In my effort to visit the four major (World Heritage) Buddhist grottoes in China, our first adventure in the Chongqing vicinity, on Christmas Day, was a day trip to Dazu Grottoes in the western part of the municipality. Several sites … Continued
I exited Interstate-25 heading southeast through New Mexico toward Texas when I saw a sign for Capulin Volcano National Monument. My interest was piqued as I find volcanoes interesting and I love visiting National Park Service properties. I didn’t know … Continued
Just up the highway from Pikes Peak is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, a treasure trove of Eocene fossils. The most spectacular fossils for visitors to experience are the massive petrified redwood tree stumps found near the heart of the park … Continued
Spectacular views, alien tundra landscapes, a plethora of wildlife and the rocky mountain high are what make Rocky Mountain National Park worthy of such status. One hundred years ago, a group of locals from neighboring Estes Park, Colorado, gathered on … Continued
Spread across the border of Utah and Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument preserves both a treasure trove of fossils including dinosaur bones you can touch and scenic canyons carved by the Green and Yampa Rivers. Unless you plan to ride the … Continued
High red rock cliffs, deep narrow gorges, carved natural bridges and arches all linked by a verdant fruitful valley. Each of Utah’s other four national parks share a couple of these features, but Capitol Reef National Park has a little … Continued
There is a relatively small number of living things in this world that have watched as civilizations have grown, prospered and fallen around them, and they all seem to be trees. A collection of these ancient organisms known as bristlecone … Continued
Absalom Lehman, rancher on the Snake Range in Nevada, was enjoying a sandwich one warm afternoon when a pack rat made off with it. The sandwich was too good to let the varmint make off with it, so Absalom hopped … Continued
Hailed as the greatest engineering feat of the 19th century and a bandage on a broken nation, the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, is one of the more important events in U.S. history. The story of … Continued
A list recently came out of 10 life-changing trails in Utah. As I read through the list I was happy to have some of them already checked off including Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Delicate Arch at Arches National … Continued