California-Oregon National Parks Trip: Afterthoughts
I could think of no better way to feature the scope of my trip to the California and Oregon national parks than to use the GPS map generated by Piwigo of the photos I uploaded to the app. All of those photos are accessible at https://singin1.click/piwigo/index.php?/category/10. I try to learn from each trip, the things that go really well–sometimes despite me, I admit–and the things that don’t go well. Some of this is to set into writing for my own recollection, and some is for those of you who share in my adventures. Let’s get the not-so-good stuff done first. On One Hand,… I had purchased the Amtrak USA Rail Pass, honestly, to save money using a mode of transportation I usually enjoy using. I used my pass for the Washington to Chicago and the entire Portland to Washington trips (see the blue-marked routes on the map to the right).…
California-Oregon NPs-Pinnacles, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake-0426-2726
I had a lot of factors to consider when I planned this trip. One of them was timing. I expected to be covering a wide area, with a climate ranging from southern California’s Pacific coast and the deserts of Joshua Tree and Death Valley to the potentially still snow-bound mountainous northern California and southern Oregon parks, that is, if I wanted to avoid the expected summer crowds. I had gotten as good as I could reasonably expect by coming in mid- to late-April and had high hopes that the warm weather would continue with Pinnacles, but I would soon hit the cooler end of the situation with Lassen Volcanic and Crater Lake national parks. Each park had a high likelihood that at least one section would be closed due to snow. Plus, as part of my need to pack lightly for the trip, I was traveling with only a jean…
California-Oregon NPs-Return to Yosemite-0425-2626
When I visited Yosemite National Park for the first time in 2014, I was on day 14 of what had then been my longest driving tour, from Iowa to Fargo to Seattle to San Francisco back to Iowa. One of my favorite pictures was taken during that trip while I stood as close as I am ever likely to come to Half Dome. I arrived in the park around 8 a.m. Even though the date was April 25th, I was surprised that the line to enter the park wasn’t longer than it was. I had a reservation to take a scenic train tour on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad that afternoon. This gave me about three hours to drive into the park and drive back to the railroad station. This time, I opted to start with the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Most visitors had to park their cars…
California-Oregon NPs-Sequoia and Kings Canyon-042426
Several times I have mentioned the absence of my usual backups for GPS and other information available via Wi-Fi access and my concern that I would experience consequences in time. This day was that time. Sequoia National Park The pattern already established during this trip of getting a fairly early start continued, completing the more than six-hour drive from Death Valley NP to Sequoia National Park‘s entrance. The Shaka Guide audio agreed with my assessment that the park entrance sign reflected a negative image of what I’m hoping is a bygone day. The transition from the desert topography of Death Valley to the lush, mountainous greenery of Sequoia was striking. I made my usual stop at the visitor center and made sure I was fully tanked up and had plenty of food and water. Initially, I didn’t see any of the giant trees I expected, but the audio guide explained…
Countdown for California & Oregon, Plus Two DC Productions
The Final Frontier There are a lot of not-so-good things going on as I write this, but one of the few exceptions is the launch of NASA’s Artemis II. As of Day 7 of its mission, it had taken its four crew members around Earth’s moon to a point further than humans have traveled to date. They have generated lots of pictures, but my favorite is this one. As one poster commented, I’m pictured there on Earth, you just can’t see me. Trip Prep My preparations for the train trip and extended drive to California and Oregon are progressing. As much as I am aware that I can’t take a lot of stuff, even if I expect the trip to take a couple of weeks to complete, I know I will have to do at least one weeding before departure time arrives. One significant change in plans. My eldest sister…