It is eerily empty here in the Red Rocks boondock. The gang all pulled out this morning bound for Kodachrome, while I am headed east to cross a couple more national parks off my never-ending task master, my Bucket List. But without a list, I lose track of my desires. And without desires, there is no expansion, no growth. Right? Continue reading
One thing I have quickly learned to appreciate about the Red Rocks Gang is that no hike is going to be “pedestrian.” You may find yourself skirting stagnant tanks in the side of the mountain or being hoisted over boulders, but one thing for sure, it will be an adventure! So bring your water shoes, as today, we are walking across a 20 ft wide river and bushwhacking through the bulrushes to reach the trail! Continue reading
Hiking with the “Red Rocks Gang” takes on a whole different aura when it’s a “Ladies Only” hike. One would think tempo or pace would be the obvious difference, but quite the contrary. Of our two dynamic duos, Gayle and Jim and Mark and Bobbie, both women tend to be the trail blazers, up front setting the pace. Continue reading
There is unfinished business in the Capitol Gorge Wash. After the Golden Throne hike, only five of the original eight opt to hike the wash, and two out of those five turn back early. So the group decides to return the next day, as there are many reasons to revisit the wash. Continue reading
I awake after my restless boondocking night to see Debbie outside my window walking her dogs, the ever-entertaining Rupert and Elliott. I have originally announced my plans to do a “solo acclimatization” hike on my first day, but Debbie assures me the group hike will be “doable,” with plenty of photo stops along the way (READ: Opportunities to gasp for breath, slow my pounding heart, and steady my dizzy, swirling head.) Continue reading
Boondocking is an interesting exercise for someone fresh out of the corporate structure. I have never been much of a “color outside the lines” person. Much to my chagrin, I have been a rule-follower all my life, which made me a good data analyst. Left brain stuff, I am really good at….Right brain? Not so much. Continue reading
I consider the hike to Grinnell Glacier to be the pinnacle of my Glacier National Park vacation, and the only part on which I have actually done research. I have been looking forward to this day for months.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, there were 150 glaciers when the park opened in 1910, and now there are only 25 remaining. Scientists expect by 2030, there will be none, at the current rate. So I really want the chance to hike up to the foot of the glacier, stand and contemplate the evolution of our species. Continue reading
It’s now “Day Four” of my Glacier National Park vacation, and the only “bigger than a breadbox” wildlife sightings I have seen amount to one lousy goat. Sure, there have been marmots, chipmunks, squirrels. But nothing worth getting excited about. Now that I am on the more remote east side, I think my chances will improve. In fact, my anticipation is bordering on angst, as I have heard the likelihood of encountering bears on the trail is much greater in this section of the park. Continue reading
I really want to visit Many Glacier campground during the second half of my week-long vacation in Glacier National Park. It is considered to be the “heart” of Glacier, and also the only way for an RV of my size (over 21 ft long, 8 ft wide) to be able to camp in the interior of the park, as the Winnie is not allowed on the only road that crosses the interior, the Going to the Sun Road. Continue reading
My third day in Glacier National Park and still no wildlife sightings bigger than a bread box. I awake to sun peeping through the clouds in Apgar Campground with the promise of another beautiful day. I have decided to take the shuttle back up to the top of Logan Pass, the Continental Divide. I am feeling ambitious today, so I plan to do two hikes from Logan Pass because I can’t decide which one sounds more appealing; the wildflowers of Hidden Lake, or the vistas of the Highline. So I pack a lunch and plan on both. Continue reading