Once again I have visited a volcano crater. For most of my life I thought volcano’s were a rare thing on the planet, but as I am visiting them I am realizing just how common they are. They are right under our noses and we hardly notice. Just look at...
The term El Malpais (“the Badlands”) is used locally to refer to lava flows. I did not know this when I came to this Ntnl Monument. From the satellite view it is clear; a huge black smudge blankets the area south of Grants, NM. It’s volcanic features include a string...
Today I finally got to visit a National Park that I have skipped over many times in the past 3 years. While I have been in Arizona numerous times, I just hadn’t traveled along I-40 east of Flagstaff, so this time around I made sure of it. I entered to...
Walnut Canyon National Monument is located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, near Interstate 40. The canyon rim elevation is 6,690 ft; the canyon’s floor is 350 ft lower. A 0.9 mi long loop trail descends 185 ft into the canyon passing 25 cliff dwelling rooms constructed by the Sinagua, a pre-Columbian cultural...
Right off Interstate-17 (exit 256) is one of two entrances to Agua Fria National Monument. Badger Springs Rd is nothing more than a dirt road that brings you into the border of the monument about 1 mile. After that you are left with a trail that will bring you to...
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Casa Grande means “big house” (even I knew this). Obviously it is a very old “stick and mud” house from the natives dating back 7500 years. It is 4 stories tall and only a small part of what is known of a larger community of...
Since we were passing nearby, I stopped in at Carlsbad Caverns so I could hike down the natural entrance. Last year I only had time for the elevator ride and the ‘Big room’ hike, but today we had time for me to make the short 1.2 mile hike down. It...
Padre Island has been the pinnacle of this trip. Although the Formula 1 event was the reason we are in Texas, Padre Island is the furthest point East (and South) we will travel. It is the turn-around point after nearly 3100 miles traveled from Colorado… 2000 from Mom’s house in...
Last year Conor and I went into the National Park for a hike, but we did so a few weeks too early and did not get to see all the aspen’s turning. This year we made it at the right time and enjoyed a 6 mile hike through the park...
As you may recall, I stopped smoking a few years back. Actually, August 31st marks 3 years since my last cigarette. Yep… still not smoking and I doubt I ever will again as my self-worth just wont allow me to consume something that is only harming me. Labor day weekend,...
