Month: October 2009

Walking on the Moon

Eerie and desolate. That’s how I’d describe the lava fields of Craters of the Moon Monument. Little lives in the lava, its treacherous to traverse, and it goes on for tens of miles. Such a strange place! Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Upon leaving Portland my goal was to get home swiftly which meant lots of mileage and few stops each day. I pretty much flew nonstop from Portland past Boise and settled for the night in Twin Falls. The problem was that there were many temptations locally and I had only planned on a couple of them. Seems it was going to be another loooong but enjoyable day.

The Snake River cuts a canyon through southern Idaho as it winds its way to join the Columbia River. Great vistas, water falls, and impressive bridges abound in here where Evil Knievel made his failed attempt to jump the gorge. Here’s a nice sample of what can be seen right around Twin Falls:

Twin Falls Snake River Twin Falls Shoshone Falls

Twin Falls Perine Bridge

Bridge Canyon Falls Family River Road Travel

Columbia River Gorge

At the end of the last ice age, water from Glacial Lake Missoula found it’s way to the sea by bursting through the Cascade mountain range at the point we now know as the Columbia River Gorge. Who knew?!

Again, I learn through my travels and I found this insight fascinating. No wonder rivers plunge hundreds of feet forming world-famous waterfalls. No wonder the gorge walls can climb as high as 4,000 feet straight up. No wonder this river-to-the-sea is so mighty. It’s all due to the residual impact of floods from a melting glacial lake over 12,000 years ago!

Just look at the majesty of the eastern entrance to the gorge … glorious.

Columbia River Gorge

Before the melting flood broke through, this canyon didn’t exist.

Family

Family Around Portland

Familly Around Portland — The world’s cutest kid is my nephew, Paul. However, note that I’m not wearing glasses. The reason is self preservation as one of Paul’s favorite pranks is to snatch specs off your nose. Not mine!

This trip worked in visits with family in Silverton, Washougal, Vancouver, and several folk in Hillsboro. One of my favorite visits was with my brother who is moving from Texas to Oregon and getting back to his roots. It was a gratifying few days…a part of my heart will always be in the Pacific Northwest.

Family Around Portland — Geoff (my brother), Paul (his son), and Trudy (my mother)

Animal Cave Desert Lake Road Travel

Crater Lake with Birds and Caves

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 16, 2009
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Crater Lake takes my breath away. I’ve been to many places and this one is in the top tier of picturesque settings if it’s not closed due to weather. I’ve been up the mountain four times: twice I got to the lodge only, twice I’ve made it along the west rim, never have I driven the full perimeter. Even in the worst of situations I’ve seen been stunned but what I’ve seen. Enjoy these pictures!

Lake Mountain Road Travel

Idyllic Lassen

The tire repair and oil change had set me back so arrival at Lassen Volcanic National Park loomed late in the day. Furthermore, the primary and more dramatic park entrance had closed the night before due to heavy snow fall. Luckily I was able to get to the north entrance before closing … but only just before closing.

Lassen Volcanic Things had been slow; bad weather had kept visitors away. On my arrival, the wonderful Park Service staff practically reopened the Visitor Center for me. They turned on the video system to show me the Lassen Park overview film. They walked me personally through their displays and picture gallery. They reopened the register to sell me a DVD. It may just have been that they were hungry to see a guest but they were very helpful to me. In just 30 minutes I had learned a great deal about Lassen NP!

Within the Visitors Center, the most interesting gallery contained the work of a photographer named B.F. Loomis who documented the last eruption cycle of these volcanoes back in 1914 and 1915. On display were many of his pictures, the equipment he used, and many artifacts from the period. His work was an important contributor to the successful campaign to make Lassen a National Park. As a photographer I especially enjoyed his pictures; the one above is his second plate from the first eruption.

Canyon Falls Mountain Road Travel

Yosemite Rain, Rocks, and a Flat

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 14, 2009
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Yosemite shouldn’t be remembered for floods, landslides, and car troubles but all these conspired to make my visit memorable. While at Kings Canyon I was aware that bad weather was coming but I still harbored hopes of hiking to the top of Half Dome and taking wonderful pictures. By the time I awoke the storm was in full force and by the time I left I was driving a hobbled car.

Canyon Mountain Road Travel

Kings Canyon and Amazing Sequoias

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 13, 2009
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The season’s first snow storm was moving in so the weather wasn’t the best but it was good enough for a glimpse at why these parks are special. The parks were Sequoia NP and Kings Canyon NP, they’re sort of commingled with shared borders, they’re just south of Yosemite and relatively unknown.

Kings Canyon General Grant

The General Grant Tree was proclaimed the Nation’s Christmas Tree in 1926. It’s the world’s third largest tree, has a 40 foot diameter, and is 1,700 years old. That makes it relatively young compared to many others. Wow! These trees are amazing! The grove where this great Sequoia stands is in King’s Canyon National Park. See what I mean when I say the parks are commingled?

Hike Mountain Ocean Travel

JazzTrax in Paradise

I have a great time each year as do hundreds of others. JazzTrax is wall-to-wall live jazz starting on Thursday evening and continuing through Sunday night. This year I saw old favorites and was introduced to new artists. My uncle has been responsible for helping many an artist “break out” of the pack and ignite their career. The fact that this all happens on a lovely island just an hour from Los Angeles only adds to the charm. Very nice. Highly recommended!

Desert Hike Mountain Ocean Travel

Hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 11, 2009
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No, I did not hike the full length of trail which begins in the far north of Catalina at Starlight Beach and finishes in the far south at Pebbly Beach. I did what was a reasonable one-day outing, a total distance was around 12 miles.

Trans-Catalina Trail

Crazy as it sounds I hiked from Point B to Point A.

Mountain Ocean Road Travel

Descending in to Los Angeles

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 9, 2009
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Descending into LA — The Catalina Express ferry is an hour long shuttle between Long Beach and Catalina Island where the JazzTrax festival is held in Avalon’s glorious Casino. No, there is no gambling there, ever.

To avoid the burden and cost of staying in Los Angeles I spent my last west-bound night in Victorville, a city on the north side of town beyond the San Bernardino mountains. It’s another world up there but it’s a town I know rather well from having visited it many times. It lies on Route 66 which is one of my favorite road trips so I’ve been there several times.

My primary goal was simply to not miss my 2:00 ferry. On the way I planned on visiting my uncle’s cabin in Big Bear Lake and take in a scenic drive or two if time allowed. Wow! Was I pleasantly surprised!