100 Years of Grandeur

Standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to feel insignificant

The ancient curves of red rock draw the eye toward the hallowed waterway below. Stunning and ever-changing light bounces off spectacular geologic formations, reflecting the winged shadows of raptors floating overhead.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Earlier this year (February 26, 2019), the US celebrated the 100th anniversary of the designation of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, as a national park. However, the underpinnings of what would become a national treasure and bucket list destination began to take shape eons ago.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The sheer size of the Grand Canyon is difficult to comprehend through photos or words.  Much of the canyon is over a mile deep, 15 miles wide, and 277 miles long, carved through geologic formations that are over 1.7 billion years old. The vast majority of the Grand Canyon National Park is extremely rugged and remote, and many places are only accessible by pack trail.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The most popular viewpoints, such as the South Rim, are visited by over 90 percent of the park visitors. Roughly 30 miles of the canyon along the South Rim is accessible by the road. The North Rim, about a 220-mile drive from the South Rim, gives access to the Kaibab Plateau and Bright Angel Point.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

And then, there is the human history, the stories of those individuals with a pioneer spirit, ingenuity and steadfast commitment that laid the groundwork for how we experience the Canyon today.

The first known Europeans to view the Grand Canyon—a scouting party of the Coronado expedition in 1541—arrived, peered down, attempted to scramble down to the river, failed, and left. Only Native Americans would gaze upon the canyon’s wonders for more than 200 years.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Interest in the canyon and the Colorado River would spike with the classic account of Maj. John Wesley Powell’s harrowing first expedition down the river in 1869, and, 13 years later, the reports of Capt. Clarence Dutton, whose monograph was published by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The exploits of those explorers were accented by the work of illustrators Thomas Moran and William Henry Holmes. Holmes classic set of drawings, including those entitled “Panorama from Point Sublime,” remain to this day some of the great depictions of the Grand Canyon as viewed from the South Rim.

El Tovar, Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The enterprising Santa Fe Railroad arrived in 1901 and soon after, in 1905, El Tovar opened and quickly developed a reputation as the fanciest hotel west of the Mississippi.

The Fred Harvey Company, now named the Xanterra Travel Collection, was hired to manage the hotel. They knew how to address the needs of tourists lured to the West by the railroad’s promotional images of the extraordinary Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The company soon needed help keeping pace with the increasing number of adventuresome travelers eager to explore the Western landscape and turned to a former St. Paul, Minnesota art teacher for assistance.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Mary E.J. Colter, who would become the chief designer and architect for the Harvey organization, drew inspiration from Native American and Spanish Colonial design. Rather than mimicking European architecture, her creations were meant to blend in with or enhance their surroundings. She was responsible for the design of 23 buildings, including Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, Hermit’s Rest, and The Watchtower, during more than four decades with the company.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Today, Grand Canyon National Park Lodges welcomes guests on the South Rim with iconic accommodations like El Tovar and Bright Angel and encourages guests to sleep in the area’s rich history.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Fred Harvey Company, in the earliest years of the nineteenth century, envisioned that the El Tovar Hotel, resting on the canyon rim, would enable people from around the world to experience the wonders of the Canyon. That vision is now a reality.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The best way to celebrate the Grand Canyon on its 100th birthday is to see it yourself and take in the natural wonders spanning 13,000 years of human life, and eons of time before that.

Grand Canyon National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Worth Pondering…

The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself.

—John Wesley Powell

May 2019 RV Manufacturer Recalls

A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired

Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.

What is a recall?

When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.

Camping at Vista del Sol RV Resort, Bullhead City, Arizona © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.

The number of RV recalls has increased significantly in recent years: 169 recalls were issued during 2016, 203 recalls during 2017, and 230 for 2018.

It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality.

NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.

NHTSA announced 17 recall notices during May 2019. These recalls involved 9 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (6 recalls), Thor Motor Coach (2 recalls), REV Recreation Group (2 recalls), Jayco (2 recalls), Keystone RV Company (1 recall), Entegra Coach (1 recall), Tiffin Motorhomes (1 recall), Newmar (1 recall), and Livin’ Lite (1 recall).

Camping at Meaher State Park, Alabama © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Forest River

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Rockport work trucks. The inline fuse that protects the cargo and compartment lights circuit may not have been installed during production.

Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install an inline fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-7599. Forest River’s number for this recall is 29-0987.

Forest River

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Dynamax Isata motorhomes built on a RAM cab chassis. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules.

Forest River will notify owners, and FCA US dealers will inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 21, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Forest River at 1-574-262-3474. Forest River’s number for this recall is 55-0992.

Camping at River Run RV Park, Bakersfield, California © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Forest River

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Dynamax Isata vehicles built on a RAM chassis and equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Forest River will notify owners, and Chrysler dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 21, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Forest River at 1-574-262-3474. Forest River’s number for this recall is 55-0993.

Camping at Irwins RV Park, Valemont, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Forest River

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers. The wiring for the front bedroom air conditioning may have been improperly installed and may come in contact with the heat strip in the air conditioner.

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the air conditioner wiring harness away from the heat strip, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-8943. Forest River’s number for this recall is 10C-1001.

Forest River

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cherokee ACKT39CL and ACKT39RL travel trailers. The Federal Placard may have incorrect axle rating, cargo carrying capacity, and tire/wheel combination information.

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement placards that contain the accurate information, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River’s number for this recall is 17A-1012.

Camping at Harvest Moon RV Park, Adairsville, Georgia © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Forest River

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R. Pod travel trailers. The wire for the refrigerator’s spark igniter may have been connected to a breaker that permits a current higher than the wire can handle.

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will move the wire from the 30 AMP circuit to the designated 15 AMP circuit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119. Forest River’s number for this recall is 80-1011.

Camping at On-Ur-Wa RV Park, Onawa, Iowa © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Thor Motor Coach

Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Quantum RW28 motorhomes. The vehicles may be missing the mid-ship marker lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install mid-ship marker lights, as needed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000167.

Camping at Whispering Hills RV Park, Georgetown, Kentucky © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Thor Motor Coach

Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Thor Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes and 2019-2020 Magnitude and Omni motorhomes. The backup camera displays may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a harness to install that will prevent the image from inverting, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 27, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000168.

Camping at Poche’s RV Park, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

REV Recreation Group

REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2019 Fleetwood Flair and Holiday Rambler Admiral motorhomes. The metal battery hold down straps or their mounting brackets may contact the terminals for the auxiliary batteries, possibly resulting in a short circuit.

REV will notify owners, and dealers will rework the motorhomes to prevent the auxiliary batteries from shorting against the battery hold down straps and strap mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 10, 2019. Owners may contact REV customer service at 1-800-509-3417. REV’s number for this recall is 190318REV.

REV Recreation Group

REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2019 Fleetwood Flair and Holiday Rambler Admiral motorhomes. The generator exhaust pipe placement exits the motorhome within the vehicle’s departure angle.

REV has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the generator exhaust pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2019. Owners may contact REV customer service at 1-800-509-3417. REV’s number for this recall is 190412REV.

Camping at Roosevelt State Park, Mississippi © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Jayco

Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Precept, 2016-2019 Alante and 2019 Precept Prestige motorhomes built on a Ford F53 chassis. The blower motor electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse, possibly resulting in overheating of the wiring.

Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will install a 25amp fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9903432.

Jayco

Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2019 Jay Flight TF travel trailers, model 32RLOK. The supports for the fresh water tank may be too thin, resulting in the brackets breaking and the tanks detaching from the trailer.

Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will install a threaded rod in the center of the water tank support apparatus to provide additional support, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901433.

Camping at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Keystone RV Company

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dutchmen Kodiak recreational trailers, models 255BHSL and 283BHSL, equipped with 15-inch tires. The tire clearance to the floor may be insufficient, allowing the tire to contact the underside of the floor, possibly resulting in tire failure.

Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will install a suspension lift kit, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 19-349.

Camping at Hacienda RV Resort, Las Cruces, New Mexico © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Entegra Coach

Entegra Coach (Entegra) is recalling certain 2019 Entegra Vision and Emblem motorhomes built on a Ford F53 chassis. The blower motor electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse, possibly resulting in overheating of the wiring.

Entegra has notified owners, and dealers will install a 25amp fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Entegra customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Entegra’s number for this recall is 9903432.

Camping at 7 Feathers Casino RV Park, Canyonville, Oregon © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Tiffin Motorhomes

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Phaeton, Allegro Bus, and Zephyr motorhomes. The alternating current electrical wires may have been improperly secured in the Energy Management Module, causing increased electrical resistance.

Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Alternating Current Relay Board and make sure the wires are properly secured, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2019. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIFF-111.

Camping at Spartanburg Northeast Gaffney KOA, Gaffney, South Carolina © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Newmar

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Bay Star, Essex, New Aire, 2018 Bay Start Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, King Aire, Mountain Aire, Ventana LE, Ventana, and London Aire motorhomes. The power supply for the WiFiRanger may overheat.

Newmar has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power supply, free of charge. The recall began April 18, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Camping at Custer State Park, South Dakota © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Livin’ Lite

Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles (Livin’ Lite) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Camplite and 2014-2017 Bearcat recreational trailers. One of the exit windows may be blocked by a manual awning arm.

Livin’ Lite will notify owners, and dealers will remove the exit label and alter the window levers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 15, 2019. Owners may contact Livin’ Lite customer service at 1-800-768-4016 extension 154 or 153. Livin’ Lite’s number for this recall is LL-2019-01.

Note: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Please Note: This is the fourth in a series of posts relating to RV Manufacturers Recalls

Worth Pondering…

It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.

—Martin Van Buren

A Cool Oasis in the West Texas Desert

Dive into the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool

In July, on a 100-degree day in the desert, 562 miles west of Houston, the San Solomon Springs Pool at Balmorhea State Park in Far West Texas, is a favorite place for many RVers and other travelers searching for respite from the hot Texas sun.

The water is so clear it’s like jumping into a dream. The water temperature hovers around 75 degrees, refreshingly cool in the heat of the summer and comfortably warm in winter. It is, in the opinion of many, the best swimming hole on Earth.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Set against the Davis Mountains where the Chihuahuan Desert transitions into the low, flat Permian Basin, the San Solomon complex of springs gush out 15 million gallons of artesian water every day, feeding a canal system that runs to nearby farms and the town of Balmorhea, 4 miles away.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

In the mid-1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built walls around the desert marsh to create the pool. Today, more than 200,000 people stop by every year to swim with fish, waterfowl, and amphibians.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The CCC-era structure is the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. More than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day, gushing from the San Solomon Springs. The 1.3- acre pool is up to 25 feet deep, holds 3.5 million gallons of water with the temperature 72 to 76 degrees year-round.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Several years ago when we stopped by in early spring on our route west to Arizona, we had the park to ourselves. But on summer weekends so many people cram into the park that volunteers improvise parking in open fields.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

I always figured Balmorhea was too far away from major population centers, too in the middle of nowhere, to get overrun. I was wrong. In recent years, visitation has surged. For families between Van Horn and Odessa, Balmorhea is the one affordable place within 100 miles to cool off and picnic.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Scuba clubs from as far away as Kansas and Arkansas explore the springs on weekends year-round. Fitness buffs motoring coast to coast make detours for a swim.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

For almost three months, during the peak summer season, the pool was closed as staff figured out how to fix a collapsed retaining wall below the diving boards.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The closing was sudden and unplanned. During the annual cleaning in early May (2018), Abel Baeza, the manager of the local water district, was directing workers to make repairs in a nearby canal when he heard a noise, then turned around to see the underwater concrete skirting cracking off below the high dive.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The 80-year-old pool, like the nearby adobe San Solomon Springs Motor Courts which are closed during a planned restoration, requires constant upkeep. The concrete repairs were an even bigger deal. A dam had to be constructed to hold back water around the damage during the painstaking process.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

“There are five endangered species in the pool, and this is the only population left of this species of black catfish,” said Mark Lockwood, the West Texas regional director for Texas state parks.

“We can’t just open up the gates, let the water dry up everywhere, build a wall, and put it back together.”

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

In early August, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced that pool repairs would begin imminently, with the cash-strapped agency forced to find creative ways to pay the estimated $2 million bill. Apache Corporation, the company doing most of the fracking exploration around Balmorhea, which some locals and environmentalists believe caused the damage, offered a $1 million matching grant through the nonprofit Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

The Garrison Brothers Distillery pledged a portion of proceeds from its small-batch, $59-a-bottle Balmorhea whiskey. Even for a park as popular as Balmorhea, getting things done these days requires the governmental equivalent of a GoFundMe campaign.

This project is only one of the three major developments underway at Balmorhea State Park. Renovations to the San Solomon Springs Courts and campgrounds have been ongoing since 2017. Once these projects have completed, visitors to Balmorhea will have an enhanced park experience at West Texas’ most treasured oasis.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has established a fund to accept donations towards the structural repairs that are needed to reopen the pool. These donations will help ensure that Texans can continue to enjoy this historic spring-fed swimming pool and unique West Texas destination for generations to come.

The park remains open for day-use only with limited facilities.

The restoration of the San Solomon Springs Motor Courts should be finished by spring. The fallen wall in the pool should be repaired any day now. I’m standing by.

Balmorhea State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Another sunny 70 degree fall or spring day with little wind will do just fine. Odds are, we’ll have the park all to ourselves.

If you wait until next summer, y’all will be waiting in line with the rest of y’all.

Texas Spoken Friendly

Worth Pondering…

No matter how far we may wander, Texas lingers with us, coloring our perceptions of the world.

—Elmer Kelto

Badlands National Park: Place of Otherworldly Beauty

Badlands National Park is one of America’s top destinations for outdoor recreation with camping sites, miles of hiking trails, and striking scenery

Roughly an hour east of Rapid City, Badlands National Park is accessible by Interstate 90 or South Dakota Highway 44, for travelers who prefer two-lane travel.

State Route 44 cuts through Buffalo Gap National Grassland, which covers a huge chunk of South Dakota’s southwestern corner. You’ll see prairie grass whether you’re officially within the National Grassland area or not.

Buffalo Gap National Grassland © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

At first blush, Badlands National Park doesn’t sound like the best place to go. After all, it’s called Badlands! For centuries humans have viewed South Dakota’s celebrated Badlands with a mix of dread and fascination.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

But these 244,000 acres of otherworldly landscape are gorgeous, with deep canyons, towering pinnacles and spires, buttes, and banded red-and-gray rock formations that transform into a veritable rainbow at the magic hour shortly after sunrise or before sunset. Some describe it as otherworldly, lunar-like, some say desert, the Lakota (Sioux) were the first to call it “bad lands,” or “mako sica.”

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The park also protects an expanse of mixed-grass prairie—the largest in the U.S.—where bison, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and whole towns of adorable prairie dogs roam. Black-footed ferrets, the most endangered land mammal in North America and a predator of prairie dogs, were reintroduced to the Badlands late in the 20th Century.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Badlands is really a story of ongoing erosion. Every time it rains, more sediment is washed from the buttes. On average, Badlands buttes erode one-third inch each year. Erosion rates suggest they will erode completely in another 500,000 years, giving them a lifetime of one million years.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

An array of extinct animals, from enormous to very small, once roamed this area. Some lived in the subtropical forests; others lived in the grasslands that came in the years afterwards. Skeletons of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

There is much to see and do at Badlands National Park, but if you have only a short time to spend, begin your visit at the very cool Ben Reifel Visitor Center at the southeastern tip of the Badlands scenic loop, next to Cedar Pass Lodge. While there, pick up a park map, watch the award-winning park video, and tour the exhibits. Visitors can interact with paleontologists that are preparing mammal fossils they’ve found in the park. Ranger-guided programs and hikes are offered.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Next, drive the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway. It would take about one hour to drive the 39-mile loop of South Dakota Highway 240 between the towns of Cactus Flat and Wall without stopping, but almost no one does that.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Breathtaking rock formations and native grasslands filled with numerous species of plants and animals guarantee you’ll want to pause along the route to enjoy the view. There are 16 designated scenic overlooks that make for outstanding photo opportunities.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Stretch your legs along one of the many hiking trails and remember to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. Buffalo can most often be found along the Sage Creek Rim Road, a gravel spur off the western end of the Badlands Loop Road. Twisting curves climb through passes in the Badlands wall of rugged rock pinnacles, buttes, and mounds.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Experience Badlands National Park overnight and enjoy its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, colorful flowers, bountiful wildlife, and rugged scenery from one of two campgrounds available in the park: Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Campground. Both campgrounds are open year-round, and camping is limited to 14 days.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the Cedar Pass Campground has 96 level sites with scenic views of the badlands formations. Cedar Pass Campground offers tent camping and spacious RV sites with electric only service. 

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Bison often wander through Sage Creek, a primitive campground, located on the west side of the park’s North Unit, near the Badlands Wilderness Area. Access is located off of the Sage Creek Rim Road, an unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains. The road provides limited turnarounds for large recreational vehicles. 

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Badlands became a national monument in 1939. Congress declared it a national park in 1978. Nearly 1 million people visit Badlands National Park each year (996,223 in 2016.

Badlands National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Worth Pondering…

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.

—Rachel Carson 

3 Tips for Pet-Friendly RV Travel

One of the primary benefits of RV travel is that your pets can enjoy the great outdoors all day and always sleep in the same space at night

More and more RVers are traveling with their beloved pets and finding it makes the experience even more enjoyable. RV travel and pets are, in most cases, a good mix.

More RVers are traveling with their pets © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

RV travel with your pets can be rewarding for you and your family’s pet but the key to a successful camping trip or any mode of vacation travel is advanced planning and preparation, common sense, and sometimes a dose of creativity.

Most dogs and cats can adapt to the RVing lifestyle by following these three tips for a pet-friendly RV travel.

More RVers are traveling with their pets © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Make the RV Their Home Too

When you travel without your favorite pillow, don’t you feel just a little lost at night? Cats and dogs also feel the same way when they go places without their familiar stuff. Animals rely so much more on their sense of smell than we do so when they go to places that lack odors from their most familiar objects, their world becomes confusing.

More RVers are traveling with their pets © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

You can help your pet adapt to your home on wheels in several ways:

Spend quality time together inside the RV during the days leading up to your departure

More RVers are traveling with their pets © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Take along their favorite bedding, toys, and even a rug

Create a pleasant environment with their favorite treats

Practice leaving your pet alone inside the RV well in advance of your departure gradually increasing length of time

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

If your dog is crate trained, use it―if not, consider using a baby gate to keep your dog confined to a small interior area

Keep the Routine

As humans, we love the refreshing routine change that RV vacations bring into our life, but it can cause confusion for pets. Minimize their mental chaos by sticking to daily routines during RV travel.

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Sleeping in is nice, but your pets will thank you when you awake as close to your usual hour as possible.

Keep morning rituals the same: walk, potty, eat breakfast.

Stick to their usual eating pattern.

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Take your dog on that last potty walk of the day at the usual bedtime.

When traveling cross-country and switching time zones, sticking to pet care routines is even more important. In his blog post about helping pets adjust to time changes, Dr. Ernie Ward says “For most pets, these changes are abrupt, unexpected, and challenging. They may ponder, ‘Why am I eating now? Why do I have to get up so early?’”

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Wherever you go, RV parks will expect your dog to be on a leash at all times. If your dog isn’t used to eliminating on-leash, you’ll need to train him how to do so long before your departure date.

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Be Prepared

Nobody expects to get sick or injured while traveling, but things do happen. Be prepared for pet-related emergencies.

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Always travel with a digital or paper copy of your pet’s most important medical records, including vaccination history and contact information for your veterinary clinic. A good working relationship between a pet owner and their veterinarian is the best bet to ensure the overall health of any animal.

Carry a Pet First Aid Kit; don’t rely on ones made for humans. There are numerous pre-packaged first aid kits that you can buy online or at sporting stores.

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Alternatively, ask your veterinarian to help you build a good kit. Your vet knows the specific needs of your pet and can help you find items to include in your kit specifically for your dog or cat, and the RV activities you are planning.

Some RV parks host pet parades © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

If your pet is on a prescription be sure to pack an adequate supply for the entire journey. Backup medicines for fleas, worms, and other common illnesses are also recommended.

Some RV parks offer dog wash stations © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

More RV parks than ever are laying out the welcome mat for pets. Creating a safe, nurturing environment inside your home-on-wheels ensures that everyone stays happy no matter where the road takes leads.

Even toy dogs do their thing © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Worth Pondering…

If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.
―Mark Twain

Scenic Byway 12: An All American Road

Located in southwestern Utah, Scenic Byway 12 is nestled between two national parks—Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon

A 121-mile-long All-American Road, Scenic Byway 12 winds and climbs and twists and turns and descends as it snakes its way through memorable landscapes, ranging from the remains of ancient sea beds to one of the world’s highest alpine forests, and from astonishing pink and russet stone turrets to open sagebrush flats.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The history and culture of the area blend together, making Scenic Byway 12 a journey like no other.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Scenic Byway 12 has two entry points. The southwestern gateway is from U.S. Highway 89, seven miles south of the city of Panguitch. The northeastern gateway is from Highway 24 in the town of Torrey near Capitol Reef National Park.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Shortly after entering the southwestern terminus at Highway 89, the scenic byway passes through U.S. Forest Service’s Red Canyon and two short tunnels in bright red rock masses.

Established in 1924, Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its towering eroding-sandstone pillars called hoodoos. The breathtaking three-mile-wide amphitheater is especially colorful at sunrise and sunset from Bryce and Inspiration points.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Other major attractions include Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Hell’s Backbone, Hole-in-the-Rock, Cottonwood Canyon, Burr Trail, Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area, and The Hogsback, a narrow ridge barely wider than the two-lane roadway with cliffs falling away on either side.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Additionally, there are nine communities along Scenic Byway 12, each with a character all its own. Settled by Mormon families who established homes and ranches in the area, the towns proudly display their unique heritage and invite you to visit.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Settled in 1889, Boulder was America’s last town to receive mail by mule (until 1972). The town’s main attraction, the Anasazi State Park Museum, encompasses the ancient ruins of the Coombs archaelogical site. Excavated in 1959, the site’s ruins and exhibits provide an interesting  look into how the Anasazi or ancient ones lived almost a thousand years ago.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

About 20 miles south of Boulder, the Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic Byway dirt road cuts south into the Escalante Canyons where you’ll find dozens of arches, ancient Native Indian rock art, and the mind-boggling rock formations of Devils Garden.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Escalante is often called the “Heart of Scenic Byway 12” as it is nestled between the elevated meadows of the Aquarius and Kaiparowits Plateaus and the low desert country surrounding the Escalante Canyons in the middle of the byway.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

About two miles northwest of town is Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. A series of short hiking trails leads to groupings of petrified logs, thousand-year-old petroglyphs, and dinosaur bones dating from the Jurassic period. In the center of the park, the Wide Hollow Reservoir offers great canoeing and bass fishing. Camping is available.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Thirty miles west of Escalante, you’ll come to the small town of Cannonville and the Highway 400 turnoff to Kodachrome Basin State Park. The changing warm light on the park’s towering sandstone chimneys prompted the National Geographic Society to name the park Kodachrome in 1949.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

What makes Scenic Byway 12 a journey like no other?

The way that nature strings together the best that the Southwest has to offer in high density of scenery, iconic national parks, state parks, museums, and scenic backways.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Mile for mile, few of America’s national scenic byways can compete with the diverse scenery and number of natural attractions along Scenic Byway 12. Recognized as one of the most beautiful drives in America, the byway showcases some of Utah’s uniquely scenic landscape.

Scenic Byway 12 © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Worth Pondering…

When lighted by the morning sun the gorgeous chasm is an immense bowl of lace and filigree work in stone, colored with the white of frost and the pinks of glowing embers. To those who have not forgotten the story books of childhood it suggests a playground for fairies. In another aspect it seems a smoldering inferno where goblins and demons might dwell among flames and embers.

The Union Pacific System, 1929

Cowpens National Battlefield: The American Revolution

The Battle of Cowpens was one of those special moments in time when destiny is forever changed

On January 17, 1781, the Americans won a decisive battle against the better-trained British Army. The Battle of Cowpens was over in less than an hour. This battle was the event which started British General Cornwallis on his march north to his eventual surrender at Yorktown just nine months later.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

General Daniel Morgan had encamped his army the previous afternoon surrounding Green River Road which wound through the lush South Carolina backcountry. He was awaiting the arrival of British Troops under the command of bloody Banastre Tarleton. The battle began before dawn. Tarleton’s dragoons were joined by 200 Cavalry and a Brigade of Highlanders. Morgan commanded Col. Andrew Pickens’ Georgia and South Carolina Militia, Lt. Col. John Eager Howard’s Maryland and Delaware Continental Line, and Lt. Col. William Washington’s Cavalry. 

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Let’s proceed into the park where the two armies met.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Entering Cowpens Battlefield Park we immediately approach the well maintained visitor’s center. Standing watch over the entrance is a monument dedicated to the valor of the patriots who fought on these fields: “On this field American troops under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan won a signal victory over a British force commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, January 17, 1781”.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

After one’s tour of the visitor center the choice is between a walking or a driving tour. Being a pleasant day, we chose the walking tour.

Tarleton marched his troops up the Green River Road in search of the Continentals. Morgan had already chosen the Cowpens, a local grazing pasture surrounding the Green River Road, as the perfect spot to battle the enemy. On January 16, 1781 he awaited Tarleton’s arrival and their moment in history.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Morgan’s battle plan was a brilliant one which didn’t fit the norm of period English warfare. He planned to have his sharpshooters fire a few volleys and then retreat into the safety of the more seasoned troops who brought up their rear. William Washington’s Cavalry would stand in wait for the moment that they were needed to bring their expertise to the fight. 

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Acting on faulty intelligence indicating the Continentals were planning to retreat across the Broad River, Banastre Tarleton aroused his troops in the wee morning hours of January 17th for a nighttime march up the Green River Road. His plans were to annihilate the Continental Army during the weakness of retreat.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Daniel Morgan’s troops spent the evening of January 16, 1781 resting in his chosen spot of battle, the backcountry cow pasture that locals referred to as Cowpens. Morgan was rallying the troops, moving from campfire to campfire to personally brief each group of soldiers on his battle plan. 

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

As dawn prepared its rise, Tarleton’s advancing army was spotted by Continentals who informed Morgan of their approach. Patriots troops were quickly awakened and readied to meet the enemy.

Tarleton was surprised to see Morgan’s army prepared for battle, rather than in retreat. Daniel Morgan began the execution of his perfect plan.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Tarleton’s British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, was one of only a few in history. Considered a tactical masterpiece, this battle is frequently studied in military academies around the world.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Although the battle appeared to be clearly favoring the Patriots, Tarleton continued to anticipate an ultimate victory. An impressive personal battlefield confrontation with William Washington proved to be Tarleton’s final Cowpens defeat.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Convinced by associates that his safety was of strategic importance to the British cause, Banastre Tarleton abandoned the fight. He began a withdrawal down the Green River Road in search of the safety of Cornwallis’ camp.

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

It was one of those special moments in time when destiny is forever changed. The march to Yorktown had begun.

We exit Cowpens National Battlefield with a sense of awe at the accomplishments of Daniel Morgan, Andrew Pickens, William Washington, John Eager Howard, and the brave men they led into battle. The quiet of the Cowpens on a warm November day stood in stark contrast to the bedlam of January 17, 1781. 

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Worth Pondering…

History, although sometimes made up of the few acts of the great, is more often shaped by the many acts of the small.

—Mark Yost

Driving an RV in High Winds

The easiest solution to driving your RV in high winds is simply to not drive

High winds and the damage they can cause are frightening enough; but experiencing severe winds while driving an RV is even more alarming.

High winds can damage an RV, blow it over, and cause fatal injuries to driver and passengers. While responsible RV owners always check weather conditions before traveling, windy weather can be unpredictable and can surprise you with a sudden change in direction or unusually strong gusts.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Take extra precautions for tight spots, slow down as you drive, steer clear of others on the road, and know when to sit it out can help you confidently navigate the potential dangers of driving your RVing in high winds.

Check Weather Conditions Prior To Travel: Delay Departure

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Always check weather conditions prior to travel and of necessary, delay departure. Don’t rely on a single source of information, such as a weather app. Have multiple ways of receiving weather information, especially when weather turns potentially dangerous. Be aware of good weather websites. Tuning into a local television station for live weather updates is critical.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Own a NOAA Weather Radio. Weather radios are designed to audibly alert you to local weather risks, but they require that you input the NOAA county code.

Driving Through High Winds: Slow Down

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Driving an RV through severe winds can leave you feeling out of control. This feeling is not misplaced as high winds can push your vehicle off course. A quick course correction is not recommended since it tends to take you just as rapidly in the opposite direction.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Slowing down is the only way to avoid losing control of your vehicle when driving during strong gusty winds. You cannot outrun the storm, no matter how skilled a driver you are, so stay safe by slowing down and taking it easy.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

If after slowing down you still don’t feel comfortably in control of your RV, then find a safe place to pull off the road. Be sure to take corners especially slow. When driving slow, do like the long-distance truck drivers and use your four-way flashers.

Sharing the Road: Keep Your Distance

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

You understand the importance of slowing down and driving cautiously in high winds, but other drivers may not clue in. The best way to share the road with others in windy conditions is to keep your distance.

Even smaller vehicles can be potentially blown into your lane or directly into your RV. Trailers, campers, boats, and other towables are even more difficult to control during strong winds since they have no power source of their own.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Feeling Overwhelmed: Take a Break

You RV because it’s an enjoyable activity! Don’t let the stress of driving in high winds ruin your good time. Rather than white knuckling your way through, pull over and take time to regain your composure and reassess weather conditions.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Arriving at your destination in good time is all well and good, but your safety and the safety of your traveling companions is much more important. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed driving through high winds, don’t hesitate to pull over and take time to shake off the stress of driving during poor weather conditions.

When in Doubt: Wait It Out

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

There is no shame in avoiding high winds by stopping at a safe place to wait out the weather. Taking personal responsibility and knowing when to sit it out are the best ways to stay safe.

Eventually the wind will die down or the storm will pass, and you’ll be back on the road having fun again.

Travel safe! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Only you can make the decision to slow down or stop due to high winds; be sure to follow your instincts and err on the side of caution. Take it easy, slow down, and put your safety ahead of your schedule.

Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!

And we arrived safely again! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Worth Pondering…

Take your time.

Slow down.

Live.

California Gold

Get a taste of frontier life as you retrace the history of California’s boom-and-bust Gold Rush, a defining event of the 1800s

Pan for the glittering metal and see merchants in period dress recreate life as it was in the 1850s at Columbia State Historic Park. Climb aboard an inflatable raft for a bump-and-splash whitewater raft trip down the American River. Discover Placerville known during the gold-rush era as Hangtown.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The most popular whitewater-rafting river in the West, the American tumbles through the Gold Country, an inviting jumble of churning rapids, deep pools, and tumbling cascades. While its rich riparian ecosystem long supported Native American tribes, the next wave of humans—the legendary ’49ers—saw the waterway as means to their fortune, panning for gold in the river silt.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

While remnants of old mining equipment still poke up in or near the river, the rush for gold has mostly been replaced by the rush for adrenaline. Each of the American’s three forks serve up their own style of watery fun, and outfitters offer everything from family-friendly half-day floats to white-knuckle multi-day adventures.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Though it only has a population of around 10,681, the number and variety of attractions to be found in and around Placerville will be a pleasant surprise to visitors.

After news spread about the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill on January 24, 1848, thousands began arriving from all over the United States, and even from abroad. People from all walks of life wanted to make their fortune in the area’s streams and hills.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Merchants and others hoping to profit from the miners soon followed. The “gold rush” was born, and by 1849 it was going full bore.

It has been estimated that at least 39,000 people arrived in California by sea, and another 42,000 via overland routes, by the end of 1849. Though Coloma was the initial rendezvous point for those who became known as “Forty-Niners,” camps soon sprung up elsewhere in the area, including what eventually became known as Hangtown.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

What is now State Route 49 follows approximately the same course as the trail used by miners—and the merchants who supplied them—as they moved between Coloma and Hangtown. But mining was hard work, and not everyone was willing to do it for long. Some resorted to stealing gold from others, resulting in many robberies and even some murders.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Before the name Hangtown was applied to the camp, it was referred to as Old Dry Diggins (because the miners had to cart the dry soil to running water for washing out the gold).

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Details seem to vary by some accounts, but in 1849 an impromptu jury met there to decide the fate of three accused murderers. After a trial that lasted about 30 minutes, someone reportedly shouted “Hang them!” Up to 1,000 miners gathered, and the sentence was carried out. Those first known hangings in the Mother Lode were carried out at a giant white oak near the center of the camp (where Coloma and Main streets intersect today).

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Word spread rapidly, and other hangings were later carried out at the same place. The location soon became known as Hangtown.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

By 1854, Hangtown was the third-largest town in California—behind only San Francisco and Sacramento in total population. Los Angeles, at 15th place, had a population of only 541 voters. That same year, Hangtown was incorporated and renamed Placerville. The name was chosen for the deep-reddish-brown soil that the gold was mined from. Some of the methods used included excavating pits, digging tunnels and hydraulics (eroding the soil by shooting large volumes of water under high pressure).

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Many fortunes were made. Merchants from near and far flocked to the rapidly expanding town.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Still a robust community today, Placerville also serves as the El Dorado County seat. Through a variety of attractions and sponsored activities that are put on within the historical section throughout the year, people can now visualize what it was like during that wild period.

Placerville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Though terrible fires tore through and destroyed most of the historical section, visitors can still see buildings of stone or brick that were constructed as early as 1852

Worth Pondering…

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

—J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Served Their Country

Memorial Day is a time to revisit the stories of those who gave their life for freedom and remember the significance of their actions

Each May, America commemorates those who have died while serving in the armed forces by organizing parades, picnics, and visits to cemeteries and national memorials across the country.

This Memorial Day, honor those brave men and women by exploring the country’s national parks, many of which are home to preserved historic sites, monuments, and memorials dedicated to celebrating military history.

Gettysburg National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

In an earlier post we commemorated the sacrifices made for a revolutionary idea by exploring some of the significant landmarks that witnessed the beginning of the new nation.

In today’s post we’ll dig a little deeper into American history and find a wealth of other national parks and programs throughout the U. S. that are equally exciting. This Memorial Day, take a moment to learn more about the incredible men and women who have fought for and supported America throughout its history.

Gettysburg National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

From the soldiers that fought in the Civil War to the men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Cold War, Memorial Day is a time to revisit the stories of those who gave their life for freedom and remember the significance of their actions. 

The American Civil War

Gettysburg National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

From 1861 to 1865, the American union was broken in a Civil War that remains a defining moment in America’s history. Its causes and consequences, including the continuing struggle for civil rights for all Americans, reverberate to this day. From the war’s outbreak at Fort Sumter, to the largest battle fought at Gettysburg, to the closing chapter at Appomattox Court House, more than 40 Civil War battlefields are preserved by the National Park Service.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

The bloodiest battle of the civil war, which served as inspiration for Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, was fought on the beautiful grassy knolls of this Pennsylvania battlefield.

Start at the National Park Service Museum and walk the trails on foot or experience them on horseback. Complete your visit with a stop at Soldiers National Cemetery, the resting place for many Union soldiers as well as those who perished in all American wars since 1865.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Georgia and Tennessee

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga, known as the “Gateway to the Deep South.” The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September. However, renewed fighting in Chattanooga that November provided Union troops victory and control of the city.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, Virginia

Appomattox Court House National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Walk the old country lanes where Robert E. Lee, Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered his men to Ulysses Grant, General-in-Chief of all United States forces, on April 9, 1865. Imagine the events that signaled the end of the Southern States’ attempt to create a separate nation.

Appomattox Court House National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

The American Indian Wars

During the late 19th century, as the United States sought to expand its territory further west, a policy of removing the American Indians from tribal lands was adopted. The resulting distrust and broken promises ultimately led to violence, and more than 1,500 armed conflicts were fought during the Indian wars. Today, the National Park Service preserves several of the battlefield sites of the Indian War and interprets its effect on native peoples and their cultures.

Fort Davis National Historic Site, Texas

Fort Davis National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Set in the rugged beauty of the Davis Mountains of West Texas, Fort Davis is the best surviving example of an Indian Wars frontier military post and one of the best preserved Buffalo Soldier forts in the Southwest. Fort Davis is important in understanding the presence of African Americans in the West and in the frontier military.

Fort Davis National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

The Cold War

The nearly 50-year period of political and military tension between the Western world and communist countries known as the Cold War led to the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons by both sides. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site tells the story of these weapons that not only held the power to destroy civilization, but also served as a nuclear deterrent which maintained peace and prevented war.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, South Dakota

Minuteman Missile National Historic Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve


During the Cold War, a vast arsenal of nuclear missiles were placed in the Great Plains. Hidden in plain sight, for thirty years 1,000 missiles were kept on constant alert; hundreds remain today. The Minuteman Missile remains an iconic weapon in the American nuclear arsenal. It holds the power to destroy civilization, but is meant as a deterrent to maintain peace and prevent war.

This Memorial Day weekend take time to thank those who have served and protected America.

Worth Pondering…

Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

—John F. Kennedy