National Parks

Tag: National Parks

	Pipe Springs National Monument, An Oasis in the Desert This place is truly an oasis in the desert. Pipe Springs is in the middle of nowhere. The Grand Canyon has isolated this area from the rest of Arizona and it has been that way for hundreds of years. The Mormons liked this area because it was hard for the federal government to interfere with their lives.
	North Rim of the Grand Canyon, One of my Favorite Places As I write this blog, I have been to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon four times. I never get tired of the drive. On this trip we visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on one day and the North Rim the next day. If you have never been to the Grand Canyon you should probably visit the South Rim. But we will never be there again unless it is during the off season. The South Rim is very crowded b
	We Found a Camera and a Love Story in Death Valley On June 26, 2011 my son Bradley found a Nikon Coolpix S220 point and shoot camera laying in a gravel road near Panamint Springs in Death Valley. It took us two years to find the owner. This is a very neat story.
	I Have Always Wanted to Visit Cumberland Gap In 2005 I got really interested in genealogy. I soon discovered my Williams ancestors, Edward and Daniel Williams, travelled through the Cumberland Gap in the spring of 1779. This is not hearsay. There were many land grants given to Revolutionary War veterans and sometimes the property lines were a little vague. Edward Williams, several of his lifetime associates and Daniel Williams, testified und
	Star Gazing in Arches Park There are other things still to blog about but I wanted to get this post out. After a dusk ATV ride Laurie and I drove back to Arches National Park around midnight to do some star gazing. The view was almost as good as the one at cousin Judy's place in Nevada. There was a little light from Moab but the Milky Way was clearly visible.
	There is a Waterfall in Death Valley Near Panamint Springs I have read there is a waterfall in Death Valley and since this is at least my 4th visit I thought I should find it. We took the dirt road just beyond the small community of Panamint Springs. Actually calling it a road is a lie. It was very rough with rocks and holes and at the end I actually thought I might have to backup the 2.4 miles to the paved road.
	Late Day Drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon After we left Mom and Pop's RV Park we swung by the four corners monument where you can stand in four states and take your photo. However the Navajo wanted way too much money to get in so we continued to Mexican Hat, UT and proceeded down through Monument Valley. Many of the old western movies were filmed here. Later that night we watched the movie 'Stagecoach' with John Wayne which
	Mount Saint Helens I had been told by a fellow at work that I could not get near the volcano, but I discovered that I could drive to within two miles of the volcano. However it was a 2 1/2 hour drive. I decided to go for it instead of camping early on Mt. Rainier. I'm glad I did. My pictures alone can't describe the destruction so evident even after four years. It was eerie. Something I won't soon for
	Snow in July at Crater Lake, Oregon I am camped at Jackson Hot Springs near Ashland, Oregon on I-85 a few miles from California. Called Susie a few moments ago. I've traveled 500 miles today. Last night I camped at Mineral Springs in Wenatchee National Forest. I ate a burger for supper at a restaurant across from the campground. The campground sucked. Only a few sites and only portable toilets.