Yosemite National Park is an inspiring place no matter the season, but there is something magical about the park in winter, with its sparkling snow-covered meadows against a backdrop of grey monoliths and towering evergreens. The girls and I had another opportunity to visit our perennial happy place with Owen this past weekend as we… Continue reading Happy Isles and a Happy Dog in the Season of the Sticks
Category: national parks
Gateway Arch National Park
Our last day in Missouri on this particular trip, we had a bit of time to kill before heading back to the St. Louis Lambert Airport. As it was only about 15 minutes from the rental car company, we made a stop at the Gateway Arch for my seventh visit to a national park this… Continue reading Gateway Arch National Park
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
A fish swam into a concrete wall. Oh dam. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is located in the northwestern corner of Yosemite National Park and supplies drinking water to residents of the San Francisco Bay area. The reservoir is contained by the massive 430-foot O'Shaughnessy Dam, which was built in the 1920s along the main stem of… Continue reading Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Great California Road Trips: Mono County
Also known as Great California Road Trips: U.S. 395, Part 3 The trail to Hilltop Hot Springs It is no secret how much I love traversing California, especially on U.S. Route 395. This past week's adventures were pretty well tied to this north-south route, as many of our summer adventures tend to be. As it… Continue reading Great California Road Trips: Mono County
Fun in Flagstaff, Arizona
After camping for three days in Moab, Utah, visiting three of Utah's big five national parks, we broke camp and loaded up the minivan. Following a stop to fill up on fuel and a last visit to my new favorite coffee shop, Moab Roasters, we hit the road to start the trek home through Flagstaff.… Continue reading Fun in Flagstaff, Arizona
The Cranky Camper 