Photo Blog with Waterfalls, Hiking, Outdoors, and other Adventures
Down the highway from Sunset is the Walnut Canyon National Monument. This site preserves the early cliff side dwellings of the Sinagua culture dating back to about 1100 CE, near the same time of Sunset’s eruption. Can you imagine what they saw in the distant sky from their caves on that day? Crazy to imagine. … Read more
I spent a good portion of last night trying to determine my next destination, and still haven’t decided. So instead, I am winding my way through some local monuments. First stop near Flagstaff is the Sunset Crater Volcano. Last erupting about 1,000 years ago, it blanketed the surrounding 800 square miles in ash changing the … Read more
After finding that a) temps get really cold in GCNP during fall, and b) campsites are reserved over a year in advance regardless of what the interwebs say, I had to cave in and stay at a hotel. Upside is I slept like a baby for the first time this trip. Howard Johnson’s beds are … Read more
Started the day by heading to the Kanab BLM center to get info on the Escalante National Monument and found the drive was more than expected. Also I am to the point I actually need to pay attention to the date – time is going by too fast! Alas, no Escalante on this trip. Also … Read more
Came into Grand Teton from the west via Teton Pass. 10% road gradients and intermittent rain do NOT make for a fun drive. Wish I could have enjoyed the views on the cliff sides but no good overlooks/turnouts without risking life and limb. Probably the most dangerous road I’ve been on. Weather of course did … Read more
Arrived at Yellowstone and the weather was very temperamental – gray skies with rain, then sun, then thunderstorms. Drove almost the entire main circle through the park minus area just west of the southern gate. Saw tons of bison and elk but no bears. Saw Old Faithful and by dumb luck showed up during its … Read more
I had enjoyed my survey of The Badlands but it was time to keep pressing westward. Since it was now Monday I figured some of the more heavily-visited tourist spots should be more easily accessible. I made my way into Keystone, South Dakota and stopped at a classic U.S. road-trip destination: Mount Rushmore National Memorial. … Read more
Once again against my better judgement I went off course and stopped at a tourist trap. This time it was Wall Drug. They had signs littering I-90 for 200 miles before you even get there. This place was made for old people who collect crappy knick-knacks. On the plus side I saw a giant jackelope … Read more
Woke up freezing in my tent. Either the wind chills got very low or my 20 degree bag isn’t quite up to par, but will make due for now. Wind died early morning and gave way to a lone coyote howling in the distance. Camp stove and pot work well and the freezer bag cooking … Read more
Made it to the Badlands in South Dakota. Once I crossed the Missouri River it was a white-knuckle drive due to 40mph sustained winds today with stronger gusts. Watched the terrain go from flat, boring corn fields to rolling grass hills with sunflower fields and hundreds of free-grazing cattle. Then the rock formations appeared and … Read more