Banff (Canadian) National Park -- ALBERTA

4-25-09 -- We plan to make a day trip to Banff and to Lake Louis on May 5th. I have been told by many people over many years that this is some of the most beautiful scenery any where in the world! We will give you our own impressions after we see it for ourselves.

Unfortunately the Icefields Parkway running between Lake Louise and Jasper still have winter driving conditions as of April 30th, with full snow cover, so we are making this just a day trip instead of driving the full length of the park.

For more information: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/index_e.asp



May 6th -- We took a day trip to visit Lake Louise and Banff in the National Park. The visitor's centre was excellent at Lake Louise---focused on the geology of the area, including a video that Jakob enjoyed. We also liked the animals posed on "cliffs" in the lobby area--including a mama bear who finally had to be killed because she kept returning to the area campgrounds, no matter how far they flew her away!

Lake Louise is indeed in a beautiful setting, a high lake surrounded by mountain peaks. Unfortunately it was still ice & snow covered so we enjoy mountains reflected in bright turquoise green water.

We oohed and aahed over the views along the drive back toward Banff. Then we walked along the falls just outside of the town of Banff. They were quite different than any other falls we have seen---with many, many narrow channels of water jumping and splashing between layers of rock. That was definitely worth taking the time to see!

I've heard from a number of friends how gorgeous this area is---and it is indeed beautiful. But...since then we have travelled to many other areas that are just as beautiful...plus have almost NO people. We enjoyed this day trip---but I suspect we would have hated it in full summer with a zillion people crowding around.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument -- WY (May 2)

4/25/09 --We plan to make a day trip of this location on May 2nd. This is where the infamous "Custer's Last Stand" occured. Although it is now a USA National Monument, it is on Crow Agency Indian Lands.

5/2/09 -- Because we got into our campsite so early in the afternoon and because the weather was warm and sunny, we ended up visiting this place on Friday, May 1st instead. Then we returned for just a little while on Saturday, May 2nd so the kids could show Randy the Indian Memorial, which he had missed when he made a quick stop the day before.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm


I found the scattered white stones to be very evocative. Each one is placed where a soldier was found dead. It gives some idea of the movements of the group---and gives a much clearer idea of how desperate they must have been by the end. The tombstone for the horse cemetery gave a similar feel---how hard it must have been to have killed their own horses as a last ditch effort at survival for themselves.

The Indian Memorial was beautiful. The ideas behind it, spelled out in signs near the site, were really touching---looking for reconciliation, healing and peace between peoples. The memorial plus the film inside the visitors center made the valid point that the indians were fighting to protect their families, their homes, and their way of life. The 7th Cavalry were doing their jobs...but they were indeed the invaders. We had interesting family discussions about war, and fighting, and rights, and differing cultural views...

If you are in the area...DEFINITELY take time to stop here!

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

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The MOST INTERESTING thing: something the ranger said--that Lt. Custer was born in OHIO!!!!!!

A SAD thing: so many people died. There was even a horse cemetary---the soldiers even killed their own horses and hid behind them to try to stay alive. But it didn't work.

for FAMILIES: You can get another Junior Ranger Badge here. Try and see if the program in the national cemetery (there is a button to push...) is working when you go.





And also, you might like to dance by the horse statues in the Native American memorial circle!

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center--Casper WY

This was one of the BEST museums we have seen so far. It included in-depth looks at each of the historic trails that passed through this area: the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, and the Pony Express. It has many truly hands-on exhibits (not just computer screens to click for information).





I'm usually not very interested in the movies at parks and museums, however this one was quite good. It used voices reading journal excerpts along with narration to explain the basics of travelling west in the 1800s. A mix of video and still photos were blended and shown on 5 screens above life-size dioramas of travelers. Typical sounds which would have been heard accompany the narration in surround sound format. DON'T MISS this movie!

For more information: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/NHTIC.html

National Historic Trails Center

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The BEST thing: Seeing the Pony Express exhibit. There was an actual horse and they went fast, fast and they delivered mail.

Another FUN thing: playing with the pieces to have wagons cross a bridge over the Platte River. You had to get the parts all the way across with people on both sides to take care of things.

The most BORING thing: (1) staying so long. It kind of hurt my legs to stand around. (2) not being able to do a junior ranger badge. They don't have the program yet!

For FAMILIES:
(1) If you like horses, look at the pony express area. Also, try out the telegraph.


(2) Try crossing the river in the fake wagon. It's kind of bumpy but you don't really get wet! Don't be worried if you see things floating off on the river...and DON'T get up. You might tip over the wagon!

(Plans) Denali National Park, Alaska

We are HOPING for a clear view of Mt. McKinley while we are in the area. (Apparently that is somewhat rare in the summer because the mountain creates its own weather and is usually shrouded with clouds...)

We plan to spend a few days (July 3rd through 5th) here in this park. I'm hesitant to schedule a long-day tour bus trip through the park. So, we will just see what we can on the free shuttle buses which travel up to 15 miles into the park. We also plan to see a Dog Sled demonstration (maybe then my family will better understand my fascination with the Iditarod race??!!) While we are here, Anna will gather one more Junior Ranger badge.

For more information about this park which holds the highest mountain in North America: http://www.nps.gov/dena/

(Plans) Kenai Fjords National Park -- Seward AK

Time for another National Park visit. (Probably on Friday June 5th.) Another Junior Ranger badge is calling Anna's name! While here, we will learn more about glaciers at the visitor's center. Plus, we hope to walk to Exit Glacier and see its face.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/kefj/

(Plans) Wrangell-St. Elias National Park -- AK

We plan a day trip to visit this park---the largest anywhere in the USA's National Park system. We will spend time at the Visitor's Center to learn more about the mining in the area and to learn about the environment in this area of Alaska---land, climate, animals, plants, etc. We also hope to do a little hiking here---don't you think stretching our legs after thousands of miles of driving is a good idea?!! Anna will also work to get another Junior Ranger badge here.

For more information about this park: http://www.nps.gov/wrst/

(Plans) Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park -- Skagway AK

This will be our first stop in Alaska. Skagway doesn't actually connect directly to other parts of Alaska by any route other than by ferry, so this will be a short 3 night/2 day visit (May 17th through May 20th) back to the USA surrounded by time in Canada both before and after this.

Skagway was the entry point for the Klondike Gold Rush miners to head further north to the gold fields in search of riches. This Visitor's Center tells the story of hopes and heartbreaks for these miners. I wish we could attempt to hike at least part of the Chilkoot Trail...but we are definitely NOT prepared for that much difficulty! (Yes, we would have FAILED as Klondike Gold Rush miners!)

Anna will get another Junior Ranger badge here to add to her collection.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/klgo/index_old.htm

Casa Grande National Monument

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Most INTERESTING: Being able to walk into the rooms. The houses were on the open ground, not in a canyon like at Walnut Canyon. Also, these houses were MUCH bigger. The walls were taller than me. There weren't any roofs. There was also a huge building in the middle.

Most BORING: Not being able to go into the big castle. Now there's big bars to keep people out.



For FAMILIES: This is another place to get your Junior Ranger Badge. Here is a picture of me being "sworn in" as a Junior Ranger. This was my seventh badge!

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

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Saguaro National Park is an interesting park.

The visitor's center has a few little facts and a couple of displays.

It also has a little walking trail for when it hasn't rained recently. The reason you can't go on it if it's rained recently is because it goes along a dry creek bed.

Saguaro National Park

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Most FUN: Getting another Junior Ranger badge. This time the Ranger made an announcement to the whole visitor center!

the WORST thing: having to walk around so much.

Families should go here so you can see different cacti. Drive a ways then walk on a trail up the hills. You can even wander OFF the trail, if you are careful of the pricklies. And make sure your kids do the Jr. Ranger program!

This is a picture of one of the Saguaro Cacti. (You say it Suh-Wa-Roe!!!)

Then there is a close-up of the lines of pricklies on the whole cactus.

WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL PARK

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Walnut Canyon is a pretty cool place because you can see the place where people used to live about 800 years ago. One of the only down sides is that you have to go down around 200 steps to get to the ruins.

But if you don't want to have the hassle of going down the steps, there is a lookout balcony so you can see the canyon and a few of the ruins in the walls.

There is also a little museum inside the visitor's center that tells a little bit about the people that lived there.

Walnut Canyon National Park

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BEST Thing: was getting to walk into the houses down low. You could see the soot from hundreds of years ago!

the most TIRESOME Thing: was having to walk down so many steps and so many ramps. Then we had to walk aaaallllll the way back up again. I'm getting tired just thinking about it!

Families should go here, as long as they try to get their Junior Ranger Badge. (Then the museum isn't quite so boring cuz it's a scavenger hunt!) Go see my other blog to read all about what it was like. ( http://imagineanna.blogspot.com/ )

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

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The Grand Canyon is an amazing sight. On a clear day you can see the however many miles from one side to the other as well as the full mile to the bottom. And as dad pointed out there are a lot of canyons inside the canyon, with canyons inside them.

Although some things were more fun, such as climbing the watchtower building at the east end of the canyon. And everyone should go to a ranger talk of some sort. The one I went to was about California Condors. As a random fact,did you know that their wingspan is almost nine and a half feet long? that talk is at four o' clock in the evening every day.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

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BEST THING: Seeing the Colorado River. We saw boats floating on it! They looked like just white dots but someone showed them to us. They were so small because they were SO far away! Someday I want to take a mule ride to get down to the bottom and see the river up close.

WORST THING: Having to go see it every day makes it get boring!!

Families should come here. Younger kids should make sure and get a Junior Ranger Badge. [Ask how at any information center.] We went to the talk about Condors and other birds and you should go to that one, too. You should either take the mule ride or at least hike down the canyon a little ways.

Arches National Park

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BEST: Seeing Balanced Rock. It was actually balanced on a tall skinny rock! It doesn't even fall but it will someday.



I also liked the windows. If you got up to the North Window you could actually be under it and you could see the whole valley from there.


WORST: Being in the car so long and walking so far. I'm all tired out!



Kids--make SURE to do the Junior Ranger. Ask for the book at the desk [in the visitor center]. You fill in four or more things and pick up trash you find. Then you get an "Arches National Park" BADGE!

Arches National Park

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Arches national park is not a must see, but I would highly recommend it. One of the thing everyone must see are the Windows. Arches national park fun is mostly in looking at all the different formations that are named and making up your own names, or in finding new formations and adding names for them.

Glenwood Hot Springs

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FUN: It was hotter than other pools and it was LOTS bigger! The water had minerals in it so it tasted like salt PLUS I could float better.

WORST: It was scary except for where there were lights. The hot pool wasn't very good because it was TOO hot!

Families should go there...as long as they stay in the cooler pool!

Glenwood Hot Springs

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Glenwood hot springs is a nice little town with a couple of fun attractions, even though i only got to go to one of them :-(it uses three exits off the freeway.)
the attraction that i went to was a hot spring heated pool. the regular pool was 50 meters wide and like 240 meters long and kept around 94 degrees. they also had a therapy pool that was 50 meters wide and 200 feet long or longer. the therapy pool was kept around 104 degrees. and they had to dump cold water into the pools regularly to keep them from getting too hot for safety.