The best for 2011...

This has been a year of many changes and a mixture of transition for Kiefer and I...We are looking forward
to many more trips to National Parks across this great nation...
We want to wish everyone a very healthy and wealthy new year as well as Love and Happiness...
We plan on keeping a travel blog again this coming year and hope you have the time to follow our experiences...
Thank You for all your comments and support in our 2010 travels and we look forward to many more in 2011...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Reflections of 2010 and National Parks Journeys...

This was our first outing as volunteers for a better America via the National Park Service...The adventures began in Hawaii (Big Island) visiting 2 National Parks and offering our services...
The follow up trips took us to Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, Colorado, back east to Ohio and volunteering to a state park here in Sandy to partake with REI on a volunteer project to clean up the pathways of Russian Olive Trees (a very vicious tree to deal with)...
The next ventures will begin in January 2011...We will planning some very interesting trips and projects which will give us the opportunity to really make an impact and hopefully entice others to join in our journey at some point...
If we come your way we will contact you in advance to see if you have the time to join us...
In the meantime, enjoy the Holidays as well as those you love...
Thanks, Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

MAHALA...

Woody with a "Travelin' Jones"...

For those who wonder what Woody does between journeys besides chasing chickens...

See you out there,  Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

One of the bonuses with National Parks is the historical connection to our culture so we can experience our roots that have paved the path to who we are.
One of these parks is the Chaco Culture National Heritage Parks in Northweatern New Mexico.  This is on our planning board to visit next spring.  
Chacl Canyon inhabited by native cultures around 800 AD to 1400 AD.  It was a very sophisticated in it's social structure which allowed this culture to exist for several hundred years and has roots that extend to inhabitants living in the area today.
1907 Chaco Canyon National Monument established to protect it from artifact hunters...
1980 Chaco Culture National Heritage Park established...
1987 World Heritage Site established-one of only 20 sites with this designation...

See you on the road,  Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...



REI and the US National Parks...

REI is teaming up with the National Park Service to offer a wide range of adventures including hiking, kayaking, climbing, etc.  The range of difficulty of these adventures include no skills necessary to highly skilled requirement...Everyone can find an adventure to fit their skills and desires...
This program is a response to the call for further usage and experiences of our National Park System offering a individual to family experience in the great outdoors...
Take advantage of these programs when figuring out what your next outdoor experience will be...

Grand Canyon National Park

See you on the road sometime,

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

American Rivers are still our lifeline for commerce, exploration and travel...

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act enacted by Congress in October 1968 has been under the protection and development through the National Park Service.  These waterways along with our major rivers ie. Mississippi, Colorado, etc. make up a lifeline used initially by Native Americans then American Explorers then American Businesses and now Traveling Americans...
The First Scenic Riverway designated under this Act was the Ozark River and the First Wild Riverway designated under this Act was the Rio Grande River.  To date there are 38 rivers protected by this Act totaling 2,800 miles of shoreline...
I read a great book called Riverhorse by William Least Heat-Moon when he chronicled his journey starting on the Hudson River throughout America on rivers only ending up at the mouth of the Columbia River into the Pacific Ocean.  It is a great journey and an amazing look at our waterways throughout America today...
If anyone has any great stories of their journeys on American Riverways please share with us...
Thanks and Happy Journeys...

Colorado (originally Grand) River just south of Lake Powell...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Timpanogos National Monument...In the Uinta National Forest

Kiefer and I took a beautiful jouirney into the Uinta National Forest stopping at the Timpanogos Cave on our way thru the Alpine Loop and on to Sundance...The fall foliage was beautiful...The Uinta National Forest is a very massive region encompassing the Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges capturing the upper alpine mountain ranges...The Sundance Village is a little bit of heaven...

Travels with Jack and Kiefer and of course Woody...

Above is what Woody was doing as we travelled...

National Public Lands Day Sat. Sept 25th...The event...

Kiefer and I spent our Sat. morning in the Wetlands Preserve Mehadren Park.  Up to 100 people congregated at the park and under the support of Draper City Parks and REI we cleared pathways which were overgrown with the meanest tree in existance...Russian Olive...We were exhausted at the end and slumped down to share our experiences with the others. Hopefully some of you viewers to this blog at least considered doing a project on this most needed level of all our lives...Sorry we had to leave Woody at home for this one...

Give Yourself...
Thanks, Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

National Public Lands Day Sat. Sept 25th...

Kiefer, Jack, Adam and Christian are volunteering this Saturday in the Draper Waterfowl Refuge...

This Saturday is National Public Lands Day...This is a chance to take a portion of this day and give back to our community, state and nation and make a difference.  Kiefer and I just traveled from Utah to Ohio and have viewed the need to concentrate on our infra-structure including highways, bridges, local parks, and all the things that make our great nation special to all of us...Give Back Now...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Gervasi Winery in North Canton, Ohio with Family...

In the reality of the "tough times" we are all experiencing these days, an experience with Art and Nancy at a new winery in North Canton, Ohio shows the spirit of opportunity and vision...This winery is a revitalization of a landmark tree farm...Several of the buildings, especially the "ole barn", have created an environment that is a "get away" and a sense of serenity...
A Saturday Afternoon getaway with family at the Gervasi Winery...

See you around the parks, Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

New Energy Sources for American Energy Independance...

Windmills on the move...
Traveling across I 80 in Iowa this week, we encountered an Armada of Components for the "huge" windmills popping up across America...The below pics are just a few of the trucks on the highway that day...



On the road again, Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Saying "Goodbye" to family and loved ones...

Steve and Karen are leaving for Oaxaca, Mexico this week and beginning their new life after their old life...
Both Kiefer and I will miss them tremendously...We wish them all the best and keep watching our blog to keep up on our travels throughout America...If they start a blog, we will add it to our blog for our friends to see what they are doing...We love you Steve and Karen...

Jack and Steve in Ft. Collins

See you in the Parks of America...Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

A Give-away to the first to answer correctly

Kiefer and I will be traveling to Colorado and Ohio this coming week and will be blogging our trip including a few stops at Parks and Forests...

Here is the question:  What year will the National Park Service (NPS) be celebrating it's Cenntennial...A pair of Woolrich Socks to the winner...

Jack, Kiefer and Woody of course...

Semi-Staycation on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest

With a few hours to enjoy ourselves and Woody, we ventured up Mill Creek Canyon into the Wasatch-Cache National Forest for an afternoon hike in the mountains.  The first plus we experienced was the temperature transitioning from 94 degrees in the valley to 70 degrees at the end of the road up the canyon.

This was a chance to escape weekly scheduling and the traditional "rat race" we all partake in on a daily basis.  I must say Kiefer and I have transended some of this scheduling and are taking advantage of  these mini-ventures more frequently these days...Well deserved on many levels...

Mill Creek Canyon is a very well maintained with the protection of the National Park System in conjunction with Salt Lake City monies to maintain and preserve this canyon gem...Bravo!!!

Greetings from Kiefer, Jack and of course Woody...

How govt. funding works in the real world

There was a Fund designated in 2001 for the National Park Service to use to upgrade the parks  throughout America and help support the infrastructure for the parks very existance.  This Fund is called the Land and Water Conservation Fund which is an annual fund amounting to $900,000,000.  In the nine years of it's existance, over 93% of those monies was diverted to other programs...THIS IS HOW IT WORKS...
There is presently a bill in congress to protect "all" these funds annually for the National Parks only...I guess someone forgot to read the fine print in the original bill...

Yellowstone Nat. Park

Kiefer, Jack and of course Woody...

 

Fee Free Days at the National Parks...

Starting today, the National Park Service is inviting you to visit a National Park of your choosing "fee free"...

Dates of fee free days are as follows:

Aug. 14th and 15th

Sept 25th

Nov. 11th (Veterans Day)

Enjoy the "Great Outdoors"...

Who is this lovely couple???

Alcatraz Island...Not Forgotten...

A history lost in the cinema depiction of this Island is now re-emerging under the efforts of the National Park Service who is responsible for this park...
Alcatraz Island




"Most Americans are familiar with Alcatraz Island as the former home of infamous criminals such as Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. They might not realize that before it housed a prison, the island was used by the military during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. In addition, the island was the site of a 19-month American Indian occupation that commenced in November 1969. Alcatraz Island become part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, and it opened to the public the following year".


Alcatraz Island is becoming a very popular "visitors stop" while in San Francisco...It has a history beyond the age of the prison...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

National Trails System

Congress passed the National Trails System Act in 1968.  Today this system includes 11 National Scenic Trails.  There are also 16 Historic Trails and around 900 National Recreational Trails.  You can visit www.nps.gov/nts to view all these trails.  Kiefer, myself and of course Woody are planning to visit these trails in the course of our traveling the National Parks in the U.S....One of the most known of these trails is the Pacific Crest Trail and it's addendum the Pacific Northwest Trail...Upon visiting the Pacific Crest Trail booth at Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City last week, we discussed the volunteer programs available on this trail system.  We may me segmenting a portion of that trail in either N. California or Oregon this fall to volunteer our services to help maintaining this system...It has been a dream of mine for several years...
Consider the possibility of taking a vacation to one of these trails and see how you can help maintain these treasures of our great nation...

The Arizona Trail

See you Out There...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody!!!

America's Great Outdoors Initiative-Bob Abbey BLM and Ken Salazar Sec. of Interior in SLC

Salt Lake City received the "traveling show" by hosting President Obama' s America's Great Outdoors Initiative.  This event is traveling throughout America offering a "Listening Session" to both general audience and one focused on the youth of our country.  There was no coincidence that it paralleled the opening day of Outdoor Retailer International Show also in SLC.

The forum invites any individual in the audience to present issues and ideas to the panel and those attending.  Featured guests included Bob Abbey, Director of Bureau of Land Management, Ken Salazar Secretary of the Interior, Gov. Gary Herbert, Nancy Sutley Chair of White House Council on Environmental Quality, Ralph Becker mayor of SLC and others.  The major goal is to sustain and preserve our cherished outdoors for future generations and entice young and old and all in between to become more active in the great outdoors.  To this goal, we applaud loudly...Enjoy and Support...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Sunset Crater Nat. Monument...Flagstaff, AZ

Another Sunset you might surmise...But wait!!!

This Nat. Monument 15 miles north of Flagstaff, AZ reflects the enormous eruptions in this area around 1,000 years ago, when pueblo groups were either frightened away totally in awe of the violence of Mother Earth or just moved their dwellings due North of the eruptions about 10 miles and continued to dwell in the immediate area under the threat of continued violence.

This park is one of the best maintained NPS operated area we have visited thus far.  The only draw back and it is no fault to the NPS is that the only way one can view the actual volcano structure is via helicopter...
The resulting lava flows and ash fields are clearly visible either at turnouts or well maintained trails...

Congratulations to all those involved in operating and maintaining this park...

Jack, Kiefer and of course Woody...

Sunset Crater Nat. Monument...Flagstaff, AZ

Believe it or not, Kiefer and I are planning to visit the Sunset Crater National Park in Flagstaff, AZ this week on our way to an Eventing Equestrian Show in that beautiful mountain community following Haley and Christian's 2010 show season travels... While there we will be visiting this volcano till around 1,200 years ago which means very recent lava flows and the transition of vegetation reclamation up to present time.

Another Sunset Event in our journey...I guess it happens every day, so the chances are fairly good...
There is a developed visitors center, so we will be getting stamped in our pass book...

This is beautiful high pine country around 7,500 feet elevation...
A side trip to visit good friends of ours Jim and Helene Babbitt also...

Jack and Kiefer

July 4th...A day to reflect...

National Treasures take on a different perspective on this Independence Day...We have experienced many over the years, but this one takes on a veneer of intensity that I have not experienced since the 60's...
If we felt it was the "Millennials" were taking the mantel of future exploration in hand, it would sure feel like it is time for us to embrace...Of concern is that the drama is a intragenerational struggle...Tea Baggers vs. Coffee Grinders...We need to realize we are one in the same and are being guided by divergent viewpoints...
Instead of watching another "talking head" inserting another piece of the puzzle, take a deep breath and go for a walk, ride or swim in the sunshine or visit a park near you...That is why they are there...
Give Forward Now!!!

Jack and Kiefer...

Parks, Forests and Monuments...

By category name, one cannot discern the difference between the NPS designations for areas of responsibility.  If you take a "by description" comparison you will notice that the biggest difference is the level of service for visitors.  Camping, driving, hiking, fees, etc. all are more enhanced at the "Park" level and are reduced in the Forests and least developed in the Monuments.  At least that is how it has been for the past 94 years.  Presently, the service element of the NPS has been diminished considerably because of the drastic reduction in funds allocated to them.  What has happened is there is a leveling of the service to a point that one experiences very little difference between the 3 designations.  This has been our experience thus far on our park'nwithjackandkiefer adventure.  Thus the need for volunteer service by one and all who want to pass on their experiences of seeing America through the Park System to the next generations.  Volunteering to help repair and maintain these American Treasures are essential...Give Back Now...
Jack and Kiefer...

Park'nwithjackandkiefer: Sunset with the "Ancients"...

Park'nwithjackandkiefer: Sunset with the "Ancients"...

Sunset with the "Ancients"...

As promised, Kiefer and I culminated our 35th Anniversary with a journey to the Parowan Gap to experience the summer solstice "sunset" as has been experienced by humans and others for millenia...
The beauty of the Parowan Gap is that it is way off the beaten path and if you are not "driven" to see this unique event it will stay pristene in nature for purpetuity...
Most locals know of the gap, but most do not know much about it and many have not even driven the 10 miles on dirt roads to experience it...WE WERE DRIVEN...
This is "Blue Highways" at it's best...Thank You William Least Heat-Moon...

Jack, Kiefer and Woody...

It's the Summer Solstice and off to Parowan Gap with the Ancients...

It is Kiefer and my 35th Anniversary and as always on the Summer Solstice...This celebration will feature the sun setting in the ancient Parowan Gap outside of Parowan, Utah...The sun sets exactly in the rock formation of the Gap on this day.  Since we are freaks for "sunsets" in general, we will take this event in nature to experience what the ancients did thousands of years ago...Then off to Zion to visit the Kolob Canyon...

J and K...

Here's Woody...

For those who are not familiar with Woody...Here he is...

Zion Here We Come!!!

Kiefer and I will be heading to Zion National Park, Cedar Break Nat. Monument and Dixie National Forest...
The difference is significant between a Nat. Park, Nat. Forest and a Nat. Monument, but all are under the direction of the National Park Service.  We are going to experience and blog what we see as a difference...
These are within 50 miles of each other and we will be camping at about 9,000 ft in snow drifts and very cool temperatures...
Woody gets to go along with this trip...Woody is our "Charlie" in "Travels with Charlie"...He will be the main entertainment.
We leave on June 21st our 35th anniversary as well as the summer solstice...
See you on our blog if that is possible...What app do I use for that???
Jack and Kiefer...

Park'nwithjackandkiefer: National Park Pass Books...It's a must have...

Park'nwithjackandkiefer: National Park Pass Books...It's a must have...

National Park Pass Books...It's a must have...

When you visit a US National Park do your self a favor and purchase a National Parks Pass Book...

Each park has it's own stamp and some very creative additional stamps reflecting the uniqueness of that park and the environment to which they belong.
You can keep a record of your visits over the years and in some cases visit a park along the way just to stamp your book and possibly enjoy the visit and slow down your journey just a little...
You may find yourself enjoying a beautiful sunset...

Reflections

This is the time when one looks back at the journey just taken and reflects on companions and experiences of the journey...Our journey to The Big Island Hawai'i with Duane and Delynn and the fulfillment of those "things" we wanted to experience...We took the time to acquire the "Island Life" or as the locals say, "Island Love"...This state slows down the body and mind and opens up the senses to everything around you.  We talked with many locals and were given directions to people, places and things we probably would have passed by looking for the "spectacular"...What we found "was" the spectacular...Local eateries, local beaches, local rainforests, local views of the sunset (mostly on the western side of the island) and the floral and fauna so pervasive on the island...
Experiencing these treasures with Duane and Delynn made it that more spectacular for they were in search of the same things...Thank you...
We visited 2 National Parks to view the protected remains of the original inhabitants of the island...
We saw spectacular sunsets and talked to amazing people...Thank You...

What will be our next venture...Stay Tuned...Jack and Kiefer...

Park'n In The Summertime...

Having returned from the Big Island, we have hugged goodbye to Duane and Dalyn who were great companions for our Hawaiian Journey, and we are sorting through all the great Pics of the Big Island and hope to return someday soon...Aloha and Mahalo...

Hawai'i The Big Snorkel...

We are completely absorbed with the water activities available on The Big Island...Again we snorkeled, but this time at a cove above Mauna Kea Beach... Coral Reef fish, turtles, eels, etc. 

The sun was plentiful and at 75 degrees was very bearable.  This was our last day in heaven...Tomorrow we return to "The Mainland"...

We have reached the level of "Island Life" which will always have a place in our hearts...

D, D, K and J...

Snorkeling in the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park-The City of Refuge...

We acquired Snorkeling equipment and Boogy Boards and ventured to the waters just outside this National Park to view the vast array of tropical fish along a vibrant coral reef. The marine life was abundant and as colorful as the island itself. We lunched at Big Jakes Island BBQ and had a pulled pork sandwich and fresh squeezed Lemonade...Big Jake was cooking a brisket which was taking 24 hours to smoke...Jake is the "budda of brisket" on the island...Made it back to the ranch just in time to view another fantastic sunset...See you tomorrow...J, K, D, D...

Hawai'i The Northern Point

Another "beautiful day" on The Big Island...We went north up the Kona Coast to Hawi which has a resturant called "Bamboo" which is a memorable experience. Beyond Hawi we went 7 miles east still on the point (which by the way is a rain forest) to the Pololu Valley and down to Pololu Beach. What an incredible experience and by far the most dramatic scene on The Big Island. From there we went over to the east coast to Akaka State Park and saw Akaka Waterfalls which is a 450 Foot waterfall...On the return trip to the west coast we caught our 4 straight brilliant sunset...They only get better...Back in Hawi we visited the site of the statue recoginzing the most famous and powerful King in Hawaiian history, Kamehameha The Great...

Alaho
Duane, Delynn, Kiefer and Jack...

"Aloha" Big Island of Hawai'i...

Duane, Delynn, Kiefer and Jack are on the "Big Island"...Needless to say, It is beautiful...We were greeted at the airport in Kona with Leis and welcoming hugs...A day at the beach with sun, surf and fresh air...
There is a term used here called "Island Living". It is the lifestyle that one acquires almost immediately. "Slow Down and Live Life"...
Next Saturday we will be volunteering at Volcanoes National Park clearing trails of vines and berry sprouts.
Palm Trees represent the spirit of freedom...They abound...

We will write and post pics of the volcano lava flows to the sea this evening.

Aloha Aikane...

Hawai'i The Big Island Here We Come...

We are in the final stages of preparation to leave for Hawai'i on the Kona Coast...

During this visit we will be contacting the Valcanos National Park to volunteer for a day and hopefully ride a zip line over the valcano...This coulde be a fantacy on our part, but a little bird told us to do it...

We will post pics of the adventure sometime next week...Aloha...

The North and The Further North meet in Battle...

The Battle of Gettysburg is raging again but this time it is between The National Park Service and Gambling...The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is reviewing a request to put a Casino Complex adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park for, I guess, revenue for the state. The National Park generates approx $65,000,000 for state and generates over 2,000 jobs...
What kind of impact will this have with the historical experience of the Park? One can only guess...

Summer Service Projects

As we see the college graduating class of 2010 view the prospect of the dreaded but enjoyable "Job Search" knowing that the 20 to 24 age cohort teetering at a 17% unemployment status, one ponders the need for a "Job Corp" to help the infrastructure of America. One of those areas of need is the US National Parks Service. By contacting any National Park directly, one can find summer projects needing to be filled. If there is ever a virtuous summer job, this is one. "Go ahead give it a try!"

Friends,

An interesting "blog moment" (stopping to think) is that at Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawai'i there has been volcano activity that has created lava flows into the Pacific for years. Since 2008 the activity at Kilauea Volcano has created approx. 500 acres of new land to the island. Now for the "blog moment"...Has this added to the existing National Park or is it the inclusive part of Hawai'i? We will ask this question when we visit this park on May 30th...

396?

With 396 US Nationa Parks to consider, how does Kiefer and Jack prioritize their visits:

Adjacent to friends and family...
Date of inception...
Most famous and familiar first...
Most in need of support...Ah Ha...

This will be the initial list to ponder...

Visit a Nat. Park this year...

Jack and Kiefer...

Kiefer and Jack are beginning their journey to visiting as many US National Parks leading up to the Centennial in 2016...