Hiking Homeschooler

08/04/2023

Getting closer to the goal of all the national parks before I am 18!

07/04/2023

What a Spring Break!! Thank you Arizona National Parks!

06/04/2023

Today, we did our last National Park visits before we head back to Georgia tomorrow. was another great place to learn about the natives who lived here. Their craftsmanship is really amazing when you look at the tools they had available at the time. Montezuma Well was very crowded today so I just decided to view it from the top. There was a neat touch table at the entrance of the well hike.
Finally, we went to which is unfortunately closed due to a forest fire. But when life gives you fire, go play at Verde River. (Or something like that.) Still located in the monument & able to get photos of Tuzigoot Ruins, it was a refreshing little hike.

05/04/2023

A busy day visiting our National Parks. I enjoyed learning so much about the history of the Native American people who lived here in the past and how the natives still here carry on the traditions of their ancestors.

05/04/2023

It was a busy day! I started bright and early to visit it was so windy we couldn't hike like we hoped. Maybe I'll go back someday because the petrified wood that I did see was amazing.
Then we made our way to unfortunately weather and staffing prevented us from doing that tour but it was fun to walk around the post and see the native peoples handiwork. The animals were awesome! Apparently I made a pretty good turkey call because the turkey came right over to me.

05/04/2023

is a place that you could spend a lifetime. It is stunning! Every overlook was amazing. I wish I would have been able to go into the canyon. Hopefully, we will be back.

04/04/2023

Today, we visited It was a great hike up and learning about the people who lived here. I really enjoyed talking with the rangers here at the park.

Then we went to Meteor Crater. The winds were 99 mph so we couldn't do the guided hike unfortunately. It was still exciting to see. FYI, you can also earn a patch here just make sure you ask for the booklet when you buy your tickets down stairs.

03/04/2023

Happy World AUTISM day! Hi everyone! It's Junior Ranger Aodhan! I am so thrilled to be visiting our National Parks this week for my Spring Break.

As an autistic junior ranger, I know that sometimes visit a park is challenging for the change in schedule, sounds, temperature, smells, etc... Can be very overwhelming.

Also, sometimes completing a junior ranger book is hard because we have different intellectual abilities.

I decided when I get home that I am going to work on a project with the National Parks to inclusion of neurodivergents easier for the National and maybe even State Park services.

02/04/2023

We had adventures today at and
Sadly, no coati Mundi sightings but I did see turkey, deer and a friendly Mexican Jay.

02/04/2023

We visited where I learned about the Oadham people & Spanish who built this church.
Then we went to I loved their visitor center activities. It was interactive. I was scared to venture out too much because there were wasps.

01/04/2023

was amazing! There is an east and west side of the park so make sure to visit both. We hiked trails on both sides, drove the scenic loops, watched both movies, checked out the visitor centers and earned my junior ranger badge.
My favorite part of visiting Saguaro was seeing the saguaros. Every single one is unique.

31/03/2023

Today we kicked off our Spring Break Arizona Trip! We flew from Atlanta to Phoenix. Our first stop was it was interesting to learn about the people of the area and the mysteries about Casa Grande. You can see the mama Horned Owl giving me the side eye. 😂

Our second stop was at we took a scenic drive to get there plus another one to see the Organ pipe cacti. We came at the perfect time because the spring flowers are blooming and next week they are closing down the scenic loop for improvements.

04/03/2023

It was a fantastic day to be outside at We hiked the Three Falls Trail. This was a new area of the park for us to visit. It was a nice peaceful area.

22/02/2023

It was a beautiful day in North Georgia. Mom and I hiked the Helen to Hardman Farm trail. The way signs told of the history of the area's farms, mills, and the gold rush. I also learned that the Chattahoochee River is more than a great place for tubing. It supplies 70 percent of Atlanta water!
This trail is accessible for people with disabilities.

14/02/2023

I leaf you!! 🤣 Happy Valentines Day!! ♥️
I enjoy going to site and finding something to love. Have you found hearts in the park?

15/01/2023

Thank you for sending my badge! It was a great treat to get in the mail when I arrived home from New York!!

09/01/2023

We are in NYC!! Today, we visited it was the only NPS site in NYC that I hadn't visited.
Stonewall is a controversial site, even today, but the founding principle of our country is freedom, whether you agree or not.

01/01/2023

Happy New Year's Day!! We took a First Day hike at Moccasin Creek State Park on the Hemlock Falls Trail.

How are you starting off your new year?



#2023

28/12/2022

Check out this unique 100 year anniversary badge badge at for a limited time. Thanks to the rangers for sending this for my collection. The junior ranger booklet is filled with history of the National Christmas tree & fun activities like Design an ornament, word search and more. There is even a section on how to become a park volunteer!

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! This beautiful snowflake ornament was a gift to me from my mom & dad to celebrate my home park this year.

29/11/2022

Every person has the power to change the world. Join me in supporting the National Park Trust this Giving Tuesday. 

As a Student Ambassador for the National Park Trust, I am passionate about their mission and am working this year to share my experiences at parks in order to educate and inspire people to get outdoors. Today on I am asking my friends, family, and peers to donate in order to support preserving parks today, and creating park stewards for tomorrow. Gifts of any amount are welcome. 

25/11/2022

I have been to many times but today was my first as a student ambassador and GSMNP being my home park.
We walked two trails the We are Grateful Storybook trail & Mountain Farm Trail. I learned about the life of the Cherokee who lived here before Europeans settled the area. Then I learned about the life of the first settlers in the mountains. An interesting fact is the buildings on the Mountain Farm Trail are original that we moved from various places in the park.
It was a great way to Opt Outside!
I am looking forward to going back and learning more!

11/09/2022

Nine years before I was born, 9/11 happened. I have heard the stories from my parents. I am grateful for our providing a place for me to learn this horrible day the world witnessed.

04/09/2022

Squeezing the last bit of fun out of summer. It's the last weekend to tube in Helen, GA.

02/09/2022

I am excited to announce that I am a Student Ambassador for the 2022-2023 school year. This is my second year as a Student Ambassador. As a homeschooler and person with a disability, I hope to share the benefits of parks & be an advocate for more inclusive programming.

21/05/2022

Happy Kids to Parks Day! Today, I visited an urban park, Cumberland Park in downtown Nashville! What park did you visit today?

08/05/2022

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there.
We took mom on a hike to DeSoto Falls with a picnic lunch.

02/05/2022

Besides my allergies driving me nuts, I had a wonderful time hiking at to DeSoto Falls. How did you spend your weekend?

29/04/2022

Happy Arbor Day! I am spending time with my family and planting trees & some plants. What are you doing to celebrate?

24/04/2022

That's a wrap!! Thank you to the fans who came out and saw Stuart Little! It meant the world to me.

20/04/2022

I have been lucky that my mom has found opportunities to volunteer in our National Parks. People of all abilities, age, color, gender, etc... Can volunteer & contribute to the preservation of America's best idea.

To find volunteer opportunities visit: volunteer.gov

17/04/2022

Happy Junior Ranger Day! Today, kicks off National Park Week! How are you celebrating?

14/04/2022

My latest blog about National Park Week.

26/02/2022

My newest blog post is up in my bio:
Junior Ranger Aodhan’s Story: Inclusiveness in National Parks for Disabled People

Thank you to NPS for meeting my mom and hearing my story. I love the parks!!

14/02/2022

Love is sharing moments like this. I'm grateful that I have many memories like this with my mom and the beautiful places she takes me.

31/01/2022

Last month my mom spoke to the rangers about my experiences as an Autistic Junior Ranger and Volunteer. I'm working on a blog post now about it. Today I got these amazing gifts from Ranger Tom. Thank you for the gifts and sharing my stories to help others.
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17/01/2022

We didn't get out today because of the snow/ice on our roads so we listened to this video of MLK Jr. Speech from our visit a few years ago. National Park Trust

14/12/2021

Today, mom was a part of a panel discussing Autism in the National Parks & my story. Thank you everyone who participated & is working to make the parks more inclusive for people like me.
National Park Service National Park Trust

14/12/2021

Please keep my mom in your thoughts. Tomorrow she will be speaking to the about my experiences in the National Parks as an autistic child. She wrote an open letter 3 years ago after a few interactions that negatively impacted me. Our hope is that through sharing our story we can make the parks more inclusive for everyone.

13/12/2021

Last week, Instagram deactivated our Hikinghomeschooler account. After several attempts to recover the account, we have decided to move on and create a new account. If you followed us before or maybe want to check out the adventure ahead, stop by and follow.

www.instagram.com/jrranger_aodhan

1 Followers, 239 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Aodhan Lane ()