Previous Trips
In July 2003 we spent a week in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. While in Yellowstone we were privileged to stay at the Old Faithful Inn. The beauty and setting of this hotel is a must see. Two of the major highlights were being able to witness the eruptions of Old Faithful and experiencing the unbelievable grandeur of The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
We traveled to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in September 2004. Hiking is the only way to fully enjoy the beauty of these parks. Although the steep grades and high altitudes can be a challenge, the views from the vistas are breathtaking. We were up each morning to see the sunrise and the morning light added dramatic color to the pictures, particularly in Bryce Canyon. Mid-day was the best time to photograph Zion, since the canyon walls are so high causing morning and evening shots to contain unwanted shadows
The July 2005 trip was to Glacier National Park in northern Montana. The vistas from the going-to-the-sun-road were spectacular and the waterfalls were flowing strong. We saw herds of mountain goats and big horn sheep at the higher elevations. Thankfully only two bear sightings and they were along the roadside. We made a quick trip into Canada and visited Waterton National Park and had lunch at the Prince of Wales hotel. What a grand view from the dining room overlooking the lake and mountains. If you have not visited these parks, we recommend placing them high on your list of places to see.
In May 2006 we vacationed aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship. The clear blue waters of the Caribbean were beautiful and we particularly enjoyed Disney’s Island, Castaway Cay. Explore the pictures available in the Disney Cruise Line photo gallery.
In the fall of 2006 we journeyed to Acadia National Park in Maine. The rocky coastline was quite a change from what we experienced in the western United States. We observed bald eagles in flight and experienced the first rays of sunlight to hit the coast atop Cadillac Mountain. Special places we saw included Thunder Hole, Bubble Rock, and the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Take a peek at the photographs in the Acadia National Park gallery.
It’s hard to believe our trip to Yosemite National Park is over but the memories of this park will last for a lifetime. The views from Glacier Point were amazing! Half dome in the distance towered over the valley thousands of feet below. The waterfalls were still flowing strong and could be heard from the overlook. We stayed at Yosemite Lodge and the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls were just a few steps from our room. A short distance down the road the rock climbers were barely visible as they scaled the side of El Capitan. Perhaps the most memorable event of the week was watching a rain storm pass through the valley. Tunnel View provided a panoramic vista of the swirling clouds. The storm dropped the temperature from 86 to 36 degrees during our stay. Mariposa grove provided a glimpse of the sequoia trees which exceeded 20 feet in diameter. Photographs and words are inadequate to describe how mammoth these trees truly are. We both agree that Yosemite and Glacier have been our favorite National Parks. In a few years we hope to visit Canada and see Banff. We have heard great things about it.
Upcoming Trips
In 2008 we will be returning to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We felt we didn’t get the pictures were wanted the first time we visited. Now that we have better equipment, we hope to improve our galleries of the two parks.