Browse Tag

National Parks

67 Articles
A historical marker embedded in a large stone with American flags nearby.
A historical marker embedded in a large stone with American flags nearby.

Half Dome

May 27, 2007
5 Comments

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: I’ve wanted to visit Yosemite for a long time. I finally had an opportunity over Memorial Day weekend when a business trip placed me in...

A dolphin gracefully leaps out of the deep blue ocean, creating a beautiful splash in the Pacific Northwest.
A dolphin gracefully leaps out of the deep blue ocean, creating a beautiful splash in the Pacific Northwest.

Anacapa

July 4, 2006
2 Comments

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CA :: Anacapa, the smallest of the Channel Islands, is located fourteen miles from the Californian coast. We boarded a catamaran at Ventura Harbor...

A sweeping view of a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A sweeping view of a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Ryan Mountain

June 29, 2006
3 Comments

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: After my hike in Ladder Canyon, I drove through the south entrance of nearby Joshua Tree National Park. Honestly, there’s not much to see...

A wooden ladder leads into a narrow cave opening carved into reddish-brown rock walls.
A wooden ladder leads into a narrow cave opening carved into reddish-brown rock walls.

Ladder Canyon

June 29, 2006
5 Comments

MECCA HILLS WILDERNESS, MECCA, CA :: As Kristie attended a conference for education consultants at Claremont McKenna College, I was enjoying several hikes in the Southern...

A tall, spiraling tower with a pointed top stands against a clear blue sky.
A tall, spiraling tower with a pointed top stands against a clear blue sky.

Lower Gray Wolf River

February 11, 2006
5 Comments

OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: My first overnight backpacking trip was seven years ago on the Gray Wolf River. Until today, I had never been back. It’s too bad it...

Tranquil lake surrounded by misty mountains with waterfalls cascading down. A lone evergreen stands in the foreground.
Tranquil lake surrounded by misty mountains with waterfalls cascading down. A lone evergreen stands in the foreground.

Rialto Beach

January 23, 2006
4 Comments

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: I used some vacation time to enjoy my last two days as a twenty-something. The weather forecast predicted a strong possibility of sunshine, so I...

A serene river winds through a dense, mossy forest. The long exposure technique captures the smooth movement of the flowing water.
A serene river winds through a dense, mossy forest. The long exposure technique captures the smooth movement of the flowing water.

Marymere Falls

January 15, 2006
2 Comments

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: After my snowshoe trip atop Hurricane Hill, I drove west to nearby Lake Crescent to check out Marymere Falls. The trail starts at the Storm...

A serene image showing the silhouettes of deer standing on a hillside against a bright sky. The sun is setting behind them, casting their shapes in stark contrast.
A serene image showing the silhouettes of deer standing on a hillside against a bright sky. The sun is setting behind them, casting their shapes in stark contrast.

Hurricane Hill

January 15, 2006
6 Comments

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: After 27 straight days of rain in Seattle, the sun finally broke through the clouds on Sunday. I seized the opportunity to enjoy a day...

A green Toyota 4Runner SUV is parked on a sunny day with lush green trees in the background.
A green Toyota 4Runner SUV is parked on a sunny day with lush green trees in the background.

Mazama Ridge

December 17, 2005
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MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: Today I led Kristie, her brother, and her dad on a beautiful snowshoe hike up Mazama Ridge. Our route was nearly five miles roundtrip,...

Kristie from John and Kristie stands smiling next to a large Pink Bear Care Bear mascot inside a brightly lit retail store.
Kristie from John and Kristie stands smiling next to a large Pink Bear Care Bear mascot inside a brightly lit retail store.

Zion Narrows

September 2, 2005
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ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: I had read many amazing descriptions for this hike and was looking forward to finally experiencing it. From Zion’s Visitor Center, shuttles depart...

Majestic red rock cliffs rise against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Majestic red rock cliffs rise against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Angel’s Landing

September 2, 2005
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ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: After hiking the Narrows, I boarded the shuttle at the Temple of Sinawa and headed back to The Grotto, where the trailhead for Angel’s Landing...

A breathtaking view of a towering rock formation under a clear sky.
A breathtaking view of a towering rock formation under a clear sky.

Bryce Canyon

September 2, 2005
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BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT :: My company sent me on a business trip to Salt Lake City and I used the opportunity to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion National...

A breathtaking view of a granite monolith with rugged textures under a sepia-toned sky.
A breathtaking view of a granite monolith with rugged textures under a sepia-toned sky.

Grand Canyon

June 17, 2005
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SOUTHWEST VACATION DAY 7 :: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ :: As a surprise for Kristie, I booked a tour to Grand Canyon National Park. I thought we could save...

A striking silhouette of a Joshua tree stands out against a bright blue sky. The branches reach upward in intricate patterns.
A striking silhouette of a Joshua tree stands out against a bright blue sky. The branches reach upward in intricate patterns.

Joshua Tree

June 11, 2005
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SOUTHWEST VACATION DAY 1 :: JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: To kick off the summer, Kristie and I ventured south for an eight day vacation in the Southwest. We...

A majestic snow-capped mountain bathed in the golden light of sunset. The foreground features a silhouette of a dense pine forest.
A majestic snow-capped mountain bathed in the golden light of sunset. The foreground features a silhouette of a dense pine forest.

Camp Muir

October 2, 2004
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MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: I got up at 3:30 AM this morning to be in MRNP by 6:00 AM. There were no clouds, no fog, and no wind...

A bald eagle sits on a moss-covered branch in a leafless tree. Another eagle is visible in the lower portion of the image.
A bald eagle sits on a moss-covered branch in a leafless tree. Another eagle is visible in the lower portion of the image.

Sahale Glacier

September 24, 2004
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NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK, WA :: When I first hiked this trail a couple years ago, a nearby wildfire prevented me from reaching the campsites at the end of the...

A serene sunset over the iconic sea stacks at Cannon Beach, Oregon, casting a warm glow across the Pacific Ocean and rocky shoreline.
A serene sunset over the iconic sea stacks at Cannon Beach, Oregon, casting a warm glow across the Pacific Ocean and rocky shoreline.

Point of Arches

May 22, 2004
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: Chances are you’ve heard of Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches. The Travel Channel recently included the two-mile stretch of pristine sand on...

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