CBS reporter traveling to 59 parks in a year

NEW YORK (AP) — Conor Knighton didn't take the easy route when he proposed a "CBS Sunday Morning" story on the National Park Service's centennial.

Knighton, 35, gave up his Los Angeles-area apartment, put his belongings in storage and is spending much of the year in budget motels and a Subaru provided by the segment's sponsor.

Knighton began his journey by hiking in the dark on New Year's Day to a mountaintop in Maine's Acadia National Park to catch the first rays of sun to hit the U.S. mainland in 2016.

Rand Morrison, executive producer of "CBS Sunday Morning," acknowledged some skepticism but praised Knighton for delivering interesting stories.

Knighton said one of the saddest moments came "when I realized it made financial sense to sign up for the Chili's rewards program."