Vacations Blog

During 70’s we had ourselves a big t-shirt fad. There were all sorts of custom T-shirt stores around; The Shirt Shoppe, The T-shirt Shack, etc. Folks were big into wearing T-shirts adorned with pithy sayings and cool decals. One that I’ve always remembered read “Go Climb a Rock,” which apparently was the logo for the Yosemite Mountaineering School.

Well this past Saturday the boy and I joined some friends and did just that, except the rocks we climbed were at Rock City located in the Mt. Diablo State Park.

Having grown up in the San Francisco/Bay Area, I’ve been to Rock City a few times in my 40-something years, however my last visit was probably during the latter part of the 80’s, and most definitely “pre-boy.” So when friend KC invited us to spend the day with his folks and family I jumped at the chance to show the boy all the good, wholesome fun to be had climbing around on a bunch of rocks. Sarcastic as that might sound (even more so if you know me), Rock City is a great time.

Located somewhere just beyond the 2,000 ft level in Mt. Diablo State Park, Rock City is, described thusly in the Mt. Diablo State Park online brochure; “Rock City: You will find unusually large sandstone formations and small caves here.”  Wow, is that some exciting copy or what?

Be not deterred by the lack of colorful adjectives, would be outdoors-person. Rock City is an awesome place to spend the day. You can climb all over those “unusually large sandstone formations,” and many have had actual foot/hand holds ground into them over the years. The views are spectacular, plus you’re getting exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. And because KC’s parents are so generous and well organized, I also got hot dogs and fried chicken. I can’t promise the same on any visit you might make.

Many visitors have taken to carving their names, and in some cases the occasional vulgarity, into the rock, and while this sounds something akin to vandalism, it actually adds a certain charm to the place. In honesty I prefer the dedication of those willing to take the time to carve something as opposed to some lazy sods that actually used markers to add their names to the sandstone.

There are numerous picnic sites available, each equipped with a table and a bbq stove/grill, and while we did grill, (and when I say “we” I mean KC’s dad) I’d recommend bringing sandwiches or the aforementioned fried chicken. The distance between the actual grill top and one’s charcoal is rather yawning, thus requiring us (us also equals KC’s dad) to assist the charcoal in its task by adding wood and small animals to the blaze. I’m kidding. It’s against the law to gather firewood. Actually I have no idea if that’s true, and if it is KC’s dad broke the law.

Anyway, I can say from personal experience that the boy and I had a great time at Rock City. The entry fee to Mt. Diablo State Park is $7.00 per car.

For more information you can check out the California State Parks website.

A few words of caution; keep a close eye on small children. There are many places where they can get lost, and many very large, very high rocks from which they can fall. DO NOT let young children climb on the rocks without an adult present. Also, this being California mountain country you might run into a rattlesnake. In fact, we did. Fortunately it was on our drive down the mountain and we were able to snap some pictures from the safety of our car. Even still, they’re pretty scary and I cried a little.

Orogenisis. Mountain building. Plate tectonics and erosion. A geological blink, really, but an eternity to us.

Mountains have always had a calming effect on me. I run to them like a child running to his mother with a scraped knee or hurt feelings. Mountains always reciprocate my feelings. Pulling me gently into their arms and soothing me.

Yosemite, Yellowstone, Denali. These locations are all fine specimens, steeped in history and tradition. The afore mentioned mountains are of epic proportions. A fine place to visit. Explore. Escape. But, to truly see how mountains age, I would recommend a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park

While the winter months will keep even the most seasoned backpackers out of the high country, the views and majesty of these old, hard-luck mountains can be viewed through the now barren forest canopy.

Townsend, Tennessee, dubbed “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies” is an excellent place to get away from the hustle and bustle of more popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is my home away from home. You can warm your cold and weary bones after a long hike at Doc’s Motel. Ask for Sharron. Tell her Charles Downs, the Younger, sent you.

My stomach tells me things after a long hike. Things like, “if you don’t feed me I’m gong to make things rough on you.”  Fuel is needed after, as well as before, a good hike. While Townsend offers a myriad of dinning options; Smokin’ Joe’s Barbecue in particular is very good.  May I suggest a short 30 minute drive to Maryville, Tn. Say hello to my friend and, on occasion, Flyfishing partner, Tommy Vaughn, at Foothills Milling Company. The fare is gourmet, the atmosphere is casual, and you won’t leave hungry.

Now go. Lace up those boots. Grab a warm jacket and load the camera with film. The ghosts of spring are calling you. If you listen close, you can hear them.

Photos courtesy of nps. gov

Historic downtown Boulder City, Nevada

There’s more to Southern Nevada than the mega resorts of the Las Vegas Strip. Located just 20 miles from the hustle and bustle of the gambling and entertainment Mecca, Boulder City offers families an opportunity to explore Southern Nevada’s rich history in a quaint, small town setting reminiscent of Mayberry.

Founded in 1932 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to house workers constructing the nearby Hoover Dam, Boulder City is unlike most destinations in Nevada as gambling is prohibited. The city is one of only two in the state with no casinos. Instead, visitors are welcome to shop antique stores along the city’s downtown streets, visit museum attractions or take advantage of outdoor activities.

Whether staying in Las Vegas and visiting as part of an excursion or staying in the city at one of its charming hotels, a trip to Boulder City is not complete without a visit to the iconic Hoover Dam, located just a few minutes away on U.S. 93 at the border between Nevada and Arizona.

Often referred to by locals by its original name, Boulder Dam, the massive art deco inspired dam was completed in 1935 as both the world’s largest electric-power generating station and the world’s largest concrete structure. Though neither record holds true today, the dam is still considered one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has conducted tours through Hoover Dam and its powerplant since 1937. Today, nearly one million visitors a year take the tour and millions more drive across the dam.

View of Hoover Dam

Guided tours are offered every day of the week with admission prices ranging from $11.00 to $30.00 per person with discounted prices for children, seniors and military families. The Visitor Center is open for unguided exploration for $8.00 for all visitors over the age of three.

Visitors not interested in a tour are welcome to walk along the top of the dam and enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Mead and Black Canyon. Visitors, particularly children, are often amused at the fact that the men’s restroom is located in Nevada in the Pacific Time Zone and the women’s restroom is located on the Arizona side in the Mountain Time Zone. It’s not often that you have an opportunity to visit two states and two time zones at one attraction.

Visitors to Hoover Dam may park in the parking garage nestled in the cliffs on the Nevada side of the dam. The fee is $7.00 per vehicle. Free parking is available in lots along the road on the Arizona side, but the spots may be hard to find on busy weekends and the walk up and down the steep hills may be grueling during the hot summer months. However, a small cafe is located at the top of the hill providing snacks, refreshments and a spectacular view.

Within Boulder City the state’s railroading past is showcased at the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum. Constructed in 1931 as a branch off the main Union Pacific tracks through Las Vegas, the railroad transported heavy equipment and supplies for the construction of Hoover Dam. Today, train rides along the historic tracks are a popular attraction.

February through December the train takes passengers on a 45-minute, seven mile journey along the revitalized historic Boulder Branch Line from the Boulder City Depot (off Yucca Street) to Railroad Pass, located within the River Mountain Range.

Passengers ride in refurbished and enclosed, climate-controlled Pullman Coaches, which date back to 1911. For the more adventurous passengers who wish to be closer to nature the open-air coach is great for taking photos of the desert mountain landscape.

Trains depart from the Depot every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure times and reservations are not required. Fares are $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and $4.00 for children under the age of 11.

Zipwire over Bootleg Canyon

For the outdoor sports enthusiasts, Boulder City’s Bootleg Canyon Park, known for its mountain biking trails, is now home to one of the city’s newest tourist attractions, the Bootleg Canyon Flightlines. There visitors who aren’t afraid of heights can experience an adrenaline rush as they glide down ziplines strung high above the canyon.

Bootleg Canyon has five zipline runs, including a practice run. From the top, riders drop nearly 1,000 feet along four runs, including one that’s nearly a half mile long.

The cost for this exhilarating adventure is $149 per person. The minimum weight for riders is 75 lbs. and the maximum is 250 lbs. Check-in is at the 1512 Industrial Road in Boulder City where riders are provided their harness and trained in safety, basic gliding techniques as well as how to increase and decrease speed.

For visitors interested in a more relaxing time, downtown Boulder City’s shops, galleries and restaurants are inviting. For great food, stop by The Coffee Cup, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. You can also grab some food to go and enjoy an outdoor family picnic at Hemenway or Bicentennial Park.

However you chose to enjoy your visit to Boulder City, you’ll find away to be “a world away for a day.”

Hoover Dam photo by Pamela McCreight (Creative Commons)/Boulder City and Bootleg Canyon photos by Boulder City.

On our recent trip to Alaska (the 49^th state, celebrating their 50^th anniversary of statehood in 2009) we spent some glorious time in Denali National Park. We saw caribou, grizzly bears, ptarmigan, snow hares, mountains, glaciers, cruise ship tourists, but not a lot of families. That is too bad, since Denali Park is completely family friendly! Here are my recommendations for a family trip to this great national park up north:

Check out the Denali Visitor Center

The friendly rangers will help you plan your trip in Denali, whether you choose to camp, hike or take a short park tour. Good to know for families – the Visitor Center has Junior Ranger Backpacks, available for checkout. They include binoculars, pens, paper and activity books. If you are only in the park for a short time, the rangers also have Junior Ranger Activity Books – help your child complete the activities and become a certified Junior Ranger!

Stop by and explore the Murie Science and Learning Center

Serving as the winter visitor center for the park, during the summer the Murie Science and Learning Center is a great educational destination for families. My kids enjoyed exploring animal skulls and touching fur. The Center also offers week-long Family Field Seminars, specifically designed for families with children under 9.

Take a shuttle bus ride into the park

For our daylong trip in Denali, we hopped aboard one of the green shuttles to visit the inner park. After picking up our tickets at the Wilderness Access Center (WAC) we boarded a bus for a 6-hour tour into Toklat, about 50 miles into the park. Shuttle and tour busses are the only way to see the park, as cars are not allowed past mile 17. Frankly, I would rather leave the driving to someone else! The bonus for families – children under 14 ride free with their parents. Word of advice; be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water for the trip, as there are no concessions past the Visitor Center.

Join a ranger-led program

One of the easiest ways to learn more about Denali is through ranger-led programs. Many programs are offered daily, including hikes and nature programs; check with the Visitors Center for details. Our family enjoyed all our interactions with the park rangers, who were a wealth of knowledge and very willing to take the time to answer our questions. We even learned that mosquitoes in the park are vital to the eco system, pollinating the blueberry bushes, which are important to the health of the local grizzly bears.

And finally, leave some time to get out of your car and explore the park on foot. The park is outstanding and the beauty needs to be explored from the ground. For more ideas, check out Alpenglow Visitor Guide, a publication highlighting current events at the park.

America. Nothing says it more than a visit to a historical landmark. And what better way to ease the kids back into school than with a late-summer trip somewhere that is fun as well as educational!

In the midwest, there are several great options from which to choose. The first landmark that most people probably think of in the US’s midwest region is Mount Rushmore. From the Mt. Rushmore government site:

“This epic sculpture features the faces of four exalted American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. South Dakota’s Black Hills provide the backdrop for Mount Rushmore, the world’s greatest mountain carving. These 60-foot high faces, 500 feet up, look out over a setting of pine, spruce, birch, and aspen in the clear western air.”

Mt. Rushmore offers plenty of family fun, including sculpture workshops, guided tours, and opportunities for volunteering, youth programs, and internships. They also have great things for kids to do, so be sure to get them involved!

People probably also think of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. My family and I were there several months ago and it is truly something to behold. From the Gateway Arch’s web site, linked above:

“The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.”

Once there, one thing that everyone….except me….wants to do it take the tram to the top of the arch. While the more adventurous were doing that, I watched Monument to the Dream, the movie that uses live footage of the building of the arch to tell the story of how the idea became a reality. The monument also houses the Museum of Westward Expansion, and nearby you can take a ride down the Mississippi on a riverboat and visit the Historic Courthouse.

Whether you visit one of these landmarks or opt for another, be sure to enjoy what is left of summer here in the Midwest. It won’t be long before we’ll be picking apples and pumpkins and planning our Halloween parties, so take the family and get away for one last weekend. Be safe, have fun, and be sure to tell George Washington I said hello.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is huge and spans three counties.  These are the thirteen things I love about this area in just Marin County (north of Golden Gate Bridge) and only about 30 minutes from the city.  Most of the time, I don’t think of these as part of a national park, but a destination in and of themselves.

1. Bolinas Ridge-a beautiful ridge for hiking or riding that offers views of the shoreline 200 feet below.
2. Fort Baker–beautiful little park for picnics and has the Bay Area Discovery Musuem
3. Fort Cronkhite-a dog friendly ocean beach, good sand castle opportunities, and the crashing waves are not too overwhelming for kids
4. Kirby Cove-just over the Golden Gate, this beach is usually only frequented by locals, not too many tourists are willing to make the mile long hike to get to the beach
5. Marin Headlands–good bird watching and great for road and mountain biking
6. Muir Woods National Monument–I love the trees, but really think this is overrated, if I was a tourist, I would just take a hike on Mt. Tam starting at Pan Toll and walk to Stinson Beach, lots of redwoods and not too many tourists
7. Muir Beach-close to Muir Woods and the Pelican Inn, an English pub, offers all sorts of beers to cool off after a hike on Mt. Tam
8. Muir Beach Overlook–spectacular vistas of the Pacific and of the valley, it feels as if you could fall into the fog sometimes
9. Nike Missile Site-described as an educational cold war museum by the parks dept. it offers tours Wednesday through Friday and on the first Saturday of every month.  Take the elevator to down to the missile area.  A nice break from hiking and a bit of history, to.
10. Olema Valley–bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and access to Pt. Reyes National Seashore
11. Point Bonita Lighthouse–built in 1855, this lighthouse is reached by crossing two bridges, tours are currently closed, but it is worth checking back with the park service to find out if it is going to re-open, still a beautiful drive, hike and picnic area
12. Stinson Beach–my favorite beach for swimming, surfing and sea kayaking, the southern end of the beach offers fun little pools and crab catching
13. Tennessee Valley–a flat ride of only 2 miles will place you in the protected cove, you can hike up to an old missile site on either side of the beach

Golden National Recreation Area is the best part of the bay area.  It offers a respite from the concrete, a glimpse into the past and serves up the crashing waves of the Pacific next to the peacefulness of  a redwood forest.  Highly recommend you visit any of these places if you live or visit the bay area.