Arrived at Badlands National Park in South Dakota on July 30. Sharp ridges in the golden sunlight convinced us we had made an auspicious beginning on our first extended voyage (8,687 total miles) in the Roadtrek.
Returned to Yellowstone for the fourth year in a row. (Yes, I know. We are among the most fortunate of people.) Because we have seen all of the mandatory attractions numerous times, we devoted five days to fishing the Gardner River, seen here from our site in Mammoth Campground. Lots of beautiful brook trout with bright orange markings.
Crossed the panhandle of Idaho to the Columbia River Gorge. Visited Columbia Crest and Snoqualmie wineries and had to pass up numerous others. Did not pass up any of the spectacular waterfalls that plunge 600 feet and more from hanging valleys into the mighty Columbia.
North into Washington to visit Mt. Rainier National Park. Found that it lived up its name--rainier than we would have liked. On the fourth morning, we drove around to the eastern slopes of the 14,000-ft. peak and found sunshine at last. Took a five-mile loop trail through flower-filled meadows and along a high ridge with grand views of some of the 27 separate glaciers on the mountain.
Out on the NW peninsula of Washington State is Olympic National Park. We camped a mile from Rialto Beach with its great rock sentinels called sea stacks. On the beach, gigantic drift wood forms a barrier between land and ocean. Shirley loved listening to the waves rattle the black stones that form the beach. Dozens of pelicans dived for fish. Tourists searched for colorful, friction-polished stones and the occasional agate.
Cruised down the Oregon Coast on Rt. 101. Stopped regularly to visit lighthouses such as the Cape Blanco Light shown here. It sits on the western-most point in the contiguous 48 states and is the oldest and tallest light station on the coast. At several places on the spectacular Oregon coast, we heard the barking of seals and sea lions. Thousands of them competed for spots on rocky outcroppings above the pounding surf.
At Crater Lake National Park the main attraction is actually a color--a stunning blue. At 1,932 feet, Crater is the deepest lake in the US. The purity of the water (100% from rain and snow) means that light penetrates to great depths where all but the blue wavelengths are absorbed. Wizard Island, along the far shore, is said to resemble a conical magician's hat.
Lassen Volcanic National Park was one of the most pleasant surprises on our trip. What is now one of our favorite hikes, the King Creek Falls Trail, follows the stream to a waterfall. The alternate route back climbs through a series of cascades that we found more impressive than the falls. Around every bend was a new treasure.
At Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, there are amazing views down the valley towards Half Dome. To the right are towering Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. To the left, the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls. (Niagra, for comparison, is 186 feet.) In September, though, there were no falls. Yosemite Creek dries up in late summer.
Sequoia National Park converted Shirley into a real tree hugger. The giant sequoias were truly more impressive than I expected. The first branch on the General Sherman Tree, for example, is bigger than a full-grown oak tree.
Lake Mead is just over the ridge from Las Vegas. Except for a trip to Trader Joe's to restock our pantry, we avoided the city altogether. It's just not our kind of attraction. The Joshua Tree, shown here, and the mountains are much more appealing.
We climbed the Watchman Trail in Zion National Park for spectacular views up the valley. Magnificent Navajo sandstone cliffs, rivaling anything Yosemite has to offer, reminded us of why Zion is one of our favorite places.
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to oddly sculptured red rock formations called "hoodoos." A trail leads from the rim of the canyon down through the narrow defile of Wall Street, past balanced rocks and Thor's Hammer to the fanciful silhouette of Queen Victoria.
