We finally got to Delaware on our RV journey. We have been all around the state in the RV the last few years but never landed there. We stayed at the Delaware Seashore State Park, which is right on the water. View from Delaware Seashore State ParkView from Delaware Seashore State Park We went for a bike ride at Cape Henlopen State Park. Cape Henlopen State ParkCape Henlopen State ParkCape Henlopen State ParkCape Henlopen State ParkCape Henlopen State Park ..read more

We were surprised to learn that you can jet ski in New York Harbor. We found it a fun way to see the beautiful landmarks without fighting traffic. Freedom Tower We had a beautiful day with highs in the low 70’s. We wore full dry suites over our clothes to stay warm while traveling at speeds up to 50 mph. Freedom Tower Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges Statue of Liberty Statue of Liberty ..read more

Here we are, on the road again…We went through Page, Arizona a few years ago to get to the Grand Canyon. It was so beautiful that we stopped briefly to take pictures of Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam. We told ourselves that we would be back and spend some time exploring the area. You can see that post here. We finally made it back. Below is a partial view of Lake Powell from our campsite. Lake Powell We rented a pontoon boat for the day and explored the lake. It is huge with a lot of nooks and crannies. Lake Powell Lake Powell Lake Powell Last years drought really had an impact on water l ..read more

Besides running a half-marathon, the other goal for my birthday this year was to see the Wave in Arizona.  The Wave was made popular when Microsoft included an image of it in their desktop wallpaper options in 2009, after which hikers, photographers, and the curious have been going en masse to see this wonderful formation. Getting to the Wave The suggested route to The Wave is a strenuous 6.4-mile round-trip hike in a wilderness area with very few markers.  I read that 25% of the people get lost and never see it.  Since there are so many visitors, you must have a permit to see t ..read more

Bristlecone Pines Great Basin Bristlecone pines are remarkable for being the oldest non-clonal species on the planet. This strange tree, shaped by the wind, snow, and rain has survived over thousands of years.  The conditions in which they live are harsh (with temperatures that drop well below freezing), a short growing season, and high winds that twist the trees into almost human-like forms along their limestone ridges. Because of these conditions they grow very slowly, and in some years do not even add a ring of growth. This slow growth makes the wood very dense which provides resistan ..read more

Just arrived outside of San Antonio, TX where we plan to stay for the next four months. But there are still plenty of blog posts from our travels this summer. Below is our post from Butte, Montana where we stayed for a week at the end of August. For a town of 35,000 people, there is unexpectedly lots to see in Butte, Montana Isn’t this lake lovely? Clear water with colorful cliffs behind it, make it a picturesque scene where you might want to swim or fish. Not so fast. This is The Berkeley Pit a former open pit copper mine with water that is heavily acidic, about the acidity of Coca-Cola, l ..read more

We spent most of August exploring Glacier National Park in Montana, two weeks on the east side and two weeks on the west side. The wildfires that burned this summer really impacted our trip. The air quality some days was terrible and visibility was limited during most of our stay. Going-to the-Sun Road Scenic Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main thoroughfare in the park. It’s a long winding road with stunning sites. Wild Goose Island Logan Pass Jackson Glacier Hikes Glacier is a hiker’s paradise. We did as many as we could that didn’t require camping overnight. Trail of the Cedars Avalanch ..read more

For my 50th birthday, I wanted to do something epic – something truly memorable. I decided to run a marathon (26.2 miles). I started training about a year ago. At first it was difficult. As a rule I don’t run unless being chased by something scary. Eventually, running got easier and then a crazy thing happened; it got difficult again. Soreness. Injuries. Burn Out. I spent so much time running and thinking about running, that I was no longer enjoying the journey to my goal. Also, intense training interfered with seeing the country and building memories of great times. We both agreed (Scott join ..read more

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought along the ridges, steep bluffs, and ravines of the Little Bighorn River, in south-central Montana on June 25-26, 1876. The combatants were warriors of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, battling men of the 7th Regiment of the US Cavalry. The Battle of the Little Bighorn has come to symbolize the clash of two vastly dissimilar cultures: the buffalo/horse culture of the northern plains tribes, and the highly industrial/agricultural based culture of the United States. We got there just in time to hear the rangers talk about the bat ..read more

Our title borrows from the famous quote by Teddy Roosevelt, “Speak softly, and carry a big stick”. Roosevelt fell in love with the Little Missouri River Valley of North Dakota and visited often to refresh his soul. While we were in North Dakota to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Scott found some time to play the scenic Bully Pulpit Golf Course and refresh his soul. Bully Pulpit Golf Course Theodore Roosevelt National Park TRNP was really beautiful without the crowds of many of the more popular parks. The park is known for its painted canyons and rocks that appear different depending on ..read more