Crater Lake National Park – Down by the Water

So blue, so clean, so cold… To gain access to the lake you need to take the Cleetwood Cove trail. It starts at the northern end of the Crater Lake National Park East Rim Drive.  Be sure to stop somewhere before the trail though to take in the view above Cleetwood Cove. Now it’s pretty easy-going down…

Crater Lake National Park – The Phantom Ship

The other island of Crater Lake, the Phantom  Ship seems to just be sailing away. That “small sailboat” is in fact the height of a 16 story building and being made of 400,000 year old erosion resistant lava rock, it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon! Beautiful to look at though!

Crater Lake National Park – That Deep Blue Lake Takes Your Breath Away!

This majestic lake has gone by many names but first it was known as Giiwaas (a most sacred place). Named so by the Klamath people long ago who believed the giant volcanic caldera in which the lakes sits was created during  an epic battle between their spirit gods. Later as gold prospectors started to come through…

Crater Lake National Park – Wizard Island

Possibly one of the coolest named landmarks in a national park is Wizard Island which dominates the western rim of Crater Lake National Park. It sits there proudly rising out of the water with its Witches Cauldron crater sitting at the top to remind you it’s actually a remainder of a volcanic cinder cone. The island and…

Crater Lake National Park – Stunning!

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is a place I have wanted to visit for many years. I remember flying over it on a passenger flight from LA to Seattle a few years back and looking down in wonder. Now I have finally been to the lake, stood on the massive volcanic rim and felt how…

Arches National Park: Park Avenue

Have you seen the well-to-do Up and down Park Avenue On that famous thoroughfare With their noses in the air… (opening lyrics from “Puttin’ on the Ritz” written by Irving Berlin) This is a grand canyon in its own right. The majestic rock face and formations down Park Avenue in Arches National Park are reminiscent of…

Arches National Park: Sand Dune Arch

In Utah’s Arches National Park sits the pretty and quite little, Sand Dune Arch. Located within a large rock formation in the Devils Garden section of the park, it would be quite easy to never see it all. Make your way down that sandy path though, so you don’t miss it,  as that really would be a…

Arches National Park: A Walk in the Devils Garden – Partition Arch

Partition Arch is off to the side of the Primitive Trail in the Devils Garden section of Arches National Park in Utah. Not the biggest arch by any means but I really liked the view up there.

Arches National Park: A Walk in the Devils Garden – Arches Galore!

There are numerous significant arches located around the Devils Garden section of Arches National Park in Utah but the less famous ones should not be forgotten.  These include Skyline Arch, Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch which all have their own special character and charm. Enjoy!

Arches National Park: A Walk in the Devils Garden – Landscape Arch

Such a fragile beauty.  Landscape Arch spanning 93 metres / 306 foot in the Devils Garden section of Arches National Park in Utah sits precariously and stoically despite a significant mishap on September 1st, 1991. Back then a huge 18.2 metre / 60 foot 180 tonne slab of rock broke away from the slender arch, crashing to the ground…

Arches National Park: A Walk in the Devils Garden – Double O Arch

Wander the hot and dusty trails of the Devils Garden in Arches National Park, Utah and you will be well rewarded with spectacular views. For me the ultimate reward after a thirsty hike on a very hot day along the Primitive Trail, which features amazing scenery accompanied with narrow ledges and rocky climbing, was to see…

Arches National Park, Utah: Delicate Arch

The most famous stone formation in Utah’s Arches National Park would probably have to be the picturesque Delicate Arch. The 65 foot tall (20 metre ) freestanding arch is an impressive sight!