It Begins

On our vacation this year, Kim had this idea that we should visit as many National Parks and National Monuments as we can. I thought, that's not a bad idea, how many can there be?This shouldn't take to long a couple of years or so. That is, if you did it full time.  I had no idea. We might as well start in our own backyard. 6 AM Saturday, we are on the road heading west, then a little south. To Pipestone National Monument.  This is the link to the site.
http://www.nps.gov/pipe/

One down and more to come.

National Historic Site 82
National Monument 78
National Park 59
National Historical Park 47
National Memorial 40
National Recreation Area 20
National Preserve 18
National Cemetery 14
National Wild And Scenic River 13
National Battlefield 12
National Seashore 10
National Military Park 9
National Parkway 9
Park 6
National River 5
National Battlefield Park 4
National Lakeshore 4
National Scenic Trail 4
National Reserve 2
International Historic Site 1
National Battlefield Site 1

The Look of Fall

This, is why I get up early. Just me and a Duck or two.

Just passing through, is this Hermit Thrush that stop to take a bath in the stream.

Rodent Control

I now have an assistant, in helping me control the mice and other little rodents in the yard. This young Red Fox, showed up this weekend and was having a great time going through the leaves looking for it's next meal. We have had only a couple of Red Fox in the area, but most of the time, we see the Gray Foxes.

You can find more photo's from are trip at  http://picasaweb.google.com/ted.narveson

Let's Go!

10 days 2600 air miles 2000 road miles 20 foot miles 5 national parks 1 national monument and 5 states Oh and we had time to spend 2 days at the pool. So after the dust settled and we looked back at were we have been: Arches National park, Canyon Land National Park, Hovenweep National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Death Valley National Park. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. We bounced and vibrated are way down some great roads and we hiked down some dusty, sandy, rocky and salty trails. We found mountains that collapsed over time due to rain water, canyons carved out by the Colorado river. We made it to the lowest place -264 feet below sea level in Death Valley. Canyons that where so quite that It made your ears hurt due to the absents of any noise. Mineral deposits of every color of the rainbow. We visited ancient Indian ruins and homes that they built on the side of cliff and on top of rocks. When the jeep started to look like a rolling ball of dust, from are travels we knew it was time for Vegas. Oh the land of make believe. After going and going, it was time to shutdown for a few days by the pool with a cocktail and contemplate your bellybutton. It is always good to get away from home, to see what is out there and to see how others live and to appreciate the place you call home.  I will post more photos later.