Rocky Mountain National Park (Rocky Mountain National Park)

On our way back to Reno, from spending Thanksgiving with my family in the St. Louis area, we spent the night in Denver. My first thought was curiosity about Rocky Mountain National Park, which is located about an hour north of the city. While we didn't have much time, I asked a ranger at the visitor center about the best and most scenic way to spend a short time in the park. She thoughtfully recommended a short loop in the northeastern corner of the park. 

As winter is approaching, much of the park is closed due to snow and few visitors dare the cold winds of these altitudes, but that's all the better for me. I love seeing this type of country when it isn't polluted with the populous. 

Even on this short preview, I can tell this is somewhere I will need to spend more time in the future. The views are breathtaking, even in this small preview of what the park has to offer. All in all, we only spend about 45 minutes driving through the park, but I will definitely be back to do some hiking and further exploring.

Eagle Watching along the Great River Road (Madison County, Illinois)

Stop number two while at home was more of a search than a stop. As my hometown, Alton, IL, sits alongside the Mississippi River, it is known as a wintering spot for the majestic bald eagle. Though, the appear in great numbers from December to March, I thought I would take my luck and try to find some in late November, while we were in the area. It wasn't difficult.

Heading north up the Great River Road, I spotted a couple of specimens in a tree at the foot of Clifton Terrace. They are such large birds. I have seen them up close at some preserves and in an upright perch much like that seen in the photo, they are often over two feet tall. 

They gaze out over the river looking for any sign of a fish leaping from the water, which when exposed and snatched from the flowing river will make a fine meal for the great raptor.

All in all, I spotted five birds today in only about 30 minutes, including one fighting against the howling winds in Grafton. Such magnificent animals, it's not wonder they have been adopted as a symbol of our great nation.

Piasa Bird (Madison County, Illinois)

For Thanksgiving this year, my wife and I drove from Reno, NV to Alton, IL (my hometown) to visit my mother and grandfather for the holiday. While we had a terrific visit with my family, I decided to go on a couple of quick outings to visit some of my hometown's heritage. 

The first stop was to see the legendary Piasa Bird, which is currently painted on the limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River, just north of Alton. As history tells it, the explorers Marquette and Joliet traveled through this area in 1673. As they floated down the mighty river, they were taken aback by a large image drawn on the high bluffs. They asked the local Native Americans about it, and the tale below (as written on a stone plaque at the current site reads).

Since then, the legendary creature has had several incarnations along the bluffs above Alton. As a young child, I remember it painted a bit further north than it's current location at a place called Norman's Landing, and later a steel plaque cut and painted into the bird's shape mounted on top of that earlier painting. Currently, the bird sits above some quarried caves in a small city park dedicated to the terror. Fact or fiction, it's part of Alton's rich heritage and worthy of a mention on my blog.

The Legend of the Piasa

MANY THOUSAND MOONS before the arrival of the palefaces, when the great magolonyx and mastodon, whose bones are now dug up, were still living in this land of green prairies, there existed a bird of such dimensions that he could easily carry off in his talons a full grown deer. Having obtained a taste for human flesh, from that time, he would prey upon nothing else.

He was as artful as he was powerful, would dart suddenly and unexpectedly upon an Indian, bear him off into one of the caves of the bluffs, and devour him.

Hundreds of warriors attempted for years to destroy him, but without success.

Whole villages were nearly depopulated, and consternation spread throughout all the tribes of the Illini.

At length, Ouatoga, a chief whose fame as a warrior extended even beyond the great lakes, separated himself from the rest of his tribe, fasted in solitude for the space of a while moon, and prayed to the great spirit, the master of life, that he would protect his children from the Piasa.

On the last night of the fast the great spirit appeared to Ouatoga in a dream, and directed him to select 20 of his warriors, each armed with a bow and a poisoned arrow, and conceal themselves in a designated spot.

Near the place of their concealment, another warrior was to stand in open view as a victim for the Piasa, which they must shoot the instant that it pounced upon his prey.

When the chief awoke in the morning, he thanked the great spirit and returning to his tribe, told them of his dream.

The warriors were quickly selected and placed in ambush, as directed. Ouatoga offered himself as the vicitm. He was willing to die for his tribe.

Placing himself in open view of the bluff, he soon saw the Piasa perched on the bluff eyeing his prey. Ouatoga drew up his manly form to its utmost height and planing his feet firmly upon the earh began to chant the death song of a warrior.

A moment after the Piasa rose into the air and swift as a thunderbolt darted down upon the chief. Scarcely had he reached his victim, when every bow was sprung and every arrow sent to the feather into his body.

The Piasa uttered a wild, fearful scream that resounded far over the opposite of the river and expired.

Ouatoga was safe. Not an arrow, not even the talons of the bird had touched him. The master of life, in admiration of the generous deed of Ouatoga had held an invisible shield over him.

In memory of this event, the image of the Piasa was engraved on the bluff. Such is the Indian tradition.

Skunk Harbor (Carson City, Nevada)

 

About 6 miles south of Sand Harbor and about 2.5 miles north of the junction of NV 28 and US 50, there is an locked iron gate with a small pull-off overlooking Lake Tahoe. The gate functions as the trail head for a short little hike down to Skunk Harbor. My friend Nate had discovered this gem and I decided to check it out for myself on this glorious blue-skied day.

The pull-off isn't marked, but can accommodate about 5 cars. Luckily, I got here early enough for that not to be a problem. The trail follows an old dirt road down the mountainside and parallel to the lake. After a short distance, it makes a near ninety degree turn and then heads straight for the blue waters below. The trail itself is easy enough with the standard Lake Tahoe combination of greenery and granite. 

After about a mile and a half, a structure comes into view. It's a stone house with grates over the windows and the doors all boarded up. A plaque on the lake-side of the home explains that it was a retreat built by a wealthy family back in the 1920's, which was only accessible boat at that time. It was apparently the site of many picnics and exclusive parties. Since then, ownership has passed to the forest service, who intend to preserve it as an example of that roaring age. While we should all probably consider the welfare and preservation of this wondrous lake-side environment and leave it pristine, I can certainly understand the appeal of wanting to build here. Awaking every morning to this view would be like heaven on earth.

Exploring the small harbor by scrambling over and around some of the larger granite boulders rising from the clear blue water of the lake, yields some very nice pictures. A series of parallel wooden poles rise from the harbor in two rows. I suspect these were once a pier of some sort for the residence's visitors. Alas, time and the lake have reclaimed the surface, as it will one day reclaim the house itself. All things return to nature in time.

Until this day and after dozens, if not hundreds, of trips to the Lake Tahoe, I am still amazed at the clarity and blueness of it's cold waters. It is truly a site to behold. Snapping a few more pictures, I return uphill to the jeep. It's a little steep going back up, but nothing too terrible. This was a short little 3.2 mile out and back hike, but the scenery and history made it well worth the time.

Tahoe Meadows - First Snowstorm (Washoe County, Nevada)

 

Winter has come to the Sierra's. A decently strong storm is in the process of dropping a foot or so of snow in the Mountains above Reno. What should we do? Go hiking in it, of course. My friend Nate and I meet up at a Starbucks on the way up, and hop in the jeep to continue up to the sprawling Tahoe Meadows, which is just past the saddle between Slide Mountain and Mt. Rose. 

The roads are pretty slick, as the plows haven't had a chance to clear any of the newly fallen layer just yet. Making our way to the southern edge of the meadows, we pop a u-turn and park the jeep alongside the huge snowfield. It's cold up here with a strong, cutting wind delivering more snow by the minute. We pack on the layers and head out along what we believe to be the established trail. Both Nate and I have hiked this area quite a bit, but with a few inches of snow on the ground and more in our eyes, finding the trail requires a bit of path-finding.

We make for the treeline in order to get some cover from this wind. It's nice. We are the first ones here, as the lack of any footprints or other disturbance in the snow provides testament to. Some might think us a little crazy for wanting to be out here in this weather, but I can think of no better time. The smell of the forest, the cleanliness of newly fallen powder, the solitude - all these things make this the best place to be right now.

Skirting around the meadow, we hike out to an overlook above Washoe Valley. From there, we should have a great view of the valley below, but the storm clouds obscure it quite a bit. After taking a few pictures, we turn and head back to the jeep. Round trip, we only put in about 3.5 miles, but considering we were trudging through 6-10 inches of snow the whole way, it was a decent workout. Both of us being pretty hungry after our adventure, we stop by a local cafe for a quick breakfast before parting ways to get on with our days. Good times!