Upper St. Croix '08
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BWCA, 8/07
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Root River 2008
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Rainy Lake 2008
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Boundary Waters 2008
BWCA_July_2008 003.JPG
Tabitha enjoys a beer by the fire. The sense of anticipation is growing.
BWCA_July_2008 005.JPG
Trusty Teal Steel with our canoes loaded up.
BWCA_July_2008 006.JPG
Boat Landing at Jennie Lake
BWCA_July_2008 007.JPG
The last boat with a motor we'll see for 5 days.
BWCA_July_2008 008.JPG
Sunset on Jennie Lake promises more to come when we put into the BWCA tomorrow.
BWCA_July_2008 011.JPG
BWCA_July_2008 011.JPG 2008-07-04
BWCA_July_2008 010.JPG
Like glass, and nearly 10pm.
BWCA_July_2008 009.JPG
Tab takes it all in.
BWCA_July_2008 002.JPG
Chris and Cate organize their gear at base camp on Jennie Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 004.JPG
Minimizing ia crucial.
BWCA_July_2008 012.JPG
Sunrise at camp, July 5.
BWCA_July_2008 013.JPG
Morning breaks on Jennie Lake, July 5.
BWCA_July_2008 014.JPG
The fog creates a surrel scene before we head into the unknown.
BWCA_July_2008 015.JPG
Chris and Cate navigate the rice-filled Little Indian Sioux River.
BWCA_July_2008 016.JPG
Not 15 minutes into our journey, we spotted this noble creature taking notice.
BWCA_July_2008 017.JPG
Rich tries the zoom lens on his new digital camera. The results are impressive.
BWCA_July_2008 018.JPG
The bald eagle watches us pass without fear or incident.
BWCA_July_2008 020.JPG
Jennie Creek flows into the LIS River at the same pool below the portaged falls.
BWCA_July_2008 021.JPG
Chris and Cate try to get out ahead of another group at the LIS falls portage.
BWCA_July_2008 022.JPG
This large pool took water from the LIS and Jennie Creek.
BWCA_July_2008 023.JPG
The main channel of the LIS joins us below the portage.
BWCA_July_2008 024.JPG
After a grueling travel day, we are rewarded with a 4-star campsite n Lynx Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 025.JPG
Ravenous, Tab and Cate eat a dinner of jambalaya and red wine.
BWCA_July_2008 026.JPG
Our own private bay on Lynx would prove to be a wildlife paradise.
BWCA_July_2008 027.JPG
Paul crossing Abbey Road? Hardly, but Chris has walleye on his mind.
BWCA_July_2008 028.JPG
Chris stretches out on our rocky point preparing to try his fishing luck.
BWCA_July_2008 029.JPG
Day 2 finds Tab and Cate enjoying the sunrise with fresh coffee.
BWCA_July_2008 030.JPG
Aware of the photographer, they pose for a morning shot.
BWCA_July_2008 031.JPG
After breakfast, Chris fishes in the brilliant morning sunshine.
BWCA_July_2008 032.JPG
The view of Lynx Lake from our point is breathtaking, especially in the morning.
BWCA_July_2008 033.JPG
Our bay in the morning. Not 12 hours before a moose and her calf came to eat.
BWCA_July_2008 034.JPG
Camp was comfy, despite the lack of level tent pads.
BWCA_July_2008 035.JPG
Rich and Chris head out to catch lunch.
BWCA_July_2008 036.JPG
The lake is rumored to hold plenty of walleye. We intend to learn the truth.
BWCA_July_2008 037.JPG
Rich also casts crankbaits for smallies or the stray northern pike.
BWCA_July_2008 038.JPG
A beautiful summer day on Lynx Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 041.JPG
After sunset, Rich tries his new 8-wt flyrod on the glass-like bay.
BWCA_July_2008 042.JPG
Casting is easy with no wind. Surely the bass are lurking.
BWCA_July_2008 045.JPG
The fly rod lands its first trophy - a 23" walleye. The photographer gets artsy.
BWCA_July_2008 046.JPG
A fine line beween art and learning curve with a new toy. But the fish is big.
BWCA_July_2008 047.JPG
After the excitement of Rich's catch, we build a campfire.
BWCA_July_2008 048.JPG
Last night was too warm, but this night was cool and perfect for a fire.
BWCA_July_2008 049.JPG
Chris stands beside his creation in a ghostly glow.
BWCA_July_2008 050.JPG
A perfect day in the Boundary Waters is in the books.
BWCA_July_2008 051.JPG
The setting moon adds just the right accent to an amazing scene.
BWCA_July_2008 054.JPG
Tab considers if there is any other place she'd rather be. Likely not.
BWCA_July_2008 055.JPG
No moose tonight, but a stunning view of the dusk sky over our bay.
BWCA_July_2008 056.JPG
Darkness sets in, with the moon illuminating the water's surface.
BWCA_July_2008 057.JPG
Our camp is at total peace with the world around us.
BWCA_July_2008 058.JPG
A quintisential BWCA evening view.
BWCA_July_2008 059.JPG
Day 3, July 7, and our morning coffee is joined by two loons.
BWCA_July_2008 060.JPG
Chris and Cate decide to explore the lake.
BWCA_July_2008 061.JPG
Chris is determined to hunt more walleye, as yesterday's shore lunch was tasty!
BWCA_July_2008 062.JPG
But the wind has shifted to the east today, and launching is not as easy.
BWCA_July_2008 063.JPG
Rich practices with the zoom on a visiting seagull.
BWCA_July_2008 064.JPG
Obviously this bird anticipates Chris' fishing success to come.
BWCA_July_2008 065.JPG
Yesterday he beat a family of bald eagles to the fish carcasses we left.
BWCA_July_2008 067.JPG
Surely another easy meal is in the cards today.
BWCA_July_2008 068.JPG
Having left Lynx Lake, Tab and I wait for our friends to complete the portage.
BWCA_July_2008 069.JPG
While we wait, Tab takes in the secluded beauty of Heritage Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 070.JPG
Finally Chris and Cate appear from the woods and the portage from Lynx Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 071.JPG
Chris give the thumbs up, noting the fresh moose tracks visible on the trail.
BWCA_July_2008 072.JPG
Safely at out last night's camp, we watch the clouds setting the stage.
BWCA_July_2008 073.JPG
Windy and overcast all day, the clouds are clearing for the coming sunset.
BWCA_July_2008 074.JPG
Chris makes tea for us all; it should be one helluva show.
BWCA_July_2008 075.JPG
Our view is unobstructed to the opposite shoreline near the Devil's Cascade.
BWCA_July_2008 076.JPG
The sun sets, but the show is only beginning.
BWCA_July_2008 077.JPG
It didn't look like much at first, though the view from camp was nice.
BWCA_July_2008 078.JPG
Then the clouds started forming to create the scene.
BWCA_July_2008 079.JPG
And the setting sun joined in.
BWCA_July_2008 080.JPG
Soon the northwestern sky was ablaze with contrasting light and shadow.
BWCA_July_2008 081.JPG
The clouds and sun were working in harmony to create a show just for us.
BWCA_July_2008 082.JPG
We sipped our tea and watched as the show unfolded.
BWCA_July_2008 083.JPG
Soon the clouds became the canvas for varying colors and light.
BWCA_July_2008 085.JPG
Though the camera was not fully able to capture the true beauty of what we saw...
BWCA_July_2008 086.JPG
Look away for a moment, and look back again to see a new work of art.
BWCA_July_2008 087.JPG
Breathtaking.
BWCA_July_2008 088.JPG
Simply breathtaking.
BWCA_July_2008 089.JPG
No one left this show early.
BWCA_July_2008 090.JPG
Once the lower clouds had moved aside, the higher ones painted a lighter hue.
BWCA_July_2008 091.JPG
No forest fires this year, but it certainly looked as though one blazed.
BWCA_July_2008 092.JPG
The colors kept changing.
BWCA_July_2008 093.JPG
The sun had already set, but the light show continued for almost an hour.
BWCA_July_2008 094.JPG
I think we considered paiting our living room this color.
BWCA_July_2008 095.JPG
Not billowing smoke, just more low clouds that now appeared white, not dark.
BWCA_July_2008 096.JPG
We couldn't break our gaze away for one second.
BWCA_July_2008 097.JPG
It hardly seemed real; surely this was an oil painting by a French impressionist.
BWCA_July_2008 098.JPG
Finally, the show wound down.
BWCA_July_2008 099.JPG
With one last blast of color, the sunset faded.
BWCA_July_2008 100.JPG
Though still windy, the day broke clear and bright.
BWCA_July_2008 101.JPG
But the brisk onshore flow had prevented us from visiting the Devil's Cascade.
BWCA_July_2008 102.JPG
But no one complained, as we were more than happy with the scenery at camp.
BWCA_July_2008 103.JPG
Tab and Rich pose before loading the canoe.
BWCA_July_2008 104.JPG
One of the nicest spots we have seen, and we've seen a lot of nice spots.
BWCA_July_2008 105.JPG
Chris and Cate seem to be getting on well.
BWCA_July_2008 106.JPG
They have greatly enjoyed this trip, and one another.
BWCA_July_2008 107.JPG
It's hard not to enjoy someone else's company with a view like this one.
BWCA_July_2008 108.JPG
Back on the LIS. Though we are now paddling upstream, the wind is behind us.
BWCA_July_2008 109.JPG
So very hard to leave this amazing place.
BWCA_July_2008 110.JPG
So beautiful and unspoiled.
BWCA_July_2008 111.JPG
One final portage...
BWCA_July_2008 112.JPG
...and time for a quick photo.
BWCA_July_2008 113.JPG
Behind Tab is the top of the LIS rapids.
BWCA_July_2008 114.JPG
Are you coming or what?
BWCA_July_2008 115.JPG
A group shot at the end of the journey.
BWCA_July_2008 116.JPG
Rich is already planing our next trip to the Boundary Waters.
Boundary Waters 2004
BWCA_July_2008 003.JPG
Tabitha enjoys a beer by the fire. The sense of anticipation is growing.
BWCA_July_2008 005.JPG
Trusty Teal Steel with our canoes loaded up.
BWCA_July_2008 006.JPG
Boat Landing at Jennie Lake
BWCA_July_2008 007.JPG
The last boat with a motor we'll see for 5 days.
BWCA_July_2008 008.JPG
Sunset on Jennie Lake promises more to come when we put into the BWCA tomorrow.
BWCA_July_2008 011.JPG
BWCA_July_2008 011.JPG 2008-07-04
BWCA_July_2008 010.JPG
Like glass, and nearly 10pm.
BWCA_July_2008 009.JPG
Tab takes it all in.
BWCA_July_2008 002.JPG
Chris and Cate organize their gear at base camp on Jennie Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 004.JPG
Minimizing ia crucial.
BWCA_July_2008 012.JPG
Sunrise at camp, July 5.
BWCA_July_2008 013.JPG
Morning breaks on Jennie Lake, July 5.
BWCA_July_2008 014.JPG
The fog creates a surrel scene before we head into the unknown.
BWCA_July_2008 015.JPG
Chris and Cate navigate the rice-filled Little Indian Sioux River.
BWCA_July_2008 016.JPG
Not 15 minutes into our journey, we spotted this noble creature taking notice.
BWCA_July_2008 017.JPG
Rich tries the zoom lens on his new digital camera. The results are impressive.
BWCA_July_2008 018.JPG
The bald eagle watches us pass without fear or incident.
BWCA_July_2008 020.JPG
Jennie Creek flows into the LIS River at the same pool below the portaged falls.
BWCA_July_2008 021.JPG
Chris and Cate try to get out ahead of another group at the LIS falls portage.
BWCA_July_2008 022.JPG
This large pool took water from the LIS and Jennie Creek.
BWCA_July_2008 023.JPG
The main channel of the LIS joins us below the portage.
BWCA_July_2008 024.JPG
After a grueling travel day, we are rewarded with a 4-star campsite n Lynx Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 025.JPG
Ravenous, Tab and Cate eat a dinner of jambalaya and red wine.
BWCA_July_2008 026.JPG
Our own private bay on Lynx would prove to be a wildlife paradise.
BWCA_July_2008 027.JPG
Paul crossing Abbey Road? Hardly, but Chris has walleye on his mind.
BWCA_July_2008 028.JPG
Chris stretches out on our rocky point preparing to try his fishing luck.
BWCA_July_2008 029.JPG
Day 2 finds Tab and Cate enjoying the sunrise with fresh coffee.
BWCA_July_2008 030.JPG
Aware of the photographer, they pose for a morning shot.
BWCA_July_2008 031.JPG
After breakfast, Chris fishes in the brilliant morning sunshine.
BWCA_July_2008 032.JPG
The view of Lynx Lake from our point is breathtaking, especially in the morning.
BWCA_July_2008 033.JPG
Our bay in the morning. Not 12 hours before a moose and her calf came to eat.
BWCA_July_2008 034.JPG
Camp was comfy, despite the lack of level tent pads.
BWCA_July_2008 035.JPG
Rich and Chris head out to catch lunch.
BWCA_July_2008 036.JPG
The lake is rumored to hold plenty of walleye. We intend to learn the truth.
BWCA_July_2008 037.JPG
Rich also casts crankbaits for smallies or the stray northern pike.
BWCA_July_2008 038.JPG
A beautiful summer day on Lynx Lake.
BWCA_July_2008 041.JPG
After sunset, Rich tries his new 8-wt flyrod on the glass-like bay.
BWCA_July_2008 042.JPG
Casting is easy with no wind. Surely the bass are lurking.
BWCA_July_2008 045.JPG
The fly rod lands its first trophy - a 23" walleye. The photographer gets artsy.
BWCA_July_2008 046.JPG
A fine line beween art and learning curve with a new toy. But the fish is big.
BWCA_July_2008 047.JPG
After the excitement of Rich's catch, we build a campfire.
BWCA_July_2008 048.JPG
Last night was too warm, but this night was cool and perfect for a fire.
BWCA_July_2008 049.JPG
Chris stands beside his creation in a ghostly glow.
BWCA_July_2008 050.JPG
A perfect day in the Boundary Waters is in the books.
BWCA_July_2008 051.JPG
The setting moon adds just the right accent to an amazing scene.
BWCA_July_2008 054.JPG
Tab considers if there is any other place she'd rather be. Likely not.
BWCA_July_2008 055.JPG
No moose tonight, but a stunning view of the dusk sky over our bay.
BWCA_July_2008 056.JPG
Darkness sets in, with the moon illuminating the water's surface.
BWCA_July_2008 057.JPG
Our camp is at total peace with the world around us.
BWCA_July_2008 058.JPG
A quintisential BWCA evening view.
BWCA_July_2008 059.JPG
Day 3, July 7, and our morning coffee is joined by two loons.
BWCA_July_2008 060.JPG
Chris and Cate decide to explore the lake.
BWCA_July_2008 061.JPG
Chris is determined to hunt more walleye, as yesterday's shore lunch was tasty!
BWCA_July_2008 062.JPG
But the wind has shifted to the east today, and launching is not as easy.
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Rich practices with the zoom on a visiting seagull.
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Obviously this bird anticipates Chris' fishing success to come.
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Yesterday he beat a family of bald eagles to the fish carcasses we left.
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Surely another easy meal is in the cards today.
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Having left Lynx Lake, Tab and I wait for our friends to complete the portage.
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While we wait, Tab takes in the secluded beauty of Heritage Lake.
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Finally Chris and Cate appear from the woods and the portage from Lynx Lake.
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Chris give the thumbs up, noting the fresh moose tracks visible on the trail.
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Safely at out last night's camp, we watch the clouds setting the stage.
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Windy and overcast all day, the clouds are clearing for the coming sunset.
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Chris makes tea for us all; it should be one helluva show.
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Our view is unobstructed to the opposite shoreline near the Devil's Cascade.
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The sun sets, but the show is only beginning.
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It didn't look like much at first, though the view from camp was nice.
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Then the clouds started forming to create the scene.
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And the setting sun joined in.
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Soon the northwestern sky was ablaze with contrasting light and shadow.
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The clouds and sun were working in harmony to create a show just for us.
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We sipped our tea and watched as the show unfolded.
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Soon the clouds became the canvas for varying colors and light.
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Though the camera was not fully able to capture the true beauty of what we saw...
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Look away for a moment, and look back again to see a new work of art.
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Breathtaking.
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Simply breathtaking.
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No one left this show early.
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Once the lower clouds had moved aside, the higher ones painted a lighter hue.
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No forest fires this year, but it certainly looked as though one blazed.
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The colors kept changing.
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The sun had already set, but the light show continued for almost an hour.
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I think we considered paiting our living room this color.
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Not billowing smoke, just more low clouds that now appeared white, not dark.
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We couldn't break our gaze away for one second.
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It hardly seemed real; surely this was an oil painting by a French impressionist.
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Finally, the show wound down.
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With one last blast of color, the sunset faded.
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Though still windy, the day broke clear and bright.
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But the brisk onshore flow had prevented us from visiting the Devil's Cascade.
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But no one complained, as we were more than happy with the scenery at camp.
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Tab and Rich pose before loading the canoe.
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One of the nicest spots we have seen, and we've seen a lot of nice spots.
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Chris and Cate seem to be getting on well.
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They have greatly enjoyed this trip, and one another.
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It's hard not to enjoy someone else's company with a view like this one.
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Back on the LIS. Though we are now paddling upstream, the wind is behind us.
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So very hard to leave this amazing place.
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So beautiful and unspoiled.
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One final portage...
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...and time for a quick photo.
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Behind Tab is the top of the LIS rapids.
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Are you coming or what?
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A group shot at the end of the journey.
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Rich is already planing our next trip to the Boundary Waters.
Temperance River Gorge
Just before the Temperance River reaches Lake Superior, it carves a narrow slot through the rock.
Tab at Temperance River Gorge
Not sure if the framing issues were the camera, the software or the photographer. Note the raging water behind Tabitha.
Temperance River
Rich at the top of the gorge, swollen slightly by Spring rains.
Temperance River Gorge
The gorge catches tree trunks that get wedged in the rocks. That's Tabitha on the bridge.
Temperance River Gorge
The water seems to disappear into the rock.
Mouth of the Temperance
We had lunch at the river mouth on Lake Superior. Someone took a liking to our meal.
Red Fox
After arriving at the outfitter and going through orientation, we had a visitor. This critter was quite friendly...
Red Fox
...and looking for a handout, perhaps?
Seagull Lake
Tab Poses at sunset, which up this far North in late May is well after 9pm.
Seagull Lake
Tab contemplates the adventure that awaits us tomorrow.
Sunset on Seagull Lake
Nothing captivates the soul like a sunset on calm waters.
First Light
Unable to sleep, Rich gets up with the dawn and looks over the canoe fleet.
Canoes at Sunrise
The bunkhouse proved to be colder than any night out in our tent. So Rich was up early exploring the area.
Dawn on Saganaga Lake
Is there a prettier time of day?
Frosty Flowers
This unidentified wildflower proved the night's chill was significant. But then again, it was still only May.
Gunflint Lake
Tab poses at the put in point as we embark on our great wilderness adventure. Rich is still adjusting to the light.
Magnetic Lake
Our first Lake within the BWCA, the weather was perfect, blue skies and little wind. That would change.
Tabitha at Magnetic Lake
Tab pauses to survey the beauty of the scene, while Rich worries about getting his new toy wet.
Little Rock Falls
Our first portage, was around a dramatic falls. We really felt like we had left civilization behind us at this point.
Little Rock Falls
We learned lots from our first portage, mostly on how not to do it. But it beat trying to navigate the falls.
Sunset on Clove Lake
Our first day ended with another beautiful sunset on a calm lake. Surely the weather was always like this...
Evening Paddle
After dinner, we took a quick loop of Clove Lake. The resident beavers tail-slapped the water in protest.
Neighbors
Campfire smoke holding in the calm night was the only evidence that another group was camping on Clove Lake.
Campfire
A well-deserved end to our day. Rich had out his travel journal and route map preparing for tomorrow's journey.
Beavers
This guy seemed to want to exit the lake at our site, but moved on.
Sunrise
Rich tried unsuccessfully to catch an early fish, noting the ripples on the lake would soon indicate a windy day ahead.
Camp at sunrise
Tabitha slept in as Rich returned from getting skunked by the pike and smallmouth bass rumored to live in Clove Lake.
Portage
With four protages on the Granite River on day 2, Tabitha hikes with her heavy load through the wilderness.
Granite River Portage
Rich still hasn't figured out the light thing yet, as Tabitha prepares to paddle again.
Gneiss Lake
Looking across toward the Canadian border, we were greatful the wind was at our backs.
Gneiss Lake
Tabitha surveys the damage on the American side from a 1995 fire and a 1999 wind storm.
Damage on Gneiss Lake
New growth mixes with the few remaining trees.
Campsite on Maraboeuf Lake
Again Rich struggles to get the light right, but the campsite was top notch with a great view of the lake.
Pine Marten
Our campsite had a resident pine marten. We named him Eddie, though we never knew whether it was male or female.
Looking for scraps
Eddie apparently knew what campers meant...an easy meal for a clever critter.
Thief
Eddie at one point ran off with Tabitha's hiking boot. While we retrieved it, he showed up again near unguarded food.
Stop!
I had to chase him into the brush to retrieve a plastic bag, from which Eddie extracted some cookie crumbs.
Eddie up Close
Pose all you want. You get no food from us!
Sunset on Maraboeuf Lake
It had been a long day paddling and portaging, and the reward was worth it.
Sunset
If those clouds would blow away, it might be even better.
Late Paddle on Maraboeuf
We decided on another twilight paddle to an adjacent cove on Maraboeuf Lake.
Late Day Show
Our eyes hardly wandered from the sky.
Maraboeuf Sunset
At last the clouds began to make way for a better view.
Maraboeuf Lake
The defiant survivors of the fire and wind stand out on the Canadian shore.
Maraboeuf Campfire
In the end, we had the best view from the comfort of our campsite and a warm fire.
Two Fires?
The brilliant colors of the distant sunset almost looked like a forest fire.
Brilliant Sunset
Amazing.
One last look
We never got tired of looking at this view.
Tabitha
Yes, that's her near the fire.
Horsetail Rapids
The portage had become part of the rapids, and we both got a little wet.
Bald Eagle
An entire family of bald eagles met us at the head of Horsetail Rapids. This immature was waiting below.
Saganaga Falls
Our last portage, and the shortest of the entire trip, but we had to get a little close to the falls to locate it.
Saganaga Falls
Rich poses at the portage we found on the American Side, though the map showed a Canadian trail covered in fallen trees.
Conners Island
Saganaga Lake is huge, and the wind and rain were dangerous for a small canoe. We quickly found a sheltered campsite.
Rich on Conners Island
Sheltered from the wind, Rich takes advantage of a break in the rain to write in his travel journal.
The Ride Home
Is that a hawk, or perhaps a Peregrine Falcon? Either way, we were happy to be in a warm, dry car.
Temperance River Gorge
Look at how the rain on our last night in the BWCA also flooded the narrow gorge from only a few days before.
Upper Gooseberry Falls
The rain from the night before had the upper falls swollen and raging well over normal levels.
Gooseberry Falls
The stretch between the upper and lower falls was plenty flooded and muddied up by fresh rain.
Upper Gooseberry Falls
The torrent was higher than we had ever seen.
Rich at Gooseberry Falls
Rich wisely elects not to get too close to the edge.
Shivering in the Mist
A quick photo at the end of a great trip.
Flooded
Hikers flirt with disaster. Normally they can walk out onto the stone currently under 3 feet of raging river.
Lower Gooseberry Falls
Tabitha had posed one Autumn just behind her head, able to stand at the foot of the falls. Not a chance of that today.
Zion National Park
Bridge Mtn
The setting sun gave us a great view of Bridge Mountain (6803) from camp (4000).
Zion Sunset
Arrival our first day as the sun was setting on Beehive and Sentinel. Breathtaking.
climbers1
Preparing to assault one of Zion's many great climbing routes.
climbers2
The black tube on the climber's right is a toilet. Better he than we.
Tab and Watchman
We hiked a little of the Watchman Trail at dusk, still in awe after our recent arrival.
Rich on Watchman Trail
Our evening hike stretched our legs after a full travel day from Minneapolis.
Watchman Sunrise
As its name suggests, Watchman stands guard over the mouth of Zion Canyon.
Bridge before Sunrise
Bridge Mountain delayed sunrise in the deep canyon.
Sentinel at Sunrise
An inspirational view from our campsite.
Sunrise from camp
The canyon stayed dark until well after daybreak.
Zion Sunrise
With snow still reflecting the rising sun, we got an early start.
Sentinel
Note that at about 6000 feet, the rock layer changes from red to white.
Tab at Zion Visitor Center
A beautiful day to start seeing Zion in earnest.
Angels Landing Trail
Tab at the beginning of the trail; the rocky peak just behind her is our destination.
Weeping Rock from AL Trail
Normally a trickle that inspired its name, the falls were a raging torrent from spring rains.
Rich on Angel's Landing Trail
The trail leads into a slot canyon top center on its route to Scout Lookout, and eventually Angels Landing.
Switchbacks on Angel's Landing
Look closely to see people hiking along the slice blasted through the face of the cliff leading to the slot canyon right
Angels Landing Trail
Rich Pauses on the steep ascent; see the trail below on the left, from which the earlier photo was taken.
Tab and Zion Canyon
facing South toward the mouth and oour campsite, Tab takes a rest.
Rich and the Great White Throne
Rich pauses for a well deserved rest. GWT is the snowcovered peak in the background, while a swift stream flows below.
Seeping Navajo Red
Much of this water has been seeping through the porous rock for hundreds of years before it finally escapes.
Tab on Walter's Wiggles
We hiked through an amazing slot canyon. The Great White Throne is behind.
Cathedral Mountain
Note the top edge of the Navajo Sandstone layer, right where vegetation was able to flourish on the nearly sheer drop.
Waterfall from Walter's Wiggles
Lots of rain at Zion this spring manifested as waterfalls everywhere.
Zion Canyon from Scout Lookout
Rich and Tabitha at Scout Lookout facing south toward the mouth of Zion Canyon.
Climbers
Were these the same guys we saw the day before preparing gear at the campground?
Lunch at Scout Lookout
A scavenger chipmunk had little fear of us, just an appetite for stray crumbs.
Rich at Scout Lookout
Cable Mountain in the background. Be careful of that ledge!
Rich at Scout Lookout
With Cable Mountain behind, Rich puts a great deal of trust into the local pipefitter's union.
Tab at Scout Lookout
Cable Mountain and the Valley of Weeping Rock below
Angels Landing
Tabitha carefully negotiates the trail to Angels Landing. A step to her left is 1500 vertical feet straight down!
Angels Landing
Hikers make their way up the narrow trail. Note the spine-like path to the top in the upper left.
Angels Landing
Tabitha takes a break inches away from a 1500 foot drop. The falls of Weeping Rock can be seen in the background.
Angels Landing
Rich and Tabitha at the top, looking back toward the mouth of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River
Angels Landing and Zion Narrows
We were a little nervous posing inches from the precipice
Virgin River from Angels Landing
The white spec below is a car parked in a triangular lot. A long way down!
Zion Narrows from Angels Landing
Looking toward the source of the Virgin River, the snowcapped peaks miles in the distance.
Angels Landing
Looking back toward Scout Lookout; you can see the narrow trail off Tabitha's left elbow, and Cathedral Mountain behind.
Angels Landing
Rich carefully descends the steep trail back to Scout Lookout. Yes, that is snow
Angels Landing
Rich pauses for a photo op, grateful for the chains that assist hikers on the spiney trail.
Walter's Wiggles
Rich descends the steep switchbacks leading down from Scout Lookout.
One more ascent
Rich makes his way up the Emerald pools trail.
Emerald Pools
The upper falls can be seen in the background.
Emerald Pools
Tab rests with upper and middle falls behind her.
Emerald Pools
Tabitha takes a break to pose in front of the upper and middle falls.
Emerald Pools
Odd rock formations and trees looking for soil. See the Upper Falls in the background.
Emerald Pools trail
Rich hikes through a slot in the rocks.
Upper Falls - Emerald Pools
Mist from the bloated falls coated the camera lens. The temperature here was easily 20 degrees cooler than elsewhere.
Upper Pool
The person at left gives perspective. Typically the sand underwater is exposed beach, but the rains created a rage.
Wild Turkey
This hen proved that humans weren't the only ones enjoying Zion Lodge.
Wild Turkey Closeup
They were pretty tame, and did a great job of cleaning up the sidewalks near the snack bar.
Tab by the campfire
Tabitha enjoying the end to a full day of sightseeing.
Arch Near Zion Tunnel
Softer rock eroded leaving this dramatic rock formation. A mile-long tunnel exits the canyon to the east.
Mt Caramel Highway
One of the air vents for the mile-long tunnel through the rock can be seen above the cars.
Sentinel
From the Mt. Caramel Highway
Slickrock
Right on the transition line between rock types. Amazing.
Zion above the canyon
After climbing out of the Virgin River Canyon, Zion took on a whole new look.
Waterfall
More waterfalls on the road to Mt. Caramel
Waterfall closeup
In another week, who knows? Perhaps we wouldn't have seen this at all.
Snowmelt
Mt Caramel Highway
Above the Navajo red sandstone that was more prevalent in Zion Canyon, the rock turned a more off-white.
Checkerboard Mesa
This famous rock formation was even more dramatic with the remaining snow filling the cracks.
Tab and Checkerboard Mesa
Someone looks like she might have preferred staying in bed. But Bryce Canyon was calling.
Checkerboard Mesa closeup
Snow wasn't all that filled Checkerboard's cracks. Stubborn trees and shrubs found a home, too.
SlickRock at Zion
Having spent the day at Bryce Canyon, Rich strecthes his legs climbing the slick rock at Zion.
Taking it easy
Meanwhile, Tab relaxes near a swollen stream.
Checkerboard Mesa
Much of the snow that had been there that morning had melted upon our return.
A relaxing moment
We had seen so much that day that we stopped to rest and take it all in.
Momentum
Tab nearly loses her footing on the steep rock...or is she just kidding around?
Rich at Zion
Rich takes a break while befriending a local shrubbery.
Bus Stop
With sunlight, still left, we decided to take one more trip into Zion Canyon, as formed by the Virgin River.
Virgin River Narrows
At the end of the road that the park bus services are the Narrows of the Virgin River. Many waterfalls dot the canyon.
Virgin River Narrows
Waterfalls never seem to fail to impress.
Narrows Waterfall
Another falls practically descended upon us in the Virgin River Narrows.
River Walk Trail
Tab pauses under a massive rock along the Virgin River.
Waterfall
This small falls came down nearly right upon the River Walk trail.
The Narrows
The light was tricky here, and nearly impossible to catch both Tabitha and the sunlit Mountain of Mystery behind her.
Mountain of Mystery
Yeah, baby!
Mountain of Mystery
As seen from the dark depths of the Virgin Narrows
The Narrows
Rich contemplates the depths of the Narrows, as the Mountain of Mystery looks on.
Dim Light in the Narrows
The digital camera blinds out the Mountain of Mystery in order to see Rich; perhaps not the correct choice.
Tab at the Narrows
Looking downstream toward the mouth of the Narrows and Zion Valley.
The Narrows
The incredible rock formations never ceased to amaze.
River Trail
Tab leaves the Narrows behind her to return to our campsite, and a well-deserved steak dinner. What a day it was.
Sunset with Watchman
One last view after returning from the Narrows, we were soon back at camp planning our new destination, Death Valley, CA
Bryce Canyon
Farview Point
This was as far as we got into Bryce Canyon, as Mother Nature had other ideas.
Deep Snow at Bryce Canyon
At over 8000 feet, twice the height of our campsite at Zion, Bryce Canyon had plenty of the white stuff.
Farview Point
So much for the hundred mile views to the Grand Canyon, as snow forced us back to the main Bryce Ampitheater.
Swamp Canyon
Heading back to the ampitheater, the snow let up, and the scenery got more dramatic.
Swamp Canyon
Rich attempts to stay warm in the falling snow, even with blue skies.
Swamp Canyon
Tabitha at Swamp Canyon, as the snow lets up a little.
Swamp Canyon
Not sure how this place got its name, but the lessening snow gave us a better view of the valley below.
Swamp Canyon
The amazing rock formations are enhanced by the snow and shadows.
Near Bryce Point
Capital Reef can be seen under the clouds
Bryce Point
Looking East toward Tropic, Utah. Perhaps not the most aptly named town, given the conditions.
Permanent Resident
A beautiful Stellar Jay looked on as tourists flocked to his home at Bryce Point.
Stellar Jay
He certainly had little fear of humans.
Bryce Canyon
The clearing skies gave us our first good view of the main ampitheater.
Main Ampitheater
From Bryce Point, we could see what all the fuss is about. Incredible!
Rich at Bryce Point
The shade hides Rich's face, but who would bother caring when the main sight is the background?
Tab at Bryce Point
Dramatic views were in good supply.
Bryce Point Lookout
A trecherous walk in high winds rewarded the brave, looking north into the heart of the main ampitheater at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Point Lookout
The rock formations seemed endless.
Bryce Point Lookout
The deep snow meant the guard rail only came up to thigh level, which gave little comfort near the precipice behind us.
Bryce Point Looking east
We wouldn't make it to Escalante and Capital Reef on this trip, though we longed to go.
Grottos at Bryce Point
The geology of this area was fascinating, and unlike anyplace else on earth.
Rich at Bryce Point
Capital Reef is clearly visible. Rich would rather have the snow melted. This would place the rail at chest height.
Grand Staircase
The glory of the Grand Staircase from Bryce Point.
Capital Reef
Once at the bottom of a great ocean, now it touches the clouds miles in the distance.
Hoodoos at Inspiration Point
The star attraction at the main ampitheater are the unique rock formations called Hoodoos.
Inspiration Point
Looking Northeast toward Escalante and Capital Reef.
Hoodoos
Legend has it these Hoodoos were once people living in these parts. Angry Gods turned them into stone.
Inspiration Point
Millions of years of erosion from wind and water created this incredible scene.
Inspiration Point, Looking West
Red Canyon and Cedar Breaks beyond.
Sunset Point
More amazing views.
Hoodoos
The colors were breathtaking, especially in the many layers of rock.
Sunset Point
Rich captures the scenery in Black and White 35MM.
Rich at Sunset Point
Looking back south toward Inspiration point, the sun, shadows and snow make for an incredible scene.
Wall Street
Better weather and more time may have permitted a hike among the hoodoos. Alas, all we could do was look.
Sunset Point
Such amazing lines of contour, quite different from those at Zion earlier that day.
Rich at Sunset Point
Rich poses near a scraggly tree.
Death Valley
Death Valley
Rumor had it Death Valley was experiencing a 50 year wildflower bloom. We scrapped the Grand Canyon and headed West.
Wildfowers near Shoshone
We soon realized that the flowers were indeed putting on a show in the California desert.
Acton's Encelia?
We hadn't planned this trip, so we didn't brush up on our desert wildflowers beforehand. Acton's Encelia, perhaps.
Desert Bloom
Several species would congregate together, leaving dry patches between. Do flowers enjoy symbiotic relationships?
PumpkinHead
We haven't identified this one, but it was easily the most interesting blossom we saw.
Pumpkin Patch
When grouped together, these scrubby plants looked like a pumpkin patch in the desert.
Near Salsberry Pass
Not what we were expecting, but dramatic nonetheless.
Beavertail Cactus
Or something close to it; whatever it was, it sure was beautiful.
Desert Flowers
Which is prettier?
Copper Mountains
Incredible colors between Juilee Pass and Ashford Mill. Blooming gold flowers added color to the foothills.
Rich near Ashford Mill
Our first look at the snow-covered Telescope Peak.
Mormon Point
This view of desloate salt flats more closely resembled our image of Death Valley before this day.
Mormon Point and Telescope Peak
An amazing juxtaposition: Standing at near sea level looking toward an 11,000 mountain.
Tabitha near Badwater
Tab crunches her boots on the salty bottom, but earlier rains meant an actual lake began only steps behind her.
Kayaking Once in a Generation
Some opportunistic kayakers took advantage of a rare experience, while others made a day in the warm (not hot) March sun
Telescope Peak
The highest point in Death Valley, as seen from the lowest.
Salt Crystals
As the rare water evaporates on the Lake Bottom, materials left behind form interesting shapes and crystals.
Devil's Golf Course
We couldn't help but wonder if the recent rain had altered the shapes, making the name less applicable.
Devil's Golf Course
Telescope Peak overlooking...perhaps the finishing hole?
Devil's Golf Course
Looking East, toward just south of Artist's Drive
Devil's Golf Course
It's safe to say we had never seen colors and contours like this before.
Emmigrant Canyon Road
Near Wildrose, the foothills of the Telescope Peak area had beautiful views and lots of jackrabbits.
Camping in Wildrose Canyon
Death Valley has only been a National Park since 1995, so the campsites were both full and ugly. We had to improvise.
Wildrose Canyon
An old, rundown picnic area proved to be a much nicer alternative to Stovepipe Wells. Except for the bats that night...
Campfire in Wildrose Canyon
Gale force winds howled through the canyon all night, negating sleep and nearly destroying our tent. We left at dawn.
Lemons into Lemonade
Our first light escape from Wildrose Canyon brought beautiul flowers and vistas in the Panamint Valley.
Panamint Valley
The dawn light was breathtaking, espcially with the flowers.
Sunrise in Panamint Valley
The golden hour, looking Northeast.
Argus
The colorful Argus Range from the Panamint Valley, looking west at sunrise.
Desert Gold
Closely resembling the rare Panamint Daisy, this view was looking north along the Panamint Valley Road.
Looking Toward Towne Pass
Having found a relatively comfortable campsite at Panamint Springs, we headed back toward Stovepipe Wells to explore.
Lonely Road
CA 190 climbs over 4000 feet to Towne Pass before descending back to StovePipe Wells and the geographic center of DV.
Panamint Valley and Argus Range
As seen from just below Towne Pass.
Panamint Butte
Incredible rock colors and wildflowers near Towne Pass.
Desert Trumpet
An odd plant, with Panamint Valley in the background.
Mount Whitney
From near Towne Pass, we could see the highest peak in California miles in the distance.
Argus Range
This rugged spine was best seen from the overlooks near Towne Pass.
Unidentified Flower
Between Emigrant and Stovepipe Wells we stopped and hiked overland in a wash. We saw many beautiful plants.
Tucki
A flowering shrub in the shadows of Tucki Mountain.
Turtleback
Growing in the wash bed, this interesting plant caught our eyes.
Rich at Mosaic Canyon
Mosaic is a series of narrow slot canyons and open washes interconnected in a steep descent from Tucki Mountain.
Rich and Mosaic Canyon
Rich poses on the rim of a small slot canyon.
Mosaic Moth
This beautiful insect poses on the wash floor.
Mosaic Canyon
The canyon narrows as a wash funnels toward a slot canyon.
Ring-tailed Lizard
This critter was well-camoflauged in the multi-colored rocks. You might make out his ringed tail dead center.
Lizard
We never identified this guy (green and gold). We saw 4 species of lizards on this day, including the large chuckwalla.
Wash Flowers
We saw this beauty in a secondary canyon at Mosaic Canyon, near our unidentified lizard.
What is it?
Any ideas on this one? Western Mariposa Lily is our only guess.
Rich in Mosaic Canyon
Rich pauses against a shady wall in a slot canyon. Neither us could imagine a hike like this in the summer.
Cactus
Not knowing its name takes nothing away from its beauty.
Mosaic Canyon
This was as high and far as we went, permitting stunning views of the Panamint Range and the valley near Stovepipe Wells
Descending out of Mosaic Canyon
This rugged hike was difficult in March, with the temps near 90. Wait a few months, and add another 30 degrees.
Tucki above Mosaic Canyon
Looking up to places we could not reach on foot.
Mosaic Canyon
An open wash between slot canyons affords a view of the canyon walls and the Panamint Range beyond.
Devil's Cornfield
Winds stripped away all but the sand held by the plant roots.
Devil's Cornfield
Soon the plants resembled cornstalks, but corn would never grow here. The Grapevine mountains are in the background.
Sand Dunes/Grapevine Mountains
These amazing dunes are the result of consistent wind patterns deposting sand from surrounding ranges at the same spot.
Sand Dunes
Several spots enjoy this odd occurrence and thus produce dunes. Too tired to hike in deep sand, we only took pictures.
Grapevine Mountains
Incredible.
Sunset at Panamint Springs
After a long day sightseeing, we relaxed with a cold glass of Sierra Nevada and watched the fading light.
Panamint Range at Sunset
Although our campground was within the park, it was privately owned. A nice restaurant featured an east-facing patio.
Sunset on Telescope and Friends
With evening songbirds surrounding us, we watched the shadows creep toward last night's campsite in Wildrose Canyon.
Panamint Range at Sunset
Looking toward Towne Pass, the colors had changed completely from that morning.
Sunset at Panamint Springs
We took a photo about every 10 minutes as the sun set, with the evergrowing shadows changing the view constantly.
Sunset at Panamint Springs
...and ten minutes later...
Sunset at Panamint Springs
And as ten more minutes passed, the sunlight was gone.
Almost gone...
The higher peaks captured the last of the sunlight. And the Sierra Nevada beer was nearly gone as well.
Panamint Valley as Dusk
Darkness finally envelopes our campsite. Our last day in Death Valley finally ends.
Argus at dawn
With the moon still high over the campsite, we woke on our final day in the park.
Preparing to Leave
Tabitha breaks camp; we had to get our stuff ready to check as luggage, leaving us free to play when we got to Vegas.
Kit Fox Hills
Flowers were still the story as we drive toward Beaty, NV through Mud Canyon.
Flowers and Grapevine Mountains
The title says it all.
Mud Canyon Flowers
Amazing purples, golds and whites.
Wildflowers
The reason we came, and we were still enjoying their beauty as we drove out of the park.
Death Valley, a Final Look
As seen from Hell's Gate, Mustard Canyon is on the floor, and Telescope Peak is on the right.
Death Valley
If this was the view, Hell's Gate was aptly named.
Corkscrew Peak
This crazy formation is on the way to Daylight Pass and Beaty, NV.
Indian Paintbrush?
More breathtaking flowers.
Desert Flowers
Is that Mount Whitney? Must be nearly 100 miles away. But Rich seems more interested in what lies in the first 10 feet
Joshua Trees and Charleston Peak
We had yet to get our fill of the natural wonders of this area, so we headed into the mountains near Las Vegas for lunch
Mount Charleston
At about 6,000 feet, the Joshua Trees seemed at home.
The Toiyabe National Forest
The forest is mostly in the distant snow; apparently Joshua Trees didn't mind being left out.
Spring Mountains
Tab poses in the cold sunlight at 9,000 feet.
Rich in the Spring Mountains
Las Vegas just beyond the range in the background. The camping trip officially came to an end, with a party to follow.
Random Fishing Pics
Corey and a Hog Crappie
The Roughfish.com webmaster stakes his claim as the next "Crappie God"
Hawg Bass
Chess shows off a nice Largemouth from a remote MN lake.
Dock Pike
Bill Bailey lands another large pike off the dock.
Contest Winner
Bill Bailey shows off the biggest fish caught that weekend. 93 years of fishing experience played out nicely.
Monster Pike
Bill Bailey and the Weekend Winner, June 2004
Bill Bailey
My grandfather was quite happy to pull in pike after pike in from the dock.
Pike Master
Another dockside northern.
Rich catches "Little Brother"
Maybe when I'm 93, I'll be able to catch bigger fish.
Tab and Golden
Two very kissable faces, in my humble opinion, Tabitha and her golden redhorse.
Two Baileys
Bill and Rich celebrate a successful catch. Not the biggest, but just right for the frying pan.
Lower St. Croix
Tabitha shows off a redhorse...was it a silver or a golden? Impossible to tell from here.
Celebration
Tabitha and Bill celebrate her successful catch at Lost Lake, MN.
Tough day fishing
Tuney shows off a nice bass from Turtle Lake. The fall fishing was slow, and the boat small.
River Redhorse
Rich lands his first ever River Redhorse at the Snake River Landing on the Upper St. Croix River.
River Redhorse
This male beauty was in full spawn colors. Note the tubercles on his nose and fins.
Early Morning Bass
On Turtle Lake, near Marcel, MN, Rich lands a decent Largemouth before the rest of the crew has rolled out of bed.
They do get bigger...
Rich tries to make his catch look larger by holding him just so.
Bill Bailey and a Bucketmouth
At age 94, Bill Bailey still knows how to catch fish. THis nice largemouth bass came from a remote Northern MN lake.
Turtle Lake Northern Pike
Caught on a sucker, 34 inches long, and probably in the 12-14 pound range. Rich can barely hold it up for the photo.
Late night Longnose Gar
This beautiful fish took a small sucker and ran off 150 yards of line. The battle near shore was fantastic!
Andy and a nice gar
It was nearly midnight on the Lower St. Croix before Andy finally landed this amazing fish.
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Smallie near Seven Islands
Rich lands this specimen Upper St. Croix Smallmouth bass on a chartreuse and white clouser with a 5-wt rod.
15-inch smallie
New Seven Islands on the Upper St. Croix River, caught on ultralight tackle with a chartreuse and orange fox tail.
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Michael Bailey Wake
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Kriz Christmas, 2005
John Kriz
John blurred because the flash was not enabled.
Grand Smiths
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We Three Hams of Orient Are
Dinner's Ready
And it's only 10pm!
Tabitha and Dee Dee
Kids Table
It gets more crowded every year.
Suitcases for the kids
Snowsuit for Theodore
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Tabitha and Zoe
Indulgence can be painful at times.
Hair stylists
Lighthouse Jigsaw Puzzle
Over 100 American lighthouses. Didn't find any from East Texas, for some reason.
Lighthouse Jigsaw Puzzle
We finished in time to leave for the airport.