From a variety of places
And there are more! From Alaska to the California coast. From Florida and St. Louis Missouri.
Tag Archives: National Parks
Flowers Providing Local Color
Filed under Photography, Travel, wildlife
A Hidden National Park – Lake Clark
The only way to get to this park, is by a small plane. Port Allsworth serves as the hub. lake Clark Airlines out of Anchorage makes it fairly simple, not inexpensive, but straightforward. The park provides a remote setting with gorgeous vistas. The Ranger Station and Visitor Center are closed on Sundays.
Filed under National Parks, Photography, Travel
Superior Island Hopping
After four years of delays, I finally landed on Isle Royale National Park. National Park #55 for me rates high on peacefulness scale and the lodging might be the best so far.
The ferries are the most economical way to traverse Lake Superior, but they book up quickly. We decided to fly. $350 round trip – it takes about 40 minutes to make the flight. It’s a little tight, but comfortable.
Isle Royale is only open from May through October and only 25,000 people a year make the journey. In June, the wildflowers show off.
The moose swim in the lakes, the otters play in the harbor, the loons sing their tales, and eagles rule the sky.
They provide water tours or you can rent a John boat and explore on your own.
And hiking provides endless color, fragrant balsam firs, and blue water.
And the Housekeeping Cabins have huge windows with stunning views of the lake (and moose for us).
Filed under Art, National Parks, Photography, Travel, wildlife
North Cascades National Park
Filed under Art, National Parks, Photography, Travel
Finally Made It: Pismo Beach
As a child, I was intrigued by Bugs Bunny’s efforts to find Pismo Beach and “all the clams I can eat”. Central California offers a relaxed atmosphere, shrubby landscapes, and a complex history.
We can use this for sure
Filed under National Parks, Photography, sea, wildlife
Deep History in Illinois
Illinois was first colonized by the French on the Mississippi River. The Kaskaskia area contains the secrets of that time period.
Fort de Chartres provided a staging area for the French communities in the area: Prairie du Rocher and even Ste Genevieve in Missouri.
Fort Kaskaskia down the river didn’t fare as well.
The only way to get to the old city of Kaskaskia Illinois is to cross the Mississippi River and drive through Missouri. This is the only section of Illinois west of the Mississippi River.
Kaskaskia was the most populous city when Illinois became a state, and it served as the capital for a few years.
Ste. Genevieve, MO is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Missouri. Kaskaskia and Ste Genevieve are in the same area.
In 1881 a major flood wrecked the area and the Mississippi River took over the Kaskaskia river channel. This is how this section of Illinois ended up on the “wrong” side of the river. In the map, the Mississippi is in the background. But in 1881 the mighty Mississippi took over the river in the foreground.
Filed under National Parks, Photography, Travel
Becoming a Voyageur
I ran into an off duty park ranger at the historic Kettle Falls Lodge in Voyageurs National Park. After we exchanged pleasantries, discovering we were both from a St Louis county in two different states, and joking about the St Louis Arch becoming a National Park, he asked, “Why did you come to up here? Let me guess – you have a list?” He continued to complain to me that the people of the lists just stop at the visitor centers and get “passport” stamps and never really see Voyageurs. He shook his head slowly.
Of course I have a list. This is my 50th National Park out of the current number of 62. My group had rented a boat and were seeing the park. I don’t think the ranger noticed. He may have just wanted to preach a bit. He finally sped away in his speedboat equipped with dual 150HP motors leaving us to slowly explore the park in our 50 HP powered, dinted pontoon boat. 
Pre-Cambrian rocks 2.8 Billion years old
Sunset in northern Minnesota. 48.6 degrees north latitude.
Time to “wake” up
Bracket Fungi
The Precambrian spine of North America
Voyageurs from St Louis MO to St Louis MN
Kettle Falls Beauty
Voyageurs met at this portage site for hundreds of years
Gulls stand like sentinels – no wake please
Filed under Art, National Parks, Photography, Travel
Indiana Dunes & Sky
Being socially conscious and finding safe places to explore, I discovered a little oasis in Indiana.
Blue Skies Over Lake Michigan
Easier going down to the lake than coming up.
What Goes Up, Must Come Down
192 feet may not seem very high, but hike it.
Such interesting discoveries
Filed under Art, National Parks, Photography, Travel
Yosemite – the Mother of all National Parks
This was my 45th National Park to visit. Yosemite has it all: The soaring granite domes, roaring waterfalls (in July), majestic trees, and whitewater streams.
Filed under Photography, Travel, Uncategorized
Devil’s Postpile National Monument
This National Park land is out of the way in the High Sierra country of California. You shuttle through the park with 10 stops with countless hikes. The short walk to the Devil’s Postpile is worth the effort.
Filed under Photography, Travel, Uncategorized
Freshly "Pic'ed" 