Travel Tips

It said that it's not the destination, but the journey, and for the hike up to the top of Half Dome this was true The sites along the entire hike were very enjoyable. Yosemite, though, has so much more. If you are in San Fran, L.A, or Las Vegas, it's worth looking into making a trip here. Along with the Grand Canyon, Yosemite is an incredible place.

This photo is just at the bottom of the ascent up using the cables - there are community gloves that folks grab to help with the climb - once done they're tossed back into the pile. Finding a matching pair is unlikely!

Note: The first five parks listed here I recommend as destinations. The remaining ones I would say if you are passing through then they are worth a stop, though perhaps they are not destinations unto themselves.

I had an appreciation of the Grand Canyon, after my first visit in 1991. When I returned in 2003, I hiked down to the bottom and my appreciation for it grew to a point now where when I see pictures of the canyon it's beyond awesome (in the photo what appears to be bushes in the center at Indian Gardens are actually some pretty tall trees!) I highly recommend a hike to the bottom. I met persons from high school kids to a fella 77 years old who made the hike down. It's not that bad a hike, and the experience is amazing.

The thing about Yellowstone , was that it wasn't just about Old Faithful. The park has a variety of aspects (wildlife, waterfall, lake, and various geothermal features) that make it seem like visting multiple parks in one visit.

Acadia has two things going for it. First, the drive around the park has many scenic stops along the ocean, and secondly it is adjacent to Bar Harbor which is a fun, relaxing small town. If you have a chance to go in the fall when leaves are turning than all the better.

Overall, this was a different experience. There are not mountains to climb, etc. It's basically a watershed. What's cool is that is the ecosystem that exists there - specifically many different types of birds. I am not that much a nature person or birdwatcher, though I really did enjoy seeing the different types of birds (one is pictured here as just as it had begun to fly). A ride on one of the air boats (not in the park though by private companies) was okay...basically a thrill ride when the boat goes fast.

The rock formations are cool. I have not been to Arches or Monument Valley, though I really need to go to those places as well.

Like the Bryce and Zion combination, when one sees Yellowstone, invariably stopping at the Tetons is a must. I was pleasantly surprised by just how cool the peaks were as well as by places like Jenny Lake. Very relaxing! I guess the Tetons should be ranked along with Yellowstone at #3.

What I found interesting about visting the caverns is that the scenery in which they are located gives no indication that they are there. This photo is on the way to the New Cave, which although not as well known as the main caverns, was actually a better experience as the New Cave is still in a natural, "wild" state (no store, lights, pavements, etc. just one rope!). The New Cave is not that far from the main cave. My general thoughts on caves is that they are interesting, though not spectacular.

Redwood National Park - the coastline was cool, and the trees were HUGE, and it was fun to drive through one of the trees. Unfortunately, the park is somewhat out of the way, and also one can see Redwoods or other tall trees in Muir Woods outside of San Fran, or if one ventures to Yosemite there are several places to see them as well. Interestingly, I enjoyed the beaches as they were very pristine.

I was so looking forward to Crater Lake , and then when I saw it I was somewhat let down. It may have been as I was there towards the end of the day, and so the water was not as blue as pictures I have seen since. It is quite a unique lake, though I enjoy hiking and getting on the water. Crater Lake is off-limits (and rightfully so) to any boats other than the one that goes to the island.

Being next to Bryce, it's hard to not go to one without seeing the other. I thought Zion had some interesting rock formations, though perhaps not as stunning as Bryce.

Lassen National Park - very scenic and not that crowded. I could see if I lived in Northern California that I might drive up here. Like Redwood National Park, it is a little off the beaten trail.