U.S. National Parks – Snippets of a Traveling Mind

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” (John Muir)

There was a time in my life when a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains offered a daring adventure of inner tube rides along a wildly running river or an arduous hike to the top of a steep mountain. But this other world of youthful physical exuberance has now vanished as Ruth and I pondered a more subdued experience in visiting this popular National Park on our 2020 road trip visit on the first weekend of June. Most assuredly then, these picturesque mountains would now entice us with easier hiking exertion as well as a much desired mental escape from the past three months of pandemic quarantining.

Regretfully, however, so many other tourists in Gatlinburg, Tennessee appeared to have the same thought in mind as we drove through the busy downtown. With heavy traffic gridlock into the park thus arising as a potential problem, we realized that our next morning plans to visit here might have to be changed. It seemed that a timely road turnoff or an empty picnic table would become our less ambitious reality on this day visit if parking near hiking trails could not be found. Good fortune, however, would strike us today as we found two hours of easy hiking bliss along the “Fighting Creek”Nature Trail on our way back to Gatlinburg. For those of you who are tired of those lengthy periods of pandemic isolation, the following photographs might provide you with some outdoor emotional therapy.

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” (John Muir)

Let’s face facts. I’ve always visited the small towns in the American South with kind of an urban, “chip on my shoulder”. At such times, my childhood TV impressions of rural comedy depicted in Andy of Mayberry” and “Green Acres” from my TV past clouds my mind. How sad that I also tend to cringe at the thought of engaging in meaningful conversation with strangers of a more conservative, southern mind. I have, on the other hand, enjoyed the cool glass of sweet tea, fried chicken, and collard greens at a local country diner in a southern town. Taking in a dose of bluegrass music now and then or casual shopping in a “mom and pop” store has seemed equally enticing. Clearly, then, some seeds” have been planted already for me to obtain a “Deep South” connection to enlighten my travel spirit.

Perhaps a relaxing, encounter with nature in Western Carolina’s Smoky Mountains at the end of our road trip could provide impetus for a clearer perspective. Foregoing the ambitious plan for a full day of entertaining historical/cultural sightseeing in nearby Asheville, I would instead opt to embrace the simpler option of seeking inner silence/solitude along a late morning drive of the “Blue Ridge” Parkway. In spending “quality time” at each overlook, amidst the sheer panoramic bliss of these spectacularly forested mountains, it seemed that any anti- southern mind distractions seemed utterly pointless at the time. I thus encourage you to feel my version of “southern hospitality” that I experienced In the following photographic display.

“Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops Sail o’er the canyons and up to the stars And reach for the heavens and hope for the future And all that we can be and not what we are.” (John Denver)

On day 55 of our spring road trip, we left Las Vegas traveling eastward on Interstate 15 in mid morning. Entering the rugged canyon lands of Southern Utah, two lane, curvy roads would be a more challenging drive yet motivate us to detour for several hours to sightsee/hike in Zion National Park in the afternoon. Driving south determinedly for two more hours after Zion, we at last settled into our latest Air B&B destination in Page, Arizona at dusk for some much needed rest. Our next two days in this tourist friendly town would thus provide a convenient spot for exploring the famed canyon landforms and engineering marvels of the Lake Powell watershed. The grand finale on this canyon leg of our road trip journey spontaneously happened in our decision to stop along the Grand Canyon South Rim on the way to our next destination, Sedona, Arizona. Enjoy the following photographic displays from each of these stunningly beautiful locations.

ZION NATIONAL PARK

Private vehicles are restricted into the interior of Zion National Park. So we hopped on the free shuttle at the Visitor Center along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to experience spectacular views of immensely steep cliffs along both sides of the tram.

Stepping off the tram for a look at the Human History Museum, I became immediately mesmerized by multicolored layers of ancient rock on a steep cliff opposite the tram stop.

We exited again at the last stop of the tram circuit to enjoy a short hike along the rushing waters of the Virgin River to the beginning of the famed “Narrows” region.

PAGE, ARIZONA

Spectacular views of Glenn Canyon Recreation area overlooking Lake Powell captivated our attention near Page at Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam Overlook.

A leisurely drive north along the Lake Powell perimeter road brought us a closer view of the waters below. At Wahweap, we hiked down a boulder strewn beach to relax amidst the gently lapping shores.

Booking the mandatory tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, we descended deeply into a maze of spectacularly visual caverns. At times, the surreal rock and light show down there caused me to act a bit goofy.

CAMERON, ARIZONA

We stopped at an Navaho Trading Post along Route 89 on the way to Grand Canyon. Here I noticed a distinct nostalgia for the “Old West on surrounding murals.

GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM

We entered the the Grand Canyon at the inconspicuous east entrance along Highway 64. At nearby Desert View Overlook area, we ascended to the top of the Watchtower for breathtaking views of the enormous depths descending down the surrounding canyon. This vantage point also offered clear views of the Colorado River flowing wildly in its narrow chasm.

Driving along the rim to the west, we made time for a tourist popular stop at the Park Visitor Center where we hiked briefly to famous Mather Point Overlook. Here I focused my attention on the surrounding high plateau vegetation and upper reaches of the canyon.

The Grand Canyon holds great meaning for the long existing Indian tribes there. At various overlooks along the South Rim, I noted authentic signs of their “sacred” connection to this beautiful place.

Tag: U.S. National Parks

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