Below are four approaches to exploring a National Park with limited time. (This holds true for cities or countries or museums, and so on, but let's just discuss parks.) See nothing: Take a picture with the park sign. Get a National Park passport stamped at the Visitor Center. Get back on the bus. (These types … Continue reading Badlands National Park: Unexplored Trails
National Parks
Grand Prismatic Spring: Inspiring
A few years back, as I found myself buying orange everything (furniture, clothes, dishes, to name a few), I explained my new obsession to a friend, something like this: ME: My favorite color used to be blue, but lately one definition of blue brings me down: sadness. My new favorite is orange. FRIEND: What does … Continue reading Grand Prismatic Spring: Inspiring
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Maybe Campfire Tales content has been a little... arid lately. Sweet relief is on the way!
Book Review: Lassoing the Sun
This is just my national parks story. There are, of course, millions like it. Stories about people lost, places that remain, and how the two are intertwined. ~ Mark Woods, Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America's National Parks The intent behind Lassoing the Sun — telling our stories in, of and through National Parks … Continue reading Book Review: Lassoing the Sun
Hit the Road Jack & Jill!
A Campfire Tales tradition is to provide an interesting link to start the new year. Whoopsie! Since it's the third month of 2021, here are three links to websites we like: Outdoorsy — Website to help find the right RV, van, whatever, for your next camping and/or National Park road trip. Kibbo — Website that … Continue reading Hit the Road Jack & Jill!
Perfection’s Rough Draft
One of my few accomplishments during the quarantining last year (besides an epic four part poem about dust, and five poems about national park grief) involved creating a Halloween costume, buying all the parts, fitting it into a perfect storage container, and even labelling it. Then I put it in my closet, the quarantine never … Continue reading Perfection’s Rough Draft
Down in D. Valley
"Thank you for visiting your national park..." (sigh) I'd give you the sales pitch, but honestly, why try? Either, One. My name's embossed on your bucket list, Or, Two. "Over my dead body!" Thus, I'm dismissed. Make no mistake, I love my survivalist crowd. They arrive flushed and nervous; depart tanned and proud. Still, I … Continue reading Down in D. Valley
Would NOT Cut
woodcut noun 1: a relief printing surface consisting of a wooden block with a usually pictorial design cut with the grain 2: a print from a woodcut ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary Thought you might like this, a picture of cut wood (itself cutting through the woods) that looks like a woodcut. How meta! (Second photo is … Continue reading Would NOT Cut
Crater, Crater, Now or Later?
“Thank you for visiting your national park.” We’re open! (Except for boat tours on the lake. No Visitor Centers. Plus, we hid the shark.) Oops, did it sound like “full access?” My mistake… “Phased Reopening,” means: No Pinnacles Road Or East Rim Drive. Only guests eat at the Lodge. No Ranger Programs. Some hiking trails … Continue reading Crater, Crater, Now or Later?
Lassen Be Sassin’
"Thank you for visiting your national park!” Although we’re closed, please drop by and do your part (Wave from the gate). “Half the park is after dark.” Boo! Not as of late... These days, half’s a good start. Fine. "Stay safe." Stay home. Binge repeats of Bob Ross. “Happy little trees.” Please. You want happy? … Continue reading Lassen Be Sassin’
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