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Legendary "Second Summer" Arrives on Oregon Coast
It's likely THE biggest news story about the Oregon coast, yet it's one of the area's biggest secrets: Fall is just the beginning of some really warm weather, and the start of a load of features that make this the most inviting time of the year on...
Saving the Iberian Lynx
Of the 32 remaining species of big cat left in the world, the Iberian Lynx is the most endangered, even more so than the Siberian tiger. Western Europe's last remaining big cat is in serious trouble, recent estimations place the number of lynx...
Shanghai China, An Amazing Place To Live
Travel Shanghai China, An amazing city.
I live, work, play in Shanghai, China’s largest city, largest port; a city of 16 million people, (many millions more during holidays and festivals), a city wanting to be the biggest, best and most important...
Vacations - Making Car Travel Fun
Even with higher gas prices, families are still taking road
trips. Or maybe because of the higher air fares caused by higher
gas prices, people are opting to take more trips by car. Kids
get bored riding in the car. If the children are bored,...
Ya Mule! Backpacking In Siena, Italy
Ah, the glamour of backpacking through Europe. Of course, the glamour comes with a price as I found in Siena, Italy.
Siena
Siena is located an hour or so outside of Florence, Italy. My handy dandy guidebook suggested it was a side trip that...
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National Parks – Get Out Of Your Car!
The national park system in the United States is full of beauty and surprises. Still, you’ll be wondering if they’re worth it when you run into the crowds of other visitors.
Road Side Viewing
Sure, millions of people visit our national parks each year, miles of cars creep through at a painfully slow pace, parking lots are full and busses are packed. Cars stop in the middle of the road to view wildlife, backing up traffic for miles.
Is it all worth it? Should I just get stuck in a Los Angeles traffic jam with DVD player showing some nice mountain scenery?!
I travel through the Rocky Mountain Nation Park, using Trail Ridge Road, on a regular basis throughout the summer to reach some of my favorite fly fishing spots on the other side of the divide. I also have hiked many of the park trails. Let me tell you, I have seen the frustration of the gridlock national park experience.
Do you think the national park experience is looking out the window of your car or bus? How about stopping at the most popular scenic spots that are located within a stones throwing distance from the parking lots? If you do, well, you likely have missed out on 95 percent of the park and a serine magical experience that only those willing to put on the hiking boots get to
see.
The system of roads in a National Park is designed to minimize the impact on the park. It is not designed to get you to the best places. If you do not get off your butt and hike a bit, you are not seeing the beauty of the park. Sure, you may have to deal with the cattle drive to reach your desired trailhead, but a leisurely stroll of about 1 mile leave the hordes of arm chair park goers long behind. You could be standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of people looking across Bear Lake at one moment, and in near solitude one hour later if you’re willing to exert just a bit more energy than the majority of the park visitors.
Thanks goodness for the fast food armchair lifestyle!!!! Get on those boots and leave the crowds behind. It’s worth it.
About the Author: Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of hiking journals. Writing journals make great Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com to hiking stories and hiking articles.
Source: www.isnare.com
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