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: writing
Hiking in a Winter Wonderland
Can be dangerous if you're not prepared. On the Saturday of November, we headed up to Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon. This is a hike that I've done on many other occasions, and was to be the final hike of this year's Six Pack of Peaks Challenge. That said, I have never hiked it in… Continue reading Hiking in a Winter Wonderland
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
A Day in St. Robert, Missouri
The bluffs above Big Piney St. Robert is kind of in the middle of nowhere, Missouri. Located in Pulaski County between St. Louis and Branson, it is considered the gateway community to the U.S. Army's Fort Leonard Wood. Indeed, that was why we were there. We were celebrating Jacob's graduation from basic training, and with… Continue reading A Day in St. Robert, Missouri
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Snyder's Castle Whenever I think of the state of Missouri, my first thought is lush green forests with natural bridges, charming streams, and European castles. I mean, where else would you go to find castle ruins and carriage houses... Though I jest, it is indeed true that one can pay a visit to an old… Continue reading Ha Ha Tonka State Park
The Cranky Camper 