulations on seeing all the national parks in the lower 48! I'm sure eventually you will see every single National Park. It looks like a cool experience to take a 2-hour boat ride to an island national park like this. Sorry you got sick toward the end but luckily you had a lot of people helping you. Thanks for sharing another National Park adventure with all of us
Congratulations on visiting every national park in the lower 48. I was excited to see you were able to achieve such a great accomplishment! Sorry to see you got sick on such a significant trip. I want to thank you for sharing your experiences in visiting every park and making it a family event. My family and I have the same goals in visiting every state park. Since the kids were very young we’ve been going state and national parks as we felt it was a great family activity for many reasons that I am sure you recognized as well. Unfortunately due to Covid and personal family health issues, that had to be put on hold for now. We hope to resume the goal as soon as possible. I don’t know if you realize how much of a positive impact you and your family have had on families like ours that couldn’t get out during the pandemic, but who also have a passion for visiting state and National Parks. Being able to see your videos has helped us get through this pandemic more than you can ever know. Again, thank you for sharing your experiences, we look forward to seeing many more, safe travels, and God bless.
Hey Kevin, I can't tell you how blessed I was to read your warm comments! Love your heart and do hope you'll be able to resume your adventurers soon. Like you said, I've never regretted this journey with the memories and stronger relationships we've build along the way as a family! Wish the same for you. God bless you!
Congratulations for visiting them all! Ever visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park? There's some good hiking around here and the Appalachian Trail comes though it too.
Congratulations on visiting all of the National Parks in the lower 48! Very sorry that you had food poisoning, I hope you were able to recover from that quickly. I am glad to hear that the park ranger and passengers gave you encouragement, as being sick on vacation is horrible. Isle Royale National Park looks like a cool place to visit.
Congrats on your huge accomplishment!! Terribly sorry it ended so sourly!🤢 We’re excited to see how you tackle Alaska & all it’s parks. We are also on a NP adventure & should hit 163 NP’s by the end of the year. Alaska will be a tricky one!! Thanks for paving the path for us! It’s fun watching some of your older videos during our NP trip research!!😊😂😊
Really enjoyed reading that comment, Michelle! Happy for you and your family - stay safe and keep making those great memories together at our national gems!
Congrats on reaching all the parks in the Lower 48! Sorry it didn’t end quite how you wanted. I was on Isle Royale in Sept (going back in May). The rangers on the island are absolutely wonderful and the crew on Voyaguer II are the best. The conditions you experienced on the boat ride are pretty typical. The trick to not get seasick is make the ride on an empty stomach and sit somewhere you can look straight ahead and see the horizon.
Poor guy! It's a good thing your family was with you, rather than when you solo hiked the Grand Canyon. I only experienced food poisoning once in my life on a business trip in Houston, TX when it was 100 degrees in the summer. That was no fun, either, but at least I had the comfort of a hotel room!
Congratulations Randy for visiting all those parks…that is really awesome! To bad it turned a bad trip and hope you are doing fine now . Looks like there’s a lot of moose’s there Have a great week Serge H&S 👩❤️👨🌈🇨🇦
We had a similar experience. Hiked for a week and no moose. Last day we go back to the departing area and 7 moose ran right past us! Terrifying actually. Within 19-15 feet
I feel your pain...my wife had a nasty fall while visiting Death Valley on our trip to Cali a couple of weeks ago, and we had to spend five hours at the ER in Pahrump while she got her nose and lip stitched up. We were just two into a ten day trip and I asked if she wanted to go back home, but she said no way she had been looking forward to this trip for the last year and toughed it out...she is a cute little thing, but she is tougher than boot leather...lol. She will have a couple of permanent scars, but nothing broken..so thank God for watching over because it could have been so much worse. She could have just as easily died, or broken her neck or back.
Congratulations on visiting every National park 🥰Isle Royal something really really unique and distinct… we stayed in a shelter out there also on Windigo side for 2days… Hugining cove loop is extremely beautiful
Feel your pain. I got food poisoning the last day of our honeymoon. It hit me right before our flight home (4 hours). I literally spent half the flight in the bathroom with it coming out both ends. Absolute nightmare.
Described my situation! You have to experience this stuff to really understand just how nasty food poising is. Always worse when away from you home too! Thanks for the compassion!
Wow! Every national park in the lower 48 is quite an achievement Randy - and I know you have been to a couple of them a handful of times - so that's even more impressive! I don't know about you, but me and boats have a complicated relationship. Sometimes I'm fine with 0 problems and others, I'm as sick as a dog! That's a long haul with all that gear, lol. Hey, if nothing else came from your sickness - it was an easy return to the boat!
OK Randy, I can really appreciate your comments on getting sick on a NP vacation. In 2009, I was out west touring Yellowstone & the Grand Teton and started feeling bad about 5 days in. I was coughing and thought I had bronchitis but later found out when I got home that I had pneumonia. On reflection, I remembered that on the flight out to Billings, a guy a couple of seats away was hacking away on one of the flights out. The last couple of days on the trip were less than pleasant but I toughed it out. So, I get it brother! Anyway, I'm glad you made it to your last '48' NP site...impressive.
Food poisoning is no joke. I felt like I was dying and it was from Chinese food. I think they didn't cook the shrimp well and my stomach was like nope. I had to take the train and bus home. It was not fun. Congrats on visiting every park. Can't wait for you to do it again. 😀
@@AmericasParks When I got it many, many years ago, I literally had to crawl to the bathroom because I could not stand up. Memories fade, but I remember it well enough to know I never want to experience that again. I can't imagine being that sick and stuck on some island sleeping on the ground. Btw, I really enjoy your videos.
@@af31ns Thanks for understanding... it was the worst! So nasty to feel that way on an island in a tent. lol! Encouraged to hear you are enjoying the videos!
Hello America's Park's😊😊😊, congrats on you conquering all of the National Parks in the lower 48. That is quite an AMAZING accomplishment and I'm so happy for you and family. In regards to your food poisoning haha haha, I have been there my friend! 3 years ago my brother and son took a road trip that included the Outer Banks and I was so thrilled about taking the ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke...and I got AWFUL sea sickness and must have went to the bathroom about 12 times...and my brother and son were fine. I was sick the entire day and my brother decided to skip the attractions in the Outer Banks and drove to Willmington De. I felt better the next...and about 2 weeks ago my son and I really enjoyed our time in the Outer Banks. My brother teases me and says I guess your feeling better now huh😊😊😊😊! One of these days in going to explore Isle Royalle National Park...with dramamine haha! I really enjoyed this video and can't wait to see what's next....hmmmmm ALASKA?
You've been there, my friend! Stomach sickness is so nasty!!! Thanks for the kind words... and yes, looking at Alaska next summer as the Lord permits! Enjoy your weekend!
Hey Pat, yeah, it hits hard, but thankfully it passes rather quickly. Lost a day, but was able to salvage the remainder of the trip. Have a super week!
I'm sorry you got a stomach bug, that's no joke. It's literally torture and I can't imagine a worse place for it to happen than in the middle of nowhere camping. Thank god for the park ranger getting you out of there.
Het Rod, appreciate the compassion! Along with getting food poisoning on a missions trip in Armenia, this was easily the worst I have ever felt. Totally feared that two-hour boat ride back :)
Not every trip is the best. Sometimes one needs the bad to appreciate the good. Looking forward to the remaining NPS sites in the 48, plus outside. Perhaps Puero Rico and El Yunque NF for the next anniversary?
Food poisoning no fun, definitely need to spend more time out there next time. Also, Isle Royals is just off the north coast of the upper peninsula of Michigan
I’m sorry some things didn’t go great at the park, but it looks like you enjoyed the park overall! I really liked my time here. Quick word of warning: beware of commenters who complain about you not spending enough time at the park. Trust me, they are out there.
Thanks, Eric! Everyone has a different interest in what "enjoying" a park means. Personally, I move at a pace comfortable for me. Might be a little quicker than others, but it affords me the time to see other parks. Plus, leaving some things out, drives the interest for a return visit in the future.
Sweet... hope it comes together for you! This one was one of the greatest challenges (location, boat reservation, planning, hauling in the gear, etc). Always respect your love for the Parks, Dwayne!
Congrats on making it to all of the lower 48 parks! Sorry it was anticlimactic 🥲 Lake Superior is really rough. The day we left Windigo, our boat got delayed by 3 hours because the water was too rough.
Thankfully we did get to thoroughly enjoy the first day there. Also grateful the waters were a little calmer for the return voyage. To this day, I can recall very little of it! lol!
Congratulations, Randy to you and your whole America’s Parks team!! My husband, Jim and I have enjoyed watching all your videos of your trips to National parks, National seashores, National monuments etc. So very sorry you were so sick but I was impressed you had a ‘tent call’ by a ranger to check you out medically and helped you with luggage and that long hike back out to boat. Question: Will you share your information of where you find your lists of parks, monuments etc. I keep finding different counts of the parks. How many parks does that mean you visited? Thanks for the videos and all your helpful information you shared on each video for those of us yet to visit some of the parks you featured! Joyce in GA
Appreciate the kind words, Joyce! Often I just use a road atlas to see what's in the area. It's tricky because there are officially 423 National Parks sites, but only 63 National Park "proper" sites. Ones that I call the "big 63." This is helpful to delineate the various NPS categories. www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/how-many-national-parks-are-there
@@AmericasParks Thank you, Randy, for the link to list of actual Nps! I’m half way there but need to speed up the plan in order to get them all in before I’m not mobile enough to get there! We may not ever be able to do the hiking on the trails like you’ve done but it will be fun in retirement now seeing in person the parks. We also are seeing each of the Georgia State Parks and compiling a photo book for our children and our first grandchild(just born in June of 2021). Also about halfway there on that project as well 😃. Thank you again for your inspiration! Joyce
Appreciate that very much! It's been a great adventures - especially thankful to have shared it with my family. Looking at Alaska next summer. Take care!
As miserable as your experience was, it gives you an excuse to go back. Although Isle Royale National Park is one of the least-visited national parks, it is also one of the most RE-visited, so you'll fit right in on a return trip. Since you've seen some of Washington Harbor, I'd recommend sailing (or flying) into Rock Harbor at the other end, which is great entry point for some of the most beautiful parts of the Island.
Thanks much for the kind words and encouragement to re-visit the park! Would love to do a backpacking trip the entire length of the island... just staying clear from the summer sausage in the visitor center. :)
Oh no sorry to hear that and I sure can relate. On a trip to Peru I was taking a short flight to Cuzco a few years ago and ate something which made me get suddenly sick. I should not have gotten on that plane but I did and got much worse while the plane was waiting to take off. The pilot saw me and turned the plane around and an ambulance met me on the tarmac. I was the very sick gringo which stopped a plane from taking off and everyone was staring. There was a Dr in the ambulance and he gave me some medicine and a few hours later I was fine and took the same flight the next day. Hopefully you can go back to that park with better circumstances.
I’ve been going to isle royale ever summer for the last five years and I gotta say I’m amazed the voyager dudes didn’t just yell at you for waiting their time while loading. I love the video, but I’ve caught them in a bad mood to say the least😅
Best wishes to you. I hope you have recovered by now. Sad to see that this kind of issue happened on a day you are supposed to celebrate. On the bright side - you did it. 👍
Thanks for all the caring comments! The food poisoning hit hard, but it passed within 36 hours. Also grateful that I ate about 95% of the sausage, thus sparing Julie and Shane any digestive consequences. Lastly, the aerial shots from the mountaintop were shot with a 360 cam on a 10-foot "disappearing" selfie stick (you can see the handle in my hand)... not a drone! Great to have all of you "with us!"
2 days is NOT enough time for the Isle Royale. If you ever find yourself back there, try to stay at least a week. There are so many amazing campsites to check out. Rock harbor to windigo and back!!! Been 3 times, awesome video.
Totally agree, Parker. Would really like to get back and hike across the entire island as you mentioned. Take care!
Congratulations on see all of the National Parks in the lower 48! I'm so sorry about you getting sick as this park is quite beautiful once you are there. Sickness is every campers nightmare.
I have 3 more parks in the Lower 48 to go!
Thanks and way to go, Korin! All the best in completing your final 3!
I feel for you Randy, ugh the last thing you need on an otherwise beautiful trip. Isle Royale National Park is now officially on my bucket list. Congratulations on you having visited all the National Parks on the lower 48!! Hope your doing well now!
Thanks so much, Mark! Apart from the food poisoning... it was a great visit!
Can’t wait to see you tackle the parks in Hawaii, Alaska, and Samoa!
Right on, my friend!
Thank You Randy, Julie and Shane and congratulations on visiting all the National Parks south of the 49th parallel Randy. I'm sorry you were sick, it sounds like you had a case of food poisoning. I love all the great videos you share... God Bless the Smith Family ... Robin :-)
Much appreciated, brother! Hope you have a blessed week, Robin!
Congrats on reaching your goal! I want to say thank you for taking me along on your Journeys. My wife n I live to travel and I have a great appreciation for our National parks. Due to the pandemic and being in healthcare our vacations have been limited to June at a few days when we could grab them. Your videos have given me strength and the energy I’ve needed to continue to push forward. I lived vicariously thru your trips. Thank you.
BTW, we finally were able to travel to one of our favorite places, Sedona just a few weeks ago.
Wow, William, such tender and encouraged words, my friend! Thanks for your service and honored to have you traveling with us!
Your videos inspire me to knock out some of the national parks on my list. You do such a great job talking about the parks and I’m shocked that you don’t have more subscribers. I love that you get your family involved too. That’s what it’s all about!
That was a really encouraging comment to read! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts/kind words!
I’m glad you keep the adventuring real. Your experience on IR is one reason I as a single mama of 4 hesitate greatly to isolate myself by attempting that park. Thank you for sharing the real side. Your family members are troopers. Congrats on your goal! I’m sure AK and Hi have you itching now.
Beautiful words, Jessica! God's blessings on you and your dear children!
So sorry you were sick!! I always tell my girls there are good people everywhere! Congratulations!! Please don't stop making videos!!
Really blessed by your kind words, Carolyn! Encouraging!
Such great video guys, awesome footage and trendy ! New subscribers from Malaysia and France 🇫🇷
Thanks for the very kind words! Greetings back from the USA and welcome to the channel! All the best!
Oh no!! I'm sorry you didn't feel well but congratulations on making it out there and at least completing a nice hike! Isle Royale is one of my dream national parks and I hope to backpack across it one day. Loved the video and God bless you and your family!
Enjoyed your great words, Chris! Yeah, there were a lot of folks beginning that backpacking adventure on the boat with us. Would truly be an amazing experience. Hope it works out for you!
This was the last one for me as well back in 2005.
Congratulations! I've heard many often count this as their "last" park!
Sorry you got sick while visiting Isle Royale. We spent 2 days there earlier this month and had a wonderful time. Can’t wait to go back and stay longer. Very peaceful and serene.
By the way, we met you at the Notch trail in Badlands NP. We really enjoy your videos. Very helpful and informative.
Hey Michael, thanks for the kind comment and it was a pleasure to meet you in the Badlands. Nice to hear of you appreciation for our National Parks! All the best to you!
Glad you made it to Isle Royale, wondered if you'd go with the fires there. So sorry you got sick, and hope you had a few pleasant memories to take away. Great moose shot! We have had good luck with our boat crossings, Lake Superior so unpredictable. Congratulations on the last of the lower 48!
Appreciate the kind words! Yeah, nasty fires, but thankfully the fire was on the other end of the park and we had a favorable wind direction.
Congrats on visiting lower 48 parks. I hope you’re doing well! Definitely my favorite America’s park youtuber! Greeting from Philadelphia
Really appreciate your kind words, Daniel! All the best to you from my family and the USA!
CONGRATULATIONS on completing this journey to all of the national parks in the lower 48! What an amazing achievement! Well done.
BTW, I had food poisoning one time from a fast food chicken restaurant. For about 36 hours, I felt like I could die. For more than a year afterward, I felt queasy any time I drove by ANY chicken restaurant. I suspect that summer sausage won't be on your menu for quite some time.
Much appreciated, Chris!
@@ccchhhrrriiisss100 You know the feeling, brother! Nasty stuff indeed. 36 hours is about the right timeframe for me as well. A day to get over the debilitating part and then a half day to return to normal.
Oh man that thumbnail made me real nervous :( So happy you made it back to the mainland safely and bless the Rangers and I'm sure Julie and Shane for taking care of you. I'm assuming you are doing ok currently :) Sending healing thoughts your way. Making sure you are ok first before sending the most heartfelt congratulations on visiting every NP in the lower 48
Appreciate the love, my friend! Thankfully, as nasty as food poisoning is, it went away within 36 hours. Lost a day, but it's one we'll never forget.
Congratulations on your ambitious milestone! I'm hoping that you recovered fully from food poisoning, sorry to see that was part of your experience. Thank you for showing us the realities of travel, it's not always rainbows and sunshine!
Appreciate that! Was going to leave that nasty part out, but included it for the reasons you mentioned so well!
@@AmericasParks I'm glad that you did, I'm sure all of your subscribers were concerned like I was, and it's important to learn what steps to take if something like that happens away from home.
You picked a great park for your finale! Thanks for sharing your families adventure with us. God speed.
Really appreciate the kind and encouraging words!
You did it! 👍🔥🎊💪 Sorry you got sick. Nicely done.
Thanks, buddy! This is one I'll never forget! lol! All the best to you and your dear family!
Well that place definitely looks untouched! Congratulations that's an awesome accomplishment! Sorry it had to end that way hopefully you can go back and celebrate properly! Thanks for sharing 👍
Appreciate that, Nick! Thankfully, we still had a nice day to enjoy the park!
Hey Randy, congratulations on your milestone of visiting every national park in the lower 48. I really liked that scene where you are waxing about the great beauty of the Isle Royale and your wife Julie is complaining about the long boat ride. That's a true marriage.
haha! Great observation, Martin! Thanks for watching and sharing the encouragement!
So sorry!! You're a real trooper for still filming. Hope you're better.
Thanks for the compassion, Kim! Wasn't planning on using the footage, but thought I'd record some of it for personal memories. As time went on, thought it would really add to the "full experience" of that trip! :)
Congratulations! Not the celebration we all expected but way to go. Hope you made it home safe. Love your videos and your sweet family.
Thanks so much, Marti! Really appreciate your kind words!
Nice work, sorry you got sick. Congrats on the 48. I've got similar goals for my daughters (7 & 9), 3 parks down, 45 to go!! should be fun.
Enjoy the journey, my friend! That's when I began taking my daughter on trips. Best times we've shared together and so much for building our great relationships. Hope the same for you!
Congrats on finishing your last NP visited, a great milestone and sorry you got sick. I still have some parks to visit to catch up with you...
Appreciate that! All the best to reach your goal!
Congratulations on visiting all of the NPs in the lower 48! What an accomplishment!
Really appreciate the kind words, Angel!
Looks like a beautiful place (minus the food poisoning)! We are going over that way for a big trip this summer, but we'll need to do another time due to dog issues. Hopefully you get to go back and have a better experience.
How's it going, my friend! This is a special place... unfortunately most that I remember was the sickness. lol! Some hike the full length of the island on a several day backpacking trip. That would be cool!
@@AmericasParks Can't wait to see it ourselves one day!
A big congrats on the milestone!! However, I am sorry for the bout of food poisoning but glad you at least had one good day there.
Pristine. That is the perfect way to describe this park. I have an inkling that if I make it to all of the parks in the Lower 48, that this one or Voyageurs will be the last one I hit. I would love to explore this park with a nice backpacking trip.
Right on, Michael! What a lot of folks do (and what I'd enjoy one of these days) is to hike from one end of the island o the other. The ferry service accommodates this adventure as they pick-up/drop-off at both locations.
ugh, food poisoning!! Rough!! very nice of the Ranger to give you a ride// sad that you finish of the Park list that way but hey you got to see a MOOSE!! and be on thatremote island/ could have been worse i guess still, ugh that sucks... Very Cool you make it to all the Parks in the lower 48, next up AL and HI then on to Every Park "site"! there are only 400 and something of them no problem hahaha.... awesome video i like all the different points of view form your wife and son too... oh ps Roxana is now calling you America's Dad because you take us on so many trips hahaha
That food poising was so nasty... but did did really enjoy Roxana's new title for me - what an honor!
@@AmericasParks glad you like it !
I have hiked Every trail (except canoe portages) on Isle Royale! Minong Ridge is more rugged but more wild and scenic! Lane Cove is very secluded. Have had Moose IN my campsite several times. Love it!
Need to get back... would really enjoy hiking across the island. Nice to hear of adventures and appreciation of this gem!
On Minong Ridge I needed to filter water out of stagnant beaver pond? As I'm pumping I see a bull Moose In the water about 20' away just starring at me How cool is That? 1 trip a Earth Watch we saw 13 in 1 day and 33 that 9 day trip All Off trail in back country.
@@josephj7991 Really special memories, Jospeh!
I've been to Isle Royale several times via the Ranger III, which is smooth enough to avoid nausea. When I go again I'll have to take the Grand Portage boat. Looks like I'll have to bring Dramamine. Sorry you felt sick....hope you try again.
Nice to her you've enjoyed this incredible park! Nasty visit with the food poisoning, but do hope for return trip. Thanks!
This is the greatest park in the whole system. Thanks for sharing.
Good taste, my friend! Glad you enjoyed the video.
My wife and I love your adventures and your precious family. We just returned from a 6 week adventure visiting many of the places you have done videos on. I cannot remember but have you visited and posted a video on Valley of Fire? We fell in love with it.
Hey Joel, nice to hear about your six-week adventure! Trust you had a great trip and made memories for a lifetime. Yeah, did a video for Valley of Fire (great place!), but the video was absolutely horrible. Decided to take it down. lol! Have a super week!
@@AmericasParks would love if you did another one on it someday!!!
A “worst nightmare” for campers! So glad you got help when you needed it. Congratulations on achieving such a noteworthy goal! Isle Royale sure looks beautiful. I’m sure a return visit, with better circumstances, is in your future plans. Take care always!
Appreciate that, James! Really rough 24-hours, but yes, hope to get back to this amazing location. Have a great week, brother!
Sorry about your sickness - hopefully it wouldn't be the sausage! Really enjoyed all your videos, here to the next National Park adventure!
Appreciate your warm heart and kind words! Great to have you with us, Jillian!
Hey, I got Altitude sickness at RMNP on my first family vacation to a National Park. Thankfully we had a few more days and a good night's sleep helped shake it off.
Sorry to hear - always a bummer to get sick on a vaca! Glad you recovered quickly!
Well, Randy, you finally made it. After hearing you mention this park many times as a goal, hopefully the accomplishment of visiting this island overcomes the pain and misery of your food poisoning. It is nice to hear that you compare the pristine nature of the island to our park, “the mountain” and it does look like a good way to get away from people. OUTSTANDING VIEWS. Kudos to the Rangers for helping you out. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA’S PARKS FOR REACHING YOUR GOAL. Thank you for sharing the hike! On to Alaska and the Pacific in future years, . . . Mike
Always blessed by your kind words of encouragement, Mike! Grateful we enjoyed a full day before the sickness set in. Nasty stuff, but over and gone in 36 hours. Have a super week!
So sorry that you got sick during your trip but I’m glad that you’re feeling better now. This is definitely beautiful scenery.
That was a really rough 24 hours! :)
Congrats on visiting every National Park….bucket list check off. Sorry to hear about you becoming I’ll on Isle Royal…hope all is well.
Thanks so much, Linda! It was terrible, but grateful it passed in 36 hours. Take care!
Congratulations on seeing all the national parks in the lower 48! I'm sure eventually you will see every single National Park. It looks like a cool experience to take a 2-hour boat ride to an island national park like this. Sorry you got sick toward the end but luckily you had a lot of people helping you. Thanks for sharing another National Park adventure with all of us
Appreciate that, Eric! It's been a good journey!
I hope you are feeling better! Way to leave us hanging!! Congratulations on your lower 48 goal!
Appreciate the empathy and encouragement, Melissa! :)
Congratulations on visiting every national park in the lower 48. I was excited to see you were able to achieve such a great accomplishment! Sorry to see you got sick on such a significant trip. I want to thank you for sharing your experiences in visiting every park and making it a family event. My family and I have the same goals in visiting every state park. Since the kids were very young we’ve been going state and national parks as we felt it was a great family activity for many reasons that I am sure you recognized as well. Unfortunately due to Covid and personal family health issues, that had to be put on hold for now. We hope to resume the goal as soon as possible. I don’t know if you realize how much of a positive impact you and your family have had on families like ours that couldn’t get out during the pandemic, but who also have a passion for visiting state and National Parks. Being able to see your videos has helped us get through this pandemic more than you can ever know. Again, thank you for sharing your experiences, we look forward to seeing many more, safe travels, and God bless.
Hey Kevin, I can't tell you how blessed I was to read your warm comments! Love your heart and do hope you'll be able to resume your adventurers soon. Like you said, I've never regretted this journey with the memories and stronger relationships we've build along the way as a family! Wish the same for you. God bless you!
Congratulations for visiting them all! Ever visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park? There's some good hiking around here and the Appalachian Trail comes though it too.
Much appreciated. Yes, went there about 7 year ago (pre-vlogging days). Thanks for the suggestion - hope to get back!
Summer sausage in the Fall... That's where you went wrong 😉. Hope you feel better fast and congrats on the accomplishment!
Funny words, Mike! :) Thanks... hits hard, but over in about 36 hours.
Congratulations on visiting all of the National Parks in the lower 48! Very sorry that you had food poisoning, I hope you were able to recover from that quickly. I am glad to hear that the park ranger and passengers gave you encouragement, as being sick on vacation is horrible. Isle Royale National Park looks like a cool place to visit.
Hey Tyler, it's been great to have you with on on this NP journey! ...this trip was one we'll never forget! :)
Congrats on your huge accomplishment!! Terribly sorry it ended so sourly!🤢
We’re excited to see how you tackle Alaska & all it’s parks. We are also on a NP adventure & should hit 163 NP’s by the end of the year. Alaska will be a tricky one!! Thanks for paving the path for us! It’s fun watching some of your older videos during our NP trip research!!😊😂😊
Really enjoyed reading that comment, Michelle! Happy for you and your family - stay safe and keep making those great memories together at our national gems!
If you get a chance go back and do a few more nights stay . Moskey Basin and Daisy Farm are amazing . We went on a 5 night stay July of 2023
Totally agree! We are now living in MI, so a future trip is a significant possibility. Appreciate the tips, made a note!
Congrats on reaching all the parks in the Lower 48! Sorry it didn’t end quite how you wanted. I was on Isle Royale in Sept (going back in May). The rangers on the island are absolutely wonderful and the crew on Voyaguer II are the best. The conditions you experienced on the boat ride are pretty typical. The trick to not get seasick is make the ride on an empty stomach and sit somewhere you can look straight ahead and see the horizon.
Thanks for the kind words and wise recommendations. Agree with your evaluation of the people servicing the Park. That a rough 24 hours!
Wow !! Awesome and great job !!
Much appreciated! :)
Poor guy! It's a good thing your family was with you, rather than when you solo hiked the Grand Canyon. I only experienced food poisoning once in my life on a business trip in Houston, TX when it was 100 degrees in the summer. That was no fun, either, but at least I had the comfort of a hotel room!
Appreciate the compassion! :) Yeah, that was a horrible day - dreaded that 2-hour boat ride back to the mainland!
Congratulations Randy for visiting all those parks…that is really awesome!
To bad it turned a bad trip and hope you are doing fine now . Looks like there’s a lot of moose’s there
Have a great week
Serge
H&S 👩❤️👨🌈🇨🇦
Yeah, really special place. We only saw one, but I understand seeing moose at IR is a common occurrence. Have a great weekend!
@@AmericasParks Welcome Randy 😉👍
Indeed, the good the bad and the ugly. Glad you got through it!!
Thanks, Kayla!
So sorry about your sickness, even so the photo shots were great.
Appreciate the concern, Sue! Thankfully we got to enjoy out first day there. Have a great week!
We had a similar experience. Hiked for a week and no moose. Last day we go back to the departing area and 7 moose ran right past us! Terrifying actually. Within 19-15 feet
I’ve been to that park many times and you always meet someone who is capping off their last National park visit
That's funny! It's a tough and costly one to reach. But it is a great park to end with!
I feel your pain...my wife had a nasty fall while visiting Death Valley on our trip to Cali a couple of weeks ago, and we had to spend five hours at the ER in Pahrump while she got her nose and lip stitched up. We were just two into a ten day trip and I asked if she wanted to go back home, but she said no way she had been looking forward to this trip for the last year and toughed it out...she is a cute little thing, but she is tougher than boot leather...lol.
She will have a couple of permanent scars, but nothing broken..so thank God for watching over because it could have been so much worse. She could have just as easily died, or broken her neck or back.
Wow, what a story! Yes, thank God it wasn't more serious! Hope she is recovering well and do appreciate her toughness to press on with the trip!
Congratulations on visiting every National park 🥰Isle Royal something really really unique and distinct… we stayed in a shelter out there also on Windigo side for 2days…
Hugining cove loop is extremely beautiful
Appreciate that! Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself there. Noticed the shelters near our tent site. That would have been a pleasant upgrade!
Way to rock out every national park, and saving the most special one for the end! Bummer you couldn't celebrate it the way you wanted to.
Appreciate the kind words!
Feel your pain. I got food poisoning the last day of our honeymoon. It hit me right before our flight home (4 hours). I literally spent half the flight in the bathroom with it coming out both ends. Absolute nightmare.
Described my situation! You have to experience this stuff to really understand just how nasty food poising is. Always worse when away from you home too! Thanks for the compassion!
Congratulations have really enjoyed your travels and glad I found your channel
Appreciate those kind words, Robin!
Think I could get some joints into Isle Royal to enjoy around the campfire after a long day of hiking?
Asking the wrong guy on that one, Matt! But the Rangers did seem pretty active on the island.
Wow! Every national park in the lower 48 is quite an achievement Randy - and I know you have been to a couple of them a handful of times - so that's even more impressive! I don't know about you, but me and boats have a complicated relationship. Sometimes I'm fine with 0 problems and others, I'm as sick as a dog! That's a long haul with all that gear, lol. Hey, if nothing else came from your sickness - it was an easy return to the boat!
Hey Josh, it was so nasty! Maybe worst, was the two-hour boat ride back to the shore! Grateful it passed in 36 hours.
OK Randy, I can really appreciate your comments on getting sick on a NP vacation. In 2009, I was out west touring Yellowstone & the Grand Teton and started feeling bad about 5 days in. I was coughing and thought I had bronchitis but later found out when I got home that I had pneumonia. On reflection, I remembered that on the flight out to Billings, a guy a couple of seats away was hacking away on one of the flights out. The last couple of days on the trip were less than pleasant but I toughed it out. So, I get it brother! Anyway, I'm glad you made it to your last '48' NP site...impressive.
So unpleasant, but they do make fo some memorable experiences! :) Have a great week, brother!
Congrats on all the NP’s bud!
Awesome to see how your channel has grown !
Thanks, my friend! Wishing you a blessed week!
@@AmericasParks hope you are feeling better
@@EExplores Thanks for asking! Yeah, the stuff hits you hard, but thankfully it passed in 36 hours.
Food poisoning is no joke. I felt like I was dying and it was from Chinese food. I think they didn't cook the shrimp well and my stomach was like nope. I had to take the train and bus home. It was not fun.
Congrats on visiting every park. Can't wait for you to do it again. 😀
Appreciate your kind words! And your kindred spirit... no one gets food poisoning unless you've really experienced it. Nasty!
@@AmericasParks When I got it many, many years ago, I literally had to crawl to the bathroom because I could not stand up. Memories fade, but I remember it well enough to know I never want to experience that again. I can't imagine being that sick and stuck on some island sleeping on the ground. Btw, I really enjoy your videos.
@@af31ns Thanks for understanding... it was the worst! So nasty to feel that way on an island in a tent. lol! Encouraged to hear you are enjoying the videos!
Hello America's Park's😊😊😊, congrats on you conquering all of the National Parks in the lower 48. That is quite an AMAZING accomplishment and I'm so happy for you and family. In regards to your food poisoning haha haha, I have been there my friend! 3 years ago my brother and son took a road trip that included the Outer Banks and I was so thrilled about taking the ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke...and I got AWFUL sea sickness and must have went to the bathroom about 12 times...and my brother and son were fine. I was sick the entire day and my brother decided to skip the attractions in the Outer Banks and drove to Willmington De. I felt better the next...and about 2 weeks ago my son and I really enjoyed our time in the Outer Banks. My brother teases me and says I guess your feeling better now huh😊😊😊😊! One of these days in going to explore Isle Royalle National Park...with dramamine haha! I really enjoyed this video and can't wait to see what's next....hmmmmm ALASKA?
You've been there, my friend! Stomach sickness is so nasty!!! Thanks for the kind words... and yes, looking at Alaska next summer as the Lord permits! Enjoy your weekend!
Hope you feeling better and get your strenght back!!🙏🙏
Thanks so much! Nasty stuff that hits you hard, but thankfully it moves on. Was back to "normal" in 36 hours.
You all had a great start, but so sorry about the rough ending. I trust you recovered pretty well.
Hey Pat, yeah, it hits hard, but thankfully it passes rather quickly. Lost a day, but was able to salvage the remainder of the trip. Have a super week!
Congratulations 🎊 and I’m sorry you got sick brother and it ended the way it did.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks, brother! Grateful that nasty food poisoning passes quickly (about 36 hours).
I'm sorry you got a stomach bug, that's no joke. It's literally torture and I can't imagine a worse place for it to happen than in the middle of nowhere camping. Thank god for the park ranger getting you out of there.
Het Rod, appreciate the compassion! Along with getting food poisoning on a missions trip in Armenia, this was easily the worst I have ever felt. Totally feared that two-hour boat ride back :)
Congratulations for the all National Parks . I'm sorry about you getting sick, and I hope you'll be fine"
Thank you very much! Was better in about 36 hours, but really nasty stuff!
Not every trip is the best. Sometimes one needs the bad to appreciate the good. Looking forward to the remaining NPS sites in the 48, plus outside. Perhaps Puero Rico and El Yunque NF for the next anniversary?
I like the way you think, Christopher! Looking at Alaska next summer. Have a blessed weekend!
Food poisoning no fun, definitely need to spend more time out there next time. Also, Isle Royals is just off the north coast of the upper peninsula of Michigan
Thanks for the comment! Do hope to get back. Would love to do a hike from end to end of the island... and hopefully stay healthy this time!
I’m sorry some things didn’t go great at the park, but it looks like you enjoyed the park overall! I really liked my time here. Quick word of warning: beware of commenters who complain about you not spending enough time at the park. Trust me, they are out there.
Thanks, Eric! Everyone has a different interest in what "enjoying" a park means. Personally, I move at a pace comfortable for me. Might be a little quicker than others, but it affords me the time to see other parks. Plus, leaving some things out, drives the interest for a return visit in the future.
Congratulations!...I am trying my best to get to all of them in the lower forty-eight in the next few years...It's not easy.
Sweet... hope it comes together for you! This one was one of the greatest challenges (location, boat reservation, planning, hauling in the gear, etc). Always respect your love for the Parks, Dwayne!
Looks good. Glad you made it.
Much appreciated!
Congrats on making it to all of the lower 48 parks! Sorry it was anticlimactic 🥲 Lake Superior is really rough. The day we left Windigo, our boat got delayed by 3 hours because the water was too rough.
Thankfully we did get to thoroughly enjoy the first day there. Also grateful the waters were a little calmer for the return voyage. To this day, I can recall very little of it! lol!
Congratulations, Randy to you and your whole America’s Parks team!! My husband, Jim and I have enjoyed watching all your videos of your trips to National parks, National seashores, National monuments etc.
So very sorry you were so sick but I was impressed you had a ‘tent call’ by a ranger to check you out medically and helped you with luggage and that long hike back out to boat.
Question: Will you share your information of where you find your lists of parks, monuments etc. I keep finding different counts of the parks. How many parks does that mean you visited? Thanks for the videos and all your helpful information you shared on each video for those of us yet to visit some of the parks you featured! Joyce in GA
Appreciate the kind words, Joyce! Often I just use a road atlas to see what's in the area. It's tricky because there are officially 423 National Parks sites, but only 63 National Park "proper" sites. Ones that I call the "big 63." This is helpful to delineate the various NPS categories. www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/how-many-national-parks-are-there
@@AmericasParks Thank you, Randy, for the link to list of actual Nps! I’m half way there but need to speed up the plan in order to get them all in before I’m not mobile enough to get there! We may not ever be able to do the hiking on the trails like you’ve done but it will be fun in retirement now seeing in person the parks. We also are seeing each of the Georgia State Parks and compiling a photo book for our children and our first grandchild(just born in June of 2021). Also about halfway there on that project as well 😃. Thank you again for your inspiration! Joyce
Congrats on your achievement👍🏼Beautiful place but still too many people unfortunately.
Much appreciated! Hope to get back and hike more in the backcountry next time.
I'm in early middle age now, but I clearly remember the time I got sea sick when I was eight, an awful experience. You have my sympathy.
Much appreciated! :) Some of the worst 24 hours of my life! lol!
Is there any special permits You need to stay on the island and do you need to reserve a camping spot?
For this one, you need to reserve the boat ride and a camping spot.
Congratulations on that accomplished, but so sorry you got so sick.
Appreciate that, Doug! Nasty stuff, but thankfully it passed in 36 hours.
All the national parks in the lower 48? Hell yeah man that's awesome
Appreciate that very much! It's been a great adventures - especially thankful to have shared it with my family. Looking at Alaska next summer. Take care!
@@AmericasParks ayyy same here, thinking beginning of August next year for denali
@@beaugonzales5171 Excellent, enjoy! We are leaning toward July.
Congratulations on your great accomplishment in visiting the national parks in the lower 48! Hated to see your health issues while there!
Appreciate the compassion! Nasty stuff, but thankfully over in 36 hours.
Have you been to New River Gorge in Wv? It became a National Park in December of 2020
Actually did some rafting there back in 1995. Wouldn't mind a return visit. Have a great week!
As miserable as your experience was, it gives you an excuse to go back. Although Isle Royale National Park is one of the least-visited national parks, it is also one of the most RE-visited, so you'll fit right in on a return trip. Since you've seen some of Washington Harbor, I'd recommend sailing (or flying) into Rock Harbor at the other end, which is great entry point for some of the most beautiful parts of the Island.
Thanks much for the kind words and encouragement to re-visit the park! Would love to do a backpacking trip the entire length of the island... just staying clear from the summer sausage in the visitor center. :)
Dang sorry here got sick. Such beautiful place
Thanks for the compassion! Great place, but nasty experience at the end!
Yay!! You made it 💪Congratulations
Thanks, it's been a great journey!
Awesome kids man. Living the dream....
Kid... Sorry...
Appreciate the encouragement. I'm very grateful, Shane! Enjoy your week!
Love Isle Royale... Spent my summers there as a kid.
Yeah, such a beautiful place! Happy to hear of your fond memoires. Apart from the food poisoning... a great time!
Impressed you tackled the CR Magney steps after that!
Great observation, Andrew! Yeah, that was the following morning. Nasty stuff, but thankfully it moves on rather quickly!
Wow 😯 I can’t believe that happened to you on the last Park 🥺. A big Shout out to the Park Ranger
So nasty... and yes, the ranger was super-helpful and kind! Grateful for him. Thanks for watching!
I'm in scouts and this is the first park I'm going to
Oh no sorry to hear that and I sure can relate. On a trip to Peru I was taking a short flight to Cuzco a few years ago and ate something which made me get suddenly sick. I should not have gotten on that plane but I did and got much worse while the plane was waiting to take off. The pilot saw me and turned the plane around and an ambulance met me on the tarmac. I was the very sick gringo which stopped a plane from taking off and everyone was staring. There was a Dr in the ambulance and he gave me some medicine and a few hours later I was fine and took the same flight the next day. Hopefully you can go back to that park with better circumstances.
Wow Steve, what a story! You can definitely relate, my friend!
I’ve been going to isle royale ever summer for the last five years and I gotta say I’m amazed the voyager dudes didn’t just yell at you for waiting their time while loading. I love the video, but I’ve caught them in a bad mood to say the least😅
Sorry to hear that! Not many smiles, but there weren't too ornery that day.
Please let me know you are doing much better!!!Sending lots of healing energy to you😔Dear Randy.
Really appreciate that, Brooke! Hits hard, but thankfully over in 36 hours. So nasty!
@@AmericasParks So happy you are better Randy🌟Thanks for all the inspiring videos.They are wonderful😊
Best wishes to you. I hope you have recovered by now. Sad to see that this kind of issue happened on a day you are supposed to celebrate. On the bright side - you did it. 👍
Really appreciate the encouraging words of optimism! Have a super weekend!
This should be a part of Minnesota!