nature – The Long West Coast Summer Trip.

Visiting Cayman in Portland.

Visiting son Cayman in Portland, new apartment, new car, new job, daytime ,which is great. Right on the border with Washington State. Divided by the mighty beautiful Columbia River , Oregon is truly a beautiful state , lovely hills south of Portland with vineyards as far as the eye can see. Volcanoes with their snowy peaks , alpine meadows and bare riverbeds define the landscape east of Portland. Haven’t even mentioned the great vistas of the Columbia River Gorge. WOW! The appropriatly named “Vista House ‘sits perched on top of a mighty rock outcropping and gives me a perfect view of the Gorge , Skies constantly changing , river used by barges and pleasure craft. What a great area to live.

And then there are the waterfalls , Dripping hundreds of feet from the cliffs surrounding the gorge. Easy to get to and easy to revel in their natural beauty from a bench with a cup of great coffee and a berry muffin. The famous Multnomah Falls drops 542 feet from the top into a small lake , followed by a 56 feet drop to the creek flowing into the Columbia river. An iconic bridge gives me a close up view and great foreground for my 45649 pictures of the same thing . Never learn !

nice life !!

A River’s Song

Mighty Columbia, flowing strong and wide,
Separates the states with graceful pride.
Oregon’s hills and Washington’s green,
In harmony, this river is seen.

The Gorge it carves, a sight to behold,
With waterfalls and stories untold.
Vistas change beneath the open sky,
Cascading beauty from cliffs so high.

Bridging the gap with nature’s embrace,
Connecting two lands with effortless grace.
The Columbia River, a wonder to explore,
Binding two states, forevermore.

Uncovering the History of Garnet: Montana’s Well-Preserved Ghost Town

Ghost Butterfly on a ghost distle !

Ghost Moss

Garnet is a well-preserved ghost town located in the Garnet Range of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, USA. The town was established in the 1860s, following the discovery of gold in the area. At its peak, Garnet was home to over 1,000 people and boasted a post office, general stores, saloons, and a school. However, as the gold reserves dwindled, the town began to decline, and by the early 20th century, it was largely abandoned.

Today, Garnet is maintained as a state park and is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past. Many of the original buildings still stand, providing a haunting yet captivating insight into the daily lives of the town’s former residents. Visitors can explore the abandoned structures, including homes, businesses, and the remains of the once-thriving community. Guided tours and interpretive signs offer historical context and enrich the experience of walking through this historic site.

In addition to tourism, Garnet serves as a site for historical and archaeological research, shedding light on the pioneering days of the American West. The town stands as a testament to the resilience and fortitude of the early settlers who sought their fortunes in the rugged Montana wilderness. With its fascinating history and well-preserved structures, Garnet continues to captivate and educate visitors from around the world.

Garnet, Montana

We visited Missoula to see our Daughter Sasha and her mountain man Tim. Deidre and sasha had a great long weekend in Glacier National Park. Tim and I did the manly thing and visited a ghost town. Because we can and because we’re fearless . Great day with Tim , Thanks !

Last day of spectacular Yellowstone Landscapes !

Can’t wait to go back to my favorite park next year. what an amazing and wild place . Saw a bear , coyote, elk, deer, o yeah Bison and so much more . This park has to go on everyone’s bucketlist, just to get an understanding what our planet is about under the surface. How amazing nature can be and how to have a healthy respect for the forces that control our planet ans thus our excistence . Yellowstone!

Yellowstone National Park holds a special place in my heart, a sanctuary where I have been blessed to witness the wonders of nature firsthand. From encountering bears and elk to marveling at the mysterious forces shaping the land, each visit has been a unique and humbling experience. As I eagerly anticipate my return, I find solace in the memories of its awe-inspiring landscapes and the diverse wildlife that calls it home. Goodbye Yellowstone, until we meet again, I will cherish every moment spent in your remarkable embrace.

Someone is excited to go to Arches.

Wide awake at 4:30 AM, in the car 10 minutes later , even Beau didn’t wake for a pee or a bone! 4:45 enter Arches National Park, not the first one ???? 5 other early risers shone their headlights on a steep uphill road. No ranger was up this early and it was clear roads ahead into the park. What to expect, I like to be surprised and not study the areas we go to, in depth. Yes I might miss some things , but for me to be surprised is half the fun. Of course I’ve seen the classic pictures of the wide Arch spanning it seems , many hundreds of feet ,with an eternal sunrise or sunset shining through it . What a shot that would be. Better to go into it fresh without ideas of shots already taken. Hard enough to get a few originals, most shots have been taken thousands of times in one way or another . I can’t wait what Arches will show me .

Very disappointed that this park again was made up of a bunch of Hollywood backdrops. This just can’t be real , moonlight illuminating the towering red rocks , don’t think so. Vista’s right out of Rawhide , great painting !! Is that John Wayne on his horse infront of a stove pipe rock , looking mellow but dangerous

I DON’T THINK SO ……?

All joking aside , it was so much better then I had ever imagined , wouldn’t it be nice to share this with Mother , Brother and friends. Well ….. modern tecnology to the rescue . Quick facetime call with Holland and mama and brother joined the rising sun at Arches . What a treat !!

Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah, USA. It is known for its stunning natural arches, spires, fins, and balanced rocks. The park covers an area of over 76,000 acres and includes over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.

The park owes its unique landscape to geological processes that started around 300 million years ago. The region was once covered by an ancient sea, and over time, layers of salt deposited in the area. As the sea evaporated, the salt deposits were buried under layers of sediment.

Around 65 million years ago, the uplift of the Rocky Mountains and the tectonic activity in the region caused the overlying rock layers to buckle and shift. This movement, combined with erosion from water and wind, carved out the landscape that we see today, creating the spectacular arches and rock formations.

Arches National Park was designated a national monument in 1929 and then established as a national park in 1971. The park’s unique geological features and natural beauty attract visitors from around the world, making it a popular destination for hiking, photography, and nature appreciation.

Red Rock Canyon

When in Vegas its hard to zoom out and look at this tiny speck in the desert with all its lights , excesses and glitter, incredible talent, self importance and sadness as anything but all there is in Nevada. But …. drive 20 minutes west and start your driving , biking, climbing and hiking loop in Red Rock Canyon Conservation area. After showing your National Park Pass you enter the rocky desert with towering mountain facades, perfect for rock climbing and spectacular photos. Dry but colorfull bushes , so different from anything out east, cover the bone dry desert floor. Parched riverbeds waiting for much needed rain. Tortoises, rabbits, Burros and wild horses are roaming fast and real slow. arriving at 6:30 the sun is just over the hills and lights up the place. Gorgeous and worth the early wake up. Its quiet in the park and I’m first with some brave and strong bikers overtaking me on the down hill. After the 15 mile loop and many stops I find the metropolis of “Blue Diamond”

Blue Diamond,

Elevation………………….High

Occupants………………..Few

Burro’s………………..?

Now this town has a Post Office, sherrifs office in the convenience store and , no kidding the best breakfast place within 200 miles.

Coffee and avocado toast for breakfast , homemade everything , to die for!

Back to the RV, as the sun keeps on rising so does the temperature , 108 today . inside from 10-4 .

Yuca

sky

Self portrait

What else is there to do in Vegas but shelter from the heat???

O… there are the casino’s, shows, magicians, lights, ferris wheel and incredible shopping , if you have the big bucks !

Thats For the next one!

Into the fire

The fourth travel day took me into Arizona and a first visit to a state park. A few hours at Painted Desert and Petrified Forest was a welcome change to straight roads and happy truckers passing me by. A leisurely 29 mile track through the park with many stops was just what the boredom doctor ordered. First time I took my camera out and tried to get in the groove. It always takes me a while to catch the photo bug .

Rig runs great , no issues , generator hums right along and keeps Beau cool in his king size bed. Dogs have it made!

No idea what’s coming later that day and the coming three days .Stay tuned.

Petrified Forest National Park is a unique and captivating natural wonder located in northeastern Arizona. It encompasses a vast expanse of 346 square miles, showcasing a remarkable array of petrified wood deposits and the breathtaking Painted Desert. The park’s main attraction is the fossilized remains of ancient trees that have turned into colorful and intricate stone formations over millions of years, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.

The park is divided into two distinct sections: the northern area features the iconic Painted Desert, a mesmerizing badlands region with vibrant hues of red, orange, and purple, sculpted by wind and erosion. The southern section boasts the most extensive and well-preserved petrified wood forests, including the Black Forest Bed, Blue Mesa, and Rainbow Forest, where visitors can marvel at the petrified logs, stumps, and fossilized plant remains dating back to the Late Triassic period. With its rich geological history, archaeological sites, and diverse flora and fauna, Petrified Forest National Park offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.

Our Happy Place

I grew up “camping” , 4 days in the DAF to cover 1000km stopping at every church , vineyard and Castle in Belgium and France . They were good times for a young man .

Playing on the lakefront beach in Lacanau Near Bordeaux was the highlight of the year for us.

These days we’re spoiled with an incredible home on wheels , time to use it and already some really great memories in our pocket .

This year we have planned 4 months to the West , starting in South Florida , I’m driving to Vegas with Beau, our Lab,I’ll take about 1 week to cover 2600 miles Deidre will join me there , flying in and we’ll spend a few days seeing the sites

After sun city our first stop will be The town of Virgin close to Zion National park and many other great locations . Stayin about one week .

I’ll leave you today with a nice scene from a few years ago on Anna Maria Island when we were entertained by a group of manatees.

Talk tomorrow

Gator Hunting , with a camera!

Loop Road, Big Cypress State park, Everglades, Florida

A 20 mile dirt road leads through the unspoiled part of Big Cypress, Aligators sunning on the side of the road, statues maybe. sure feels like it untill you get too close. They are fast, not agressive, thats us trying to get too close !

The Everglades today is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, a variety of bird species such as herons, egrets, and the rare snail kite, as well as the endangered Florida panther. Visitors can also spot dolphins, manatees, and a rich tapestry of marine life in the waters surrounding this unique ecosystem. The Everglades continues to be a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking to observe an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat.

A relaxing couple of hours with Captain”I was born here” to navigate the Baron River and get a glimpse of the thousand Islands wildlife refuge. Many dolphins, great calm water and mangrove islands. A great place to get lost in !

Everglades City, located in Collier County, Florida, has a rich and varied history. The area was originally inhabited by the Calusa Native American tribe, who thrived in the region’s abundant natural resources. In the late 1800s, the town was established and became a hub for the Southwest Florida’s frontier.

It played a significant role in the construction of the Tamiami Trail, which was completed in 1928, connecting Tampa to Miami and opening up the Everglades region for development. During the early to mid-20th century, Everglades City was a thriving hub for the fishing and stone crab industries.

Notably, the city also gained notoriety as a center for the illegal activities of the infamous “Outlaws” during the 1970s, including smuggling and drug operations.

The rich history of Everglades City is interwoven with the unique ecosystem of the Everglades, making it a compelling destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Back Tomorrow.