California Wine Trip 2018: Pismo, Paso and Pinnacles

I took literally a trillion pictures in California, so it’s been a daunting task to go through them.  The first set is of Pismo Beach, Paso Robles and Pinnacles National Park (Thanks Obama).

Big Bend 2017

Vanabout 2017 Day 8: Many Glaciers to West Glacier

That was a terrible day. It rained almost the whole day, so not many pictures. I did finally get to use my weBoost that turned no 4gLTE into just enough to be reconnected with society, but not enough to post these last three galleries.

Maybe tomorrow.

Vanabout 2017 Day 7: More Many Glaciers

Well, that may have been the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.

Five years ago I hike the Grinnell Glacier trail ( a 6 mile trail each way with a 1200ft elevation climb) with no water, no food and no bear spray.  Well I wasn’t going to be that stupid again this year.  I brought water. I brought bison bars.  And I brought bear spray.

So I thought I was all prepared to hike the equally long and difficult Iceberg Lake trail. Except it didn’t occur to me that, although all the snow had melted at camp, 1200 feet up, there will still be substantial snow.  And so, the last half mile of the trial was covered in snow.  I couldn’t turn back. I was almost there. Actual experienced winter hikers kept passing me with their hiking sticks and snow chains on their shoes.

Somehow I didn’t slip off the mountain or break a leg/arm/skull/other wrist. 34,000 steps later I am able to share the amazing pictures I took.

Vanabout 2017 Day 6: Helena to Glacier (Many Glaciers)

Vanabout 2017 Day 5: Yellowstone to Helena

I once again have 4G LTE and it’s raining in Helana.  So there’s not much to do but drink Gewürztraminer and catch up on blogging.

Today I said goodbye to Yellowstone and thinking I could spend two weeks here and not come close to getting enough.

Vanabout 2017 Day 4: More Yellowstone

Geysers! Nothing but Geysers!!

Well, almost.  There was also a visit to one of the most stunning places in North America, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Also, Zoe tries her paw at fly fishing.

Vanabout 2017 Day 3: Tetons to Yellowstone

Yay!  I have internets again. 

The weather didn’t improve much in the Tetons and southern Yellowstone – lots of snow and clouds.  So, not as many pictures. Camped at Madison Campground, conveniently located near Old Faithful, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and West Yellowstone.  Most of the pictures at the end of this gallery are from around camp.

Vanabout 2017 Day 2: Dubois to Tetons

What an amazing day.  First, I woke up to a light dusting of snow.  I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced snow as early as October 1. Then I see a bear, and then more snow than I’ve ever seen in my life. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate once I got to the Tetons as they were hidden behind clouds when I went to take pictures of the famous  Mormon barn. Fortunately, there was just enough 4G mobile network at the Gros Ventre campgrounds to upload this gallery.

As always, click on the gallery to see all the pictures in the gallery.  I’m always amazed when I hear that people think I only posted these seven pictures.  For this gallery, I think there are 40+.

Adorable Marmot Picture of the Day

Alex’s Mom posted this on my wall in Facebook since she knows I love me some marmots and Glacier Park.  But upon watching it the first time I exclaimed, “Fuckin eh, I’ve hiked up there!”

Want proof.

And without my big head.

From the video.

The Sierra Nevadas: Day 1 Part 1

Sierra Nevadas D1P1 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Having taken over 1200 pictures over the long weekend, I will have to publish them half days at a time.  Please to enjoy.