Roadtrip Reflections

Scenic Drive - Beartooth Highway

2014-03-13T14:37:00.001-07:00

The Beartooth Highway is the section of U.S. Route 212 between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana. We accessed this scenic drive exiting the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Because of it's high altitudes and unpredictable weather, snowstorms can occur even in the middle of the summer and the pass is also known for strong winds and severe thunderstorms. Because of heavy snowfall at the top, Beartooth Pass is usually open each year only from mid May through mid October, weather conditions permitting. The Beartooth Pass is at an elevation of 10,947 feet.

Much of the highway is above the tree line and it traces a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks along the Montana-Wyoming border. Because it is such a picturesque drive, my advice would be to stop as many times as possible and take in the spectacular scenery. CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt called this highway "the most beautiful drive in America."

Enterprising Entrepreneur - June Lake, CA

2013-03-09T21:38:00.001-08:00

We ran across this "breakfast spot" in June Lake, CA as we were traveling through the Eastern Sierras. The guys were friendly and the breakfast burrito was tasty. My recommendation: buy the burrito, then head down to the Gull Lake Marina for a table with an absolutely gorgeous view.

Grand Teton National Park

2011-03-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, Grand Teton National Park is a misunderstood place. I think most people drive right by, heading for Yellowstone and never stopping to explore. We gave ourselves two days to check out the park while staying in Jackson. As it turned out, two days was not sufficient to really enjoy this place.
It's an easy drive up Highway 89, turning at the Moose Park Entrance. We arrived at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center which is a nice place to get information about the park.

Once we began hiking at Jenny Lake, it became obvious that there is much to do here. A boat shuttle (below) will take you to the other side of the lake where you can relax and return on the boat, or you can hike back around the lake in either direction. There are many more hiking trails than I expected. There are also paved bike trails in the park. (Click on photos for larger view)

Jenny Lake is a beautiful place to hike, picnic, photograph, or just plain relax. I would definitely recommend driving the "Loop" near North Jenny Lake Junction. Other points of interest would be the Signal Mountain Lodge and boat dock, Colter Bay, the Jackson Lake Lodge, and the many scenic stops along the way.

Below is a picture of my dad (1971) standing on the boat dock at Colter Bay, on Jackson Lake. I remember him saying, at that time, this was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen.

The next photo is me, almost 40 years later to the month, standing very near the spot my dad was. I would have to agree with my dad... pretty spectacular scenery.

For more photos, please visit my website.

Jackson, Wyoming

2011-02-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

This is the second journal entry from our trip to Yellowstone National Park. We entered the town of Jackson, Wyoming at about 5 p.m. on our second night of travel. I would suggest you make reservations if you are planning to stay here. There aren't many towns near Jackson, and it is a very popular destination. The town lays just south of Grand Teton National Park so it becomes a basecamp for many. Fortunately, we found a spot at The Virginian RV Resort. The Virginian was a nice place to stay as it was pretty centrally located in town. It is an urban-type campground, so if you are looking for a more traditional camping experience, you would probably want to try a campground outside of town. Below is the view of the Snow King Ski Resort as seen from downtown Jackson.

Jackson is a very clean and tourist friendly town. There are many themed stores, restaurants of all types, and even cowboy exhibitions in the streets. When we were there, we witnessed a good old-fashioned shootout.

The picture below was taken at Town Square, a beautiful park located in the center of Jackson.

I would definitely recommend stopping at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center just north of Jackson and south of Grand Teton National Park. It is very much worth a visit.

"Cruising Down Memory Lane: Olympic National Park"

2011-02-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

Olympic National Park, Rain Forest, Circa 1966:

The trailer is a rental, and I'm not sure of the make. The name "Playmate" is displayed on the back. Anyone have any idea regarding the company name or model? The tow vehicle was our family vehicle; Pontiac, Tempest, station wagon (aquamarine).

Afton, Wyoming

2011-02-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

This is the first of many posts that will chronicle our trip to Yellowstone National Park. Along the way, we ran across many interesting "sidetrips" and "photostops." You can see all the photos of our whole trip when you visit my photography website. Driving through Wyoming, we passed through a town called Afton. As you drive into town the World's Largest Elkhorn Arch comes quickly into view.

The town isn't very large, and it being Sunday late afternoon, not much was open or happenning.

Afton is located on US 89 south of Jackson. The arch gives the traveler a good reason to stop, stretch a little, and take some photos.

On a personal note, seeing the "Afton Arch" was revisiting a special time in my life. It was the Summer of 1971 and my brother had just graduated from high school. My father thought it would be great to take a trip across the United States together. So we piled into my Dad's customized Dodge Tradesman 200 "camper" van and we saw many wonderful places including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Washington D.C., and many more. I remember my Dad seeing the arch, in Afton, and stopping to take pictures. We read about how it was put together and it seemed pretty cool at the time. Well, all of these years later, of course that memory is more than cool... it is GOLD. I no longer have my Dad around to recollect that day, but I do have the photo... thanks, Dad.

Rincon Parkway, Ventura, CA

2010-05-31T20:43:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for beachfront camping, this might just be the spot! It's called Rincon Parkway and the views are hard to beat. Talk about a room with a view!

Did I mention the railroad tracks across the street? Honestly, it was not bad.

Ocean view from the bedroom... beautiful hillsides from the dinette.

This is actually a county park campground just south of Rincon Parkway.

The Living Desert - Garden-Scale Railroad

2010-04-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

Located in Palm Springs, the Living Desert is a collection of animals, plants, and many other exhibits. Among those exhibits is a "garden-scale" model railroad. If you like model trains, this is definitely worth a visit.

If you like "garden-scale" railroad layouts like this one, you should visit the one at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona. This model railroad has many different features to it. One can spend a lot of time checking out all of the little details.

There are many "scenes" depicted here including mountains, the Grand Canyon, and remnants of Route 66.

You can see more photos of this model railroad, as well as many others, at my photography website: DSmithPhotography.SmugMug.com

Camping in Las Vegas?

2010-04-11T19:15:00.001-07:00

I know what you're thinking... camping in Las Vegas? Nobody camps in Las Vegas, or do they?

It was time to get the RV back on the road again, so I thought I would give the Las Vegas KOA a try. It is basically a huge parking lot next to the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino located on the north end of The Strip. I was pleasantly surprised how quiet and relaxing an experience it was. The office staff were extremely nice and helpful, and the facility was was well maintained. Full hookups are available to make your stay very comfortable. They even have a "dog park" for your canine buddies.Spring Break turned-out to be a great time of the year to visit with daytime temperatures in the low 80's and evening temperatures cooling to the high 60's.Photo Gallery: D. Smith Photography

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

2010-03-31T20:32:00.000-07:00

Joshua Tree National Park is an unusual place. It is a large park that caters mostly to rock climbers, hikers, and photographers. It is a great place to go if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

There are hiking trails throughout the park. Some of the landscape I encountered looked like something from another planet.
You can find water at Joshua Tree. This picture was taken on the trail to Barker Dam.
I recommend making the trip to Keys View. It's a bit of a drive, but well worth it. The view is spectacular and the weather conditions can be quite windy.
From Keys View, you can see Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
The campground at Jumbo Rocks is a favorite among many park visitors.
This was one of my campsites at Indian Cove Campground. It is located outside of the park, but is a great place to camp and climb around on some awesome rocks.
Photo Gallery: D. Smith Photography

Camping in Mammoth Lakes, CA

2010-03-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Personally, I have only camped in three campgrounds in the Mammoth Lakes area: New and Old Shady Rest, and the Mammoth RV Resort. All of these campgrounds are located in the town of Mammoth Lakes which has its advantages and disadvantages.

On the positive side, the beauty is all around you when being anywhere in Mammoth. The "in-town" campgrounds are not what I would label as "urban" campgrounds. As a matter of fact, you can camp on the edges of New Shady Rest and feel very much out in the wilderness. Both Shady Rest campgrounds are run by the National Forest Service and offer running water and flush toilets. The Mammoth RV Park is the only campground around that has full hookups. Also, being as close as you are to town affords you the ability to pick-up supplies easily and enjoy the amenities offered by various establishments around town.

New Shady Rest Campground:

On the negative side, you are camping in town and not next to a lake or river. Also, you can hear traffic from Highway 203.

Obviously, if you really want to get into the most beautiful parts of the area, you will want to camp at the lakes or Reds Meadow regions.

Twin Lakes Campground:

Red's Meadow Shuttle Basin

2010-03-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

Photo Gallery: dsmithphotography.smugmug.com

Reflections:

This area is serviced by a mandatory shuttle unless you are camping in the basin, or you drive in before the shuttle begins operating . The hike from Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls (above photo) is a favorite for many.

Tip of the Trip:

The hike around Sotcher Lake is beautiful. There is also a hike that begins near the Minaret Vista Panorama. It is a downhill trail that ends near Starkweather Lake.

Question:
Has anyone camped in this area? If so, what do you think of the campgrounds? Do you have a favorite?

Website:

http://www.visitmammoth.com/static/index.cfm?action=group&contentID=755

Convict Lake

2010-02-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

Reflections:

This lake is a hidden treasure located about two miles west of Highway 395 just south of Mammoth Lakes, CA. Most travelers pass right by having no idea that it is so close. It makes for a great side trip from the Mammoth area. It is a perfect place for a picnic, or you can take a hike around the lake.

Tip of the Trip:
If you are looking for an elegant dining experience in the Eastern Sierras, this is the place. The Convict Lake Resort has, according to the locals, the finest dining around. There is also a well-stocked general store with some great pictures and memorabilia.

Question:
Do you know how Convict Lake got its name? http://www.convictlakeresort.com/history.html

Mammoth Lakes, CA

2010-02-12T22:40:00.000-08:00

Photo Gallery: http://dsmithphotography.smugmug.com/Travel

Reflections:

The Mammoth Lakes area has to be some of the most beautiful scenery in the eastern sierras. Most activities revolve around fishing, but there are some great campgrounds and hiking trails in the area.

Tip of the Trip:

Make sure you stop by the Ranger Station/Visitor Center at the beginning of town on Highway 203. The building features a lot of interesting information and there are some very comfortable chairs by a very warm fireplace that makes for a real nice break.

Question:

What is your favorite hike or activity in the Mammoth Lakes area?

Website: http://www.visitmammoth.com/

Mammoth Mountain, CA

2010-02-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Photo Gallery: http://dsmithphotography.smugmug.com/Travel

Reflections:

The gondola ride to the summit is amazing. It is smooth and fast, and the views are spectacular. There are some nice exhibits at the summit's interpretive center and the docents are very knowledgeable and helpful.

During the summer months, the Mountain Bike Park offers trails for riders of all abilities.

Hiking enthusiasts can use the mountain as well. One of the hikes I am looking forward to begins by riding the gondola to the summit. The trail starts just outside the interpretive center and winds down the back of the mountain to Twin Lakes. You can then pick up a shuttle into town or, if you're in really good shape, continue hiking until you reach the town of Mammoth Lakes.

If you enjoy the sport of skiing you should definitely visit the Mammoth Ski Museum in the town of Mammoth Lakes.

Tip of the Trip:

If you like local historic photos and memorabilia, you need to check out the lobby of the Mammoth Mountain Inn. The lobby or bar upstairs is a great place to relax for awhile.

Question:

What is your favorite ski run, mountain bike run, or hike on Mammoth Mountain?

Website: www.MammothMountain.com/