American Wanderer Summer Camp: Exploring the National Parks
Capitol Reef, Bryce, GC and Zion...
Camp Blog # 2 - Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante, Bryce Canyon, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks.
A morning hike in Capitol Reed to Sunset Point. When the campers go back to school in the fall their teacher may ask what did you do this summer? Oh, I was just hanging around!
The campers in front of "The Capitol Dome" how the park got it's name.
Then we drove through the Dixie Forest National Forest full of pine trees, aspens and cool temperatures after the desert heat. On Scenic Highway 12 we drove up and over Grand Staircase Escalante one of the narrowest highways in America.
A grand view of the ampitheatre of colored rock from atop Bryce Point of Bryce NP.
Next we hiked into Bryce Canyon among the "hoodoos" the colorful pillars of rock. We started at Bryce Point taking the Peekaboo & Navajo Trail and split into two groups to see whom would reach the top first...the shorter, steeper group that took the Wall Street Trail won and reached the top via Sunset Point and hiked over to Sunrise Point to meet the group that took Queen Victoria's Trail. The campers were all rewarded with a ice cold drink on the back porch of the lodge.
Then back to the campground for a refreshing dip in the pool and a game of Marco Polo.
The next stop is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon!
The campers took their first hike out to the edge of the rim to Bright Angel Point and it is very hard for the kids to fathom that what they are standing on once was the bottom of the ocean. They found fossils of seashells to prove it!
On the back porch of the North Rim Lodge we attended a Ranger Talk about the reintroduction of the California Condor and caught a glimpse of one the next day on our hike...is it an airplane or a bird? A bird with a 9.5 foot wingspan! And at sunset we filmed Camp TV from the back porch overlooking the Grand Canyon (what an amazing backdrop).
The next morning we hiked down below the rim on the North Kaibab Trail to the Supai Tunnel where we enjoyed the shade, lunch, no mule trains (yeah), some R & R and refilled our water bottles for the long hike up!
A view out into the canyon towards the south rim and the Colorado River.
Coconino Overlook
The campers victorious after the hike were rewarded with "Fat Boys" (Utah's version of an overstuffed square ice cream sandwich).
After dinner we enjoyed the warmth of a campfire and some yummy s'mores!
On our way into Zion NP we were greated by 28+ Big Horn Sheep climbing gracefully near Checkboard Mesa. Collectively Chris, Lyn & Steve have never seen that many.
From the Temple of Sinawava we set out for the mile hike to the river where we plunged into the water of The Virgin River for a few miles to "The Narrows" and swam, floated and walked back. A great time was had by all...always a favorite camp hike!
A morning hike in Capitol Reed to Sunset Point. When the campers go back to school in the fall their teacher may ask what did you do this summer? Oh, I was just hanging around!
The campers in front of "The Capitol Dome" how the park got it's name.
Then we drove through the Dixie Forest National Forest full of pine trees, aspens and cool temperatures after the desert heat. On Scenic Highway 12 we drove up and over Grand Staircase Escalante one of the narrowest highways in America.
A grand view of the ampitheatre of colored rock from atop Bryce Point of Bryce NP.
Next we hiked into Bryce Canyon among the "hoodoos" the colorful pillars of rock. We started at Bryce Point taking the Peekaboo & Navajo Trail and split into two groups to see whom would reach the top first...the shorter, steeper group that took the Wall Street Trail won and reached the top via Sunset Point and hiked over to Sunrise Point to meet the group that took Queen Victoria's Trail. The campers were all rewarded with a ice cold drink on the back porch of the lodge.
Then back to the campground for a refreshing dip in the pool and a game of Marco Polo.
The next stop is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon!
The campers took their first hike out to the edge of the rim to Bright Angel Point and it is very hard for the kids to fathom that what they are standing on once was the bottom of the ocean. They found fossils of seashells to prove it!
On the back porch of the North Rim Lodge we attended a Ranger Talk about the reintroduction of the California Condor and caught a glimpse of one the next day on our hike...is it an airplane or a bird? A bird with a 9.5 foot wingspan! And at sunset we filmed Camp TV from the back porch overlooking the Grand Canyon (what an amazing backdrop).
The next morning we hiked down below the rim on the North Kaibab Trail to the Supai Tunnel where we enjoyed the shade, lunch, no mule trains (yeah), some R & R and refilled our water bottles for the long hike up!
A view out into the canyon towards the south rim and the Colorado River.
Coconino Overlook
The campers victorious after the hike were rewarded with "Fat Boys" (Utah's version of an overstuffed square ice cream sandwich).
After dinner we enjoyed the warmth of a campfire and some yummy s'mores!
On our way into Zion NP we were greated by 28+ Big Horn Sheep climbing gracefully near Checkboard Mesa. Collectively Chris, Lyn & Steve have never seen that many.
From the Temple of Sinawava we set out for the mile hike to the river where we plunged into the water of The Virgin River for a few miles to "The Narrows" and swam, floated and walked back. A great time was had by all...always a favorite camp hike!
7-12-2011 Camp TV from Bryce Canyon, UT
Click the link to go to or broadcast last night all about Bryce Canyon. Camp TV Bryce
Summer 2011 - American Wanderer's 5th Camp Season
Session 2 - Blog #1 from Canonville, Utah
Driving to Camp, Setting Up Camp and Camp Days 1-4 - Grand Junction, Colorado and Moab, Utah
When we left Connecticut bound for Colorado gas was $4.119 per
gallon...and the lowest gas price we've seen since is $3.279!
First stop our Guide Steve's Farm in Indiana where his brother John
trades exotic animals (Emu and Watusi Cattle to name a few).
From the car we saw The Gateway Arch "which reflects St. Louis' role
in the Westward Expansion of the U.S."
In Grand Junction we saw "Chrome on the Range" a bison made of
chrome bumpers.
Our first camp breakfast together as we set out for our first
National Park and our first hike!
Colorado National Monument (celebrating it's 100th
anniversary). Our first stop from the Otto Trail named after it's
first ranger is a great view of the 450-foot Independence Monument.
John Otto started the tradition in 1911 and every July 4th since of
climbing and displaying the American flag atop the rock.
We traveled to Moab, Utah next the home of two National Parks. Our
first hike was in Arches down Park Avenue and a view of Nefertiti.
Then to the Devil's Garden for a hike to see Landscape Arch (the
longest in the world measuring 306 feet from base to base).
The next day we hiked in Canyonlands out to the rim of Island in the
Sky Overlook where we attended a Ranger Led Talk about "Mining for
Uranium in Canyonlands".
A walk out on White Rim Trail to see a
grand view of the Needles District below.
Then to a favorite of the
campers Mesa Arch which they all come up with a unique name
for...picture window, T.V., etc.
Back to the campground for a delicious snack of watermelon.
Then back to Arches for a sunset hike to Delicate Arch (the most
famous in the world and pictured on the Utah license plate). Had a nice hike up in the shade of clouds. Just as we got to the arch the sun came out for a magnificent picture. We were
rained out the night before...and you don't want to get caught on
wet "slick rock"!
Before we left Moab we went on a short hike to find "petroglyphs" of
a mastodon (believed to be over 8,000 years old according to our
campground host who's a local archeologist) and many others!
Driving to Camp, Setting Up Camp and Camp Days 1-4 - Grand Junction, Colorado and Moab, Utah
We saw the
"coke ovens" and took a hike along Rim Walk to see many rock
formations "praying hands" and more.
And then
to see the Windows (North & South), Turret Arch and the Double
Arch following the Parade of Elephants out.
The next day we climbed
through the rock fins of the Fiery Furnace maze all on our own...we
conquered it in 3 hours and even found the elusive Bridge at the
end. Then off for an afternoon of fun floating around in Ken's Lake
which was overflowing with water this year.
First Ever National Kids to Parks Day this Weekend
Kids to the Park Weekend Link No this article isn't about us. Its about parents taking their "little" kids to the parks and in general getting them to spend more time outdoors. 
We started our kids on the outdoors when Anna had just turned 1 and Catharine 3. We went canoeing in Canada, a 12hr drive north to a place 50 miles from the nearest town. Anna couldn't even walk!
The research has been done, long after we started, that shows the benefits of the outdoors in education. Environmental Education Link
So If your kids are too young for our camp get them outside! If they are 11-17 and you want them to have the time of their life seeing the wonders of America, send them with us. They may get a little dirty but they will have memories for a lifetime!
Cheers!
We started our kids on the outdoors when Anna had just turned 1 and Catharine 3. We went canoeing in Canada, a 12hr drive north to a place 50 miles from the nearest town. Anna couldn't even walk!
The research has been done, long after we started, that shows the benefits of the outdoors in education. Environmental Education Link
So If your kids are too young for our camp get them outside! If they are 11-17 and you want them to have the time of their life seeing the wonders of America, send them with us. They may get a little dirty but they will have memories for a lifetime!
Cheers!
Bronx Zoo
Early Animal Fix Before Camp!
Nothing Better than a nice spring day at the Bronx Zoo with our zoological expert Susan Hayward. Well it could be better seeing the animals in their natural habitat but the Bronx Zoo has done a wonderful job of creating a natural environment to view their creatures.
In 1907, 15 of the Bronx Zoo bison were shipped out west. Gradually, the western herds grew in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Many of today’s bison in the west are descendents of those Bronx Zoo animals.
In 1907, 15 of the Bronx Zoo bison were shipped out west. Gradually, the western herds grew in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Many of today’s bison in the west are descendents of those Bronx Zoo animals.
Note the American Bison in the background
Bronx Zoo Bison
Bronx Zoo Bison
South Dakota Last Summer
Gorillas in the Mist
Lakota Path Day 12 -
Day 12
The Estes Museum - "The Stanley Steamer" built by the same man who built the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.
The famous Stanley Hotel (where Steven King wrote the book The Shining). The campers were sorry to hear the movie wasn't filmed here but the hotel is supposedly haunted!
REDRUM
Our last hike together on Longs Peak we hiked to Eugenia Mine and panned for gold but like the miners we had lots of dreams but came up empty handed.
Our last night of camp under the stars we shared our fun memories, were warmed by the campfire and gobbled down yummy s'mores!
Goodbyes at Denver International Airport the campers are heading for home.
Looks like Chicken....
Rocky Mountain Oysters, compliments of Dr. Wright and Wendy!
The Estes Museum - "The Stanley Steamer" built by the same man who built the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.
The famous Stanley Hotel (where Steven King wrote the book The Shining). The campers were sorry to hear the movie wasn't filmed here but the hotel is supposedly haunted!
REDRUM
Our last hike together on Longs Peak we hiked to Eugenia Mine and panned for gold but like the miners we had lots of dreams but came up empty handed.
Our last night of camp under the stars we shared our fun memories, were warmed by the campfire and gobbled down yummy s'mores!
Goodbyes at Denver International Airport the campers are heading for home.
Looks like Chicken....
Rocky Mountain Oysters, compliments of Dr. Wright and Wendy!
Lakota Path Day 9 - 10 - 11
Day 9
"The Castle" built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. high atop Guernsey State Park in Wyoming.
Campers "dressed up" and hop into a buggy as they get into the spirit of the West while on a treasure hunt to find artifacts and explore the Frontier Days - Old West Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Day 10 - Rocky Mountain Park, Estes Park, Colorado
While traveling up Old Fall River dirt Road we take a short hike up for a better view of the mountains, the snow and
the valleys way below.
Rocky Mountain National Park near the top of Old Trail Ridge Raod
The Top of Sundance Mountain.
As we were leaving the park and heading back to our campground we came upon a coyote on the prowl for his dinner.
Yeah a heated pool to relax in after a cool afternoon of activities!
Day 11
On our hike to The Loch along the way (approximately .8 miles) we stopped to enjoy the view at Alberta Falls.
After a 3.1 mile hike we were rewarded by the gorgeous scenery surrounding The Loch (only a 990 foot climb in elevation) where we ate lunch, rested and took a dip in the refreshing glacier fed lake.
The Loch, 10,192ft above sea level.
Somewhere between 33 and 35 degrees
It was just a little cold....
"The Castle" built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. high atop Guernsey State Park in Wyoming.
Campers "dressed up" and hop into a buggy as they get into the spirit of the West while on a treasure hunt to find artifacts and explore the Frontier Days - Old West Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Day 10 - Rocky Mountain Park, Estes Park, Colorado
While traveling up Old Fall River dirt Road we take a short hike up for a better view of the mountains, the snow and
the valleys way below.
Rocky Mountain National Park near the top of Old Trail Ridge Raod
The Top of Sundance Mountain.
As we were leaving the park and heading back to our campground we came upon a coyote on the prowl for his dinner.
Yeah a heated pool to relax in after a cool afternoon of activities!
Day 11
On our hike to The Loch along the way (approximately .8 miles) we stopped to enjoy the view at Alberta Falls.
After a 3.1 mile hike we were rewarded by the gorgeous scenery surrounding The Loch (only a 990 foot climb in elevation) where we ate lunch, rested and took a dip in the refreshing glacier fed lake.
The Loch, 10,192ft above sea level.
Somewhere between 33 and 35 degrees
It was just a little cold....
Lakota Path Day 7 -8
Day 7
Forrt Laramie NHS - "The Crossroads of a Nation Moving West" - an Army post, a stop on the Oregon Trail and a Pony Exrpress waystation all in one. This is the Guard House which housed unruly soldiers with jail cells and solitary confinement 5 x 5 rooms in the basement for 3 x repeat offenders. ..and yes they were only fed bread and water.
The campers on the front porch of "Old Bedlum" the oldest standing building at Ft. Laramie and in the state of Wyoming. This building was used for many things the fort s headquarters and bachelor officer's quarters to name a few.
A western view of Guernsey Reservoir from our campground beach where we took a refreshing dip in the cool water.
An AW RollingCabin at Black Canyon Point one of our best campgrounds ever!.
A beautiful view of the sunset from our campground.
Day 8
Register Cliff a days travel via wagon from Ft. Laramie. This is where many of those who passed by wrote their names on the sandstone cliffs. Their names share a part of history with us today.
We walked in the Oregon Trail Ruts which are 4 feet deep in many places along the route. It is very hard to imagine how an ox-drawn wagon could get through and travel 12 miles a day in this rugged terrain.
We were stopped in our tracks when we went to visit Sunrise a local "ghost town" which was a bustling company owned mining town abandoned when the mine shut down in 1980.
Sunrise had it's own store, hospital, YMCA, church and schools...the ruins of a building.
A view of our campground from across the lake from Brimmer Point on top of Powell Mountain.
While enjoying a campfire and sharing our journal entries along came...
The "Real" Ranger Rick!
Forrt Laramie NHS - "The Crossroads of a Nation Moving West" - an Army post, a stop on the Oregon Trail and a Pony Exrpress waystation all in one. This is the Guard House which housed unruly soldiers with jail cells and solitary confinement 5 x 5 rooms in the basement for 3 x repeat offenders. ..and yes they were only fed bread and water.
The campers on the front porch of "Old Bedlum" the oldest standing building at Ft. Laramie and in the state of Wyoming. This building was used for many things the fort s headquarters and bachelor officer's quarters to name a few.
A western view of Guernsey Reservoir from our campground beach where we took a refreshing dip in the cool water.
An AW RollingCabin at Black Canyon Point one of our best campgrounds ever!.
A beautiful view of the sunset from our campground.
Day 8
Register Cliff a days travel via wagon from Ft. Laramie. This is where many of those who passed by wrote their names on the sandstone cliffs. Their names share a part of history with us today.
We walked in the Oregon Trail Ruts which are 4 feet deep in many places along the route. It is very hard to imagine how an ox-drawn wagon could get through and travel 12 miles a day in this rugged terrain.
We were stopped in our tracks when we went to visit Sunrise a local "ghost town" which was a bustling company owned mining town abandoned when the mine shut down in 1980.
Sunrise had it's own store, hospital, YMCA, church and schools...the ruins of a building.
A view of our campground from across the lake from Brimmer Point on top of Powell Mountain.
While enjoying a campfire and sharing our journal entries along came...
The "Real" Ranger Rick!
Lakota Path Day 5 - 6
Oops it published without the text...let's try that again!
Day 5
Driving through Wind Cave NP were stopped to enjoy "the scenery" and the Ranger told us this is a "pure bred herd" of American Bison.
While driving through the town of Custer we stopped to take a picture of the Harley Davidson's parked. Many are here for the The Sturgis Road Rally (it's 70th Anniversary)...no we didn't join them
The Harney Peak Hike (7244 feet in elevation) - Typical camper questions: How long (mileage) is it? And how long will it take?
The answers are...7 miles roundtrip and it took only 4 hours! The view from the Fire Tower on the top is breathtaking. Harney Peak is the highest point in South Dakota, the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rockies and the highest point west of the Pyrenees in Europe!
Sylvan Lake after our hike to Harney Peak.
After a refreshing swim in Sylvan Lake (of National Treasure 2 fame) we drove back to camp through rock tunnels and viewing rock spires on The Needles Highway. A stop at Cathedral Spires for a picture.
Back through Custer State Park and we came upon more buffalo actually "beefalo" (a cross between cattle and bison...the kinder gentler version of the wild animal).
Yellowstone roadblock in Custer
An up close and personal view of a herd of Pronghorn Antelope grazing in the park.
A Pronghorn roadblock?
Day 6
Ranger Cathy took us on a less developed, unlighted part of the cave via the "Candlelight Tour" of Wind. Cave We carried candle buckets and wore gloves and were llowed to "touch the cave walls and stones" (bouldering and walking). A few of the campers were the group leaders too.
Day 5
Driving through Wind Cave NP were stopped to enjoy "the scenery" and the Ranger told us this is a "pure bred herd" of American Bison.
While driving through the town of Custer we stopped to take a picture of the Harley Davidson's parked. Many are here for the The Sturgis Road Rally (it's 70th Anniversary)...no we didn't join them
The Harney Peak Hike (7244 feet in elevation) - Typical camper questions: How long (mileage) is it? And how long will it take?
The answers are...7 miles roundtrip and it took only 4 hours! The view from the Fire Tower on the top is breathtaking. Harney Peak is the highest point in South Dakota, the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rockies and the highest point west of the Pyrenees in Europe!
Sylvan Lake after our hike to Harney Peak.
After a refreshing swim in Sylvan Lake (of National Treasure 2 fame) we drove back to camp through rock tunnels and viewing rock spires on The Needles Highway. A stop at Cathedral Spires for a picture.
Back through Custer State Park and we came upon more buffalo actually "beefalo" (a cross between cattle and bison...the kinder gentler version of the wild animal).
Yellowstone roadblock in Custer
An up close and personal view of a herd of Pronghorn Antelope grazing in the park.
A Pronghorn roadblock?
Day 6
Ranger Cathy took us on a less developed, unlighted part of the cave via the "Candlelight Tour" of Wind. Cave We carried candle buckets and wore gloves and were llowed to "touch the cave walls and stones" (bouldering and walking). A few of the campers were the group leaders too.
Share
