Aug 10 - EOY Redwoods, Crater Lake, Lava Beds, Oregon Caves, Yosemite, Lassen, Whiskytown/Shasta/Trinity, NGAUS-Louisville
THURSDAY August 10, 2017
WEATHER: 66 at 6am – still smoky - glad
I’m moving west again its supposed be reach 105 in Pasco today . . . .I-5
offers some interesting challenges for a truck pulling a trailer, challenges
semis too – especially when the temp is 98-100 degrees on the road – It is not cooler here - 98 at 4 pm in Grants Pass high in the low
80s for Grants Pass
Oregon has its own wildfires as well as they to the north –
its smoky hazy here
TRAVEL: Pasco Sandy Heights KOA, Pasco,
WA to Moon Mountain
RV Park, Grants Pass, OR. – a long drive of 8¼ hours 476 miles – 57 gallons of gas
MOON MOUNTAIN RV PARK, Grants Pass, OR - better than
I expected, sites have concrete pads, level,
some shade – WIFI works – not particularly fast for posting pictures but
otherwise reliable.
FRIDAY August 11, 2017
WEATHER: 71 at 4:45 am, possible rain
SUNRISE Grants Pass, OR 0616 PDT SUNSET Grants Pass, OR 2019 PDT
TRAVEL: Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants
Pass, OR to Redwoods
National Park to Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants Pass, OR
MOON MOUNTAIN RV PARK, Grants Pass, OR quiet, clean showers. WIFI still works
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| Redwood Grove |
399 REDWOODS National Park, , WA
Redwoods is a hodgepodge of
state and federal lands interspersed with a lot of private lands and
development - - - a latecomer to the National Park Service. Congress protected lands adjacent to the
three California state parks in 1968
with the creation of Redwood National
Park.
In 1994, the California
Department of Parks and Recreation and the National
Park Service agreed to jointly manage the four-park areas for maximum
resource protection. Together, the National
Park Service and California State Parks manage these lands. The
state managed lands are probably in better shape than the federal lands. I was not impressed with federal facilities
or interpretation. However, the trees
have been saved. If your looking for the
majesty of redwoods visit John Muir
Woods (just north of San Francisco – crowded by serene) and of course Sequoia or Kings Canyon.
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| Coastal Redwoods |
Redwood National and State Parks are a string of
protected forests, beaches and grasslands along Northern California’s coast. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has trails
through dense old-growth woods. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is home to
Fern Canyon, with its high, plant-covered walls. Roosevelt elk frequent nearby
Elk Prairie. Giant redwood clusters include Redwood National Park’s Lady Bird
Johnson Grove.
Visitors
to RNSP will find not only
old-growth redwood groves but open prairie lands, two major rivers, and 37
miles (60 km) of pristine California coastline. RNSP is also a testing ground for large scale forest and stream
restoration of severely impacted lands.
There
are five Visitor/Information Centers in the parks –
I do not plan to visit all of them
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| Hiouchi VC |
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| Crescent City VC and joint park headquarters |
Northern-most park visitor center. Now open year round. Located on Hwy 199 from/to Grants Pass, Oregon. 9-miles east of Crescent City, CA. Information, back country permits, exhibits, junior ranger programs, sales. I visited here first at 0815 – it was CLOSED when I got there ar 0830 –does not open until 0900. I returned later – no film – no exhibits – no museum.
Crescent City Information Center
Located in the bottom floor of park headquarters. Information, picnic area, junior ranger program and sales. No film – no exhibits – staffed by friendly and helpful volunteers – also does not open until 0900.
Located in the bottom floor of park headquarters. Information, picnic area, junior ranger program and sales. No film – no exhibits – staffed by friendly and helpful volunteers – also does not open until 0900.
Located in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground. Seasonal operation dependent on staffing. Information, exhibits, junior ranger programs, sales.. This may have been the best VC – a large variety of sales item and a small museum in a building mostly like built by the CC. Staffed by a volunteer.
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| Jedediah Smith |
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| Jedediah Smith VC |
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| Stout Grove Trail "R&R" Roots & Rocks actually in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State PArk |
Located just off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway - in the heart of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. 6.5 miles north of Orick, CA. Information, exhibits, junior ranger program, sales.
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center – DID NOT VISIT
Southern-most visitor center in the parks. Located one mile south of Orick - on the beach just off Highway 101. Information, backcountry permits, exhibits, junior ranger program, sales.
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| Redwoods North - Crescent City Jedieiah Smith Redwoods Park, Hiouxhi , Howland Hill Road, Stout Gove |
Walking through a redwood grove, without a lot of people, on a fog-shrouded morning can be an unforgettable experience – it didn’t really happen here. There was not a lot of stillness and peace. Even though it was crowded I think I did find stillness and peace in John Muir Woods several years ago..
Elevations at Redwood National State Park range from sea level to just over 3,000 feet (1,000 m). Consistently mild temperatures make year-round exploration a possibility.
SATURDAY August 12, 2017
WEATHER: 68 at 4:45 am – mostly clear –
some smoke – in the 60’s at Crater Lake but to the 90’s when I returned to Grants Pass – it
supposed to be cooling down
SUNRISE Grants Pass, OR 0617 PDT SUNSET Grants Pass, OR 2018 PDT
TRAVEL: Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants
Pass, OR to Crater
Lake National Park to Grants
Pass. OR – about a 90
mile 1 hr 45 minute drive
MOON MOUNTAIN RV PARK, Grants Pass, OR – the two Class A rigs to my
left pulled out sometime in the morning – no one occupied the sites in the
evening
400 CRATER LAKE National Park, Crater Lake, ORToday is August 12th and there was some smoke but most of it was blown away by afternoon . . . . . earlier though a visit here may have been iffy – see below posting from the website on Thursday August 10th – I only saw signs of firefighters – it appeared that the entire park was open
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| Signs of Smoke ahead on the road |
·
West Rim Drive and Multiple Trails Temporarily Closed Due to Spruce
Lake and Blanket Creek Fires
West
Rim Drive from Rim Village to North Junction is temporarily closed, as are most
trails on the west and south sides of the park. All park entrances and
facilities remain open, including Rim Village. Bypass the road closure by using
East Rim Drive.
·
Level 1 Evacuation Notice for Rim Village and Park Headquarters
Effective at 5:00 PM, August 5
The
Level 1 notice informs residents and visitors to “be ready” for a potential
evacuation of Rim Village and park headquarters if the Spruce Lake Fire
approaches these areas. Mazama Village and other areas in the park are not
affected by this notice.
A VISIT HERE MIGHT BE LIKE A VISIT HERE WHEN THE LAKE IS SHROUDED
IN CLOUDS – UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING – you judge from the pictures – much better
after noon
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| Crater Lake Rim Drive Map |
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| Crater Lake Rim Drive smoky haze |
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| Crater Lake Rim Drive - Wizard Island and a smoky haze |
JUST THE FACTS:
A massive volcanic
eruption 7,700 years ago left a deep basin in the place where a mountain peak
once stood. Centuries of rain and snow
filled the basin formed a deep blue lake.
It’s the deepest in the US.
6.02 miles wide
maximum
4.54 miles wide
minimum
1,943 ft at deepest
point
Holds 4.9 trillion
gallons of water
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| Phantom Ship view from Sun Notch Trail |
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| Phantom Ship view from Crater Rim Drive |
Columbia. Along the zone, two of the earth’s crustal plates collide. As the denser oceanic plat is forced deep into the Earth’s interior beneath the continental plate, it encounters high temperatures and pressures that partially melt solid rock.
About 7 million
years ago the Cascades began to rise where
the molten rock surfaced as volcanic vents.
It is continuing still today. Lassen
Peak and Mount
St. Helens have erupted
within the last 100 years. Future
eruptions may destroy the lake and fill the caldera with new rock.
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| Crater Lake view of blues from the Sun Notch Trail |
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| Lady of the Lake Trail - namesake an unfinished statue |
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| Crater Lake VC employee housing built by the CCC |
5 pm Mass at St Anne’s Catholic Church – Grants Pass, OR Interesting – a
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| St. Anne's Parish Center |
There was a wedding at this
mass – a Hispanic couple - - - yet the Spanish mass is at 7 pm – guess they
wanted to start the party early - - - - choir of 3 – piano – the priest sang
most of the mass parts even though it was a Low Mass – interesting homily – and
at the end he said he had ordered 300 glasses for viewing the eclipse (he’s
going to central Oregon ‘with a million other people’ to watch totality) except
they don’t arrive until Monday – well there’s still time – asking a $2 donation
but said it fits i.e. the eclipse is
science but when we can say ‘oh my God’ and you actually view the awe and mystery
– just an interesting service – no bells
SUNDAY August 13, 2017
WEATHER: 63 at 4:30 am – I saw the stars
this morning it was fairly clear – but a smoky haze crept in by the time I
reached Lava Beds and it didn’t
get better as the day wore one – cooler at higher elevations by 10 degrees –
high a in the low 80’s
SUNRISE Grants Pass, OR 0618 PDT SUNSET Grants Pass, OR 2016 PDT
TRAVEL: Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants
Pass, OR to Lava
Beds National Monument to Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants
Pass, OR
MOON MOUNTAIN RV PARK, Grants Pass, OR - WIFI still works
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| Lava Bed NM Entrance Sign |
A visit here was
like 3 parks in one – more than I expected.
There is history
Here – the Modoc War, geology – lave beds, walking trails and caves – actually lava tubes but of the
over 500 lava tubes in the park the park service has made about a dozen
accessible . . . plan to spend at least a full day here . . . . . . start early
– stay late – and stay overnight close by.
I would have stayed longer except for the one way 2 ¾ hour drive.
GEOLOGY
NPS does not do a very
good job on this – I just can’t tell you about it
As
one of the longest continually occupied areas in North America, the history and
cultural legacy of the lava beds stretches back thousands of years. Explore the
history early Native Americans left behind in rock
art
and at archeological sites, the conflict of the Modoc
War,
and the traditions and heritage of homesteaders, ranchers, cave explorers, "CCC boys," and the modern Modoc
and Klamath tribes.
The
winter of 1872-1873 was a troubled one in the Lava Beds, where a small band of Modoc Indians was beseiged by a
US Army force outnumbering
them as much as ten to one. The majority of the battlefields of this conflict,
known as the Modoc War,
are located within the monument and are still preserved today.
The
land that was later to become Lava Beds National
Monument,
as well as the
highlands to the south and wetlands to the north, was home to paleolithic peoples for thousands of years. This area is still infused with cultural and spiritual importance for many modern people of Modoc and Klamath descent.
highlands to the south and wetlands to the north, was home to paleolithic peoples for thousands of years. This area is still infused with cultural and spiritual importance for many modern people of Modoc and Klamath descent.
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| War In The Lava Beds - Gillem's Camp was near the shore of Tule Lake in 1872 The shoreline has changed since some of the lake was drained to provide irrigation and new farm land |
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| Trail to Gillem's Bluf from Gillem Camp Trail |
Much of the war was centered around Captain Jack’s Stronghold, a natural lava fortress characterized by deep trenches and small caves. The Stronghold was named for the Modocs’ war leader Keintpoos, or Captain Jack as he was known to the settlers. Some 150 Modoc men, women,and children lived in the Stronghold for five months of the war, including the harsh winter months.
Casualties:
By the war’s end, the fatalities
included 53 U.S. soldiers, 17 civilians, 2 Warm Springs Scouts, 5 Modoc women
and children, and 15 Modoc warriors, five of which were killed in battle
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| Captain Jack's Stronghold A fighting position Captain Jack had CPs for himself and his 2nd in command He also had organized an inner ring and outer ring of defenses |
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| Captain Jacks Stronghold Remebrance & Honors |
THE BATTLE OF THE STRONGHOLD
On the morning of
January 17, 1873, a dense fog surrounded the Stronghold as more than 300
soldiers and volunteers launched their assault, after nearly two months of
preparation. The troops were confident of an easy victory and were convinced
that their guns would “astonish and terrify the Modocs.” However, they lacked
knowledge of the terrain and of the Stronghold’s natural fortifications. They
were confused by the fog, exhausted by the bitter cold, and The Battle of the
Stronghold
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| Murder of Gen Canby & other Peace Commissioners |
Following the First Battle of the Sronghold, several meetings were held between Army and Modoc leaders. As the two sides tried to reach a peace agreement, the Army continued to increase its number of troops. At each meeting, Captain Jack requested a reservation in the Modocs’ Lost River homeland. When talks broke down, President Grant organized a peace commission to meet with the Modoc leaders. The night before the peace commission meeting, April 11, 1873, the Modocs held a meeting of their own. They assembled to vote on whether or not they should kill the peace commissioners. Despite Captain Jack’s pleas for peace, he was outvoted by the Hot Creek Band and others. Frank Riddle and his wife Toby, a Modoc who was later known as Winema, were to attend the meeting as translators. Toby warned the commissoners that the Modocs were planning an ambush, but they chose to ignore her warning. The following day eight Modocs met the four peace commissioners (General E.R.S. Canby, Reverend Eleazar Thomas, Peace Commissioner Alfred Meacham, and Indian Agent Leroy Dyar) just west of the Stronghold. After Canby again declined the request for a Lost River reservation, Captain Jack, using a revolver that he had smuggled in, shot General Canby. The rest of the Modocs opened fire, killing Reverend Thomas, as Dyar and Meacham, who also had guns, began shooting. Mecham was wounded and partially scalped but survived. Dyar and the Riddles escaped unharmed.
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| Replica of Canby's Cross |
RESPONSE TO THE ATTACK
The second attack
on the Stronghold began four days after the peace commission killings. The army planned to
surround the Stronghold and force the Modocs to surrender. On
April 17, the troops captured the Stronghold, only to find it deserted. The Modocs had escaped during the night
toward the lava flows to the south using the deep trenches of the Stronghold
for cover. On April 26, a patrol of 69 men led by Cpt.
Evan Thomas and Lt.
Thomas Wright left Gillem’s
Camp to try to locate
the Modocs. As they stopped
for lunch they were fired upon by a small group of Modocs commanded by Scarfaced
Charley. In 45 minutes,
two-thirds of the patrol was killed or wounded. Both Thomas and Wright were
killed in the fighting. The battle ended when Scarfaced Charley ordered the Modocs to cease
their attack and allowed the remaining soldiers to return to Gillem’s
Camp.
WARS END
The Modocs suffered their first defeat on
May 10 when an attack on troops camped at Dry Lake was repulsed. Ellen’s Man
George was killed in the skirmish, one of the few Modocs to fall in battle. Following the
defeat, the Modocs quarreled about
whether to surrender. They dissolved back into small, independent bands. On May
22 the Hot Creek band surrendered. In return for amnesty, the Hot Creeks
tracked Captain Jack, who surrendered on June 1, effectively ending the war
that had brought suffering and tragedy to Modocs, settlers, and soldiers alike.
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| Black Crater Trail |
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| Black Crater Trail |
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| Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trail Site of where Scarface Charley ambushed the patrol |
The Modocs who had attacked the peace
commissioners were imprisoned at Fort Klamath, here they were tried and
convicted of murder. On October 3, 1873, Captain Jack, Schonchin John,
Black Jim, and Boston
Charley were hanged. Barncho and Slolux had their
sentences commuted by President Grant and were sent to Alcatraz. Nearly 2,000 people attended the
hanging. The
attendance of all Modocs was mandatory. Twelve days after the hanging, 163
Modocs were sent as prisoners of war to the Quapaw Agency in Oklahoma. Their population dropped by
one-third after their exile. Many died of tuberculosis. The Indian Agent
Hiram Jones was put on trial and relieved of duty in 1879 for giving the Modocs substandard food, supplies, and
medical care. In 1909 any Modoc who wished could return to the Klamath Reservation in Oregon. Some returned, while
others remained in what had become their home. In 1978 the Modoc
Tribe of Oklahoma was federally
recognized and eight years later the Klamath Tribes, including the Modocs, were reinstated as a federally recognized tribe.
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| Petroglyphs on Petroglyph Point |
The CCC
Like most National Park Service sites during the
Depression, newly established Lava Beds
National Monument benefited from the work of a Civilian Conservation Corps crew. Between 1935 and 1942, hundreds
of "CCC boys" constructed all of the original infrastructure of the
monument, much of which you can still drive on, walk on, and enjoy during a
visit more than seventy years later.
TULE LAKE – another of the Japanese Internment Camps of WWII. Note the words on the plaque - California called them Concentration Camps – after visiting Manzanar and Minidoka, I find the description interesting
MONDAY August 14, 2017
WEATHER: 66 at 0530, partly cloudy later in the day a smoky haze
SUNRISE Grants Pass, OR 0619 PDT SUNSET Grants Pass, OR 2015 PDT
TRAVEL: Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants
Pass, OR to Oregon
Caves NM to Dutcher Creek Golf Course to Moon Mountain RV Park,
Grants Pas, OR
MOON MOUNTAIN RV PARK, Grants Pass, OR - WIFI
still works
402 OREGON CAVES National Monument,
Caves Junction, OR
Discovery Tour – 9:30 am reservation made on-line, there was an opening on the first
tour of the day 9am – I took it. The
ranger was very knowledgeable - a 2 ½
hour tour which she took to just past 2 ¾ hours - - - - a cool 42 in the cave
with lots of steps – sometimes very narrow - a damp cave. The cave is a million years old - marble similar to but not limestone. The
marble was formed from Pacific Ocean sea bottom deposits, when this mountain
top was actually on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean . . . .
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| Oregon Caves - Trails Map The Cliff Nature Trail is literally on top of the cave |
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| Siskiyou Mountains a smoky haze as seen from the Cliff Nature Trail |
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| Oregon Caves Visitor Center |
This cave is almost
at the top of the Siskiyou Mountains – lots of hiking trails to explore.
There is a Chalet here for overnight
stays. A visit here an take a full day or just tour the cave – an overnight
could allow you to enjoy more of the trails.
Overall – a typical
cave with draperies, columns, stalactites and stalagmites.. The Cave Entrance is at EL 4,000’ – the exit
is above the entrance at 4,220’. From
there I walked a short Nature Trail up the mountain but eventually back down to
the Visitor Center.
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| Oregon Caves formation |
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| Oregon Caves formation |
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| Oregon Caves formation marble visible due to the ceiling having fallen in |
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| Oregeon Caves - most caves are formed from sedimentary limestone. This cave is marble - a rock that may be very close to metamorhpic marble. |
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| Oregon Caves formation |
GOLF - DUTCHER CREEK GOLF COURSE. Grants Pass, OR – This course in Oregon marks the 49th
state that I’ve played a round of golf in . . .somehow I missed Iowa which I
will play on the way home. |
| Dutcher Creek GC |
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| Dutcher Creek GC this ia a fairway lie ot should have been marked ground under repair I moved the ball |
TUESDAY August 15, 2017
WEATHER: 53 at 4:30 am; 83 at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA
SUNRISE Grants Pass, OR 0620 PDT SUNSET Travis AFB, CA 2001 PDT
TRAVEL: Moon Mountain RV Park, Grants
Pass, OR to Travis
AFB FAMCAMP, Fairfield, CA A 6 ¼ drive
of 347 miles – most of the drive was Interstate.
TRAVIS AFB FAMCAMP - Phone works
no WIFI. I couldn’t remember this place
until I got here – I must have been here almost 10 days in October 2015. Then it came back but slowly – this is where
I considered flying SpaceA from here or McChord to Elmendorf
. The area also came back but slowly – I did
remember lots of traffic with people always in a hurry . . . I am in a much better site than the last
time – some shade and space between RVs – site is gravel – not really level –
large clean restrooms. I did a recon of
the Susia/Fairfield Amtrak Station for tomorrows jaunt to the Oakland A’s Coliseum.
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| Out Lady of Mt. Carmel Fairfield, CA |
WEDNESDAY August 16, 2017
WEATHER: 53 at 5:30; clear - 70’s in Okaland it was 82 when I returned to
Travis around 6 pm.
SUNRISE Travis AFB, CA 0623 PDT SUNSET Travis AFB, CA 1959 PDT
TRAVEL: Travis AFB FAMCAMP,
Fairfield, CA to Coliseum, Oakland CA via AMTRAK to Travis AFB FAMCAMP,
Fairfield, CA
TRAVIS AFB FAMCAMP - I
dread driving into San Francisco because of the long lines at the toll bridges
. . .
A great reminder Travis AFB – bugle calls:
0700 Reveille & To
the Colors
1630 Retreat &
Star Spangled Banner
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| Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station |
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| Oakland Coleisum Amtrak stop |
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| Oakland Colesium |
The AMTRAK train ride was
the right choice for transportation. The
station here is SUISUN/FAIRFIELD – I got off the train at OAKLAND COLISIUM. Literally the gate of the Oakland/Alameda
County Colesium. A pleasant 1 hour and
20 minute ride. The trains were on
time. Coaches very comfortable –
unreserved seats.
There are connections
with BARTS (Bay Area Rapid Transit Trains).
 |
| View from my seat |
The Oakland/Coliseum is an older stadium, built in 1961. Layout of the bull pens are along the 3rd and 1st base lines – similar to Wrigley – the troughs in the mens rooms are another reminder of old Wrigley.
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| Rollie Fingers |
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| Rollie Fingers |
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| No Sausages but Fingers is on the right |
The A’s have been here 50 years after a move from Kansas City. They have a ‘old time player race’ – no sausages – one of the racers is Rollie Fingers.
A long game I left the
stadium at 3:30 and it was still the 7th inning. The
A’s lost to the Royals, 6 to 7. I
lost count of the number of pitchers the A’s went through – the way they played
it should have been 14 to 6.
THURSDAY August 17, 2017
WEATHER: 59 at 5 am – clear; up to the mid-80’s for the afternoon; 60’s
with a breeze in San Francisco for the evening
SUNRISE Travis AFB, CA 0623 PDT SUNSET Travis AFB, CA 2000 PDT
TRAVEL: Travis AFB FAMCAMP,
Fairfield, CA to AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San
Francisco, CA and return to Travis AFB
TRAVIS AFB FAMCAMP - the layout
is still coming back to me, and a check of my trailer tires reminded me that I
had Les Schwab Tire change out the left rear tire with the spare in
October 2015. Same tire is showing wear now. The truck’s oil was changed here by a Fairfield
Chevrolet dealer. All the trailer tires were replaced when I
was in Tucson, March 2016.
Labeled photos
and updated the blog.
I heard on NPR today that there are 27 National Monuments that
are under review by the Department of the Interior . . . . so far 1 in California has been
retained . . . . we’ll see . . . looks like this isn’t new news . . . . and
they range from units created in 1996 through 2017 - ALL
BELONG TO THE Dept of the Interior but possibly only one to the National Park
Service, (Katahdin Woods & Waters) – I was ‘kind of’ near there once -
adjacent to Maine’s Baxter State Park and the end of the Appalachian Trail on
Mt. Katahdin.
WASHINGTON –
The Department of the Interior today announced the first ever formal public
comment period for members of the public to officially weigh in on monument
designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906, and the Department released a
list of monuments under review under the President’s Executive Order 13792,
issued April 26, 2017. A public comment period is not required for monument
designations under the Antiquities Act; however, Secretary of the Interior Ryan
Zinke and President Trump both strongly believe that local input is a critical
component of federal land management.
National Monuments per the Antiquities Act of 1906 can be
created by the President without public or congressional comment or review –
yes TR started all that – it was a good idea – especially at the turn of the
century – but even John Muir could not convince TR to intervene and save the
Hetch Hetchy Valley from being flooded to provide water to San Francisco –
Hetch Hetchy was then and still is part of Yosemite NP..
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| AT&T Park Entrance Downtown San Francisco |
San Francisco GIANTS vs. Phidelphia PHILLIES at a 23 Willie Mays Drive. A 7:15 game I decided to drive into the city because I could not find a train to connect with the ferry after the game . . . I could get there but couldn’t get back.
The drive to AT&T
Park took 2 hours . . . an
expected backup at the toll bridge 12
lands of traffic go down to 4 through a light controlled process . . . AT&T Park is downtown San Francisco – on the water. I
think I was ripped off by the toll booth operator – I gave him a 20 he gave me
a wad of bills in return – after I was through the booth and traffic right left
front and rear I counted he gave me 11 in charged – shorted me 5. There was construction downtown – I still
prefer Chicago, at least the trains are above you on rails. After finding the lot, which was not full, it
was a block walk to the ball park.
 |
| Candlestick Park - home of the Giants after they left New York |
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| AT&T Park view from my seat |
AT&T Park is a good park – except for the downtown location – I liked the park. I walked around the entire park as I usually do – I liked it. I had a seat in the 23rd row lower level about even with1st base.
Layout like Chicago and
Oakland Home - team dugouts are along 3rd base,
bull pens along the baselines. It was a good game
 |
| AT&T Park - view from Right Field |
The drive back took
about 1 ¼ hours, of course I left after the 6th inning about 9 pm – this game moved along much faster than
the Oakland game yesterday. San
Francisco 5 – Philadelphia 4 .
FRIDAY August 18, 2017
WEATHER: 54 at 6:30 am clear; reached 94 on the drive up here – 88 in the
valley with smoke – rained – a thunderstorm with hail for an hour at 4:30 pm – the
temp dropped 30 degrees - maybe it will clear the smoke – it did clear the
overload of cars in the parking lot – after it stopped I moved my truck from a
¼ mile away to a space just outside my lodge
SUNRISE Travis AFB, CA 0625 PDT SUNSET Yosemite, CA 1946 PDT
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| Yosemite Valley Lodge - Lobby Chec |
Leaving my
trailer at Travis AFB FamCamp while I stay 3 nights in Yosemite
National Park
YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE – WIFI Works – room is big – like a double – right next to the office and Village
Complex - two ceiling fans - no AC
 |
| Yosimite Valley parking lot after thunderstorm |
240 YOSEMITE National Park, CA
(first visit October 18,19, 20,21, 2015)
I’ve been here
before and the drive into Yosemite was not as exciting as the first primarily due to a
smoky haze that filled the valley – I didn’t do much except move into my room,
update the blog and have dinner. Watched
the thunderstorm and hail with a downpour between 4:30 and 5:30 pm.
SATURDAY August 19, 2017
WEATHER: 60 at 5 am forecast for a high in
the low 80s by 11am
SUNRISE Yosemite NP, CA 0617 PDT SUNSET Yosemite, CA 1945 PDT
TRAVEL: Yosemite NP
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| Majestic (Awahnee) Hotel the back lawn |
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| Majestic (Awahnee} Hotel this room is huge probably doubled as a Grand Ballroom |
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| Majestic (Awahnee) Hotel |
240 YOSEMITE National Park, CA
(first visit October 18,19, 20,21, 2015
You can drive around this place but the parking – in any season - can be next to impossible – so take the free shuttles offered by the Park Service. I took the shuttle to Stop 16 for the Vernal Falls trailhead. This was a climb it took me at least 2 hours for the 1 ½ miles to the top of the fall. From here you can continue another 1 ¼ miles up to the top of Nevada Fall, I chose not to continue – really don’t think I had enough water. The return’s first ½ to ¾ miles was all uphill to Clark Point – EL 5200’ (at the intersection of the John Muir Trail) and then a 2 mile walk downhill. It is not recommended to go down the same way you came up. The trail really isn’t wide enough but I’m sure there are plenty a lot people who do this – it’s unsafe. This trail (Mist Trail) is closed during the winter – unsafe.
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| Trail Sign - Distances from Vernal Falls Trailhead |
You can drive around this place but the parking – in any season - can be next to impossible – so take the free shuttles offered by the Park Service. I took the shuttle to Stop 16 for the Vernal Falls trailhead. This was a climb it took me at least 2 hours for the 1 ½ miles to the top of the fall. From here you can continue another 1 ¼ miles up to the top of Nevada Fall, I chose not to continue – really don’t think I had enough water. The return’s first ½ to ¾ miles was all uphill to Clark Point – EL 5200’ (at the intersection of the John Muir Trail) and then a 2 mile walk downhill. It is not recommended to go down the same way you came up. The trail really isn’t wide enough but I’m sure there are plenty a lot people who do this – it’s unsafe. This trail (Mist Trail) is closed during the winter – unsafe.
 |
| Vernal Falls Trail to the footbridge |
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| Vernal Falls Trail now the Mist Trail |
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| Vernal Falls Trail at the footbridge Vernal Fall in the background center |
 |
| Mist Trail Vernal Fall in the background |
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| Mist Trail water going over the brink - the top of Vernal Fall |
 |
| Mist Trail View from the top of Vernal Fall |
The sun was out until about 1130 then it clouded up – never rained where I was but at other places in the park there were thundershowers. I took the shuttle back and checked into my room – remarkably it was ready at 1245. I was beat
 |
| Easy Way down from Vernal Fall That is Nevada Fall - looks like I climbed halfway up |
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| Easy Way down from Vernal Fall Clark's Point & the John Muir Trail from here it was downhill |
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| Easy Way down from Vernal Fall still going up |
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| John Muir Trail coming down from Vernal Fall |
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| John Muir Trail coming down from Vernal Fall |
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|
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|
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| Mass at the Pines Campground Amphitheater Remove the screen and this is a Cathedral |
“Everyone
needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may
heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.” John Muir
SUNDAY August 20, 2017
WEATHER: 52 degrees at 5 am, clear, a plesent day with a hign in the low 70's
SUNRISE Yosemite NP, CA 0618 PDT SUNSET Yosemite, CA 1943 PDT
TRAVEL: Yosemite NP – I have a parking place at the Majestic
Hotel and am not
inclined to move . . . I just may hand around the hotel and in the
Valley today
MAJESTIC HOTEL – WIFI Works and so does cable TV
 |
| Yosemite Majestic Hotel lunch at a table in the backyard |
240 YOSEMITE National Park, CA
(first visit October 18,19, 20,21, 2015)
Just hung around
the hotel and in the Valley . . . . updated the
blog, labeled pictures, and planned for the trip home – started reading The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert –
interesting but nothing yet profound – confirmed that the Mono
Pass Trail in Tuolumne is a
good bet for a hike tomorrow - enjoyed the back lawn of the hotel with a Bloody
Mary around noon - a bagel, oatmeal and
OJ for breakfast – hamburger in the Village for dinner – and 7 pm presentation
on the Buffalo Soldiers.
character SGT ELIZY
who conveniently had two Indian grandmothers.
Most of the presentation in filmed monologue of SGT ELIZY – and his tour
of duty in Yosemite – great background shots – he admits the
script was not written but extemporaneous - this Buffalo Soldier played the Indian flute – sang
Indian songs – and kept referring to what a black boy in South Carolina would
never be able to do - - - - - not that I found it unsettling - which may have been his intent - playing to a basically all white audience - but too
preachy.
8/23/17 ADDENDA: I had to come back here and make an update – an interview with Andrew
Young, Civil Rights Activist (he was with Marin Luther King Jr. when he died), former Mayor of
Atlanta, former, Congressman from Georgia, former US Ambassador – he believes ‘these young people just don’t understand’ –
he was referring to what life was like prior to the 1960’s and the fight fro
Civil Rights ‘there are issues far
greater than tearing down confederate monuments.’ He is for retaining them – especially Stone
Mountain, which is a huge sculpture
of Robert E. Lee, ‘Stonewall’ Jackson and Jefferson Davis, and on the side of Stone
Mountain in Georgia. If anything he said a Freedom
Bell should be added as
mentioned by King in one of his
speeches. He said this move to remove confederate
statues will accomplish nothing but cause division. As he said ‘these young people do not understand.’ I heard it on NPR it has to be true. Enough.
MONDAY August 21, 2017
WEATHER: 52 at 5 am - clear
SUNRISE Yosemite NP, CA 0619 PDT SUNSET Travis AFB, CA 1955 PDT
TRAVEL: Yosemite Majestic Hotel
(Awahnee) to
Tuuolumne Meadows & the Mono Pass Trail
(almost to the Tioga Pass entrance) to Travis
AFB FAMCAMP, Fairfield, CA
240 YOSEMITE National Park, CA
 |
| This is what the eclipse looked like in Mono Pass at 1020 |
GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE
Partial Solar Eclipse
in Yosemite NP
BEGINS: 0904
MAXIMUM: 1019 81%
totality
ENDS: 1142
DURATION: 2 hours 39 minutes
During my hike to Mono Pass it was cloudy,it drizzled, it cleared and it got cloudy. The eclipse was not that big of a deal
During my hike to Mono Pass it was cloudy,it drizzled, it cleared and it got cloudy. The eclipse was not that big of a deal
Aug 21, 2017 at 10:19 am
 |
| Map - Mono Pass Trail |
As
I drove to the east end of the Valley the smoke
appeared from the Mariposa fires, early in the morning here you could
actually smell it.
The
drive up the Tioga Road was interesting. A rock fall, twice the side
of my truck was in the lane leading north – it must have happened over night,
there were no markers or rangers on the road yet.- almost a close call the road
is winding.
I
arrived at Mono Pass Trailhead is at an 0815
it was 46 degrees.
Mono Pass (moderate)
8 miles (12.9 km) round-trip, 1,000-foot elevation gain; 4 to 6
hours.
The trails begins at Mono Pass Trailhead, on the Tioga Road six miles east of Tuolumne Meadows
 |
| Mono Pass Trail |
 |
| Mono Pass Trail R&R roots & rocks |
 |
| Mono Pass Trail remains of prospectors cabin |
The trails begins at Mono Pass Trailhead, on the Tioga Road six miles east of Tuolumne Meadows
 |
| Mono Pass Trail |
 |
| Mono Pass Trail it did level off for the last 1/5 mile a beautiful alpine meadow is to the right see the picture below |
 |
| Mono Pass Trail - this alpine meadow made the 4 mile walk up here worth it This is where I was at 10:20 am the height of the solar eclipse in Yosemite This is the 'high country' |
 |
| Mono Pass - this is the lake behind the sign to the right |
 |
| Mon0 Pass - EL 10,599' |
 |
| Tuolumne Meadows VC |
After
the stop at the VC I continued down the Tioga Road it started to rain – hard, and the temp changed
from 67 to 53. It started to rise again
on the descent out of the park, temp
rose to 86. It was a 5 hour trip back to
Travis AFB..
TUESDAY August 22, 2017
WEATHER: 59 at 5:30 am, clear with some
wind; 95 in Redding at 4 pm
SUNRISE Travis AFB, CA 0629 PDT SUNSET Redding, CA 1956 PDT
TRAVEL: Travis AFB FamCamp, Fairfield,
CA to Mountain
Gate RV, Redding, CA 187 miles mostly Interstate travel took about 3 ¼ hours
MOUNTAIN GATE RV PARK - WIFI works –but very slow in loading picture
to the blog - very nice setup – concrete
pads – level – offers coffee and donuts every morning in the clubhouse
WEDNESDAY August 23, 2017
WEATHER: 69 at 0530, clear - patchy smoke
– cooler in the mountains – 105 when I returned to Mountain Gate RV
SUNRISE Redding, CA 0628 PDT SUNSET
Redding, CA 1955 PDT
TRAVEL: Mountain Gate RV, Redding,
CA to Lassen
Volcanic NP to Mountain Gate RV,
Redding CA
 |
| Lassen Volcanic NP - entrance near Loomis Museum |
MOUNTAIN GATE RV PARK – WIFI works a quiet place – especially when
it’s 105
403 LASSEN VOLCANIC National Park, Mineral, CA
Lassen Volcanic Park is the 59th National Park I’ve visited – so I’ve seen them all – and like Whiskytown I was unaware
of what it really offered.
 |
| Lassen Volcanic National PArk - when you get to the Lassen Peak Area -it's High Country this map was at the Crossroads area |
 |
| Loomis Museum |
The
hydrothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park include roaring
fumaroles (steam and volcanic-gas vents), thumping mud pots, boiling pools, and
steaming ground. water from rain and snow that falls on the highlands of the
park feed the hydrothermal system. Once deep underground, the water is heated
by a body of hot or molten rock beneath Lassen Peak. Rising hot
water boils to form boiling pools and mud pots. Super-heated steam reaches the
surface through fractures in the earth to form fumaroles such as those found at
Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works. These features
are related to active volcanism and are indications of the ongoing potential
At the turnoff to the park there is a "Crossroads" - a very informative stop.
I
stopped at the Loomis Museum . A small
bookstore, and museum. I watched a very
good film coveing the history of Lassen Volcano.
 |
| Lassen Volcano - 1915. This series of photos taken by Loomis- Surprisingly similar to Mt St. Helens Eruption |
 |
| Lassen Volcano June 14, 1915 |
 |
| Lassen Volcano June 14, 1915 |
 |
| Lassen Volcano June 14, 1915 |
Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway Highlights
The 30-mile Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway offers and excellent introduction to the park. For a more in-depth auto-tour, pick up the Road Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park at the Loomis Museum or Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
I
drove this route backwards entering from the side of the park by the Loomis
Museum.
Loomis Museum VC – Manzinita Lake. The Park Service has a very good video
describing the history of Lassen Volcanic NP. I
did not buy the Printed Road Guide – I probably should have.
I spent a total of 6 hours in the park without a visit to Bumpess Hell and a 3 mile trial
there. I only walked two short trails –
there is much more here to see.
Lily Pond Nature Trail – I walked this 1 mile loop that starts at Reflection Lake
right across from the Loomis Museum;
purchased a trial guide for $.50 and
found it to be the best Nature Trail
I’ve walked in the NPS system. It is
laid out very well and an early morning walk with quite, a very informative
trail guide and no people on the trail
was perfect.. Thoroughly enjoyable.
 |
| Lily Pond Trail |
 |
| Lily Pond Trail Staghorn Lichen this is not moss |
 |
| Lily Pond Trail Reflecion Lake |
Manzinita Lake Trail was supposed to be be a 1.5 mile round trip, near the Loomis Museum. but there was not trail
guide, no map and after a ½ hour walk one way I turned around – whatever trail
I was on was going to be more than a 1.5 mile round trip.
If
you plan ahead , at least two – maybe
three days here . . . . I would walk the Devils Kitchen
Trail
(4.2 miles); Boiling Spring Lake Trail (1.8 miles); Bumpess Hell (3.0 miles); Cold Boiling Lake (1.4 miles) and Lassen Peak Trail 4.8 miles with a 1,957 ‘
change in elevation – start early in the morning). There are more if your that interested.
 |
| Chaos Crags is in the distance a volacano that trhrew these tocks no one is sure how the were ejected |
1050 EL 6289 63 degrees - Chaos Crags and Jumbles Scenic Pull-out
Somehow this rock slide was racing up to 100 miles an hour down Chaos Crags to create Chaos Jumbles. – no one is sure what caused the rock slide..
Somehow this rock slide was racing up to 100 miles an hour down Chaos Crags to create Chaos Jumbles. – no one is sure what caused the rock slide..
1110 EL 6186 73 degrees – Hot Rock
The
picture speaks for itself.
I walked this short trail. Excellent descriptions and interpretive signs with voice powered by solar. The devastation of Lassen Peak's last eruption in 1915.
 |
| Summit Lake Trails |
Easy to miss this turnoff on the road. Cross the road to access hidden Hat Creek meadow at the base of Lassen Peak.
1200 EL 6681 70 degrees - North Summit Lake Picnic Area and Loop Trail
A great place to begin an all day hike – this would be worth doing . Additionally, just up the road here is a perfect picnic spot invites you to take a dip in Summit Lake or stroll around the Summit Lake Loop Trail.
A great place to begin an all day hike – this would be worth doing . Additionally, just up the road here is a perfect picnic spot invites you to take a dip in Summit Lake or stroll around the Summit Lake Loop Trail.
 |
| King's Creek Meadow |
1215 - Kings Creek Meadow Scenic Pull-out
The actual turnoff was full – no parking spaces.. However, Kings Creek meanders through an
expansive meadow at the foot of Lassen Peak. I stopped there
 |
| Lassen Peak Trail |
1225 EL 8512 64 degrees - Lassen Peak Parking Area and Viewpoint
The majesty of Lassen Peak from the highest point on the park road at 8,512 feet – plenty of snow still here from mounds in the parking lot.. The trail here would be worth hiking but start early – no shade and its all uphill.
 |
| Lake Helen- just below Lassen Volcano the camera was unable to catch the variation in in deep blues |
 |
| Lassen Peak the trail leading up |
1235 - Bumpass Hell
The
Brokeoff Volcano is also known as a part of ancient Mt. Tehama, in the volcanic remnants
that are all around. This parking lot
was full – I didn’t stop. Plenty of
trail start here – again start early. This is literally a hot spot.
 |
| Sulphur Works |
 |
| Bubbling Mud Pot |
1250 EL 7012 70 degrees - Sulphur Works
A hydrothermal experience at a roadside fumarole (steam vent) or surround yourself in the gurgling symphony of boiling mudpots at the park's most easily accessible hydrothermal area. More bubbling here than anything I saw at Yellowstone..
A hydrothermal experience at a roadside fumarole (steam vent) or surround yourself in the gurgling symphony of boiling mudpots at the park's most easily accessible hydrothermal area. More bubbling here than anything I saw at Yellowstone..
The road trip ended at Kohm-Yah-mah-nee Visitor
Center and the opposite entrance
to the park Much larger VC than the Loomis Museum.
THURSDAY August 24, 2017
WEATHER: 72 degrees at 5:30 am ; 97 at 6
pm – smoky . . .
SUNRISE Redding, CA 0629 PDT SUNSET
Redding, CA 1953 PDT
TRAVEL: Mountain Gate RV, Redding,
CA to Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity
NRA Visitor
Center to Moutatin Gate
RV, Redding, CA – a one way drive of about 26 miles and 30 minutes.
MOUNTAIN GATE RV PARK – WIFI works and after I returned from Whiskeytown this was the first time in since
I was in Florida near the Everglades that I used a RV Park pool – it reached 97 or more
today – the water was refreshing.
404 WHISKEYTOWN-SHASTA-TRINITY
National Recreation Area, CA
National Recreation Area, CA
 |
| Whiskeytown Lake - in asmoky haze |
The most prominent landmark within the Recreation Area is Shasta Bally (elevation 6,209 feet.. The summit may be reached on foot and by 4-wheel drive vehicle, but is closed in the winter. An unimproved dirt road – I didn’t drive up there - Plenty of trails to explore.
 |
| Brandy Creek Falls Trail |
As
the only one of the three units administered by the National Park Service, personal
watercraft are prohibited on Whiskeytown
Lake, but are allowed on the Shasta and Trinity
Lakes - Units of the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area which is
administered by the US Forest Service.
Lake based recreational opportunities are Whiskeytown’s primary focus during the hot and dry summer months
 |
| Brandy Creek Falls Trail |
 |
| Brandy Creek Falls Trail Lower Fall with at least 3 more cascades between this and the Upper Fall |
 |
| Brandy Creek Falls Trail cascade |
 |
| Brandy Creek Falls Trail Upper Fall |
Lake based recreational opportunities are Whiskeytown’s primary focus during the hot and dry summer months
Crystal-clear
waters, surrounded by mountain peaks.
Like most NRA’s there is water-based recreation. The park together with the USFS 39,000
acres surrounding the lake offers four waterfalls, pristine mountain creeks, 70
miles of trails, and opportunities to explore the history of the California Gold Rush.
The
Visitor Center is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. It has a well stocked book store and helpful
volunteers.
I
made an attempt to drive around the lake but when JF Kennedy Memorial Dr turned into an
improved dirt road of South Shore Drive I turned around – no need to
spend another hour bouncing around in my truck..
FRIDAY August 25, 2017
 |
| New Frontier RV Park Good Sam |
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| New Frontier RV Park Truck & trailer on site |
pm but clear blue skies – no smoke
SUNRISE Redding, CA 0630 PDT SUNSET
Winnmucca, NV 1933 PDT
TRAVEL: Mountain Gate RV, Redding,
CA to New Frontier RV Park, Winnemucca, NV - 420 miles; once I get to I-80 and through
the Sierra’s and Donner Pass its I-80 all the way home
New Frontier RV Park is just down the road from the KOA I stayed at in
Septembr 2015. WIFI
Works, asphalt pads
–level – associated with a casino – no pool - $34.27 per night . . . .
SATURDAY August 26, 2017
WEATHER: 60 at 4:45 am; 93 in Draper partly cloudy at 3:15 MDT
SUNRISE Winnemucca, NV 0612 PDT SUNSET Draper, UT 2008 MDT
 |
| Mountain Shadows RV PArk Draper, UT |
Draper, UT – 368 miles change in TIME ZONE to MDT lost an hour.
Driving through
Nevada I finished listening to David McCullogh’s “Mornings On Horeseback.” The book is on 8 CDs I started listening when
I left Redding, CA.
 |
| There was no fence around this building when I last visited here - but that was before 9/11 |
The book was winner of the 1982 Book Award for Biography. A biography of young Theodore Roosevelt. It spans 17 years from 1869 then “Teedie” is ten to 1886 when he returns from the West. Most of the first half is devoted to the backgrounds of his mother (a southerner) and his father. The last third of the book deals with Theodore and his ranch in the badlands of North Dakota territory. Confirmation and more detail of what I learned by visiting the Roosevelt Boyhood Home in NYC, the home he built in Oyster Bay on Long Island called Sagamore, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in the Badlands of North Dakota.
Since my Sirius
XM subscription
has apparently expired, I turned don the radio – not many choices – talk radio
or Christian Stations – I listened to Russ Limbaugh – interesting that that last
time I can remember listening to him was at the Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City, in the bar,
having a beer, back in the 90’s. This guy isn’t a nut . . I listened for 2 hours.
Mountain Shadow RV Park – WIFI works site asphalt pad – surprisingly
level - shade. This place is less than ½ mile down the street from Utah
ANRG HQ and home of ICA . . . been there many times.
 |
| St John the Baptist Catholic Church - this campus is huge Straight ahead and all the to right is the High School the Grade School is off left - the church and Parish center are off left athletic fields are behind the High School tot he right |
It must be time
to head east – home. I blew a hole in my
water hose feed to the trailer – 4 years of use from a Wal-Mart hose – it was
time – I had another – and it doesn’t kink.
Propane tank went dry – I switched to the second tank
SUNDAY August 27, 2017
WEATHER: 63 at 4:15 am’ the temp got down to 45 with travel through
the mountains east of Salt Lake, rarely above 75 while traveling the high
plains of Utah & Wyoming - 82 when I
arrived in Cheyenne with a breeze – turned off the AC – it’ll be in the mid-low
50’s overnight
SUNRISE Draper, UT 0650 MDT SUNSET
Cheyenne, WY 0739
TRAVEL: Mountain Shadows RV Park, Draper,
UT to Cheyenne KOA,
Cheyenne, WY – 455 miles – 7 hours and 45 minutes – drove close to 65 most of the way
except for the steep grades – a lot of nothing in WY along I-80 – most have
been really boring for the Mormons
Cheyenne KOA – located on the west side of Cheyenne – nothing real close – gravel
sites – not level - WIFI
IS NEXT TO USELESS for my purpose –
SLOW –
I’M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT KOA HAS SET FOR ITSELF THE LOWEST STANDARDS WHEN IT
COMES FOR WIFI SERVICE – and what’s
sad is that I have the next two nights at KOAs.
The service and site at Mountain Shadows yesterday was outstanding for ¾ the cost. – Mountain Shadows was better
than any KOA I’ve stayed at recently - maybe
stick with Good Sam Parks – FORGET THE KOAs
– I went to use
my phone as a hot
spot – and I
shouldn’t have to do that FRUSTRATING - tomorrow I’ll try to use my points ILO cash and say
‘goodbye’
MONDAY August 28, 2017
WEATHER: 53 at 5 am – clear – 80 upon
reaching Doniphan – clear with a breeze
SUNRISE Cheyenne, WY 19xx MDT SUNSET Doniphon, NE 2011 CDT
TRAVEL: Cheyenne KOA, Cheyenne,
WY to Grand Island
KOA, Doniphan, NE – 354 miles - moved into CDT lost another hour – the drive
wasn’t as long today – could do 70 mph mostly level Speed Limit 75 in NE – 80 in
WY 357 miles 5 ½ hours on the road
 |
| Grand Island, KOA - Grand Island, NE |
Tried to set up
an oil change and tire rotation for the Silverado:
Bauer Built Tire Center in Grand Island, NE was unable
to fit me in today – understandable ‘maybe in a day or two’
looking toward tomorrow . . .
Bauer Built Tire Center in Des Moines, IA does not
change oil – Rory very friendly on the phone
Firestone Tire Center in Des Moines,IA – set up an
appointment between 3 – 3:30 on August 29th – of course the guy I
spoke with had not idea where Waveland GC or 4908
University Ave, Des Moines was
TUESDAY August 29, 2017
WEATHER: 54 at 5:30 am clear; high in the
upper 70’s sunny
SUNRISE Doniphon, NE 0657 CDT SUNSET
Adel, IA 2012 CDT
TRAVEL: Grand Island KOA, Doniphon,
NE to West Des
Moines KOA, Adel, IA – 245 miles
West Des Mones KOA – about 1 ½ miles south of i-80 – not near any
services – about 22 miles from Des Moines center. WIFI – gravle sites – almost level =shade -
they wanted me to sign in with a face book account or create one – I didn’t
take the bait – no thank you.
GOLF – Waveland Golf Course. With this a round of golf in IOWA I’ve played
a round in all 50 states, DC, and the territories of Puerto Rico & the US
Virgin Islands
Waveland is the oldest course in Iowa and the first course west of the
Mississippi. I shot a 53 – 21 putts –
course was in very good shape - lots of hills and length – the sand cost me 4 strokes – it is very soft sand.
 | ||
|
|
| Waveland GC 1st Hole |
 | ||
|
Still listening to The Great Courses – Music As A Mirror to History – Professor Robert Greenberg. I’ve listened to several of his courses – entertaining – never boring – Sand Francisco Performances. A history of Western Europe – not much music – but perhaps what inspired the music – such as Wagner’s The Ring or Verde’s Nebucco. In short this guy is never boring. - - - - sometimes outrageous . . . .
WEDNESDAY August 30, 2017
WEATHER: 57 at 4:45 am celar
SUNRISE Adel, IA 0641 CDT
TRAVEL: West Des Moines KOA, Adel,
IA to WISCONSIN –
369 miles
As of January 2017,
there were 417 sites run by the National
Park Service. There were 399 when I started planning this trip.
Four sites were created as National Monuments in the last week of the Obama presidency.
I have visited 404.
Well actually 403 because only those
with special permission can visit Hohokum Pima in Arizona. The
land was excavated in the 1930’s and again in the 1960’s. The Indians asked that the excavated site be
reburied. Due to the sensitive nature
of this site, the Gila River Indian Community decided not to open this site to the public. There is no public access to Hohokum
Pima National Monument. Legally, it remains a National Monument.
I was unable to
visit Aniachak Monument and Preserve because of
weather. There are no roads. Aniachak is a volcano that filled with water - similar to Crater
Lake NP. It can be windy
and is usually buried in clouds – hard for a float plane to negotiate – weather
did not allow me a visit/
I did not visit Governor’s
Island in 2015 when I was
in NYC because the site
did not open until Memorial Day and it closes Memorial Day.
I did not visit Great
Egg Harbor in New Jersey
because I could not find a Visitor Center.
Great Egg is a
conglomeration of sites run by the feds and the state.
May visit
Birmingham Civil
Rights NMon Birmingham, AL created 1/12/17
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument is a
new national park unit located in Birmingham, Alabama. It is a park in progress
with limited services, and in the coming years services will be added to the
park in cooperation with our partners.
There are no park hours at this time as the site is still in the development
phase.
Freedom Riders NMon Birmingham, AL created 1/12/17
Freedom Riders National Monument is a new
national park unit located in Anniston, Alabama. It is a park in progress with
limited services. In the coming years services will be added to the park in
cooperation with our partners.
Reconstruction Era
NMon SC created 1/12/17
There are no park
hours at this time as the monument is still in the developmental phase.
May Visit
Waco Mammoth NMon TX created 2/12/16 in late Summer 2019
Sunday–Saturday: Open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and
New Year's Day
Castle Mountains NMon CA created 2/12/16 in late Summer 2019
Castle Mountains National Monument is always
open. Information
centers in Mojave National Preserve maintain
regular hours of operation. The same VCs I've already visited.
May visit
Governor's Island NYC in late Summer 2020
Great Egg Harbor NJ in late Summer 2020
Blackstone River
Valley NHP RI/MA created 12/19/14 in late Summer
2020
Stonewall NMon NYC created 6/24/16 in late Summer
2020
Stonewall National Monument is a new national
park unit located in Christopher Park, part of New York City's Historic
Greenwich Village. It is a park in progress with limited services, and in the
coming years services will be added to the park in cooperation with our
partners.
Harriet Tubman NMon NYC created 1/10/17 in late Summer 2020
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is
a new national park area with limited services. The National Park Service works
closely with its partner, The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. to provide operational
and visitor services to Tubman's residence, the Tubman Home for the Aged,
Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Tubman's Grave. Harriet
Tubman Home Hours of Operation Thursday - Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Katahdin Woods&
Waters NMon ME created
8/24/16 in late Summer 2020
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is
open year-round. There are currently no visitor centers in the Monument. Two
seasonal welcome centers have been established in nearby communities for basic
visitor orientation and informational needs.
Best NP west of the
Mississippi
Capitol Reef NP – UT
Grand Canyon NP – AZ
Yosemite NP - CA
Best NP east of the
Mississippi
Everglades NP - UT
In my opinion Must Sees:
Gettysburg National Military Park – you can rent a guide and see the battlefield in 2
hours – but it takes at least three days to see most of the park. I’ve spent over 75 full days at Gettysburg
and there is always something more to see.
Walk the ground. Although
historical fiction, the movie Gettysburg gives you good background on
the battle and some insight into the leadership - North and South.
Antietam National Military Park – Sharpsburg is a quaint little town in Maryland –
this battlefield is home to ‘America’s bloodiest day – over 23,000 casualties
on September 17, 1862. Be sure to walk
the ground.
Washington DC and the surrounding area are home to numerous sites run by the National
Park Service. I spent 2 weeks in the
area and hardly visited any of the museums.
DC is a MUST
SEE and wear you’re
walking shoes. Make advance reservations
with you congressional representative for tours of the White
House, Capitol and the Pentagon.
Get around on the METRO .
. . . . .
There is only one Grand
Canyon. Plan ahead and walk the trails into the
canyon. They are tough and may take
prior planning. A week’s visit may just
about do it. Walking down is optional –
Walking up is mandatory Try a rim to
rim walk with a stay overnight (reservation required) at the Phantom Ranch at
the bottom of the canyon. This will take
planning – although only several miles from rim to rim as the crow flies – it
may take 6 hours one way to drive from rim to rim. The lodge on the North
Rim is an expensive
but nice place to stay.
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| Yosemite High Country - Mono Pass Trail |
California’s Yosemite is a hiker’s paradise – heaven on earth.
A surprise with lots to do in those wide open badlands of North Dakota is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Plenty of short trails to hike along with some that are challenging. There are three units to the park and Medora has plenty enough places for tourists.
If you’re in the
area some of the Best ‘kept secret’ Golf
Courses that I played:
The Prairie Club – Valentine,NE:
The Old Works – Anaconda, MT
Bully Pulpit - Medora, ND
Ill add the data
below when it total it . . . . .
Total Miles
traveled:
Total gallons of
gas used:
Total Miles the
truck pulled the trailer:
Total nights spent
in the trailer:
Total nights spent
in lodging:
Wednesday September 6 – Monday September 11, 2017
139th Conference – National Guard Association of
the United States, Louisville, KY
The theme of
this year’s conference was The
Indispensible Force. I’ve
attended at least 20 conferences in cities from Washington, DC to San Juan, PR
to Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA to Honolulu, HA. Two of the conferences were sponsored by the
Wisconsin National Guard and held in Milwaukee.
The conference
usually has some excellent speakers.
During election years, the presidential candidates of both parties are
invited – since the 90’s all candidates have appeared except Obama and Hillary.
I was looking
forward to hearing Army Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley speak again but he
had a last minute important scheduling and could not attend. His presentation is always ‘no holds barred’
and there are always lessons to be learned in the question and answer session.
The best
presentations given over the 2 ½ day conference and trade show were by Air
Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff General David
Goldfein. Senate Majority Leader, Mitch
McConnell made a surprise appearance and spoke for 10 minutes – he did not take
questions.
The delegations
from Florida, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands did not attend due to their
activation in response to hurricanes.
Texas was represented but the delegation was sparse.
Saturday November 11 – Saturday November 18, 2017
Walt Disney World – Port Orleans Resort-Riverside, Orlando, FL
I spent a week
at Disney World with family. We stayed on the
Disney property Port Orleans
Resort – Riverside. Weather was just about perfect.
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| Port Orleans Resort - Riverside (main building) - Disney World |
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| Cinderella Castle lit up for Christmas |
Animal Kingdom has a new land – dedicated to Avatar. Magic Kingdom still holds all the magic it did
in January 1973 - - - (it opened in November 1972). This was my 6th visit to Disney, Orlando
and three visits to Disneyland in California.
I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of it.
Like all the
parks, Hollywood Studios is under continuing change. A section devoted to Star Wars and Toy Story
is planned to open at the end of 2018.
EPCOT also continues to
change – Spaceship Earth is still an
old standbye..
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