Things to see
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- camping with children
- Notable Campground
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Jumping Cholla
Isn’t this a pretty flower? It is a blossom on one of the most painful plant you never want to bump in to – the Jumping cholla (pronounced CHOY-yah). I’m not sure if “Jumping” is its official name. It is definitely a good descriptive term for this member of the Prickly pear family. As an Read More >>
Grass has been around a long time
We left the mountains of Arizona for the “Lone Prairie”, a..k.a. the rolling expanses of Rita Blanca, Kiowa, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek national grasslands. Fred and I were exploring the differences, history, and beautiful landscapes. Looking out across the vast expanse of prairie/grassland got me wondering just how did it all come to be. Read More >>
It’s a big, beautiful country waiting for you
My November 2018 National Geographic magazine has huge article titled “Battle for the American West.” It is a good read but what I found most interesting, and exciting, was the number of photograph of things Fred and I recognized from out travels. I mean we have seen Bears Ears and explored Comb Ridge, been awed Read More >>
Recipes from Bye-gone Days
While visiting a Pike National Forest’s district office I came across a booklet titled “Pioneer Cooking and Recipes.” Always curious about the techniques, tips and treats of earlier homemakers, I started scan this booklet. I’ll admit it is doubtful I will every try some of the recipes . Indian Bean Bread and Venison Mincemeat being Read More >>
Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
Often overlooked, the iconic Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) hides in plain sight. With a fondness for moist places, the showy orchid can be found in ditches along roadway. This means drivers fly by on the road near Lisbon in the Sheyenne National Grassland and won’t even notice the treasure in the ditch. This Read More >>
No Ash trees in our national forests? Say it ain’t possible
A tree with many uses Black ash, a dominant tree species of forested wetlands in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, serves several purposes. It provides multiple ecosystem services. It is a valuable resource for Native American basket-makers. Now the ash tree’s existence is threatened by the emerald ash borer (EAB). It is killing virtually all ash Read More >>
Looking for Signs of Spring
Okay, the end of January may be a little early to be looking for any signs of springs but I am so ready! There are two signs of Spring I look for each year and they generally happen within a week of each other: lazy circling turkey vultures over the canyon; and, manzanita blooming on Read More >>
Saguaro – Icon of the Southwest
No doubt about it, the Saguaro (pronounced “suh-WAH-ruh”) is an impressive plant. The Saguaro is the largest cactus in USA and can weigh more than two elephants. By middle age, the Saguaro will tower above all other desert plants. It is an important source of food and shelter to desert animals. Saguaro grow in the Read More >>
Affordable Family Vacations – Alternatives to National Parks
Every January, I start planning for the upcoming camping season. In the beginning, camping was a break from my life of a 9-to-5 job, bills, and the same-old, same-old. Then came a husband and children. Camping became an affordable family vacation. Today, people are still looking for an affordable family vacation and many are discovering Read More >>
Not a fan
This is a posting I made more than eight years ago and am still waiting for answers. Do you have any insight for me? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Each month Fred and I publish a newsletter. One of the newsletter’s monthly features is a “Notable Campground” article. I’m a little surprised no one has noticed a rarely a Read More >>
