Lately, I seem to be hung up on Swiss Army Knives. See here. Originally, in that post, I wanted to compare the enormous display with my real knife. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the knife. But …here it is. I had used it as contrast to the ash from the Mt. St. Helensexplosion, nine years earlier. The two pictures below, from our vacation in August, 1989, were taken on the banks of the Toutle River some 30 miles downstream from the catastrophic event which literally blew the top off the mountain.
ABOVE: A few miles east of the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center in Washington State, Rt. 504 crosses the Toutle River, (located near “Toutle” on the satellite image below.) BELOW: Topless Mt. St. Helens is visible from Interstate 5, about 35 miles away.
The Visitor Center is between “Castle Rock,” and “Toutle.
Thanks for viewing, and zoom in for a closer look. M 🙂
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A wonderful five mile one-way roadway just east of Gatlinsburg, Tennessee, in the foothills of Mount LeConte, the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains, at 6,923′ (2010 m.) The turn-outs allow access to old growth forest, streams, waterfalls, wildlife and more. Recently, Sandy Paws and I found unexpected tranquility in the resurgence of forest life, ten months after devastating fires scorched the region.
A short walk from one of the turn-outs, leads to a small summit, elevation 2,900 feet (884 m) as shown photographically in the last picture above, and located on the topo renditions here.
Thanks as usual for viewing, and click on for a closer look. Comments are always welcomed. M 🙂
A few weeks ago, I explored a small but typical part of an abandoned single track railroad constructed in the early 1860’s. It transverses the New Jersey Pine Barrens, an immense area of 1.1 million acres of sandy soil characterised by oak and pine trees, cranberry bogs, blueberry cultivation and underlying aquifers. When new, these now forgotten rails carried some 17,000 troops to America’s Civil War.
Images captured with an I-phone 5s, a few steps off Savoy Blvd., Woodmansie, NJ
Alien to the peace and tranquility of this warm afternoon, I could almost feel the undeniable apprehension of regiments of soldiers riding these very tracks towards the inevitable battles to the south, 155 years ago.
As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂
Our four days exploring in Utah, continued early Saturday morning, 11/7/15, at the ‘outpost’ of Bullfrog, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where we rented a small boat to explore nearby parts of Lake Powell, specifically Moqui Canyon. Later we would view the remarkable terrain in Natural Bridges National Monument, spend the night in Salt Lake City, and fly home Sunday, 11/8/15.
This post contains 18 images most with comments. Browse through quickly, or click on for higher visual resolution.
From our lodge, early morning…houseboats moored at Bullfrog MarinaOne of the last days of the season, there were virtually no other renters despite what I considered perfect weather.Easily enduring chilly morning temperatures, the stunning sceanery kept the cameras busy, as Holly focuses here. Seven year old Tyler was no exception.Moqui Canyon is one of hundreds of flooded canyons of the Glen Canyon portion of the Colorado River.The winding waterway, in just this one “side” canyon, goes on for a number of miles, twisting and turning with one incomparable view after another.
We beached here where Holly, Steve and Tyler climbed and explored, as I relished in the awesome surroundings.All three are in this image, as photographed from the boat.Steve , camera in hand, explores around the bend.The weather today was cool, crisp and perfect; while summertime brings temperatures near 100 deg. F. (38 deg. C.) …with an abundance of houseboats and pleasure craft, many rented for a week at a time or privately owned.Steve, Holly and grandson Tyler
I believe Lake Powell has only three access areas in its 186 mile (299 km) length and 1,960 miles (3,161 km) of shoreline, leaving plenty of exploration room.
After returning the boat, driving for a few more hours, and seeing virtualy no one on the road, (except a mounted cowhand coaxing his small herd of cattle,) we explored Natural Bridges National Monument in the later afternoon.A spectacular scenic roadway provides viewpoints for several bridges, this being Kachina, 210 ft. (64 m) high.We continued late into the night to Salt Lake City and our room. Sunday morning, day four, 11/8/15, the Wasatch Mountains caught the early sunlight as seen from our hotel (see feature image at top of this post,) and the view above was of the Utah State Capitol building as we headed back to the airport.The Colorado Rockies are below our regional jet to Denver, then the long flight home – ending our otherwise short and memorable adventure.
As usual, thanks for viewing and comments are always welcome. M 🙂
With my son Steve, daughter Holly, and seven year old grandson Tyler we spent the night in Moab, and were beginning our first full day. Now we were in the heart of the Colorado Plateau (Utah,) one of the most impressive scupltured and gorged terrains in the world.
This post contains 21 images.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK – MORNING:
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NEXT: COLORADO RIVER SCENIC BYWAY, RT. 297 – MID DAY
The series below
These 500 foot (150m.) cliffs, right along the river, offer climbers world class rock faces.
A little further, my grandson leads the way to a fallen strata slab exposing nearly 200 million year old dinosaur tracks…AWESOME! Talk about being in his climbing glory!
Further above the tracks, Tyler “discovers” petroglyphs on the cliff faces, and uncle Steve confirms the sighting.
NOTE: PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AFTER THE BLANK AREAS ABOVE AND BELOW THE SECOND IMAGE BELOW> THE WORDPRESS EDITOR IS BEING PERSNICKETY, AND I WANT TO PUBLISH THIS BEFORE I DIE!
Along the Colorado River, Potash Road, Rt. 297
Rock Climbing
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NEXT: CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK – LATE AFTERNOON to SUNSET:
The Series Below
Incomparable switchbacks of the Shafer Trail dropping 1400 feet (426 m.) from the Caynyonlands “Island in the Sky” Mesa
The mesas to the south-east, and snow topped La Sal Mountains beyond
Holly and Tyler
the forth image below, there is a car visible just below and right of center, way down on the 100 mile long White Rim Trail, ringing the “Island” Mesa.
NEXT: BULLFROG MARINA, GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA:
Under a million stars, it took five hours on virtually isolated roads to to reach our stay for the night. It was around 11:00 PM in Bullfrog, an outpost at this time of the year where the sky is virtully void of “light pollution.” This slightly wide angle picture was taken at an exposure to approximate the actual experience. It shows the winter Milky Way. Also the Andromeda Galaxy (M 31,) is visible just right and below center, some two million LY distant. Here, in this dark, moonless sky, naked eye oservers might be able to see another galaxy, elusive M33, which is also in this image, although very faint, just right of center, 1/10 up from bottom. A star cluster known as the “Double Cluster,” is to the left.
The last two days of our four day adventuere will be posted around 12/6/15
As ususal, thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcomed. M:-)
My previous post was a prelude to this short series highlighting our recent four day adventure to Utah. Along with my son, daughter and seven year old grandson, we would experience a memorable, whirlwind adventure.
Please click on any of the images for a closer look.…
My daughter, and grandson on the edge of the Great Salt Lake. She tasted and confirmed the water was indeed… SALTY. The 1700 sq. mile (4400 sq. km) lake is relatively shallow and fish-less. This lookout is from the marina just west of the city. (1:50 PM)Passing through Salt Lake City, the pretty Wasatch Mountains dominate the cloud laden South East. We were heading to Park City. (2:15 PM)Park City is a major winter skiing resort and summertime hiking hub. (3:10 PM)
The entire network of ski trails are now accessible right from downtown. This being the “shoulder” season between summer and winter, it’s open for hikers. The first snow of the season is visible on the grass. (3:17 PM)The Wastach Mountains, near Sundance, Utah (4:37 PM)A short distance up a winding alpine road, (Rt. 92,) is the trail head for 11,752 ft. (3580 m.) Mt Timpanogos, a spectacular but difficult 14 mile (22 km) RT climb which I had partially explored and nearly froze on, some years earlier. (5:09 PM)The Little Provo River winds through Robert Redford’s charming and impressive lodge in Sundance. It was a little after local sunset. (5:28 PM)Warming by the open fire-pit, we would shortly relax with dinner in the lodge and continue another 2 1/2 hours to Moab for the night.
Day two will follow shortly.
Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂
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