Visited: Saturday, June 30th, 2012
Point Reyes is one of those "journey is half the fun" places; it's a long, winding road to get to the entrance of the park, and a long, even more winding road to get to the Pacific. And it's _well_ worthwhile; even though we were too late to see the lighthouse, and it was too foggy to see the seals, the story of how Sir Frances Drake found the site 28 years before Williamsburg, and of the varied history of the land (including its use as a group of ranches dating back to the 1850s) is fascinating.
But - then there's the Earthquake Trail. Where, among other things, you can walk on the San Andreas Fault, and see how the 1906 earthquake split a fence.
But - then there's the deer. As we were walking along the trail, a deer came within view - and then got closer, and closer. Megan got some amazing pictures.
But - then there's the baby. The baby deer never got quite to close to us, but we got to see it bounding along around 10 feet away, and was simply adorable.
Strongly recommended.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Fixing The Numbers
So, I recently signed up for the National Park Traveler's Club, which has a nice tool for tracking NPS site visits. And discovered that two of the parks I have listed here - don't count. Well, rather, Jamestown and Yorktown count as one, and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor doesn't count.
So the next park will, technically, be #58 for us, rather than #60. I'm not going to go back and correct the previous numbers, but I am going to use the NPTC list, as it seems to align better with the NPS count.
So the next park will, technically, be #58 for us, rather than #60. I'm not going to go back and correct the previous numbers, but I am going to use the NPTC list, as it seems to align better with the NPS count.
59) Fort Point National Historic Site
Visited: Friday, June 29th, 2012
There are many NPS sites with fantastic views - but typically, the views are of nature and natural beauty, rather than of man-made structures. But one of the most notable aspects of Fort Point is the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Nothing against the fort, but it's not strongly developed, and not ideally suited for self-tours. But it's in fantastic condition, and historically - well, similar to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor, really, in having been more important for what it was there for, rather than for what actually happened there.
There are many NPS sites with fantastic views - but typically, the views are of nature and natural beauty, rather than of man-made structures. But one of the most notable aspects of Fort Point is the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Nothing against the fort, but it's not strongly developed, and not ideally suited for self-tours. But it's in fantastic condition, and historically - well, similar to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor, really, in having been more important for what it was there for, rather than for what actually happened there.
Friday, June 29, 2012
58) Alcatraz Island / Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Visited: Friday, June 29th - Saturday, June 30th, 2012
For all the times I've traveled to the San Francisco area, I've never gone out to Alcatraz. So it was nice to fix that. The audio tour was highly recommended to us, and was well worth it. But the bigger treat for me was in the bookstore, where the son of a former Alcatraz guard - who lived on the island during the Battle of Alcatraz - was signing his books. As with Nick Clifford at Mount Rushmore - and formerly Buck O'Neil at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum - these folks bring the history to life.
It was also very enjoyable to hear the full modern history of the island. But - it feels much more commercial than most NPS sites, and attracts as many (or more) folks in a day as the Eugene O'Neill site does in a year. I think, on the whole, I prefer the smaller, less frequently - frequented sites.
Also part of the same park, officially, is the Presidio of San Francisco, which has a new if currently rather sparse visitor center. But the big attraction is recordings from those affected by the anti-Japanese sentiments during World War II, and how their lives were changed.
On Saturday, we returned to the area, to visit the Marin Headlands. It's an interesting part of the Golden Gate area, requiring a drive through a one-way tunnel to get there, but featuring a missile site, a lighthouse, a lagoon, and a beach for the effort.
For all the times I've traveled to the San Francisco area, I've never gone out to Alcatraz. So it was nice to fix that. The audio tour was highly recommended to us, and was well worth it. But the bigger treat for me was in the bookstore, where the son of a former Alcatraz guard - who lived on the island during the Battle of Alcatraz - was signing his books. As with Nick Clifford at Mount Rushmore - and formerly Buck O'Neil at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum - these folks bring the history to life.
It was also very enjoyable to hear the full modern history of the island. But - it feels much more commercial than most NPS sites, and attracts as many (or more) folks in a day as the Eugene O'Neill site does in a year. I think, on the whole, I prefer the smaller, less frequently - frequented sites.
Also part of the same park, officially, is the Presidio of San Francisco, which has a new if currently rather sparse visitor center. But the big attraction is recordings from those affected by the anti-Japanese sentiments during World War II, and how their lives were changed.
On Saturday, we returned to the area, to visit the Marin Headlands. It's an interesting part of the Golden Gate area, requiring a drive through a one-way tunnel to get there, but featuring a missile site, a lighthouse, a lagoon, and a beach for the effort.
57) San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Visited: Friday, June 29th, 2012
This park is, right now, a bit of a mixed bag. The bookstore is currently closed, which is unfortunate. But the visitor center is quite nice, and gives a good feel for the naval history of the city. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to see the historic ships. On the whole, it's a nice site, but not one that captured me as much as some. I do like the bookstores...
This park is, right now, a bit of a mixed bag. The bookstore is currently closed, which is unfortunate. But the visitor center is quite nice, and gives a good feel for the naval history of the city. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to see the historic ships. On the whole, it's a nice site, but not one that captured me as much as some. I do like the bookstores...
56) Rosie the Riveter / WWII Home Front National Historical Park
Visited: Thursday, June 28th, 2012
Incomplete.
This NPS site just moved to a new home, and is - a work in progress. Should be more interesting in 2014 or so; for now, the Smithsonian actually does a much better job with the subject.
Incomplete.
This NPS site just moved to a new home, and is - a work in progress. Should be more interesting in 2014 or so; for now, the Smithsonian actually does a much better job with the subject.
55) Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site
Visited: Thursday, June 28th, 2012
This NPS site averages about 3,000 visitors - per year. Reservations are required; the only way to visit otherwise involves a long hike. Over large hills.
But - it's well worth it. You get to visit the home O'Neill (and, more importantly, his third wife) built, where he wrote his last three plays. The tour is very nice, giving a view of O'Neill's inspirations and troubles and loves; it's as much a _home_ as O'Neill ever had, in spite of living in the Tao House for just 7 years.
Of course, the problem is that - I don't really have a feel for O'Neill, and the house gave an incomplete picture. What I now need to do is see one of his plays. As a consequence, my bookstore purchase was - a DVD.
This NPS site averages about 3,000 visitors - per year. Reservations are required; the only way to visit otherwise involves a long hike. Over large hills.
But - it's well worth it. You get to visit the home O'Neill (and, more importantly, his third wife) built, where he wrote his last three plays. The tour is very nice, giving a view of O'Neill's inspirations and troubles and loves; it's as much a _home_ as O'Neill ever had, in spite of living in the Tao House for just 7 years.
Of course, the problem is that - I don't really have a feel for O'Neill, and the house gave an incomplete picture. What I now need to do is see one of his plays. As a consequence, my bookstore purchase was - a DVD.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
54) John Muir National Historic Site
Visited: Thursday, June 28th, 2012
Anyone who starts exploring the National Parks will quickly come across John Muir's name. But I didn't really have a feel for who he was until today, visiting the house where he lived (with absences) the last 24 years of his life. There's little left of the property Muir managed for his father-in-law, but enough to give a feel for it - and, most importantly, both the Muir house and the Martinez structure.
The park is very well laid out, with a short movie to start things off, and then a pleasant walk with a pass through the house on the way. Fantastic place to visit, on the whole.
One more note - I've said it before, but one of my greatest weaknesses at NPS sites are the bookstores. In addition to adding to my patch collection, there are almost always books of interest. After hearing about Muir, I really wanted to read some of his writing - but couldn't decide what to read. Until I found a sampler, which is right about the right level for me - particularly give how many books I've picked up of late...
Anyone who starts exploring the National Parks will quickly come across John Muir's name. But I didn't really have a feel for who he was until today, visiting the house where he lived (with absences) the last 24 years of his life. There's little left of the property Muir managed for his father-in-law, but enough to give a feel for it - and, most importantly, both the Muir house and the Martinez structure.
The park is very well laid out, with a short movie to start things off, and then a pleasant walk with a pass through the house on the way. Fantastic place to visit, on the whole.
One more note - I've said it before, but one of my greatest weaknesses at NPS sites are the bookstores. In addition to adding to my patch collection, there are almost always books of interest. After hearing about Muir, I really wanted to read some of his writing - but couldn't decide what to read. Until I found a sampler, which is right about the right level for me - particularly give how many books I've picked up of late...
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
53) Pinnacles National Monument
Visited: Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
I love sites with historic content.
Megan likes site with natural beauty.
This makes _most_ of the NPS sites of particular interest to one of us - and usually of some interest to the other.
But Pinnacles offers - a limited amount of either. It looks nice for camping, which appeals to neither of us, and the hiking opportunities had their interest hit by hot temperatures and high fire danger. Leaving - a very small visitor center, and a nature center open only on weekends. And a long drive off the beaten path to get there. Still pretty enough to be nice to have seen, but not a standout, and not likely for a return trip.
I love sites with historic content.
Megan likes site with natural beauty.
This makes _most_ of the NPS sites of particular interest to one of us - and usually of some interest to the other.
But Pinnacles offers - a limited amount of either. It looks nice for camping, which appeals to neither of us, and the hiking opportunities had their interest hit by hot temperatures and high fire danger. Leaving - a very small visitor center, and a nature center open only on weekends. And a long drive off the beaten path to get there. Still pretty enough to be nice to have seen, but not a standout, and not likely for a return trip.
52) Channel Islands National Park
Visited: Sunday, June 24th, 2012
The visitor center for the Channel Islands is very nice - if not easy to get to mid-triathlon - but it really is insufficient. We followed up with a flight out to Santa Rosa island, on which there were eight people - the two pilots, a couple taking a day away from their kids, and the four of us. And it's - unique, I think, really best sums things up. Everything is a bit of a surprise. In particular, Crab Stonehenge - a structure built by some previous visitor - was both funny and impressive to come across. Ethan added to it by moving a second crab (empty shell) there. It was only once we got there that I realized that I had flown with my pocket knife, for the first time in many years.
It was particularly interesting to discover that the island had been an active ranch as recently as a year ago. The presence of a schoolhouse - albeit not in use as such for many years - was odd to think about; the island feels well away from everything, and it's hard to imagine with enough children there to necessitate a school.
We flew over Anacapa and Santa Cruz; I wish we'd seen the other two islands, but that seems to have necessitated the boat tour. Next time...
The visitor center for the Channel Islands is very nice - if not easy to get to mid-triathlon - but it really is insufficient. We followed up with a flight out to Santa Rosa island, on which there were eight people - the two pilots, a couple taking a day away from their kids, and the four of us. And it's - unique, I think, really best sums things up. Everything is a bit of a surprise. In particular, Crab Stonehenge - a structure built by some previous visitor - was both funny and impressive to come across. Ethan added to it by moving a second crab (empty shell) there. It was only once we got there that I realized that I had flown with my pocket knife, for the first time in many years.
It was particularly interesting to discover that the island had been an active ranch as recently as a year ago. The presence of a schoolhouse - albeit not in use as such for many years - was odd to think about; the island feels well away from everything, and it's hard to imagine with enough children there to necessitate a school.
We flew over Anacapa and Santa Cruz; I wish we'd seen the other two islands, but that seems to have necessitated the boat tour. Next time...
Monday, June 25, 2012
51) Cabrillo National Monument
Visited: Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
This was not the first time I visited Cabrillo - though the first time was when the original statue was there, and the replacement will soon be 30. But I'd forgotten the place entirely - particularly why it was there. So it was great to get back; the park isn't large, but between the monument and the lighthouse, it's an enjoyable stop, and a nice place to learn about the Spanish explorers. Definitely recommended if you're in San Diego...
This was not the first time I visited Cabrillo - though the first time was when the original statue was there, and the replacement will soon be 30. But I'd forgotten the place entirely - particularly why it was there. So it was great to get back; the park isn't large, but between the monument and the lighthouse, it's an enjoyable stop, and a nice place to learn about the Spanish explorers. Definitely recommended if you're in San Diego...
Monday, June 18, 2012
50) Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Visited: Sunday, June 17th, 2012
Well, we got through the first 50 in just under 3 years. Putting us on track to get to all the NPS-run sites in - 2033. Though I fear that's far too optimistic; I suspect that 2043 is much more likely.
We only visited a single Island - George's Island - but IMHO it's easily the most interesting, holding the remains of a fort used from 1850-1950, Fort Warren. Now, at that, Fort Warren's history is - pretty dry; not all that much actually _happened_ there, other than training and - during the Civil War - holding prisoners. But it makes the island much more interesting for me than, for example, Spectacle Island, which has - nice trails.
Oddly, the patch for the site is about 30% smaller in each dimension than the standard Eastern park patches, even though it's the same style otherwise. It's actually closer in dimensions to the Western park patches.
One of the most interesting aspects of the trip for me was to get a feel, from ground level, about what goes on at Logan. Now I just need to fly out of Logan again to put the two aspects together in my mind. Fortunately, it won't be long until I get that chance; unfortunately, our flight is at 5:30AM...
Well, we got through the first 50 in just under 3 years. Putting us on track to get to all the NPS-run sites in - 2033. Though I fear that's far too optimistic; I suspect that 2043 is much more likely.
We only visited a single Island - George's Island - but IMHO it's easily the most interesting, holding the remains of a fort used from 1850-1950, Fort Warren. Now, at that, Fort Warren's history is - pretty dry; not all that much actually _happened_ there, other than training and - during the Civil War - holding prisoners. But it makes the island much more interesting for me than, for example, Spectacle Island, which has - nice trails.
Oddly, the patch for the site is about 30% smaller in each dimension than the standard Eastern park patches, even though it's the same style otherwise. It's actually closer in dimensions to the Western park patches.
One of the most interesting aspects of the trip for me was to get a feel, from ground level, about what goes on at Logan. Now I just need to fly out of Logan again to put the two aspects together in my mind. Fortunately, it won't be long until I get that chance; unfortunately, our flight is at 5:30AM...
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