travel – Looking In

The Grand Canyon : Rim-to-Rim and more!

Late August is not a highly recommended time for visiting the Grand Canyon, especially if you’re going to walk down to Phantom Ranch. But that’s when we had a cabin at Phantom Ranch, and we weren’t going to miss it! After all, I’d never been there before. And we’re from Texas, we can deal withContinue reading “The Grand Canyon : Rim-to-Rim and more!”

Saguaro, Saguaros, and More!

Saguaro National Park. Just saying it brings to mind that majestic cactus, standing tall and proud, branches reaching to the sky! And rightly so, everywhere you look, even places where you’d think nothing could grow, there they are. Such a ubiquitous symbol of the west, you see their profile everywhere, even here in Texas. Unfortunately,Continue reading “Saguaro, Saguaros, and More!”

The Great Smoky Mountains – And More

It’s January now (and we’re back from our January trip), so here’s the November trip! We drove out to Atlanta to see the folks, and we went on from there to some of the nearby parks. On the way to Georgia we stopped in Tuscaloosa so Leigh could show me around the places she usedContinue reading “The Great Smoky Mountains – And More”

Elsewhere in Utah

There are a lot of things to do in southern Utah outside the National Parks!

Zion National Park

Four days of hiking, climbing, and photographing in the stunning Zion National Park!

Bryce Canyon National Park

When we started planning this trip, we looked at the average conditions for Bryce Canyon in September. Average high around 70 (about 21 for you metric types) sounds great! Lows around 40-42? (yes, 5-ish in metric) Not a problem, layer up a little and take it off as the temperature climbs. Easy, yes? Then, asContinue reading “Bryce Canyon National Park”

Welcome to The Grand Canyon … of Texas

“…a burning, seething cauldron, filled with dramatic light and color.” -Georgia O’Keeffe. In our last days of freedom, before the Enclosed Times, we took a trip up to Palo Duro Canyon, up Amarillo way. Unfortunately, we came back… But it was a great trip while it lasted! I hadn’t been there for more than 30Continue reading “Welcome to The Grand Canyon … of Texas”

Pinnacles: California part 3

Part 3 of our adventure begins in a lovely Airbnb in Soledad, California. For part 1 go here, for part 2 go here. The location was great, just 15 minutes or so from the western entrance to Pinnacles National Park. Of course, our first day hiking in Pinnacles, we decided to go in the easternContinue reading “Pinnacles: California part 3”

Yosemite – California Part 2

Welcome back to California! For those who missed Part 1, it is here. We begin this part in Merced, California, where Leigh and I get to sleep in a bit because we’re close to the bus station and it doesn’t leave until 9. Unfortunately, I am a bit paranoid about missing planes and buses, especiallyContinue reading “Yosemite – California Part 2”

California, Part 1

Leigh was going out to San Jose for an event with the non-profit she chairs (connectionpractice.org), so we thought we’d take advantage of the opportunity. I would go out shooting (with the camera, people!) while she was working, then we’d go to a couple of National Parks. It was a great plan – and itContinue reading “California, Part 1”