Idaho certainly has some strange and interesting things, as Craters of the Moon shows. Lots of public land here, too. Shoshone has an ice cave in a lava tunnel that can get 16′ thick! Two types of lava at Craters. The latest eruption is estimated at 2,000 years ago, so one can see the difference in landscape between older and newer eruptions. So much lava! So much history of those who traveled West on these lands-what a journey that must have been! How courageous of alleged those who made the journey!
Month: September 2016
Utah-grateful for rainy/overcast weather making it cooler
Arches NP and Capitol Reef today-it rocks-literally & figuratively! Watched the sun set at Arches; it cleared up a bit. Mule deer, rabbits and birds came my way today. Browsed through a book of Trails taking hikers to cliff dwellings, as I witnessed in NM; so, I was looking today to see if I could spot any of them, but didn’t. Bought a decaf from a small shop whose fence was made entirely of large chunks of petrified wood-beautiful! Rock formations were the grand focus of the day. Perhaps I’ll catch up on FB with NV & other CA adventures. Rock on!
9/15continued
9/15/16: Yosemite again on way to Kings Canyon/Sequoia
The Full moon! A black-tailed deer! More gold dust/flakes! Obsidian! What a beautiful day! Stopped at obsidian dome a bit outside Mammoth Lakes CA-I’ve never seen so much obsidian! Obsidian is volcanic glass. The many formations and huge pieces were stunning-mother Nature sure creates beauty! At Denny’s whose wifi is intermittent. I may have to do this in bits and pieces.
9/10-9/12 CA John Muir NHS, Muir Woods NM, Point Reyes NS, Golden Gate NRA, Rosie the Riveter, SF Maritime, plus Port Chicago Magazine
A lot of new experiences the past couple of days-been to 11 of CA’s 26 NPS units in the last week! Weather the past two days in the high 50s to low 60s, being overcast, and not at all my vision of CA. I’m typing this while in San Francisco by Fisherman’s Wharf. There are 5 street people begging in their own ways, 3 on one side of the street and 2 on the other. Interesting to watch- one is wrapped in a blanket and looking Like Jesus, Another is standing in a bent-over position holding a small poster that says, “Smile”. The other 3 are just out with hat/cup for donations to their cause. Hmmm.
John Muir, who is considered by some to be the “father of conservation” was quite an interesting person, and the first president of the Sierra Club. As a young man he had many worthy inventions but a metal chard damaged one eye. For months he kept it covered and, miraculously, it healed. He then went all over the place into the wilderness, especially Yosemite which he knew intimately. Perhaps I have a bit of that same traveling spirit in me. He did marry and have 2 daughters he loved and cherished. He authored books and wrote letters to gain support for conservation efforts. He loved the wilderness and being in it for long periods of time, which his wife encouraged. A strong character he was. Muir Woods is named to honor him and John Muir NHS is his homestead and museum/video of his life. Port of Chicago Naval magazine tells of a terribly unjust occurrence where a munitions explosion/fire took the lives of 320 and properties including ships. Worse was the sentencing to prison the navy workers who survived that would not return to work after the experience.
I was hoping to swim at Point Reyes, but the weather opposed it. The whales can be seen other times of year, but not now; much like the tidepools I wanted to see at Redwoods but the tides did not favor it while I was there. Must be meant for another time, as seeing Eugene O’Neill’s NHS which requires reservations, unless going on Saturday, and I was planning it on Sunday-oops.
I was under and on the Golden Gate Bridge, because Fort Point is actually under the bridge! The video at Ft Point was quite informative and the structure is still solid. This morning I greeted the sun peeking through heavy cloud cover. The San Francisco Maritime Natl Historic Park was a special treat as I got to walk in and on old ships doing the cell phone guided tour. Far greater a treat was to have a volunteer present his passion for a wonderful sailing ship that served 40 years longer than expected. She’s made of Douglas Fir and is being redone as close to her original design as is possible. She was never intended to be seafaring as she was made extremely wide; but, her first journey took her to sea and that continued. She hauled lumber the equivalent of 174 miles in length . She hauled salt and barrels to Alaska, I think, and then fisherman salted and put their salmon in barrels and delivered them. She worked for the Army as a barge for a time, also. And, she also used to take 30 fishermen out and carry their catches in her belly. She has a great energy about her that I felt as I walked about her and in her.
Rosie the Riveter NHP reminded me how our nation’s people worked together and sacrificed for the good of the WWII effort. Women worked on the Homefront at welding and other jobs they’d never done before while daycare extended to overnights, also, when needed. How resourceful they were!
Tomorrow I’ll be at Pinnacles experiencing and being wowed, I’m sure! I’m well over half the way through the 413 units managed by the Natl Park Service and loving the adventure-59% done. It’s 65% if I calculate based on the 373 units of the contiguous USA! Woohoo! Hoping your daily adventures bring you the joy you desire!
9/9/16 Lassen Volcanic NP
Beautiful day! Amazing views! Lovely people to chat with! Volcanos -4 kinds are at Lassen! Did laundry , then played all day! Put my feet in Emerald Lake, smelled the sulphur from fumaroles, mud pots, and hot springs! Was wowed by the beauty and massive lava beds. Amazed that in 1915 there was a couple here who witnessed the volcanic eruption-and took pix! 
9/5-9/7 Redwoods CA plus
At Mamma Llamas got decaf and wifi in Weaverville CA, en route to Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity Natl Rec Area which now opens at 10 for the fall season.
Yesterday was blown away by the 1,500 year old tree-what wisdom it must have. Ferns way taller than I am also dazzled me. Then the views of the Pacific were stunning. Almost saw a herd of 50 elk, but I forgot to take my light so I could see in the dark, tree-lined path; nice couple explained how to get there easily. What a great feeling in the ancient forest! I’m off to Whiskeytown-enjoy your day, looking at that which is kind, just, and lovely !
Now Is Heaven 
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