I have been to all of the national parks in the west, except Glacier National Park. They all are national treasures that are awe inspiring. Put that on your bucket list - see them all. They're different, but the one that I appreciate most is Yosemite, the valley and the upper area where one can spend a week going from high camp to high camp - food and tents provided by the park. There is a lottery drawing in November to get tickets to do that. I've done three. It's as close as I will ever get to heaven.
Lucky you, I’ve only been to that one, except for a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. The former was not very well kept up at that time. I decided to donate to support and save them and never visited another. Have loved the PBS Series though.
Out west, in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, it is like another world - literally. The Europeans are blown away by it all. We had a Dodge camper van with a VCR and a port-a-potty. We put our two daughters in and took off.
I have seen three: Yellowstone when I was young and where I got sick, the Grand Canyon before it was inundated with people, and Crater Lake here in Oregon. Now every park and wildernesses are full of people who do not know how to respect and care for what is before them. We had a terrible fire here in Oregon up the Columbia Gorge when a youngster decided to throw a lit firecracker into the canyon despite being told not to. So this very popular trial near Bonneville Dam and the surrounding area was closed for a long time. Here in Oregon Crater Lake is the only national park and it will take your breath away literally. Unfortunately the company who have had the lodge franchise have not taken care of it and are now being replaced. I do agree that all the parks here in the west are spectacular and they all need funding to maintain them.
Michele, we’ve been to 60 NPs (including Costa Rica & Patagonia). I agree with you, Crater Lake, if you catch it on a clear day when the sun is high, the water color is nothing short of a miracle. We returned years later (we live in OH) to see it again, but there was a forest fire in the area and that affected the water phenomenon. Nevertheless it is a jewel in the crown in our nation. We highly recommend it, along with the entire Oregon Coast. Fabulous trip!
Glad you enjoyed it and the Oregon coast. I remember peering over the rim for the first time. No picture does it justice. I just hope the NPS gets the lodge problem sorted out. One of the wonderful things about living in Oregon is the variety of geography. We live in Salem, mid Willamette Valley which is a great growing area. We are an hour from the coast, the mountains, less than that to Portland. Then there is the gorgeous Columbia Gorge, the high desert, Steen's mountain, the Snake River Canyon, the Rogue and of course, all the wineries, breweries, distillers, cideries, and fab local food including fish and mushrooms. I am sorry that Portland has lost its reputation; it is still a great city, but with a real homeless and drug problem. Also Powell's books as a plus and wonderful restaurants. I just made us a reservation at Tina's, a fab($$$) restaurant in Dundee and wine country on the summer solstice. I am from Indiana and while I loved growing up in Elkhart, Oregon is tops.
Went on a Smithsonian Tour in 1997. My husband had wanted to for years so he got his heart's desire. It was spectacular. We had to leave no footprints so it was very well done. It was led by a hydrologist who told us about the water and the history of the river. Loved it. Hope you enjoyed yours as much.
I too have been to many of the parks out west. Richard, the one which is our favorite (and decided to take a second look) is Glacier national. We have been up thru Waterton in Canada also. The second time we went was because we did not get to do the best drive in the world, which is “The Going To The Sun” road , the first time due to way too much snow still blocking the pass!!
Nancy, so true. There is a narrow window when the roads are clear. We went in late August/early Sept (when kids are back in school and it’s less crowded) and the roads were good. When we hiked up to Grinnel on the east side, they were still shoveling snow from the trail! We’ve been a few times, I’d go again in a minute.
Going to the Sun is indeed fabulous. And anyone going to Yellowstone from the East should make a point of taking the Beartooth Highway. You’ll never forget it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beartooth_Highway
Richard, we’ve been to a high majority of the parks out west. We’ve not yet made it to the NM parks, North Cascades(WA) and Pinnacles(CA) so far. We love Glacier. When you go, be sure to spend a few days on the east end and hike Grinnel Glacier, if you can. Stunning! Check out Many Glacier Hotel, a 19th century grand hotel masterpiece with the best hotel view in the lower 48 states.
Yosemite was my #1 for decades until we went to Banff, Jasper, Yoho & the Icefields Parkway in Alberta & BC. But then the Alaska parks are 2nd to none!! Glad to hear you live our western gems!
I love Banff and the hotel there along with the skiing. Back to Yellowstone, the road on the northeast out of Yellowstone into Montana is a "top of the world experience." It is amazing.
Yes, Four Corners includes Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. I love the region. My daughter had the fortune to have her 8th grade class trip there starting in Utah, rafting and camping along the rivers, and then working for a host family on a Navajo reservation where she stayed. They were also taught about Navajo weaving from the grandmother who was a Master weaver. I also took a group of 7th graders on a trip there for a foundation I was involved with. We camped in the canyons and had llamas with us to carry our packs. We were in Colorado and Arizona that time, perhaps Utah for a short bit.
Buddy has some fantastic photography skills! Enjoy your time off, and thank you for all you do to educate us! ♥️
Heather, a lot of your million-plus readers would happily buy a book of Buddy's photos.
In any case, it would be helpful if you included a line with each indicating the location.
I have been to all of the national parks in the west, except Glacier National Park. They all are national treasures that are awe inspiring. Put that on your bucket list - see them all. They're different, but the one that I appreciate most is Yosemite, the valley and the upper area where one can spend a week going from high camp to high camp - food and tents provided by the park. There is a lottery drawing in November to get tickets to do that. I've done three. It's as close as I will ever get to heaven.
Lucky you, I’ve only been to that one, except for a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. The former was not very well kept up at that time. I decided to donate to support and save them and never visited another. Have loved the PBS Series though.
Out west, in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, it is like another world - literally. The Europeans are blown away by it all. We had a Dodge camper van with a VCR and a port-a-potty. We put our two daughters in and took off.
What a wise man, to recognize and DO something that will stay with your daughters forever.
My husband and I toured The West before having a family. You’re right - it’s like another world! First time we really realized we were on a planet!
I have seen three: Yellowstone when I was young and where I got sick, the Grand Canyon before it was inundated with people, and Crater Lake here in Oregon. Now every park and wildernesses are full of people who do not know how to respect and care for what is before them. We had a terrible fire here in Oregon up the Columbia Gorge when a youngster decided to throw a lit firecracker into the canyon despite being told not to. So this very popular trial near Bonneville Dam and the surrounding area was closed for a long time. Here in Oregon Crater Lake is the only national park and it will take your breath away literally. Unfortunately the company who have had the lodge franchise have not taken care of it and are now being replaced. I do agree that all the parks here in the west are spectacular and they all need funding to maintain them.
Michele, we’ve been to 60 NPs (including Costa Rica & Patagonia). I agree with you, Crater Lake, if you catch it on a clear day when the sun is high, the water color is nothing short of a miracle. We returned years later (we live in OH) to see it again, but there was a forest fire in the area and that affected the water phenomenon. Nevertheless it is a jewel in the crown in our nation. We highly recommend it, along with the entire Oregon Coast. Fabulous trip!
Glad you enjoyed it and the Oregon coast. I remember peering over the rim for the first time. No picture does it justice. I just hope the NPS gets the lodge problem sorted out. One of the wonderful things about living in Oregon is the variety of geography. We live in Salem, mid Willamette Valley which is a great growing area. We are an hour from the coast, the mountains, less than that to Portland. Then there is the gorgeous Columbia Gorge, the high desert, Steen's mountain, the Snake River Canyon, the Rogue and of course, all the wineries, breweries, distillers, cideries, and fab local food including fish and mushrooms. I am sorry that Portland has lost its reputation; it is still a great city, but with a real homeless and drug problem. Also Powell's books as a plus and wonderful restaurants. I just made us a reservation at Tina's, a fab($$$) restaurant in Dundee and wine country on the summer solstice. I am from Indiana and while I loved growing up in Elkhart, Oregon is tops.
It's why I donate and don't visit.
When did you do the rafting trip? I did it a very long time ago with the legendary Georgie Clark.
Went on a Smithsonian Tour in 1997. My husband had wanted to for years so he got his heart's desire. It was spectacular. We had to leave no footprints so it was very well done. It was led by a hydrologist who told us about the water and the history of the river. Loved it. Hope you enjoyed yours as much.
I too have been to many of the parks out west. Richard, the one which is our favorite (and decided to take a second look) is Glacier national. We have been up thru Waterton in Canada also. The second time we went was because we did not get to do the best drive in the world, which is “The Going To The Sun” road , the first time due to way too much snow still blocking the pass!!
Nancy, so true. There is a narrow window when the roads are clear. We went in late August/early Sept (when kids are back in school and it’s less crowded) and the roads were good. When we hiked up to Grinnel on the east side, they were still shoveling snow from the trail! We’ve been a few times, I’d go again in a minute.
Going to the Sun is indeed fabulous. And anyone going to Yellowstone from the East should make a point of taking the Beartooth Highway. You’ll never forget it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beartooth_Highway
Went to Glacier b4 health limited my travels. It is spectacular ... but a bit scary if heights bother you.
Glacier is one of our favorites! Only one we’ve been to twice so far, on purpose!!
Richard, we’ve been to a high majority of the parks out west. We’ve not yet made it to the NM parks, North Cascades(WA) and Pinnacles(CA) so far. We love Glacier. When you go, be sure to spend a few days on the east end and hike Grinnel Glacier, if you can. Stunning! Check out Many Glacier Hotel, a 19th century grand hotel masterpiece with the best hotel view in the lower 48 states.
Yosemite was my #1 for decades until we went to Banff, Jasper, Yoho & the Icefields Parkway in Alberta & BC. But then the Alaska parks are 2nd to none!! Glad to hear you live our western gems!
I love Banff and the hotel there along with the skiing. Back to Yellowstone, the road on the northeast out of Yellowstone into Montana is a "top of the world experience." It is amazing.
We’ve only made Yellowstone one time, back in 1990. Have to go back. I’ve heard about that road, hope to check it out someday!
I'd guess Utah.
It’s Sedona where I live. The mountain in the back is Cleopatra Hill and the town of Jerome.
Cool! I once (or twice) passed through Jerome while exploring lesser-known towns in the American Southwest. I thought Bisbee was pretty funky too.
I'm guessing Capitol Reef National Park.Somewhere on the Colorado Plateau, definitely.
Janet, you are probably right about the CO Plateau. It kind of looks like Canyonlands NP in UT too.
Or maybe New Mexico
Looks like the red buttes near Gallup, NM.
I am fortunate to live in NM...Southern NM..Las Cruces.
It looks like the Four Corners region.
I, in Colorado and had the luck to be there and in NM a lot. Could be anywhere out here, any of these four states.
Yes, Four Corners includes Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. I love the region. My daughter had the fortune to have her 8th grade class trip there starting in Utah, rafting and camping along the rivers, and then working for a host family on a Navajo reservation where she stayed. They were also taught about Navajo weaving from the grandmother who was a Master weaver. I also took a group of 7th graders on a trip there for a foundation I was involved with. We camped in the canyons and had llamas with us to carry our packs. We were in Colorado and Arizona that time, perhaps Utah for a short bit.
Heather.....thanks so much for all your work............take that much needed break and enjoy!!!
Yes, but Buddy's pictures plus HCR's moment of American History with each picture would make the book more meaningful to us all, IMO.