Past Exploration: Gettysburg 158, Part 3

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; July 3, 2021) – The stage was set, the audience seated, the orchestra at the ready; the final curtain was about to rise for the great clash of the Titans on the fields of Gettysburg. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, desperate for a final knock-out blow that would humble the Union, win Southern … Continue reading Past Exploration: Gettysburg 158, Part 3

Travel Log: Under the Guns, Part 2

(Niceville, Florida; June 9, 2021) – Some of the biggest guns ever to go to sea will have you in their range once you’re within 20 miles of Mobile, Alabama, and USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. Commissioned in August 1942, the ‘Bama’ had her genesis long before the war began. Owing to stipulations in the … Continue reading Travel Log: Under the Guns, Part 2

Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

(Niceville, Florida; May 28, 2021) – Spending a day aboard the USS Kidd (DD 661) will transport you back to the hot, sweltering days when our sailors fought and won World War II with hard steel, heavy munitions, and zero air conditioning. World War II is receding further into our collective rear-view mirror. Although my … Continue reading Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

Travel Log: Whiling Away the Hours in Williams

(Albuquerque, New Mexico; May 18, 2021) – Williams and the Grand Canyon are now far in my rearview mirror as I steadily make my way east to Florida. Williams is a charming little town that found some creative ways to survive the blow of being bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1984 and the decommissioning of … Continue reading Travel Log: Whiling Away the Hours in Williams

Travel Log: Back to the Canyon

(Williams, Arizona; May 16, 2021) –I’ve come back to the Grand Canyon. I first laid eyes on this unbelievable place in October 2018 during the Grand Tour USA. Once my decision was made last year to depart Washington State and repair to Tennessee, the Grand Canyon was the first place on my list of places … Continue reading Travel Log: Back to the Canyon

Travel Log: Mystery of the Ruins

(Fallon, Nevada; May 12, 2021) – La Plata was founded in 1863 and served as the county seat for Nevada’s Churchill County from 1864 - 1869. La Plata was dead before the 19th century died, fading from the map after the local silver mines played out and the mining boom moved elsewhere. Located up in … Continue reading Travel Log: Mystery of the Ruins

Travel Log: Volcanoes Under Our Noses

(Fallon, Nevada; May 11, 2021) – I’ve departed Washington State and begun Cross Country 2021 on my way to settling in Tennessee! If you’ve followed this blog for a bit, you’ll know I’m fascinated by volcanoes. I’d have been a happy vulcanologist if my math skills were better. These systems are amazing examples of natural … Continue reading Travel Log: Volcanoes Under Our Noses

Photo Finish – Washington State Memories!

I officially have no domicile! The moving crew was amazing and finished quickly Tuesday, allowing me to clean the house and turn in my keys 48 hours early! However, I'm still sticking around until Saturday anyway so I can enjoy a final dinner with my good friends Friday night. I've focused my lens on our … Continue reading Photo Finish – Washington State Memories!

Photo Finish: Mount Baker and Glacier Peak!

Mount Ranier is the tallest, Mount Adams contains the most volume, and Mount St. Helens is the grumpiest, but Washington State boasts four more active volcanoes. Two of them, Indian Heaven and West Crater are not nearly as well known because they aren't stratovolcanoes and don't possess the classic volcano shape. Indian Heaven and West … Continue reading Photo Finish: Mount Baker and Glacier Peak!

Christmas Eve Brothers!

Every day a different show is put on when one lives near the mountains. Looking west to the Olympic Mountains on Christmas Eve morning. The twin peaks in the distance are The Brothers, a prominent set of peaks in the Olympic Mountains. The south peak (on the left) rises to 6,842 feet above sea level … Continue reading Christmas Eve Brothers!