“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” – Edward Abbey A significant portion of the land area of Utah – over 60% – is public land. These lands support a wide variety of activities from recreational pursuits to natural resource development. I...
Hiking Group in Moab – Druid Arch Hike
I have always said that you meet the nicest people in the pool and Moab is no different. Last week the swimmer in the lane next to me asked about my “SAC” cap as she grew up in Sacramento. As we got to chatting she was quick to bring...
Golden Spike National Historic Site
The main reason for lying over near Ogden Utah was to visit the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Having managed the Capital District for CA State Parks, which included the State Railroad Museum and coupled with that having a family connection to railroads it was only natural that I...
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Arco, Idaho
What a difference a few days and 500 miles can make! Before heading out for Craters of the Moon this morning I had to replace the bear spray in my daypack with a flashlight. No bears here! In 1924 then President Calvin Coolidge used the 1906 Antiquities Act to...
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site – Deer Lodge, Montana
On the route south from Glacier to Utah the map showed this seemingly little known Historic Site in the city of Deerlodge Montana. Surprisingly, I spent over four hours exploring and enjoying this interesting historic site. Once the headquarters of a 10 million acre cattle empire, Grant-Kohrs Ranch...
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta Canada – International Peace Park
My main reason for traveling to and staying on the east side of Glacier NP was to take a day drive into Canada and see Waterton Lakes NP. I understand that not everyone will share my views in this realm, but isn’t that what makes life interesting? I personally...
Glacier National Park – More Westside Hiking & Driving Adventures
Hike to Avalanche Lake – One of the more popular hikes in the park it was easy to see why. Through an inland pacific rainforest to a high mountain lake with sheer cliffs and waterfalls the 5 mile trail is wonderful. Being the most popular also means there are...
Glacier National Park – Westside Adventures (part 1)
Hard to believe it has been a week since I arrived in Columbia Falls Montana to visit Glacier National Park. Yes, another wonderful National Park – and my first visit to Glacier. It has been interesting to watch the season wind down here. Places inside and outside the park...
Columbia Falls Montana – Settling in for a stay
Columbia Falls Montana is a great place for an extended stay. On a recommendation from a swim friend I checked in to the Columbia Falls RV park. This provides a good central location as Glacier National Park is a mere 12 miles up the road and there are a...
Yellowstone National Park – Wrapping up with more wildlife & history
One of my last days in Yellowstone I booked the “Wake Up to Wildlife” tours conducted by the parks concessionaire. Definitely worth the time and cost it was great having someone else do the driving and the narration. These tours are given in retrofitted 1930’s tour busses. The story...