#NatureWritingChallenge - Gateway towns

Where is your favorite gateway town outside of America’s public lands and what makes it so great? Any memorable experiences?

Join us on Twitter with the hashtag #NatureWritingChallenge to discuss and share the topic Thursday at 8:30 CST. This post was created in one hour specifically for this challenge.

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I’m going to be honest, I don’t know much about gateway towns. I know some people rely on them, as frequent visitors to these glorious parks, but I’m such a “travel far and wide” to get the park that I rarely have time to stop and see anything but my destination. That being said, I do have a few small towns through some of the various public lands I love that do stand out. I’m going to approach this topic a little differently by highlighting a few of them here in the next hour of writing and creating. I am also creating this essay outside of the normal time frame of the challenge due to a busy March. I wanted to participate, so I figured they’d be good writing prompts later on and they are. Enjoy!

Olympia, Washington

I know, this town probably isn’t TECHNICALLY a gateway town, it was a home base for me on one of my trips to the Olympic Peninsula to see both Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest as well as meeting a friend in a neighboring suburb to head out to Mount Rainier. Olympia was everything I needed. The town felt small, yet had all the good stuff to make any trip better. When I fly in to the airport, I want to head south and get as close as I can to where I need to be. Usually, I don’t even stay anywhere but my rental car but I had some time on this trip and needed to visit both areas so a middle ground was best. I got a decent hotel, for a good price in downtown Olympia, found a brewery, and was able to meet up with a local outdoor writer/runner/all around cool dude who may or may not have created this writing challenge. It was the perfect distance for a quick morning drive up to the peninsula or over/down to Rainier or St. Helens.

Crescent City and Arcata, California

The Redwoods will forever be something I think about almost daily. As much as I love the desert or other forests, these babies are the original real deal. Two cities that really welcome you to the area are Crescent City and Arcata. I have stayed in both, found delicious meals in both, and consumed good beer too. If you stay in or visit Crescent City, head out of town and take the Howland Hill Road through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. You’ll get spit out on CA-199 and that drive through the mountains is worth it, so take that route. We did, and followed the BEAUTIFUL wild and scenic Smith River to Oregon and subsequently spent the better part of the day exploring Oregon Caves National Monument. Talk about a Gateway town!

Arcata was a little more chill, it’s not a mainstream place, with plenty of unique flavor. If you’re there you have to check out the various breweries and restaurants in the heart of town. Arcata is positioned perfectly between the various areas of the Redwood National and State Parks. It’s a great base for exploring north or south, or venturing to the Lost Coast, one of my personal favorite places ever.

Honorable mentions is Ferndale, CA. This is a cute little town that is well kept and seems mysterious. The houses are gorgeous, the cemetery is really cool, and it’s on the way to the Lost Coast.

There are a ton of great gateway towns, I’m sure, but these are a few that stand out in my mind. I hope to explore more as my time opens up. Maybe I’ll find some great towns outside of some public lands this summer.

#NatureWritingChallenge - History Schmistory...

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“What is your favorite National Park history? Any cool stories to share, buildings you enjoy, or historical wonders you enjoy?”

2019 - Topic 4

January 31, 2019

Join us on Twitter with the hashtag #NatureWritingChallenge to discuss and share the topic Thursday at 8:30 CST. This post was created in one hour specifically for this challenge.

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History isn’t my jam.

I’m not a big history fan, generally speaking, but I am not closed off to learning about specific topics if they come about. What I really mean to say is that I do not seek out historical texts or books, but will read through something quick and easy to digest. I do enjoy learning about culture, archaeology, and geology which all explore history in different interesting ways.

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Big trees are old.

One group of historical figures I couldn’t live without are the big trees of the west coast. The redwoods, giant sequoias, and various other large and old trees are some of my favorite living organisms in the world. I first saw these big trees back in 2008 and have been in love with them since then. These trees age gracefully and are a vital part of the ecosystem and region as a whole. What would life be like without big trees? These specific types of trees aside, I grew up with very old maples in the front yard and super old apple trees in the orchard. Trees can teach us how to adapt and thrive, even in the worst conditions over 2000 years.

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That arch didn’t form overnight.

I’m not sure how many years it took Delicate Arch to come to the present state, but thank goodness it did. Have you been to Delicate Arch, up close and personal? I have and it was insane. To think erosion did that, over so many years is crazy. This iconic rock formation is a piece of history to me. When I went to Arches, I learned about the history of the park, the history tied to the geology, and the history of the people who inhabited the land.

Speechless at the Grand Canyon.

The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was October 12, 2011. I was driving back with a friend from Las Vegas and we stopped at the North Rim and I was awestruck. When my dear friend Ashley and I visited the South Rim in 2013, I was awestruck again. When I visited with my other half and dear friend Nikki in 2015, it was amazing in a new way as it was dusted with snow in places. The Grand Canyon is old. Think of the years it took for the Colorado River to cut through the earth and form that giant hole. Think of the people who live and lived there long before we stand on the paved path at the edge admiring. What a place, rich in history and culture.

History may not be my “thing” but I am willing to embrace it on a case by case basis. Learning about these great trees or geologic formations is a form of history appreciation in my book.

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#NatureWritingChallenge - A Person Who Inspired Your Love For Public Lands

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“A Person Who Inspired Your Love For Public Lands”

Season 2, Week 3

September 27, 2018

Join us on Twitter with the hashtag #NatureWritingChallenge to discuss and share the topic Thursday at 8:30 CST. This post was created in one hour specifically for this challenge.

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Of all the road trips, camping trips, and vacations, I’d have to say seeing public lands became a big part of them in 2008. My best friend Kevin, the guy from all of my road trip stories, really inspired my love for and promoted public lands the most out of anyone I knew back then. We started to incorporate visiting public lands in our road trips and eventually made it our mission to make various National Parks our main destination.

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Today, we don’t get out as much together as we did back in college, but I think we both still love public lands and what they stand for as much or more than before. Our last big trip before both of us settled into life was leaving Houston on a whim and driving to Saguaro National Park just to see it really quickly because we had to be back the next day. The thrill of the road trip plus a destination to see cool cacti was all we needed. Since then, I know he’s taken his family on a couple of trips that included various National Parks and public lands to which they all seem to have enjoyed.

I’ve taken trips since then to visit many National Forests, Parks, and Monuments. I live for it now, and it’s easy to say it started back with a simple road trip in 2008 that included Redwood National & State Parks as well as Death Valley.

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We are lucky, and when possible, can travel together to his family cabin in Northern Minnesota which is surrounded by National Forests and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Northern Minnesota is a REAL TREAT and if you get the chance, get up there and experience that solitude and untouched beauty.

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It’s one thing to sit and read about the land set aside for us, but visiting various places and putting it all together makes it truly sink in. My buddy Kevin may have encouraged and inspired my initial love for public lands, but it is the online outdoor community that inspired my desire to continue to protect, expand, and care for them. One beautiful thing about the internet and social networking is the ability to connect with people to share knowledge and promote an end game that we can all get behind. I am forever grateful for the online outdoor community, some of whom I get to meet in person, for our shared love of all things public lands.

#NatureWritingChallenge - Favorite Place to Introduce People to Public Lands

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“Favorite Place to Introduce People to Public Lands”

Season 2, Week 2

September 20, 2018

Join us on Twitter with the hashtag #NatureWritingChallenge to discuss and share the topic Thursday at 8:30 CST. This post was created in one hour specifically for this challenge.

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I’ve never had to think too hard about which piece of public land was my favorite to introduce to someone because I’m usually just so glad someone wants to go at all. My experience with public lands beyond state parks isn’t much, and I don’t know many people that are too adventurous, but I’m always willing to go anywhere anyone is up for visiting. I’ve had the joy of showing my other half Arches and then showing it to my best friend five years later. My friend Kevin and I have taken friends to Death Valley and seeing other people enjoy it as much as we did was wonderful. But, nothing has made me more excited than showing my best friend and other half Redwood National and State Parks in California. I originally visited the majestic Redwoods in spring of 2008 and long to go back as often as possible.

Each visit to the Redwoods, be it a state or national park, has been absolutely magical. From our first drive through in 2008 to my the most recent in 2017, which I’ve discussed [here], [here], [here], and [here]. I love the Redwoods, and with limited exposure to public lands thus far, I’d say it’s in my top three for favorite destinations. But, this isn’t about that. I’m excited just thinking about taking people to the Redwoods for the first time. Many people have heard of the big trees on the west coast, but few that I know have actually visited them. Expectations for what they look like are set from textbooks or internet photos, but seeing them in person usually blows them out of the water.

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Redwood National and State Parks cover a LOT of ground. I’m talking, hours of driving and days of hiking to see it all. So, I can’t say that I’m an expert or that I’ve even visited every special place, but that makes it even more amazing to revisit. I’ve been to several of the main places, and that’s usually how it started when introducing my BFF and other half to the vastness that is the Redwoods. We’d hit up a popular spot and do the drive through the Avenue of the Giants. Each time, though, we’d try something else. From the Big Tree area we ventured off into the woods or from near Prairie Creek we headed over to Lost Man Creek. I’ve hiked the same trail, 9 years apart, but didn’t even know it so it felt brand new to me.

There is more to the Redwoods than just the big trees and ferns. There are wild rivers running through, old dirt roads that take the long way, and so many smaller trees that are just as beautiful. There are plenty of tourist attractions and a few gift shops as well as several small towns with stores and restaurants. One can feel very small and alone or completely part of the tourist crowd, it’s a choice that can even mean having the best of both worlds.

If you can get to Northern California, go to the Redwoods. Go on a weekday, go on a weekend, go for several days. Just. Go. You will likely not regret it unless you HATE trees, endless green leaves, ferns, dampness, fog, or the freshest smells of your life.

#NatureWritingChallenge - West Coast or Bust

"A moment when you felt small compared to the grandeur of our public lands"

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The year was 2008.  Two of my best friends and I had set out on a spring break road trip based on the success of our first one in 2007.  We were almost done with college and wanting to see a little bit more of the country before it was too late and we had full-time jobs.  Road trips in 2008 involved using a laptop in the backseat to navigate with a Microsoft Streets & Trips GPS attachment stuck to the window.  Road trips in 2008 were in a rental car because none of our cars would make it more than six hours before blowing something.  We set out, headed from Grand Rapids, MI to the west coast, with a few minor stops along the way.  This trip was designed and planned to maximize our stops along the route; the previous year we unintentionally avoided too many natural wonders and tourist stops because we just didn't have a plan.

The trip had many "first experiences" such as the first time seeing the Pacific Ocean, a city as big as Seattle, the Redwood trees, San Francisco, sequoia trees, Death Valley, Las Vegas, and St. Louis.  Pike Place Market was an enriching experience, the Oregon coast was breathtaking, Las Vegas glittered, but the redwoods were shockingly beautiful.  I had seen photos, read books, and researched them, but I had absolutely no idea the emotional impact they would have on me when I wrapped my arms around one and stared up the trunk.

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As cliche as it may sound, the Redwoods made me feel small in the best way.  I can vividly remember leaping out of the car and running over to a redwood along the road and just standing there in shock as I tried to wrap my head around the size of that tree.  The trees of the Oregon Coast were gorgeous, wild, and large in scale to some we had in Michigan but fell out of memory once I saw the vast beauty of a mighty redwood.

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We walked to the "Big Tree" and took photos, as tourists do, and stood in awe.  We drove through the Avenue of the Giants, stopped at a few trails and shops, and were on our way in just a few hours.  We did the classic "drive through a tree" Redwoods activity and posed in front of a 1000 year old log.  For those few hours, I forgot about the spats we had in the car for days prior, forgot my responsibilities, forgot where I was from, and I became fully present.  For the first time in my life, I felt small but so alive at the same time.  These trees are some of the largest living organisms on the planet and we get the luxury of walking through their forest home and breathing their fresh air.  I've had the privilege to visit the Redwoods several times since 2008 and every time feels a bit like the first time.  I still feel small and alive, I'm still swept away from reality, and I'm still in shock of how these trees can exist.

This was created in 1hr for the #naturewritingchallenge

#NatureWritingChallenge - Lost Man Creek

Lost Man Creek is one of those spots I didn't plan on visiting but was instantly grateful for finding when exploring Redwood National and State Parks. I was traveling with my other half, a summer road trip to see the Redwoods, and we did not have a lot of plans set in stone other than our hotel in Arcata, California. The plan was to venture south one day, to see the sights around the Avenue of the Giants and then a couple of days north with no destinations in mind. One morning after coffee, the car was pointed north on the 101 and the exploring began. First stop was the Prairie Creek Visitor Center area to make a plan. We checked our Google Maps, searched for places online, and Lost Man Creek came up. We had nothing to lose, so we went.

Following the signs, we turned down the road that led to the parking lot. The road was narrow, dirt, and flanked by moss-covered trees. The parking lot was empty, which was a nice surprise, so we parked and headed toward the moss-covered picnic table. I can’t recall if there was a sign that had a functional map, but we followed what appeared to be an old road along the Lost Man Creek into the woods.

First things first, we posed with several large trees because that’s what you do in the Redwoods. After the photos, we admired how quiet it was in regards to the outside world. It was far enough from the 101, or there were enough trees, that it seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere. I can remember just standing in a patch of sunlight coming in through mossy branches and listening to the creek trickle by. We went back, further and further, finding more solitude as we walked. With the solitude came endless ferns, a few white iris flowers, and honeysuckle. The ground was a brilliant green as far as you could see, with the creek barely visible along the trail.

This creek in this park, at this moment in time, holds a significance to me because it was a moment of complete freedom. It was relaxing yet fun, an easy hike yet beautiful, and accessible without the crowds. The time spent along Lost Man Creek was an ideal moment on public lands. To this day, I have wallpapers on my work PC of this specific place to remind me to calm down, take a moment, and find some peace when things get stressful. I can’t wait to get back, hike a bit further, and enjoy it all over again in a new way someday.

This post was created in one hour for the #naturewritingchallenge

**Editing done after the hour due to technical issues.