Category: National Parks

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Historic Sights In Illinois

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In Moline, Rock Island Army Base had an interesting Arsenal Museum and Corp of Engineers Waterway museum at the Mississippi Lock. We were lucky to see this 2-part barge and tugboat going through.

The historic bridge pivots to let the tugboat through after the two barges reconnect. We were thrilled with our timing to see this during the hour we were there.

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Further down the road we stopped at Hennepin Canal State Park to see the locks on this historic canal.
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The bridge had a 4-ton limit so we were good for crossing!
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We parked overnight along the canal with this picturesque view.
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Pullman NHS near Chicago is a new addition to the Park System but the community has been working on conserving it for many years. This factory will be the future visitor center.
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It was a factory town but constructed to entice people to be a part of the community.
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A variety of housing styles.
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They used different bricks on each home to provide individualism.
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There is awesome community spirit. Most of the homes have been restored by their owners.
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Indiana Dunes national Seashore provides a view of the distant Chicago skyline.
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The bog area adjacent to the Dunes has been preserved as well.
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St Joesph Harbor Lighthouse was our chosen spot for our evening stop.
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Travato is Welcomed to Colorful Colorado

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Early morning departure from Santa Fe after a great dinner party at our friends.
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We nabbed two good campsites – one for their airstream and another from Travato.
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Ready to walk to Medano Creek and the dunes.
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The afternoon thunderstorm is building but we are enjoying the river and surges while we can.
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Interesting wind patterns.
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Another day of lounging on the beach.
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Hiked overlook trail near sunset for this view.
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Hiked Mosca Pass and enjoyed a picnic lunch here.
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An early morning start to hike the dunes. The water was incredibly cold!
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Very fun shadows on the dunes. Only an hour to hike to the high dune.

 

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Sunset on our third night.

 

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A Travato 59K is waiting for us in Texas

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June 1 we flew to San Antonio, Texas. We were chauffeured by Rick, cousin of Barry Gorden (Motown Music Founder), to KerRVille where our van was waiting. We learned so much about how to operate it from Keith, for which we are very grateful. We also appreciate the small town service of Otis, Todd, Shannon and Keri. Thank you so much!
We bought a Winnebago Travato 59K which is a converted RAM 3500 high top extended cargo van. This is the layout of the 21′ length – everything we need!
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We did not linger in Kerrville because of the intense rains forecast. We drove to Fredericksburg in the rain and spent the night there. We had a pleasant evening but it did rain all night – so we know our van is waterproof!
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Our first National Park with the Travato is LBJ childhood home. The Texas White house is closed due to flooding but we enjoyed our time here very much. Good movies on both LBJ and Lady Bird – seemed like a good start as they did much to preserve some of the beauty of our country.
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We took a ranger led tour and sat on the front porch.

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We left early and drove to Ft Stockton to skirt all of the storms. We were successful!
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Our first purchase was this fresh water hose. Newbies trying to figure this out. We love that the Travato is fully self contained and that the solar panels recharge the “house” battery.
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The little kitchenette, 2 coach seats swivel with airline type trays, overhead cabinets have lots of storage, 2 twin beds that can push together and also tilt for reading/TV viewing. Sliding screen door and lots of windows – good cross breezes.
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After a visit to Ft Davis Historic Site, and the local library, we headed up into the hills and found this The Nature Conservancy Trail and picnic area.
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Seemed like a good spot for wine o’clock and then to spend the night.
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Guadalupe National Park with Chollas blooming.
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Our camp site for 2 nights. Interior of van is 6′-3″ so Henry does not hit his head.
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An automatic awning over the picnic table. Wine O’clock in style!
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We got up early and hiked Guadalupe Peak. A 3,000′ elevation gain!
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This formation of El Capitan from the top reminded us of Michigan lower peninsula.
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What lies ahead? We wander into New Mexico.
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The Mexican Trestle Bridge hike in Cloudcroft where we spent a night.
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We went to the space museum in Alamogordo. This was the moon model behind Walter Cronkite when he gave all those updates on the astronauts. Pretty interesting that it is preserved here.
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Capitan is home of Smokey the Bear and they have a museum to him.

 

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Fraser – Rocky Mountain National Park

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From our friend’s condo, we hiked from the Red Gate down to Hideaway Park in Winter park to ride the bus back home. Still snow on the ski runs as you can see.
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We hiked along a creek, stopping for lunch to enjoy this view.
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Shadow Mountain Lookout Tower in RMNP was a beautiful destination. Notice the chipmunk in the foreground.
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This is classic CCC architecture.
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St Thomas Virgin Islands

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We rented a 2 bed, 2 bath condo on Bolongo Bay – this is view from the balcony. Very nice! Thank you to the owner Sue for being on VRBO and sharing with us.
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Got in some pool time. It was a nice each to walk around with a restaurant and ar – you really did not have to leave this little bit of paradise.
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Relaxing before the big event…
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And here we are dressed and ready for the party at the Ritz.
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A very handsome couple
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Here comes the bride: father and daughter
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Under the gazebo on the bay –
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You may kiss the bride. Yeah!
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Our niece is married!
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The best men…with the cake!

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Happy Mother’s Day with a rum punch to send the newlyweds on their way!
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A day trip to Virgin Island National Park on St John – gorgeous day!
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So glad this island was preserved from development!
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This was very pleasant way to end the day.

 

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Wupatki and Sunset Crater NM, near Flagstaff, AZ

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The Raven and Wupatki Pueblo
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Box Canyon Pueblo in early morning light — Wupatki NM.
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Box Canyon Pueblo was fun to explore — amazing architecture!
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Lamar Pueblo was just down the road in Wupatki NM
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Detail of Lamar Pueblo. Imagine living here!
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Is that incredible!!! So much more picturesque with the snow on that black volcanic rock!
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Standing in front of the lava field with a very interesting old tree.
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Beautiful.
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Around Sedona, AZ

 

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Montezuma Castle NM
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Hey – my man Teddy was hanging out at the Montezuma Castle visitor center. We had a chat…
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Tuzigoot NM
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Incredible panorama near Sedona with a dusting of snow to highlight the red rocks.

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