Monthly Archives: August 2018

August 1, 2018 · 12:19 pm

Quest: Six new national parks

On my quest to visit all the National Parks in the United States, this summer I was able to explore six in Alaska and California. I will post one photo from each park. Out of 60 parks, I have now visited 40.

Mt Denali on a clear day

the Heart of Wrangell-St. Elias

Glacier Bay

Kenai – Exit Glacier

Giant Redwood NP

Lassen Volcanic Park

Denali National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, Redwoods N.P., Kenai Fjords Exit Glacier, and Lassen National Park.

A few stops along the Russian River – Wine Country California

Russian River Wineries

At Korbel – 2nd Growth Redwoods

Grilled Peach – Lowell’s in Sebastopol

Pinot Grapes

La Crema Winery

in Duncans Mills

Guerneville – simple life

Gravenstein Apples

Bodega Head

Down to the Water

Pacific Ocean

Bodega Bay

Petaluma Vibrant Downtown

Calistoga is a favorite

Tree lined streets in Santa Rosa – Redwoods

Beauty

The Final Frontier – Alaska

I managed to make it to Alaska to visit my 50th state in the U.S. during my 50th year. The near 24 hours of daylight and the perfect weather hovering around 75 degrees provided the perfect escape from the intense heat and humidity of the Midwest. I am told that I am lucky to have spent a full day basking in the majesty of Denali’s peak. The drive up hwy 3 from Anchorage to Denali is sublime. The crushed rock of hwy 8 (the Denali hwy) provides even greater beauty, and the drive through Wrangell-St. Elias to McCarthy wraps up the perfect trifecta. As of right now, I have been to 41 out of the 60 U.S. National Parks. I think Glacier Bay ranks in the top 3. The Bay, woods, ponds, wildlife, lodge, cabins, trails, sunsets, and exhibits create a world you won’t want to leave.