Every good trip benefits from at least one surprise. If everything goes exactly as planned, then there is one thing you forgot to plan on: the unexpected. Little Bighorn Battlefield definitely wasn't on the agenda. Given limited time and long drives back and forth between Rapid City and Yellowstone National Park, the plan included one … Continue reading Little Bighorn Battlefield: First Class
Pictograph Cave State Park: Upside-Down World
In the cinematic masterpiece You've Got Mail, the character played by Tom Hanks explains the appeal of The Godfather. A sample: The Godfather answers all of life's questions. What to pack for a trip? "Leave the gun, take the cannolis." ~ character of Joe Fox, You've Got Mail, screenplay by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron … Continue reading Pictograph Cave State Park: Upside-Down World
Badlands National Park: Unexplored Trails
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
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
Valley of Fire: Mouse’s Tank Trail
There are already so many sites and breakdowns about Mouse's Tank trail. What can I add? Is it really a 30 minute hike? Yes. Don't take pictures. Don't explore off the trail. Don't admire the many petroglyphs. You can be back in the car in 30 minutes! Is it worth it? No. You might get … Continue reading Valley of Fire: Mouse’s Tank Trail
Year O: University of Fun
Either you love lists, or you don't. If you don't, would you mind giving me a few quick reasons why not? Please number them, and put the most important reasons first. Just teasin'! One of my favorite lists — after the types of pie for sale (you say menu, I say me'n'you should grab a … Continue reading Year O: University of Fun
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Campsite Bandit
Many years ago, I crawled out of my tent to the sounds of chirping birds, glanced around the campsite, and discovered a raccoon had visited in the night. Among much evidence of the culprit's identity, the most telling piece proved to be the adorable paw print left on top of a soft cooler. I remembered … Continue reading Campsite Bandit
False Starts, Sad End
I started a poem about Alcatraz And then... "What rhymes with Alcatraz? Sassafras? Razzmatazz? All that jazz?" I started a poem about pineapple And, while that's easier to rhyme, I grapple Instead with meaning, and another surprise: Too many eyes. "Write us a poem! Please?" I hear your pleas. So we're back to our old … Continue reading False Starts, Sad End
The Holiday Tree: Happy Easter!
There would be no Easter if there was no Christmas. ~ Gordon B. Hinkley When the time came this year to take down my Christmas trees (yes, "Christmas" is the correct term for why I had them up, and yes, there were two of them, small ones that don't overwhelm my living space, and yes, … Continue reading The Holiday Tree: Happy Easter!
