Showing Tag: "hiking" (Show all posts)

A National Parks Pass Review

Posted by Jason Hussong on Tuesday, July 27, 2010,

A year ago I purchased an annual pass for the U.S. National Park Service, (left) and made it a

point to hit as many places as I could during the life of the pass. I wanted to get out and experience more of the natural world around me, as well as learn about the history of important events and places that I maybe didn't know about before I purchased my pass. Some of the places I had visited before, like Rocky Mountain National Park (above)here in Colorado, but overall I'd give it the big ol...

Rwanda ~ Gorilla Trekking in the Virungas

Posted by Jason Hussong on Wednesday, July 7, 2010,

I wrestled with the idea of hiking to see the gorillas of the Virunga Mountains in northwest Rwanda. On one hand, an African safari was high up on my bucket list and going to see the gorillas in their native habitat would be nothing short of spectacular. On the other, what would happen if one of these critically endangered animals acted in a way that's only natural if, for some odd reason, they felt a member of their group was threatened by one of us?

...

Hiking Antelope Canyon

Posted by Jason Hussong on Wednesday, May 19, 2010,

In the northern part of Arizona, just east of Page, on Navajo Indian land is one of the most interesting places I've ever photographed. And I say photographed, rather than seen, because what's really spectacular about the place comes about when seen through the right exposure on your camera.

There's really no other way to see Antelope Canyon, in my opinion, than with a few good pictures.

I know that sounds a bit weird, but without the extra exposure from your camera lense, Antel...

Horseshoe Bend

Posted by Jason Hussong on Friday, May 7, 2010,

Just south of the Utah state line with Arizona sits the town of Page, and just south of there the Colorado River decides to make a sharp U-turn on itself. This spot is known as Horseshoe Bend, famous for the one great photographic opportunity it offers after a short hike from a parking lot right off of Highway 89. I was interested in stopping and enjoying the view for a bit, so I swun

g off the road after leaving the Grand Canyon earlier that morning.

I made good time on the trail, t...

Grand Canyon National Park

Posted by Jason Hussong on Thursday, April 29, 2010,

A friend of mine told me before I left on my big birthday road trip that he took four days to see the Grand Canyon with his family, and it wasn't nearly enough. Because of that, I figured

I'd be able to see one little section of the south rim, and see it well, while I was there for a full day. But, in this instance, it just wasn't true and I was able to see the length of the south rim that's under the protection of the National Park Service in the full day.

There are other sections of...

Zion National Park

Posted by Jason Hussong on Sunday, April 18, 2010,

More than anything else I found myself saying "another time" as this trip through the Colorado Plateau was more of a highlight tour than a real get to know you trip. In all these places I

stopped thus far I really spent no more than four hours in any one park. I wanted to spend a lot more in each of them, but there just wasn't time as I wanted to see as many places, at least the highlights, in the little time that I had; so everything else had to wait for "another time." Sadly enough, Zion...

Bryce Canyon National Park

Posted by Jason Hussong on Monday, April 5, 2010,

I was ready to kick back and relax after a long day of driving to Bryce Canyon National Park. Sure, it was a beautiful drive and I had an absolute blast doing it, but I was looking forward to a relaxing night at the hotel reading a book or watching a movie as I looked forward to exploring a b

it of the canyon the next morning. So, with that said, imagine my surprise when one of the park rangers told me that I could see the park in its entirety in about three hours.

Yep, that's three hour...

Natural Bridges National Monument

Posted by Jason Hussong on Thursday, April 1, 2010,

I tend to be a bit of a planner, something I get from my father. My brother reminded me of this after seeing the "office" room in my house when he was out here this past fall for a visit. In my Las Vegas road trip I thought I did an excellent job of planning all the stops out and was positive I hadn't missed a think. Well, when I was looking at my national parks book in Blanding, Utah on a stop one night, I realized I totally skipped over something unintentionally: Natural Bridges National Mo...

Arches National Park

Posted by Jason Hussong on Wednesday, March 31, 2010,

The Grand Ciricle is a series of national parks that can certainly be visited one at a time, but are many times put together in one great, or grand rather, trip around the Colorado Plateau throughout Utah, Arizona and Colorado. On this road trip I visited the four that are traditionally included in the Grand Ciricle - Arches, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Mesa Verde - along with a few others that are more than worth a look. The first stop one I stopped at was Arches National Park. ...

The Devils Tower

Posted by Jason Hussong on Friday, September 4, 2009,

See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars,
the moon, the sun, how they move in silence. ~ Mother Teresa

The Devils Tower, declared the first national monument in 1906, is one of those places I'm just not sure I can wrap my head around. So much of it seems so contradictory that it just doesn't fit together for me. One thing is certain though, I did enjoy my brief stop and would recommend the Devils Tower to anyone.

The natural beauty is not at all what I wo...

Scott Lake State Park

Posted by Jason Hussong on Tuesday, August 18, 2009,

Just a short drive north of Garden City and the Arkansas River, the border with Mexico in the early 1800s, sits Scott Lake State Park in Kansas, which is a great spot for fishing, camping, hiking and the like.

Driving through the vast plains and farm fields of

western Kansas it's difficult to believe such a place exists. It seems totally and completely and in every other way inconceivable that a 100 acre lake, created from a dam in the 1930s, could sit here amongst the wooded bluffs. It...

The Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve

Posted by Jason Hussong on Tuesday, August 18, 2009,

The Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve in the panhandle of Oklahoma is the highest point in elevation in the state, which is not nearly as interesting as it may sound.

I had anticipated spectacular views as I hiked along the mesas, likely an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. I

thought it'd offer great wildlife viewing and opportunities to relax and appreciate a great day in Oklahoma. I had expected so much from a spot that is actually lower in elevation than Denver at a whoppin...

Clayton Lake State Park

Posted by Jason Hussong on Tuesday, August 18, 2009,

New Mexico's Clayton Lake State Park, just east of the Capulin Volcano, is well worth the visit south of state lines. But, I had very low expectations to start, thinking it'd just be a r

eservoir for boating and fishing. I must admit though, I was pleasantly surprised.

To start with, boating and fishing is offered at the 170 surface-acre lake. It's considered a popular spot for such activities in the northeast part of the state. And I can't say I blame anyone going there for such things. ...