NP - Zion

"....didn't faintly prepare me for the reality of the towering rock walls, splashed with brilliant hues of tans and reds, interspersed with whites...the great towers, temples, spires and peaks appeared unearthly as they encircled the narrow lush gorge cut by the sparking virgin River."  Horace Albright 1918

In May 1982 the family took a trip to Arizona visiting many parks and other sites along the route.  One stop was Zion National Park where we camped and took a horseback ride.

Zion National Park

More Pictures - 1982

 

NP - Grand Canyon

"We have had another wonderful experience together. Let those who will, buy lands and hoard money; we will have our memories, glad memories of golden experiences together." Margaret Gerke 1915

The Grand Canyon was part of the English Trip in 1929.  

It was one of the places that made Grammy and Grampy fall in love with Arizona.

Hermit's Rest 1929

1929

1929

We stopped in the Grand Canyon on a trip to visit Grammy in Green Valley in 1982, and both Jess and Andi spent a week camping there with their class when they were in 7th grade.

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Grand Canyon of the Colorado River - Thomas Moran

"...keep this great wonder of nature as it now is. Leave it as it is. You can not improve it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children, your children's children and all who come after you as one of the greatest sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.  
Theodore Roosevelt 1903

Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite

Atlas Obscura Guide to the Grand Canyon

NP - Yosemite

1979

And I’ve been to the groves of Sequoia Big Trees, Where beauty and grandeur combine, Grand Temples of Nature for worship and ease, Enchanting, inspiring, sublime!

1979

(Galen Clark - The Big Trees of California- About Mariposa Grove)

"The greatest glory of nature....the union of the deepest sublimity with the deepest beauty" Frederick Law Olmsted


In 1855 James Mason Hutchings visited Yosemite, the first in a steady stream of visitors to the magnificent wonders found there. By 1864 the popularity of the site led to the introduction of a bill by Senator John Conness (CA) to give 60 acres to the state of California that would be forever dedicated to public use, resort and dedication.

Yosemite is a family favorite....with many visits over the years.  Here are some favorite pictures .

2004

2004

2004

1929

Yosemite from Mariposa Trail
Carlton Watkins #A1
bef 1878

1929

Stoneman House - Yosemite
Isaiah West Taber #3963

Yosemite: California's First State Park CA State Archives
Galen Clark - The Big Trees of California - 1907 (full publication)
Galen Clark - 1st Ranger of California State Parks
Frederick Law Olmsted  1865 report on Yosemite (suppressed until 1952)
Atlas Obscura Guide to Yosemite National Park
Barr, Nevada High Country (2004) 

More Pictures in Dropbox

1979

NP - Mount Rainier

 Edward Gehrke - 1921
Gehrke Scrapbooks

Rainier National Park, established as the 5th National Park in 1899 was the first to be formed from an existing National Forest.

After years of driving by as I drove between Gig Harbor and Roy and later from home to Roy I finally drove through the park in October of 2018.  It is nice to have that Senior Pass so you don't have to pay!!!

Christine Falls

It was a foggy soft day, but even so it was beautiful.  One day I'll go back when the weather is right for hiking!








NPS - Rainier
Mount Rainier National Park - Wikipedia

NP - Wind Cave

We just happened upon Wind Cave National Park.  It wasn't on our list of things to do, in fact we had never heard of it.  But we saw a sign and off we went.

And we were really glad we did!  We just happened to get there right before a not quite full tour started.  The cave was wonderful and the interpretive center well worth spending some time.  Be sure to put this one on YOUR list.




On the Lewis and Clark Trail 2013
NPS - Wind Cave National Park

26611 US Highway 385 
Hot Springs, SD 57747

 

NP - Badlands

Just one of the many amazing parks we toured on our Lewis and Clark Adventure.  The Badlands was first authorized as a National Memorial in 1929, but not actually organized until 1939.  I was elevated to a National Park in 1978. 

Read more about the history of this 242,756 acre park using the links below.  While desert isn't my favorite landscape, the majesty of the pinnacles and peaks can't help but move even the greatest "tree lover".

NPS - Badlands National Park 
Badlands National Park - Wikipedia 
On the Lewis and Clark Trail 2013