American Wanderer Summer Camp: Exploring the National Parks

Moki Dugway

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:56:05 GMT

Most of you would be surprised to know that I don't just watch CNBC 24 hrs a day. Last night I awoke to a new show on the Discovery Channel (one of my favorites along with the History Channel and Nat Geo) called Hell Roads. In a previous life I was known to awake to Speed Vision at all hours of the night, reliving days driving at Lime Rock Race Track. So Hell Roads naturally got my attention. Unlike my first thought it wasn't about great and dangerous race tracks, it's about some of the most extreme roads in the world. One of the roads on the show was the Moki Dugway, built by uranium miners to get ore down the thousand foot Vermilion Cliffs just north of Mexican Hat in south eastern Utah. Some of our campers should remember a special morning where we watched the sun rise over the Valley of the Gods and then ascended the Dugway to the top of the mesa for a magnificent view of the valley below. From there you can see all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Lots of hairpin turns and sheer cliff drops

Looks like the TREE HUGGERS won!

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:33:34 GMT

Looks like we won the battle to ban disposable water bottles from Grand Canyon National Park, for now. Read the story- Coke vs The People

Tree Huggers May Win!

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:58:24 GMT

People count! Looks like the National Parks are going to open the debate on disposable plastic water bottles being sold in Parks. On the North Rim they installed an ice maker and water spigots, behind the Ranger Station, to fill reusable bottles. Nothing better than a bunch of us TREE HUGGERS saving plastic trees.

Vanilla or Butterscotch?

ATK Rocket Garden

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:16:21 GMT

I've been a little lax in posting current events that happen in places Camp goes. I found this while finishing up The Shoshone Trail session of the Camp Yearbook. Kind of funny that the latest in space science happens right next to the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Here in 1869 the east met west with the most advanced form of travel the Railroad! Click the link to see the news-
worlds-largest-solid-rocket-motor-ignites-in-utah-desert-test

Session 4 - The Lakota Path...The Adventures Continue

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:20:51 GMT

South Dakota Fun in the Sun and "Rain"...

The campers learned about Pioneer Life in South Dakota...

and completed a Scavenger Hunt (with a little help from...) for a prize to see who learned the most...it was down to the wire...and they tied no one knew how many beds were in the room? Was it 5, 8 or 9 no 10...and they even learned what a "Murphy Bed" is!

We went on an amazing Candlelight Tour of Wind Cave (famous for its Boxwork formation...95% of the world's boxwork is found here)! We wore gloves and were allowed to touch the walls and scramble over rocks on our path all by candlelight like the original spelunkers did.

After our Harney Peak hike in the Black Hills we went to the spot where Nicolas Cage put his hand in the rock to open up the wall in National Treasure 2...sorry no treasure.

A refreshing swim in Sylvan Lake after our hike.

When we reached the fire tower at the top of Harney Peak we had a yummy lunch, relaxed for a bit, and enjoyed the view!

We had all weather BUT snow for this hike...yes sun, clouds, rain and HAIL!

The buffalo (a.k.a. American Bison) do roam in Custer State Park.

And a little bit further down the road we were pleased to be greeted by Pronghorn Antelope grazing on the side of the road in Custer S.P.

Session 4 - The Lakota Path...Continues

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:54:05 GMT

Days 3 - 6...The Adventures Continue

Cascade Falls in Hot Springs Eli message to Victor is "I did it!"

Drew's "famous cannonball splash"!

Ben and Brian holding a Mammoth Bone for the group to see at The Mammoth Site.

The campers imagine what it would be like to live in a home made of bones and hides.

FREE ICE WATER is the lure of Wall Drug Store (the largest in the world) a.k.a. Tourist Trap...but a great place to stop after a hike in The Badlands for Homemade Ice Cream Milk Shakes...raspberry was voted the best!

Then cool fun under the "Wall Drug Geysers" in the backyard.

Then on to see and hear the T-Rex ROAR!

Wildlife galore...Big Horn Sheep grazing on the side of the road...they didn't even notice us while we stopped to gawk and take pictures.

Scaling the wall from the lower prairie to the upper prairie...trying to imagine how outlaws, Native Americans and wagons from the Oregon Trail managed to accomplish this?

The other group made it to the top - Mission Accomplished!

Mount Rushmore or bust!

The first group saw it by spotlight at twilight and what a sight it is.

Session 4 - The Lakota Path Begins

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:24:44 GMT

Days 1-3 of Session 4 - The Lakota Path

A Vore Buffalo Jump Guide tells us about the Native Americans using this sink hole as a method for trapping Bison to prepare for their long winters - it dates back to before the time of Christopher Columbus.

A late afternoon hike around Devils Tower (the 1st National Monument) to learn about the Native American Legend and the geological story of the rock volcanic structure. The campers didn't believe it is great for rock climbing until they saw a group coming down! After dinner the kids watched "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kinds" that was filmed at the Tower.

A "protected" Prairie Dog Town at Devils Tower National Monument...they are out and about visiting each other at dawn and dusk...very social creatures.

A Native American metal sculpture at Little Big Horn Battlefield.

Custer's Head Stone on Last Stand Hill at Little Big Horn. His body was moved and laid to rest at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY.

Day 1 - No rest for the weary travelers...a short hike to see Pictograph Cave.

Thank you and hello from Session 4 of AW Summer Camp

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:56:03 GMT

Thank yous were said from the Campers to the many whom made it possible for them to attend camp this summer! Hello to their parents, families, friends, etc. Sit back and enjoy and more blogs with camp photos and videos to come.

Camp TV

Session 3 - The Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:14:12 GMT

Session 3 - The Grand Tetons & Yellowstone...lots of wildlife!

Our first hike in the Tetons was around Jenny Lake...we came across a Moose across the pond.

The water was so high from winter snow and spring rains that many of the bridges were washed out and being rebuilt. We saw Hidden Falls which you could hear long before you could see it.

An afternoon swim in Jackson Lake.

It
It's hard to see but you can see the outline of a cinnamon colored Black Bear at the start of our hike to Surprise Lake. For safety reasons we kept the group together for our hike and adventures throughout the park.

Walking through a meadow of wild flowers.

For those who dared a swim in Surprise Lake...you can see the melting snow on the far side so quite cold as you can imagine.

The top part of the trail had snow along the path.

On to Yellowstone to West Thumb Geyser Basin to see beautiful thermal features along Yellowstone Lake.

Campers looking at Fishing Cone where fisherman tell tales of catching a fish and dropping their line fish and all into the geyser and instantly cooking their fish meal.

Castle Geyser and more blasting off in the Old Faithful Geyser Basin.

Which way does the water flow? Ask the campers...a photo opp. at the Continental Divide.

Our walk to Fairy Falls...and a short walk up a hill to get great photos of Grand Prismatic Pool (the most photographed geyser in all of Yellowstone but usually from a helicopter).

Group postcard photo...better than what's in the gift shop.

Fairy Falls

Many swam to the falls and stood on the ledge below the falls and for others a great place to cool off their feet..

Wildlife galore! Over 100 American Buffalo or Bison counted that day!

Mud Volcano and lots of "sulphur fumes".

A bear swimming across the river...he/she made it...before the falls! Big cheers from the campers.

A walk down 375 stairs on Uncle Tom's Trail (better than the early 1900's when he took people down with ropes) to see the Lower Falls.

A view from the bottom...now 375 stairs back up...we stopped on each landing to take pictures.

Artist's Point the inspiration for many artists and photographers.

Campers having fun...the background is real!

Elk taking an afternoon nap on the lawn by the North Entrance in Hot Springs.

Hot Springs Lower Terrace a different view of a thermal feature...some of the oldest in the park and every changing from day-to-day,, season-to-season and year-to-year.

The North Entrance...dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1903 the gateway into the 1st National Park - Yellowstone!

On our way to see the Petrified Tree (a giant redwood from when this area was marsh along the shores of the ancient oceans)...we saw a Coyote running along the hillside at dusk (one of the best times of day to view wildlife)!

Session 2 Ends & The Session 3 Adventures Begin.....

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:05:57 GMT

If you haven't seen it here's the link to our LiveStream Channel Camp TV:
Camp TV

Session 2 Campers hike down to The Great Salt Lake to float in the 26% salty water via SaltAire access.

Last dip in the pool for the Session 2 campers and a jump into the hot tub to get the last of the salt off!

Sorry no fire ring on the last night of camp so we imporvised and used a lantern for our last fireside chat and camp wrapup chat.

Don't they look chipper at 4:30 in the morning...good bye Session 2 campers have a good end of the summer.

Session 3 begins with a live steam engine demonstration, a ranger talk about this historical landmark and a movie about building "The Golden Spike" where East met West on May 10th, 1869 at Promintory Point, Utah to celebrate the transcontinental RR.

Down the road is TDK's rocket booster playground...a transportation mecca in America.

On to the Paris, Idaho Tabernacle the first Mormon stake outside Utah. All hand built by local labor.

The campers were there in time to hear the beautiful serenade of the organ being played for it's daily practice. The wood is all hand carved in the Tabernacle.

The Oregon Trail Center for a simulated wagon train ride...it really is bumpy and authentic according to one of the actors who portrays the wagon master for the trip to "Oregon or Bust"!

A dip in the beautiful campground pool and a fun game of Marco Polo.

Dinner yum-yum...Chinese Cuisine - Chicken Stir Fry with Rice! One of the campers said "the food is great...not traditional camp slop"!

We fondly call Bear Lake the Caribbean of the West - "Coney Island" but you can't tell from the pictures. The kids are all thoroughly enjoying the sand and the surf.

Set up for Camp TV...so don't miss out on those updates too...Live Streaming from wherever we can get it to broadcast from.

Our first official hike from the cave to Porcupine CG and back to get our legs warmed up for The Grand Tetons...Surprise Lake here we come!

All ready for the 444 steps down into the cave and 444 back...

Minnetonka Cave...in Shoshone...one of the most famous formationon...the three sisters. The middle sister is waving her left hand at you! She once looked like her sisters...but after an earthquake voila she now has an arm to wave with!

Afton, Wyoming to stop for a photo opp. under the world's longest Elk Horn Arch made of over 3,000 antlers and a drink from the only cold water geyser in North America.

Group 1 ready for take off on The Snake River.

The black spots bobbing are the campers floating down river.

Capitol Reef, Bryce, GC and Zion...

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:42:19 GMT

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!

7-12-2011 Camp TV from Bryce Canyon, UT

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:21:02 GMT

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

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:16:11 GMT

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 saw the "coke ovens" and took a hike along Rim Walk to see many rock formations "praying hands" and more.

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).

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.

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!

First Ever National Kids to Parks Day this Weekend

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Thu, 19 May 2011 19:53:00 GMT

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!

Bronx Zoo

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:26:00 GMT

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.

Note the American Bison in the background
Bronx Zoo Bison

South Dakota Last Summer

Gorillas in the Mist

Christopher 2010 American Wanderer Campfire Gala

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Lakota Path Day 12 -

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:27:00 GMT

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!

Lakota Path Day 9 - 10 - 11

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:09:00 GMT

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....

Lakota Path Day 7 -8

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:31:00 GMT

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!

Lakota Path Day 5 - 6

Chris and Lyn Kimberly — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:50:00 GMT

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.