Ecola State Park (Cannon Beach OR)

One of Ecola State Park's first attractions was a beached whale. In 1806, Capt. William Clark and twelve members of the Corps of Discovery climbed over rocky headlands and fought their way through thick shrubs and trees to get to a dead whale (for meat) in what is now Ecola State Park. Today, a paved road from Cannon Beach makes your trek to the park much easier. Winding your way through towering Sitka spruce, you suddenly emerge upon a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.   At Indian Beach you can begin your own expedition on The Clatsop Loop Trail, a trail that gives you the chance to walk in the footsteps of Capt. Clark and his men.  There are many species of wildlife and birds that call Ecola home, as do migrating gray whales during winter and spring.

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It's cool to walk in the footsteps of  Lewis and Clark!

This is a very pretty state park

Among the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen!

Newspaper Rock State Park (Monticello UT)

Newspaper Rock (24 miles northwest of Monticello, Utah) is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records perhaps 2,000 years of human activity in the area. Etched into the desert varnish are symbols representing the Fremont, Anasazi, Navajo and Anglo cultures. The exact nature of these symbols' meaning is still not clearly understood. But they are typical of many sites throughout the U.S. in their use of universal symbols, be it graffiti or a true "newspaper," recording events of the times and earlier.  This is one of the finest displays of Indian rock art to be found anywhere in the U.S. This is also one of the few petroglyph sites that is easily accessible and can be viewed and photographed at close range.

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The sign can explain it much better than me!

In  my travels, I have seen alot of petroglyphs,

but none as clear and well-preserved as these.

Rock climbers fascinate me; I admire their determination and patience.  The tiny specks are the climbers.   People in Utah love this sport!  This area of the state park was right outside the entrance to Canyonlands National Park (Needles District).

Pictograph Cave State Park (Billings MT)

PICTOGRAPH CAVE STATE PARK  is a National Historic Landmark in Billings, Montana. Approximately 30,000 artifacts ranging from stone tools, weapons, paintings and instruments used, have been identified from the site.  It's a short hike up from the visitor center to get to the caves.  This is well worth a visit if you are ever travelling through this area of Montana.

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These caves contain many ancient rock paintings (in red).

This is a row of rifles firing. And, to the left is a fish. This is a big-horned sheep (a very common drawing)

More rifles.

A close-up of the fish.

A bear (in black)

Oh, come on - use your imagination!!

Best part of the day - a sweet bunny kept me company

on the hike up to the caves!

Bear Butte State Park (Sturgis SD)

Bear Butte in Sturgis, South Dakota, is a beautiful, peaceful place with a lot of Native American history. "Bear Mountain" is the Lakota name given to the unique formation at Bear Butte State Park. The mountain is sacred to many Native Americans, and its ceremonial area is visited by thousands each summer. In most religions, specific areas or sites hold great spiritual significance; Bear Butte is such a place. Many Native Americans see the mountain as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer. Because of its natural and historical heritage, Bear Butte State Park has been designated as a National Natural Landmark.

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This beautiful Meadowlark had an even more beautiful voice.

This is the hike up. It looked easy enough.

Beautiful view towards the top.

Very long way up!!!

Easier going down!

Nice view of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Some pretty flowers.

This is an explanation of the colorful prayer flags.

Chimney Rock State Park (Bat Cave NC)

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is located near Lake Lure in the NC mountains. The park is nestled in Hickory Nut Gorge adjacent to the towns of Lake Lure and Bat Cave.  Chimney Rock, the 535-million-year-old monolith for which the Park is named, is considered one of the most iconic sites in North Carolina. From the top, you see the 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.  It’s really a fantastic park to visit, with great hiking trails, breathtaking scenery and plenty to do to keep you busy all day. 

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 Rather than hike up to the top, I was a big crybaby

and took the elevator (but, I did hike back down it!)

 The view from the top is AMAZING!

  

  

This is the "Opera Box"

 More incredible views

 It does kind of look like the Devil!

 This sign didn't scare me, but it was a major

hike UPHILL to get to Exclamation Point (the highest

point in the park)

 Endless stairs and uphill trails

I have never seen this many stairs

 It's very pretty on the way up

Finally!  I get near the top!

 This is the highest point in the park

 This is the best view of the Hickory Nut Gorge

 This is the hike down from the top of the Chimney.

It's a strange little place you have to squeeze through.

 This is a cave on the way down - it is lighted

so you can go inside of it

 I was so exhausted, I had to stop for a no frills lunch

 ANOTHER CHALLENGE!

 Real easy going down these steps (it doesn't

occur to me yet that I will have to come back up them!)

The hike to Hickory Nut Falls is very scenic and a pretty easy trail.

  

 More great views along the way!

 HICKORY NUT FALLS

 And . . . the hike all the way back