4 January 2022 – clear roads beckoned us to head south into New Mexico.We explored Los Alamos with a nice take out spicy lunch. Then Bandelier National Monument where had our choice of any campsite.We hiked from campground at top of mesa to the Valley below to enjoy the remnants from the past.Gorgeous scenery along the way – keeping our eyes open for cliff dwellings.Ladders to reach those dwelling above us.A rock formation that looks carved but is natural.The second day we hiked further down the canyon to the waterfall where we enjoyed sunshine and solitude.
We kayaked Thanksgiving morning after putting the turkey in the oven. Jumped on the bikes a few more times as well, for a total of 2,700 miles and 168,000 feet of vertical climbing of riding in 2021.We enjoyed a few more evenings of happy hour on the balcony.There were amazing Nov/Dec sunsets even tho the temperatures cooled down very quickly.Several bucks spent the night in our back yard which was a huge surprise.The morning of December 10 we woke up to 14″ of snow and lake partially frozen.By late afternoon the lake was completely thawed and the wind sculpted the snow into drifts.That evening we watched the lake “smoke” and freeze instantly into this ice skate rink clear ice.The morning of the Dec 12th the lake was covered in popcorn type formations but really……they were hoary ice crystal castles like these on the shore.We love that the foxes come visit us when they can walk across the ice.They seems very curious and playful. Usually they move too fast to capture a photo.How wonderful this fox paused for a picture!This is how far south the sun sets at 4:51 MST December 20. Nine hour 20 minutes of sunshine here.Winter solstice sunrise (7:30 Dec 20) also far south for our wonderful south facing solar heat gain.All the ingredients to start the New Year off merrily.Four feet of snow by 12/30 caused some plow guy troubles.And a Happy New Year 2022 to all…
Cuyahoga Valley NP – in Ohio and a new National Park for us. Ledges Hike was beautiful. Earlier in the day we walked around Garfield National Historic Site and learned about the presidential campaign of 1880.Sittin’ on the dock of Nimisala Regional Park, OHIO. That evening it poured – an unbelievable amount of rain.We snagged second to last site at Blue Knob State Park in Pennsylvania. Best fall color. visited First Ladies NHS and Allegany/Pittsburg Portage Railroad NHS today.Friendship Hill NHS was Albert Gallatin’s estate. He was Secretary of Treasurer under Thomas Jefferson and Madison so he came up with funding for the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark Expedition, as well as the first National Highway. Unbelievably this day we also visited Johnstown Flood National Memorial (1889), Flight 93 National Memorial (9/11), and George Washington’s Ft Necessity National Battlefield (1754).Moundsville in West Virginia was closed but our first introduction to the Mound Builders.Newark Earthworks is a large park like area by Mound Builders. Museum closed but we walked the grounds.The Major Lunar Standstill is situated between the mounds every 18.6 years.Great Seal State Park in Ohio is located in the hills that are on the state seal. We camped here for a night. The Governor chose this park for a COVID memorial – very moving.Hopewell Culture NHP – so many mounds with interpretive signs to explain what was found in the different mounds.Artifacts found here at Hopewell Culture NHPSeip Mound area of Hopewell Culture NHP for an early morning walk/hike.Serpent Mound, National Historic Landmark, Ohio. Outstanding. Apparently the center of the serpent curves align with different solstices, lunar standstills etc. Fascinating artistic and engineering talent.Drove to Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP where the Wright Brothers actually made their first plane. Also visited Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers NM in Dayton area which was an interesting history of a great African American solder that was in charged of overseeing the early Yosemite National Park.Fort Lincoln State Park in Indiana. We are here to see the cabin Abe Lincoln grew up in but it isn’t this one. Today we visited Ft Ancient Mounds and William Howard Taft NHS, and had the best Little Caesars Pizza ever — near Grantsville, Maryland just off I-68.This is a replica built of the cabin which made it easy to picture Abe reading by the fireplace light. This is in Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.This is the actual preserved foundations of the cabin Abe grew up in, not far from the reproduction.The much older brother of William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame, George Rodgers Clark NHM commemorates the highest ranking patriot of the American Revolutionary WarMighty Mississippi River from the Illinois side looking over to Missouri. The British Fort of Kaskaskia was here, with Cohokia Ft not too far away (we visited Cohokia for the Mound builders). We also visited nearby Ste Genevieve NHP in Missouri, One of the oldest European settlements in the US with a strong French presence.George Washington Carver National Monument. Wonderful to see a NM about the incredible life of someone recognized during their lifetime for their achievements. A beautiful place to visit, take a nature walk, and contemplate. Before we headed home we also visited 2 Civil War National Battlefields: Wilson Creek in Missouri and Pea Ridge in Arkansas as well as Ft Scott NHS in Kansas.nps_map_visited_sitesCresting Colorado’s Wolf Creek Pass with some of the best fall color welcomes us home.We enjoy some of the best sunsets while we recuperate from our 6,030 miles of driving the last 2 months.
Lake Erie: our fourth Great Lake. We stayed at Ohio’s East Harbor State park – very pleasant.My Dad’s parents met in 1932 in Put-In-Bay. Looking forward to seeing the island community.A short 20 minute ferry ride. We are choosing to walk the 2.5 miles into town.We first visited the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, built to commemorate the Centennial of a battle of war of 1812. Beautiful and in a wonderful setting. Visitor center was closed but serendipity as rangers were there and let us have a private viewing of the movie.View as we relaxed on the bench enjoying the sunshine. “Don’t Give Up the ship!”We talked to the manager of this hotel as it is the oldest still operating. Many other buildings and parks were around in the 1930s. He said they were not the first couple to meet on the island and get married and not the last.1939 as they start a family. Grandad was a cook on great lake freighters before Put-in-Bay and afterwards, he owned a Dinette in Jackson, MI. Grandma was a farm girl that became a lifelong waitress – and a great baker as well.
Hiked in to see this beautiful waterfall at Pictured Rocks NLS.
More water falls to enjoy.
Long sand beaches for our morning walks. Spectacular to be here.
We walked about 2 miles along the shoreline to reach Au Sable Light Station.
Time for a bit of maintenance – replacing the headlight bulb — took watching YouTube video on phone, buying bulb, and lots of patience using improvised tools.
Whitefish Point Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior, protecting part of this notorious 80-mile stretch.
The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 with her entire crew of 29 lies just 15 miles northwest of Whitefish Point.
The many moods of Lake Superior have caught many ships unaware.
We hung out for the day and spent the night at this boat launch as all nearby campgrounds were full on a Saturday night.
Water in this bay was warm and calm enough for a swim.
Sault Ste Marie Soo Locks had an outdoor viewing platform to watch the freighters rise or fall to the proper level of lake Superior or Lake Huron.
Freighter coming out of Soo locks at a nearby park where we had a picnic lunch.
Front row seat to continue watching the freighters during Wine o’clock and dinner at Bay Mills CG.
The Mackinaw Bridge! 3,000 miles in 3 weeks since we have left home. Ready to visit Mom!
So many beautiful alpine lakes in this one area of the Snowy Mountain Range.
The lakes appear to change color during the day as they reflect the mood of the sky.
As we hike by, there are numerous reflection of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
On top of the world: the first day hike is to summit Medicine Bow Peak.
We were here 7 years ago and took a picture at this spot at start of hike to Lost Lake. https://tealsky.com/2014/09/08/medicine-bow-national-forest-in-wyoming/
Our bit of Paradise for 5 nights! Sugarloaf campground has 16 sites and one can start many great hikes – starting elevation 10,700.
Easy stroll to Libby Lake to watch the changing shadows on Sugarloaf.
Another beautiful September day for a hike to Lake Maria. A great way to celebrate Labor Day.
