Could this be "the one"?

Spreadsheets and notes.

           Being a RV newbie it’s hard to know what I really want in a travel trailer. I think I may know what I want but it may be a totally different story when I get out on the road and am living in it. I also have no concept of what the actual length is going to be. I have never hauled anything so my husband gave me a reality check last week. I had researched models for weeks, created a detailed spreadsheet, and was finally ready to reveal to him what my top 3 favorites were. When it came time to tell him what the lengths of the trailers were, we came to a screeching halt. He informed me that he didn’t want me hauling anything longer than 26’. Slam on the breaks, what? I had spent weeks researching trailers only to find out that he wasn’t comfortable with us being in. And smaller? We all have to fit in comfortably and I want a travel trailer that sleeps at least 6 people in case we had any guests staying with us.

After digesting a quick dinner, and this new requirement, I took my oldest son to his Cub Scouts meeting. It was probably the most productive meeting only because I downloaded the RV Trader app and typed in my new length restrictions. I was relieved to find out there were some nice options. I grabbed a scratch piece of paper out of my purse and started recording model numbers and brands of trailers I wanted to see on a bigger screen.
These are the features that I think I want

- Must sleep at least six.
  We are a family of four and I want a little extra space in case we have visitors.
- Designated beds for the boys.
  I don’t want to have to worry about them picking up their bedding so I can turn their bed back into     my table.
- An outdoor kitchen.
  A simple outdoor kitchen has a mini fridge, a cook top, and a sink. More living and can be done    
  outdoors.
- Direct entry bathroom.
  When one of us has to go to the bathroom we can just open up the door and go straight into the  
  bathroom. There would be no need to tromp mud and dirt through the trailer to go.
- Plenty of storage.
  If the boys and I leave for the whole summer we’ll need storage space.

jayco.com White Hawk 24MBH

            When I looked at these shorter models I found some that either have a direct entry bathroom or an outdoor kitchen. Most didn’t have both. Then I discovered the Jayco White Hawk 24MBH. It has all of the features I am looking for! Jayco is the number 1 selling brand of travel trailers. From what I have heard they are the brand that most others try to imitate and they sell at a reasonable price and come with a 2-year warranty. Their beds are typically longer and mattresses thicker. This model fits my vehicle’s towing capabilities but it is longer than Todd’s 26’. It’s actually 27’8”. I showed him a video of the model that a RV
dealer made and he was impressed by it.

            We may have found a winner!  Now to research the other details of this model.              

Book Review: Yellowstone Moran

Book Review #2 - Yellowstone Moran: Painting the American West
Author: Lita Judge
Publisher: Viking

“Tom Moran had dreams as big as the Montana sky.” This is the first line of the book Yellowstone Moran: Painting the American West by Lita Judge. Written in picture book format it tells a brief story of artist Thomas “Yellowstone” Moran and his dream to paint landscapes of places most people have never seen. Tom already drew illustrations of the west for a magazine story but he wanted to see it himself with Dr. Hayden and a group of scientists in their 1871 expedition.

For a city boy life out west on the expedition wasn’t easy. As he adjusted to life in the wilderness he was teased by the other men. He was able to find a friend in the team’s photographer, Will Jackson. When they discovered what is now Yellowstone on July 21^st they described seeing “blinding white terraces that looked like giant frozen steps of ice leading up the mountainside. These steps held cauldrons of boiling water from underground hot springs. Steam heavy with the rotten-egg stink of sulfur filled Tom’s lungs.” Their friendship proved strong when the rest of the team moved on leaving Tom and Will to make their way to the canyon floor to explore the base. The climbed, and slid down, the side carrying their painting and photography gear.

The story details and corresponding illustrations made me recall my two visits to Yellowstone. Maybe I stood where Tom and the explorers once did. I know that beauty found there is like no other and I can’t forget the sulfur smell.

The Author’s Note at the end of the book gives information into some of the things the author discovered while working on this book. I found it interesting that Dr. Hayden encouraged his men to write journals to record their experiences. They proved helpful in the author’s research and she mentions where you can find some of Tom Moran’s paintings and sketches. I love how the author designed her illustrations to look like Tom’s.

I recommend this book for elementary age students and families that might be traveling to Yellowstone. I am always intrigued by the “little known” stories in history.

I am obviously not Will Jackson.

Glacier National Park

National Parks Week is coming to an end and my park posts have slowed down as I've tried to find some of my photos. A few years ago I had my purchased a Groupon to have my physical photos scanned and put on CD so I just had to located them amongst the 2000+ photos I had scanned. Toay I will tell you about Huckleberry and Glacier National Park.

Back in 2004 or 2005 my mom wanted to take my brother and I back out west with our Aunt Jan. We would revisit a couple of national parks from our childhood, Yellowstone and the Tetons, and then explore some new parks. I was excited and nervous to go.

You can see why I was nervous to go.

Blackfoot

One of our stops was Glacier National Park. I was able to see the park from both the US side and the Canadian side. It is a spectacular place with great natural beauty. We stayed in a cabin not far from one of the US entrances. The visitor’s center was having dancers from the local Blackfoot tribe come in and my brother and I made the walk over to watch. They were amazing! They explained the traditions behind their dances and costumes and we heard them play instruments. National Parks put on some great programs so always check their event schedule when you visit one. I highly recommend them!

Trails and scenic drives are plentiful through Glacier. I would hate to be the driver because I would have to concentrate on the road and not the scenery. Driving the Going to the Sun Road is a must. There are pull over spots and I remember a center that we pulled over at and we caught a trail going up the mountainside and we saw snow! For a girl who spent 18 years growing up in South Florida that's a big deal.

We took a day trip to the Canadian side of the park. It is called the Waterton-Glacier National Peace Park on that side. It is where we saw our first bear. It was dubbed the “catch of the trip”. I admit I sometimes had my face in a book as I rode in the back of the minivan but I just happened to look up and I swore I saw a tuft of brown fur. I hollered for my mom to stop and we pulled over and backed up. Sure enough there was a bear! He was eating berries as he made his way down the hillside. As we observed him from the safety of our car we could hear voices and we realized we were not far from a popular tourist spot in town with a waterfall. We realized that the bear was making his way down the trail to this spot so we quickly drove down and parked. A couple happened to be making their way up the trail and we told them to reconsider. By then we had spotted the bear so we pointed him out and they made the right decision to turn around. Word quickly spread and people were gathering around to see the bear. We ended up watching him for over an hour as he made his way down to the waterfall spot, down through the creek, and though people’s yards. We named him “Huckleberry” after the food he was eating.

"Huckleberry" next to the trail.

Glacier National Park is a one that should go on your “must see” list. To plan you visit you can go to https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

It's Earth Day

April 22 is Earth Day! 

Started in 1970 as a way to educate people about environmental issues. This holiday was started by Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, as he worked to convince the federal government that the planet was at risk. Inspired by the anti-Vietnam War “teach-ins” that were taking place on college campuses around the U.S. the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22^nd. He borrowed the concept and the event was a “national teach-in on the environment” and events were held on college campuses. Nelson worked to bring environmental causes into the national spotlight by raising awareness of air and water pollution.  Earth Day is now celebrated around the world.

To find out more about Earth Day you can visit http://www.earthday.org/earthday/

We did our part this morning by taking our recycling to a local recycle center. It’s a rainy day here in town so that may be the extent of our celebration. If you are having better weather get out there and do something for the Earth today. This is the last weekend for free admission into the National Park system as we close out National Park Week.

Happy Birthday John Muir

Today I celebrate the accomplishments of John Muir.

John Muir lived from 1838-1914 and is known for advocating for the idea of National Parks. Born in Scotland he moved his family to a farm in Wisconsin in 1849. He studied Botany and Geology and the University of Wisconsin and he loved to invent things. He had a promising career in industry until a factory accident left him temporarily blind. After recovering his eyesight he walked from Indiana to Florida making botanical sketches as he went. He also walked from San Francisco to the Sierra Nevada. This is supposedly the event that turned him into a nature lover.

Since that life changing walk he worked as a sheepherder, then he took a job in the Yosemite Valley, and he married. Life’s obligations left him longing to be with nature and his wife urged him to travel to Alaska and Washington state. After moving to Oakland, California in 1873 he began to write articles for popular magazines. His writings brought national attention to places he had visited and convinced people why it was important to set aside land for conservation. He even went on a three-night camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt. He was able to convince President Roosevelt to return land to federal protection as part of Yosemite National Park. It is said that the trip had a lasting impression on the president.

Muir believed God is revealed through nature. He has many inspirational quotes and I picked my favorite tonight.

Created by EverInTransit.com

Source - http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/people/historical/muir/

Everglades National Park

I grew up in South Florida so we made frequent trips to Everglades National Park. Our favorite way to see the Everglades was riding on the Shark Valley tram. There were times when we biked the entire trail but you can’t beat the comfort of sitting down and leaving the driving to someone else. 

The Shark Valley entrance to the park offers guests the option to buy tickets for a guided two hour narrated tram tour. The “River of Grass” trail loop is 15 miles long so you can see why we enjoyed riding the tram in the Florida heat. If you would rather bike the paved trail you can bring your own or rent one of theirs at the visitor’s center. Reservations are recommended during the busy months of November – April.  

Newest Junior Rangers

The boys worked on their Junior Park Ranger badge at this park. We got the activity books before departing on our tram tour. It helped keep the boys entertained on the trip and there was a page to write down the wild life you encountered. We added quite a few tallies to the alligator row and even got to see some baby alligators. 

Two short walking trails are located off the main trail. I can’t emphasize enough that you leave wild animals alone this park. There were many times when I visited that an alligator would be on, or very close to, the River of Grass loop. Alligators are not for petting and your tram guide will probably tell you a horror story or two.

This snapping turtle was right along the tram trail.

The Shark Valley Visitor Center offers guests educational displays, a park video, and brochures. There is also a gift shop that sells the typical books, postcards, and souvenirs. Rangers work the desk to answer questions and swear new junior rangers in. They were kind enough to let the boys borrow their hats for the ceremony. Bathrooms are housed in a separate building next to the visitor center and they were very modern and clean.

For reservations, prices and hours, call 305-221-8455 or check out more details about the park at https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

Mount Halealakla National Park

One year ago I went from sea level to 10,023 feet above sea level at Mount Halealakla National Park. We went on a whim and I’m so glad we did.

My husband was sent to work in Maui, Hawaii for 3 weeks in April 2016. I took full advantage of the opportunity. I would drive the guys to work each morning and while they worked, I played. Earlier in the day I had gone to the Maui Ocean Center to see the aquarium. My husband called to say they were finished early for the day so I made the 45-minute drive to pick them up. We discussed our plans for the evening and decided to head up to Mount Halealakla.

The drive up the mountain is full of twists, turns, drop-offs, and large tour buses so having an experienced and comfortable driver at the wheel is beneficial. It was evening at the time we went so the visitor’s center was closed. The drive to the summit took us through different habitats; dense forests, mountainous terrain, and desert like conditions at the very top. Rumor has it that NASA tests vehicles at the summit that they will send to the moon because conditions are very similar. I must agree that the terrain resembled moon pictures that I had seen in books.

Scientists still do research on the summit.

The summit wasn’t very crowded so we chose a place to sit. We didn’t have long to wait to watch the sun make its descent. I was glad Todd lent me his hooded jacket because we really weren’t prepared for the chilly temps and wind. Weather conditions at the top vary greatly from the base. You have to pack warm clothes because temperatures can get down to freezing. It really is amazing to be up above the clouds and to see the rays of the sun shining across the mountain. It would recommend you put it on your “must see” list if you plan on ever being in Maui.

A Silversword that we saw at the summit.

Read more about this National Park at https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm To watch the sunrise you now must buy a ticket. The cost is only $1.50 a car plus the cost to enter the park. Be sure to dress warmly and pack food and drinks. Get comfortable and watch the most amazing sunset, or sunrise, anywhere.

Above the clouds!

Denali National Park

Less than 5% of visitors to Denali National Park get to experience what we did during our visit on July 22, 2015. We experienced what our bus driver called a “Grand Slam”. You might be wondering what that is when there isn’t much baseball in Alaska. A “Grand Slam” is when you get an uninterrupted view of Mt. McKinley and get to see all of the “Big 4” animals in the park. What four animals might that be?
- Bear
- Moose
- Caribou
- Dall Sheep
In the eight years that our driver had been giving bus tours this was his eighth grand slam.

My husband made the first “spot” on the bus. Way up on the hillside he saw a brown puff ball moving and he shouted to the bus driver to stop. We got out our binoculars and sure enough it was a mamma bear with a cub. We watched them for a little bit and then we saw mom move to the side and we discovered she had another cub – twins! Binoculars are a must have item when you are traveling in Alaska. The bus guide will give you tips on what to look for and how to spot wildlife and before you know it you’ll be seeing lot of animals. We also spotted an eagle and a family of Ptarmigans, which is Alaska’s state bird. The Dall Sheep were actually the hardest to spot but on our return trip back to the bus center Todd again spotted the animal that sealed our “Grand Slam”!

Let’s back up a bit and talk about the buses. There isn’t much of the park that you can drive a vehicle into. Automobiles can go the first 15 miles and then it’s time to turn around. The best way to see the park is to book a ticket, well ahead of time, on one of their buses. Buses can go much further into the park and you want a trained driver taking you on all of the twists and turns. You’ll sit much higher up and you’ll be able to really keep an eye out for animals. If you holler out the drivers are likely to pull over and stop so everyone gets a chance to see what you spotted. Overall you don’t cover many miles but you can expect to be gone a minimum of 5 hours. Some bus routes go further than others. The Denali website has a handy chart that will help you decide which bus trip is best for you. At first I was nervous taking my young children on the bus. You can bring drinks and snacks but bathrooms are limited. The boys ended up doing great and it was nice to sit back, relax, and take in the views!

Our bus that drove us into the park.

Bus rides aren’t the only things you can do. You can take trails, stop off at one of the two visitor centers, or watch a sled dog demonstration. At bigger visitor’s center the boys worked on their Junior Ranger badges. It was a very nice visitor’s center with a variety of rooms showcasing the history, plant life, and animals that you can see at the park.

Today I was asked by a co-worker if I could go back to either Hawaii or Alaska where would I go. That’s a tough question but it didn’t take me long to say Alaska. It is a place like no other!

You can find out more about the park and plan a visit here
https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm

Virgin Islands National Park

My husband and I have been blessed to travel to a few islands; Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the USVI. Hands down we love St. John the best!

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor's Center

My husband is an elevator mechanic and he was sent there to work on a job back in 2013. His room, flight, and rental car were paid for by his company so it was a no brainer that I would leave Tennessee in the cold of January to join him for a week.

Annaberg Sugar Plantation

One of my favorite things about St. John is that the Virgin Islands National Park covers about 60% of the island. It allows the island to remain largely undeveloped. There are plenty of beaches on St. John  and I couldn’t find one I didn’t like. You'll find that each beach has it's own unique "specialty". One has remains of an old sugar plantation, one beach is known for its sea turtle population, at one beach we watched pelicans dive bomb schools of fish.

The Cruz Bay Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. It is a short walk, about two blocks, from the public ferry dock so even if you are staying on one of the other US Virgin Islands you won’t have far to walk if you go to St. John for a daytrip. A lot of taxis wait for visitors at the ferry dock but I would suggest walking to the visitor’s center if you want to stop there.

The center is very simple. It offers exhibits, brochures, maps, educational materials, books and an activity schedule. The park rangers at the information desk can help you plan your visit, including hikes, historical tours, snorkeling, and other programs. I picked up a map and some postcards there and then hit a trail that starts about another block past the visitor’s center. The views from this trail were spectacular! Be warned that it is an uphill climb so make sure you have proper footwear.

Another cool feature this national park is Trunk Bay. You can find an underwater snorkeling trail there. This is a great place for beginners and anyone who wants to learn about marine life because as you snorkel you can read underwater plaques along the trail to learn about life that inhabits the reef. The trail follows the west side of Trunk Bay Cay for about 300 feet before making a U-turn back to the beach. There are lots of coral and fish here and while I was swimming my brother and I saw a huge barracuda. 

Trunk Bay underwater snorkeling trail.

If you would like to find out more about Virgin Islands National Park you can visit
https://www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm

It's National Parks Week!

It’s National Parks Week! The celebration runs from April 15 – 23. That means that on the weekends of April 15-16 and 22-23 all of the 400+ National Parks are free. Not all parks charge a fee but 117 of them do. The fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated. National parks are such a great idea so get out there and visit a new place or one of your old favorites and #findyourpark

You can find out more here
https://www.nps.gov/findapark/national-park-week.htm

Throughout this week I will be sharing some of my favorite National Parks. I thought about counting down my favorites but it’s hard to put a number on them. I love each one for a different reason.

Maybe you like to run and compete in races.
Maybe you don’t like the crowds at a race.
or getting up early to go to one
or you can’t get off work to even make a race
or you have to travel to a race and deal with traffic or book a hotel.
Behold – the Virtual Race!

I love to run races and get a medal for my efforts. I admit I am a “race medal junkie”. It's my favorite part of a race. It seems like half the races I run don’t offer any. Luckily I have discovered virtual races. Virtual races are just like traditional races where you can pay a registration fee and get a shirt, medal, and bib. You can run, walk or hike your race wherever you want with whomever you want. Even on a treadmill! Racers report their time and then the company will send you a medal for completing the race. Your “proof” of running is when you submit your race time to your account. The company will send your finisher's medal after you report your time.

In January I signed up for two virtual races. The first race is called “Happy New Year 2017” and I found it here https://yes.fit You are required to log 31.4 miles in as many activities as you need to get it done. After you input your distance photographs of the race route became available and a map tracks your distances around New York city. I just reached my goal last month and got my medal in the mail this week.

Happy New Year 2017 Finisher's Medal

Medals from my virtual runs

The next virtual race I plan on signing up for is the National Park Week race put on by https://vr.redpodium.com/np-17 I can choose to do a 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon. Another benefit of a virtual race is that a lot of the races support an organization. You can get your exercise and help a non-profit at the same time. A portion of the proceeds from this race will benefit the National Park Foundation.

I suggest you do an internet search for virtual races, choose one, and give it a try. I think there are many reasons why you'll enjoy doing them!

"Explore, Learn, and Connect!" It's the motto of the Junior Ranger Program offered by our National Parks Service. I love going to a national park and finding out they have a Junior Ranger Program! 

Everglades National Park let them borrow hats.

This program allows children to complete tasks in a booklet to receive a Junior Ranger pin. It is geared towards ages 5-13 but the website says “people of all ages can participate”. The booklets level the activity so children of all ages can participate. You will find a handy guide in the front showing a symbol and corresponding ages. As you flip through the book looking through the activities you’ll see the symbols on the page. You will quickly know if the activity is age appropriate or not. Once the child is done they take their booklet back to the ranger’s desk to have them looked over. Once the answers have been “checked” the ranger will swear the child in and give them their pin along with a certificate. The best part is that the program is FREE!

My boys have earned their Junior Ranger pins at
- Stones River National Battlefield
- Denali National Park
- Everglades National Park

You can read more about it, and find a list of participating parks, at https://www.nps.gov/kids/jrrangers.cfm

Kaden working hard at Denali National Park.

Spring Break at the Battlefield

I can’t say my Spring Break was the most exciting but a little R&R was in the cards.

Although our busy schedule has kept me from doing this much recently, I love to run. When I have the opportunity and need a change from running in my neighborhood I always go out to the Stones River National Battlefield.
https://www.nps.gov/stri/index.htm

With close to 7 miles of trails, some paved, some not, you can really get back to nature. The trail sporadically has cutouts of soldiers with their rifles aimed, canons at the ready, and ammunition carts placed strategically near the trails. As you walk, bike, or run along taking in the sights you have to sometimes wonder what the rocks and trees on the property have seen.

Another thing I am is a nature photographer. Not the professional kind but I like to pretend. I do admit it’s hard to run when I’m constantly stopping to take photos but I enjoy noticing everything out there. Below is a montage of some of my favorite photos I took while running a total of 13.5 miles at the Battlefield last week.

I do tend to stick to the pavement but I have wanted to try trail running. Park rangers recently added a trail through the woods and I took it the day after a heavy rain. I had to dodge some puddles and mud but I loved the scent of the woods and I breathed it in deeply. During the week I don’t come across many people on the trails and I’m fine with that. I do get a little nervous running by myself but I try to be aware of my surroundings and I carry my phone with me. I have never had any problems.

If you are ever in the area I encourage you to stop by Stones River National Battlefield. Lace up those sneakers or bring your bike and see what you can experience.