Just a little teaser for my next two posts, which will chronicle our wanderings through Lassen Volcanic National Park.
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Olympic National Park – Part 4: Hurricane Ridge & Port Angeles
Heart O’ the Hills. Hurricane Ridge. Hidden Bush. And no, that last one is not a natural landmark that you’ve just never heard of.
Wanderings
35mm Film Photography – One Hit Wonders: Slug Bug Ranch on Route 66
Slug Bug Ranch
Conway, Texas
August 2016
Smith Rock State Park: Oregon’s Rock climbing Mecca & Dreamy Day hike destination
A legendary rock climbing destination, Smith Rock State Park is a paradise for hikers as well. We made a (not-long-enough) stop here for a few hours on our way south to Bend. What our 4-mile-hiked lacked in length, it made up for with a challenging workout and spectacular scenery.
Mount Rainier National Park: Epic Hike to Third Burroughs
From Second Burroughs we see a trail winding down through a tundra meadow, up and over another peak. What’s this? We can get even higher and closer to Mt. Rainier?
We head down the mystery trail with these words in mind: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” — T.S. Elliot
Gear Review: REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent
With a desire to stay comfortable and somewhat connected, we purchased a bit of new gear for our long 2018 road trip. Our goal was to invest in quality products that we can use for years to come, although it’s worth noting that we didn’t blow the budget on high-end gear. For our first gear review, let’s talk about our REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 tent.
Wandering the Pristine Ancient Forest at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
After having wandered more than half a dozen Redwoods parks, I can declare that this first one we visited is my favorite redwoods park overall. Why, you ask? Read on to find out.
Weed, California: A Fun Stop en route to Crescent City
Perfect pie and pot jokes, Mount Shasta and transcendentalist misquotes. Welcome to Weed, California.
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Posts from your Archives: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
I am honored that Smorgasbord Blog Magazine has chosen to share some posts from the Westward We Wander archives, the first of which is about our trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in 2018.
120mm Film Photography: California in Monochrome through the Lens of a 1958 Minolta Autocord
Looking through film scans that we’ve had back for a while, inexplicably this roll had escaped my attention. The 12 pictures are a nice monochrome representation of our 2018 California travels.
Lassen Volcanic National Park (Part 2): Hiking the Lassen Peak Trail
Lassen Peak is the largest plug dome volcano in the world, and we are pumped to hike to the summit today. The exposed, sunny hike on the Lassen Peak trail is 5 miles round trip, and we will climb from 8500 feet to 10,457 feet. With almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain, the trail seems a bit intimidating, however the magnificent views along the entire trail definitely keep one energized and entertained.
360 Degree View atop Lassen Peak Volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park {Video}
Here is a little video I shot from the rim of Lassen Peak’s caldera. If these views don’t make you want to lace up your boots and head up the mountain, I don’t know what would!
Lassen Volcanic National Park (Part 1): Bumpass Hell, Manzanita Lake, Museum & Visitor Center
Our first full day at Lassen Volcanic National Park starts with an education and ends with sunset over Manzanita Lake and a glowing Lassen Peak framed by dark forest. We fill the hours between with one of the best scenic drives in the U.S. and a hike so…well, California…that it brings unexpected emotions.
35mm Film Photography – One Hit Wonders: Canyonlands National Park
Rain over Canyonlands
Utah
July 2016
Beyond the Beach: 12 Reasons to Visit St. Pete, Florida
Millions of tourists flock to the beautiful beaches of the St. Petersburg area each year. Yet by dedicating all of their time to the Gulf Coast shore, many miss out on really experiencing one of the most vibrant cities in the U.S. With that in mind, I present to you twelve more reasons to visit St. Pete.
