National Park Service

What’s up everyone?

Sundown with Old Faithful

In honor of National Park Week, I thought that we would take a look at the National Park System or Service(NPS).  

With the signing of the Act of March 1, 1872.  Congress had establish the first designated park in the Montana and Wyoming territories known as Yellowstone National Park.  The park would be regulated by the Secretary of the Interior.  The founding of Yellowstone sparked a worldwide movement for preserving lands and establishing parks.  Currently 100 nations participate in a park program with over 1200 areas set aside for Parks and Preserves.

Delicate Arch

Over the following years more and more land were set aside for parks, monuments, and historical site.  Unfortunately, they were not all regulated by the Sec. of the Interior.  Some monuments and military sites were regulated by the War Department and the National Forest Service.  

August of 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an act that established the National Park Service.  They celebrated 100 years in 2016.  The NPS would be a new division of the Department of the Interior.  It would be tasked with protecting the then 35 National Parks and Monuments. It wouldn’t be until 1933, when an Executive Order was passed that transferred all military sites and monuments to the NPS.  Finally uniting all national lands under the banner of the NPS.

Grand Tetons

The United States National Park Service now consist of more than 400 protected areas made up of over 84 million acres.  These areas can be found in all 50 states, including D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands.

For most of my life, I grew up within a few hours drive from Utah’s Big Five (Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capital Reef) and not to mention the countless monuments and state parks.  In my younger years I never really appreciated what they had to offer.  At the time I thought we were just walking around for long periods of time looking at things that all looked the same.  As I got over I came to appreciate them more.

Over the years I have been able to visit 16 parks, monuments and historical sites.  Some I don’t remember very well, others I would have like to spend more time in, some I’ve visited multiple times, and some I may never get back to.  Throughout my adventures, I’ve come to the realization that every park, even though they may seem the same, has their own identity and beauty.  

Glacier NP

Whether you are a seasoned outdoorsmen or a new adventurer looking for something to explore, I highly recommend visiting our National Parks. They have something for everyone.  Sometimes they can be crowded, but you will not be disappointed in what you discover.  When you spend time out in nature you develop a bond with it and those you share it with.  You may even find something inside you that wasn’t there before.  At least, I know I have and I believe it will happen for you as well.

Now that we have moved to the Midwest, it gives a new place to roam and explore.  We have a lot of plans to visit the parks around us and excited to share them with you as we fulfill those plans.  Get out and explore.  You will not be disappointed.

Until next time.  Thanks for stopping by.

Josh

Easter Traditions

What’s up everyone?

With Easter just around the corner, thought turn to a fluffy bunny running around hiding decorated eggs and delivering baskets full of toys and candy.  But for my family, when we think about Easter we think about red rocks, beautiful vistas, and Jeeps.  I know. You think I’ve gone crazy.  What does any of that have to do with Easter?  Well, I’m talking about the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari.

In 1967 in an attempt to bring in tourist, the Moab Chamber of Commerce held the first official Easter Jeep Safari.  On the Saturday before Easter, members of the Chamber lead tourist into the backcountry for fun and adventure.  Behind the Rocks was the first tail followed by the now infamous Moab Rim the following year.  In the early days they offered an ice cream package.  During lunch time, local pilots would drop frozen treats to the people below.  It would be nice if they still offered this.  Some of those days are scorchers.  I know I wouldn’t complain to have something to cool me off.

It was ran this way until 1982 when BLM regulations required permits and insurance.  The Chamber found themselves unable to sustain the Safari.  The Chamber turned to the a recently formed club for help.  The Red Rock 4-Wheeler agreed to take over the event in the early months of 1983.  Since then the event has blossomed into what it is today.

The Easter Jeeps Safari is a nine day event that, as the name implies, takes place over the week of Easter in the eclectic town of Moab Utah.  Moab has become a Mecca for off-road enthusiast.  Every year thousands of people from around the globe participate in the event.

For us it has truly become a family affair.  My grandparents moved down to Moab after deciding that they need a change of pace.  With each trip down to visit, we became more intrigued with the Jeep culture.  We participated in our first Safari in 1989 and we have been hooked ever since.  Over the years our ragtag group would continue to grow.  We started with close friends joining our ranks, but it would eventually include my brothers and my own in-laws.  At current count there is about 12 Jeeps (give or take a few) in our crew and still growing.  Not all of us are together at the same time though.  We have a core group of 5 vehicles (well 4 now that I’m currently in Chicagoland) and the others join us if and when they can.

The excitement for Moab starts months before the events.  We pull out our vehicles and make sure that they ready and willing.  If we need to make any improvements or repairs this gives us plenty of time to do it.  We usually have one planning meeting with everyone so that we can decide on what everyone wants to do.  We typically plan on doing 2 to 3 trails leaving the rest of the time to do whatever we want.  There is plenty to see and do in the area and sometimes its nice to have leisure time back at camp.

It seems like the biggest decisions that we have to make during our meetings is about meal plans.  Usually breakfast and lunches is up to the individuals of the group.  We truly shine when we have dinner.  To be honest it seems like we have the best meals when we are out camping.  Barbecued meats and dutch oven meals are usually on menu, but we always like to mix it up by adding something interesting.

We all make our way down to camp.  If able we travel together, but life has its way of interfering and sometimes forces us to make adjustments.  I can recall a time that I had to work until 10 at night and I was registered for a trail the next morning.  I really didn't want to miss the trail, but it would not have been a good I deal to head out that late of hour.  What I should have done and what I did was two different things.  What I should have done was head out when I woke up and missed the trail.  But whats the fun in that?  I set my alarm for 2:30 in the morning, was on the road by 3, and made it to camp with plenty of time to spare.  My parents weren't too thrilled by this decision but were happy to see there.

Once camp is set up and vehicle are unloaded, thats when the fun begins.  Everyday is a different adventure.  We continue to challenge ourselves on every obstacle we attempts.  Unfortunately some reach their breaking point and in this case its literal.  At some point everyone eventually breaks something on their vehicles.  In the worst cases, they go ass-over-teacup and roll their vehicles.  I’ve had some close calls in my time but nothing to serious.  I can’t say that about other in our group but we all have our bad days.

Nights are for us to gather around and enjoy good food and quality time with each other.  Conversations usually turn to days events and plans for the next day.  To be honest some of us are getting a little older and its nice to sit there and recoup from the beating that your body take from the day.

Of course we don’t ignore the holiday.  On Easter Sunday we wake up and enjoy a good breakfast.  One of the few times that we all get together for breakfast.  And watch as the young one run around camp finding the treats the fluffy bunny left them the night before.  I realize I should specify.  Toys and candy not the other bunny “treats”, if you know what mean.

The Easter Jeep Safari, and Moab in general, has become one of my favorite places to be.  There is something magical about it.  Its almost primordial.  Moab is a “Chose Your Own Adventure Book”.  With hundreds or maybe thousands of miles of backcountry roads and several National and State Parks to explore.  You are bound to find something within yourself that you did know was there.  I have been doing this for nearly thirty years now.  I still haven't seen everything that Moab has to offer.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our Easter tradition.  We hope that you enjoy your Easter traditions and continue to share them with your families for years to come.

Until next time, wishing you a Happy Easter.

Josh and Erin

Odin's Pet Adventuring Tips

What’s up everyone?

Like many of you, pets have been a big part of my life.  Getting a pet as a child taught us many life lesson.  These lessons we really didn't understand at the time, but as we got older they would become very important to us in our daily lives.

I have had all types of animals.  All pets have their good and bad qualities.  It all comes down to personal preference.  No offense cat people, but I feel the dog is the superior pet.  And before you jump my case. YES! I have owned cats in my time and YES! I acknowledge that they have their place with some people and their lifestyles.  Just not for me.  Dogs are a loving and a constant companion, which brings us to the topic of todays post.  Adventuring with pets, more specifically with dogs.

We have been adventuring with pets since I was a little guy.  An adventurous Lhasa Apso named Bernardo.  Bernie loved to get in the dirt.  He enjoyed the red rocks of Moab and the sandy dunes of Little Sahara Sand Dunes.  He even made it up to Yellowstone a few times.  He had adventured with us up until he physically couldn’t, even though he wanted to.

Now a days we adventure with a goofy and hyperactive American Bulldog, Odin Wrath Child. He looks intimidating when you first see him, but this quickly dissolves when you get close to him.  He is more playful than aggressive and doesn’t understand just how big he is and watch out for his tail.  Its like being hit with a hammer.

This K-9 loves to get into the wilderness and experience new places and smells.  Back in Utah we would take him camping and hiking. He also loves water, which is strange because he hates taking baths.  Go figure.  He was a trooper on our cross country trip when we move to our new home.  Since we moved to Chicagoland his adventuring days have slowed down.  A few years back, a K-9 flu swept through the area causing many issues for the dog community.  In response to this new regulations and restrictions were put in place.  Do to this and still learning the area, he is limited in what he can do.  At least we have a dog park near us that we can take him to so that he can get his energy out.

Through my experience and looking at the internet, I have come up with some tips I feel will help you adventure with your pet better.

• Start them young:  This establishes guidelines, rules and expectations.  Also it get them used to the sounds of your particular activity.  Less distractions and more focus on what around them.

• Make sure they are health and up to date with their vaccinations:  Animals come into contact with a lot of thing out in the wilderness.

• Ease them into it and understand their limits:  proper conditioning can prevent injury for you and your pet.

• Have the proper equipment:  This usual qualifies as a good collar or harness, but it boils down to the activity.  Consider vests (life or hunting), goggles, cold weather protection.  A K-9 first aid kit is not a bad idea to have.  Some things in human kits will work, were others can cause harm.  K-9 kits have items specifically formulated for them.

• Have plenty of water, food and snacks:  Consider having a special toy or treat that they only get when adventuring making it more special for them.

• Bring a copy of medical records with you:  Especially if you plan on crossing state lines.

• Research and plan:  This I consider to be one of the most important things when adventuring with your pet.  Look into animal friendly hotels, restaurants and camping areas.  Each state has their own laws and regulations when it come to pets.  This also extends to National and State Parks.  Additional fees may apply to have pets with you in certain areas.

• When road tripping plan on stopping every 2 - 3 hrs:  This allows them to stretch out, use to facilities and get some food and water.  

Adventuring with your pet can be a fun and rewarding experience.  It does take more planning and consideration, but in the end it will be worth it.

Until next time.  Thanks for stopping by.

Josh