Art Quilts Tell the Story of Our Impact on America's National Parks

Sunny Sequim, not all that far from Seattle, Washington is hosting a very special traveling quilt exhibit during May and June. Sequim, on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, is one of those undiscovered places with a historic lighthouse, seafood galore and a banana belt climate.

Wings of Fire by Melanie K. Brewer

Art Quilts Tell the Story
The National Park Fiber Arts Exhibit “Piecing Together a Changing Planet,” will be on exhibit at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 West Cedar Street, May 7 – June 30, 2017. The display has been touring the country since December 2014. This is the only stop in the Pacific Northwest for the national exhibit.

The juried show of 26 art quilts was created by artists in Florida as a way to highlight a few of the many ways that America’s 401 National Parks are being impacted by climate change, water pollution, air pollution, and other human-caused phenomena.

The artworks were created by members of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), a 3000-member national organization dedicated to promoting the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, documentation, and publications. Far from utilitarian quilts, traditionally used as bedcoverings, art quilts focus on layering, “thread painting,” and graphic design, as well as stitching and piecing.

This is a fitting stop for the last viewing of the exhibit. The Olympic Peninsula is home to the amazing Olympic National Park. 

More from us on the Olympic Peninsula.

Wordless Wednesday: A 55 Foot Tall Precarious Balancing Rock

It's Wordless Wednesday so I thought I'd post yet another photo from my Mighty 5 tour of Utah's National Parks. This is the famous Balanced Rock formation at Arches National Park just outside of Moab.

The total height of Balanced Rock is about 128 feet and then the balancing rock rises about 55 feet above the base.

You can get a sense of the scale of this tenuous rock by looking at the people climbing on the formation. That huge rock is about the size of three semi trucks.

To get close to Balancing Rock, if you dare, there is a loop trail from the parking lot. I skipped that. I hear that another such rock fell off of the formation in the 70's.

Where to Go with Your National Parks Senior Pass (Before its too late!)

So you’ve read the articles on the Santa Fe Travelers blog cautioning you to get your National Park Senior Pass before its too late! You plunked down your $10 and have your shiny new pass with the photo of the blooming cacti on it. But now what? You’ve looked at the map and you don’t even have a National Park in your state. Oh oh!

I have a friend who doesn’t travel far, usually, and she got her pass and posed this exact question. She lives in the Portland, Oregon area and thought she might have to travel to Mt. Rainier National Park or Crater Lake to use her pass. That’s far for her.

National Park Senior Passes are for More Than National Parks
So after a little research I found that she could use her pass to gain entry at much closer, yet very exciting places to go:

In Vancouver, Washington is Fort Vancouver. Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community.

The entrance fee to Fort Vancouver is usually $5.00 but with a Senior Pass, its free!

And then on the coast, there’s the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. The park brochure entices you to “discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast. Follow in the footsteps of the explorers and have an adventure in history.”

To enter these sites is usually $5.00 but with the Senior Pass, it’s free!

So the Senior Pass is a great deal. It can save you money on entrance to national sites and national historical parks and National Recreation areas. The lifetime national parks Senior Pass also gives seniors a 50 percent discount on federal use fees charged for camping, swimming, boat launching, parking, and tours.

When is it Too Late to Purchase a National Park Senior Pass?
So when will “it be too late?” According to the Santa Fe Travelers, “If you want to take advantage of the $10 rate, buy your lifetime National Park Senior Pass now. When is the price going up? According to the National Park Service no date has yet been set, but it will be sometime after October.” Currently, US citizens or permanent residents are eligible to buy a pass on their 62^nd birthday.

Wordless Wednesday: Utah's Canyonlands Amazing View

I'm working on a series of articles about Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks for Wander With Wonder and I have to stop periodically and just look into the beauty of my photographs. It was an amazing trip. I toured with Southwest Adventure Tours.

This is my inspirational photo from Canyonlands. Some say it rivals the Grand Canyon! Views from the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park reach from the depths of the Green and Colorado rivers to the mountaintops. Clouds top the layers of sandstone and rock to complete the picture.

I was amazed at the views and the depth of the canyons.

Petrified Forest National Park – A Rainbow of Petrified Wood

The colors in the petrified wood are amazing.

What I love about the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is the colorful array of petrified wood. You’ll see reds, yellows, purples and more as you walk the trails and enjoy these colorful giants. The park has one of the best collections of huge colorful petrified logs in the world!

What truly amazed me was that the park was once a lush forest with small invertebrates and varied sizes of dinosaurs living there. Scientists are still working the area and finding fossils. When you see the grassy, high-desert plains of the Petrified Forest, it will be hard to imagine that it was once a forest.

This area is also Route 66 country.  Petrified Forest National Park is the only park in the National Park System containing a section of Historic Route 66.

When to Visit the Petrified Forest
If you plan to walk the trails and see the beautiful logs and amazing vistas, you’ll want to visit in good weather. The park and trails are pretty much out in the open. Remember, it USED to be a forest! It will be hot in summer and you’ll get wet when it rains. The park is open every day except Christmas, though.  Please check here for more information

Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark (a museum and bookstore only) is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST year-round.

Even small pieces unearthed by a rain, are
worth looking at... all are different. All have
different mineral content.

I visited one sunny October day when I was on my way to the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. We spent the night in Holbrook , the gateway to this expansive park.

Tips for Visiting the Petrified Forest National Park
– The Park is large. Allow ample time even if driving through.
– Wear walking shoes as you’ll love exploring the rocky trails
– Never think you can pick up a piece of petrified wood. It is not only against the law, it may bring you bad luck!

- Ideally you’ll be able to spend most of the day. You’ll want to start at the south end, spend time at the Visitors Center, drive through the park, stopping to enjoy the trails and end with views of the beautiful Painted Desert.

Stop in Holbrook to purchase a souvenir or
just peruse the amazing pieces offered at Jim Gray's

Bring Back Real Petrified Wood
Since you can’t do any souvenir hunting in the Park, I recommend shopping at Jim Gray’s in Holbrook. Be sure and choose a piece of Arizona petrified wood.

More Information
Park Website
Book a Place to Stay in Holbrook and Save

Enjoy your National Parks with Small Group Guided National Park Vacations

The National Park Service and National Park Foundation will celebrate National Park Week April 18-26, 2015 by waiving entrance fees on April 18 and 19.  

To celebrate “America's Best Idea” Austin Adventures (Austin, TX - based company) offers these professionally guided, small group National Park vacations for 2015:

1.     Grand Canyon National Park – Round up the entire family and visit this mind-blowing, mile-deep canyon in the heart of Arizona’s high desert. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway across the Colorado Plateau, paddle board on Lake Pleasant, swim at Slide Rock State Park and end your 6-day/5-night vacation with a BBQ on the banks of Oak Creek. Starting at $2,158.

2.     Glacier Bay National Park – As no roads lead to Alaska’s Glacier Bay, guests embark on an 8-day small ship cruise that explores this remote national park. See majestic mountains, calving glaciers, narrow fjords, and more. In addition to wildlife viewing, activities include hiking, kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding. Starting at $4,395. 

3.     Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks – See the “most colorful park in America” and the “land of rainbow canyons” on this 6-day/5-night vacation in two of Utah’s most unforgettable national parks. Bike through Snow Canyon, hike among the hoodoos and wade in the Virgin River between the sheer rock walls of the Narrows. Starting at $1,918. 

4.     Yellowstone National Park – Trust your guide to show you how this place looks even more magical from “behind the scenes.” Hike backcountry trails for access to the best views, learn the secrets of the resident wildlife and rest assured, through Austin Adventures’ relationship with Xanterra Parks & Resorts®, you’ll have some of the finest rooms in the park on this 6-day/5-night award-winning package. Starting at $2,298. 

5.     Grand Teton National Park – Paddle and pedal in the shadow of the most striking mountain range on both sides of the Mississippi. The Grand Tetons are the crown jewel of Grand Teton National Park—the setting for this 6-day/5-night multisport (hiking, biking and kayaking) vacation. Starting at $2,318. 

6.     Yosemite National Park – Rappel down a granite wall, explore by horseback, raft the mighty Merced River and hike to the park’s highlights including Vernal Falls and Sentinel Dome. It’s all included on the itinerary of this 6-day/5-night vacation in Yosemite which celebrates its 125th year as a national park in October, 2015. Starting at $2,558. 

7.     Glacier National Park – Revered as the “backbone of the world” by the local Native Americans, Glacier National Park should be at the top of any bucket list. Activities on this 6-day/5-night adventure include biking Going-to-the-Sun Road, trekking among the towering evergreens on the Trail of Cedars and plenty of wildlife watching. Starting at $2,398. 

8.     Utah - Arches & Canyonlands – Marvel at the more than 2,000 natural stone arches in Utah’s Arches National Park, ride along the scenic Island in the Sky route in Canyonlands National Park and raft a playful stretch of the Colorado River. Base camp for this 6-day/5-night multisport vacation is in the heart of downtown Moab. Starting at $1,998. 

9.     San Juan Island National Historical Park – Consisting of 172 islands, this archipelago in Washington has a lot to offer when it comes to waterfront adventure. Search for orcas while kayaking the scenic bays, bike to historic sites which were once water boundaries and dine on the freshest seafood in the Northwest on this 6-day/5-night vacation. Starting at $2,998. 

All vacations are all-inclusive and more details including departure dates are available in the Austin Adventures adventure vacation catalogs and on its new website, www.austinadventures.com. Both scheduled group departures and custom trips can be booked by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing info@austinadventures.com.

National Parks: Up, Running and Open!

Now is the best time ever to visit your National Parks. After having them closed for several weeks, there is a renewed respect for these marvelous treasures. The National Parks website is now back online so you can plan a trip to a National Park soon!

Bryce Canyon National Park

 

 

 

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Free Entry into America's National Parks

I am one of the fortunate people who has a Senior Pass into our National Parks and Monuments, but there are certain times each year EVERYONE can get free entry into the parks. I especially love the Grand Canyon National Park. Many families find it a bit pricey, yet the park should be on everyone's to-do list.

Here are the free entry dates for 2011 and 2012. Enjoy!

America's Best Idea - the national parks - gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.
Mark your calendar for the final fee-free days in 2011:

• November 11-13
  Veterans Day weekend

Make plans now to visit the national parks on these 2012 fee-free dates:

• January 14-16
  Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
• April 21-29
  National Park Week
• June 9
  Get Outdoors Day
• September 29
  National Public Lands Day
• November 10-12
  Veterans Day weekend 

Ken Burns National Parks Series as Seen on PBS

I have been thoroughly enjoying the National Parks series on PBS and found some good deals on the DVD set which I'm going to purchase. I am not one to buy movies but this is a great series that I want to enjoy over and over. Find the Best Prices on the Ken Burns National Parks Series DVDs