AMY & NELSON

Our story started back in 2012, when a chance meeting at a friend’s birthday party sparked a connection that eventually grew into a full-blown, whirlwind romance by 2018. We were city people through and through—commutes, coffee shops, social calendars packed with the familiar rhythm of urban life. The outdoors was something we escaped to on the occasional weekend, not a lifestyle.

Then the world pressed pause.

Suddenly working remotely, untethered from our daily routines, and fueled by a newfound appreciation for wide-open spaces, we did what felt most natural: we headed outside. What began as a bold plan to visit all 280+ California State Parks quickly expanded into an even bigger adventure—exploring all 63 National Parks (plus as many of the other NPS units as we could squeeze in along the way).

The pandemic may have reshaped our perspective on life, but it also gave us the greatest gift: the time, clarity, and curiosity to chase the adventures we used to only daydream about.

And that’s how Partners Exploring Parks was born—our ongoing journey to wander, learn, laugh, and occasionally get lost (in the best ways) across California and beyond.

Come explore with us.