Earlier this year, I purchased an “America the Beautiful” pass from the National Park Service, determined to make the most of the NPS Centennial.

In March, a tardy visit to Death Valley still caught the tail end of the 2016 “Super Bloom.” (The very, very tail end.)

Keeping with the “late to the party” theme, a last-minute reservation at the newly renamed “Half Dome Village” (always to remain “Curry Village” in my heart) provided a base for an August weekend of hiking and stargazing. Poor Yosemite Falls, dry for the season. So thirsty!

September brought a week of camping divided between Crater Lake and Eagle Lake (NE California, tucked in the fringe of Lassen National Forest). Not so late the snow had arrived – but it was on the way.

What’s up next? Hopefully a trip to Joshua Tree before the pass expires. (Hmm, place your bets. Will I make it in time?)

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.