Some Amazing National Parks and Other Incredible Sights

 It has, once again, been awhile since I posted anything.  Weird!  It should figure that I have more time but that is not necessarily the case.  That being said, I did take a few camping trips in the late Summer and early Fall and just haven't gotten around to posting much.  No time?  Seems unlikely, doesn't it?  

In August I went to Glacier, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.  I hadn't been to any of these parks which seemed just not right since they are in our own backyard (so to speak). I stopped at some places along the way, Castle Crags SP in Northern California, Deschutes River State Recreation Area in Northwestern Oregon, and campgrounds in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and (between Glacier and Yellowstone) Swan Lake Campground in Montana.

In a little over two weeks, I put 2800 miles on my car and saw some of the most incredible scenery imaginable!  Totally mind-blowing beauty exists in that part of the world and I'm glad to have experienced it.  The only problem is now, of course, I want to go back.  

I met great people, saw amazing wildlife - some of it just a little scary, and did some great hikes talking as well as singing to myself WHILE wearing a bear bell and carrying bear spray!  One cannot be too careful LOL!

Here are some photos of just some of the highlights. 

ALONG THE WAY

Castle Crags State Park with views of the 'Crags', Mt. Lassen and the Sacramento River

The Deschutes River State Recreation Area

Coeur d' Alene

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Lake McDonald

 

Highway to the Sun

 

Logan Pass

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

 

 

 

 

 

THE GRAND TETONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swimming with Manatees, Palm Springs and Death Valley

It has been three years since I posted for obvious reasons.  I haven't been anywhere!  I visited a relative in Florida just before the world shut down and was able to swim with manatees and see lots of amazing wildlife in central Florida.  That was very cool.

 

Florida Sunset

Roseate Spoonbill

Egret

 

 

My Manatee Friend and me!

Crystal River Manatee Sanctuary

Armadillo minding his own business

After over two years of being at home, my sister and I ventured out and drove to Palm Springs in January of this year. It was both nice and a bit unnerving to be 'somewhere else' but it ended up being a lovely albeit brief trip and we had a great time! The weather was perfect and there was lots of hiking and hanging out by the pool as well as great meals!

Mono Lake along the way

Welcome to Palm Springs!

Yellow Throated Warbler?

Hiking with my sis

In March I ventured to Death Valley for a week long camping trip.  It was a perfect time of year - not very crowded, perfect temperatures and dark skies so lots of stars at night.  I met some great people, saw some amazing sites and just enjoyed being in the desert.  Death Valley is a place of stark contrasts and, in my opinion, great beauty.

Darwin Falls

Mt. Whitney from Alabama Hills