A friend of mine tried to see the Grand Canyon several times, only to be foiled by poor visibility (I think it was fog, most times). She liked to say the Grand Canyon didn't exist, which always reminded me of that Jamie O'Neal song, "There Is No Arizona." There is no Arizona No painted desert, … Continue reading Take Your Pic
Author: Camp Host Chad
Trail Wisdom: Cane vs Able
I survived a stroke almost nine years ago. After weeks laid up in an ICU in Albuquerque ("Stroke City") New Mexico, I transferred to a specialized ward at a hospital in California, where I spent several more weeks recovering before heading home. The transition from NM to CA required I be able to climb in and out of a wheelchair on … Continue reading Trail Wisdom: Cane vs Able
Zion Vacation Homestead
Want a place to take the family over the holidays? Planning a reunion with your college friends? Need a quick weekend getaway for a little rest and relaxation? How about this cozy little shack*? Nestled deep in the heart of Zion National Park, the Gus Larson cabin is the perfect solution to all your vacation needs. Only a … Continue reading Zion Vacation Homestead
Camptivities: Pumpkin Carving
We've all been there: You've taken your kids camping, and already hiked every kid-friendly trail... twice. You floated down the shallow portion of the river with your small nieces and nephews umpteen times. Your godchildren have realized that not everything presented as a game is actually fun, e.g. "Let's have a contest to see who can collect the most trash!" The kids … Continue reading Camptivities: Pumpkin Carving
Seeking Trail Wisdom
Bryce Canyon National Park. Queens Garden Trail. Gorgeous, no? We chose this hike because it divided into two parts: the shorter, more manageable Queens Garden trail for myself, and the extended Navajo Loop for my friend Royce. After a (mostly) pleasant hike downhill, we parted ways. I hiked a couple of minutes further, and then saw this: … Continue reading Seeking Trail Wisdom
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Draco
The first star made me feel less afraid. It came out low in the sky and it was in front of me, toward the east. Other stars began to appear all around, but it was this one I kept my gaze upon. It was in the figure that we call a serpent, a star which … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Draco
Sisters Are Doin’ It (For Each Other)
Isabella Lucy Bird (married Bishop) - a nineteenth century writer, humanitarian, and famed Victorian traveler, who became the first woman elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society (among other major accomplishments) - was born October 15, 1831. Happy Birthday, ILB! During her travels, Isabella wrote letters she would later compile, edit and publish into books (still in print … Continue reading Sisters Are Doin’ It (For Each Other)
Camping Metrics: Modern Camping Movies
If musical films send us out of the theaters wanting to sing and dance, and romantic comedies inspire us to take vacations to gorgeous places where we can fall in love, then camping movies should make us want to camp, right? Putting aside (for now) Teen Summer Camp movies (like Meatballs or Little Darlings), Survival movies … Continue reading Camping Metrics: Modern Camping Movies
The ZBGC Triangle
The original plan for traveling to Utah included a trip to see all five National Parks in the state. That plan required revision upon discovering that visiting all five meant spending more time in the car than in the parks. The new plan became: camp at Zion for a week, taking separate day trips to Bryce and the north rim … Continue reading The ZBGC Triangle
The Grasshopper Complex: Part III
Every night last week, the wind sighing from out of Zion N.P. canyons rustled through the ginkgo biloba tree beside my tent in Watchman Campground. The soothing sound of fluttering leaves reminded me of water gently washing over river rocks and sand in a gold pan. Oh, the delightful natural music of Fall! Then on the last day of my trip, … Continue reading The Grasshopper Complex: Part III
Campfire Tales 