"G" is for Glacier National Park

"Flying into Glacier" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Morning Haze on Lake McDonald" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Last summer, we spent a week at Glacier National Park and soon discovered seven days is not nearly enough time to explore this spacious portion of the state of Montana. We did not attempt to visit the entire park which features 700 miles of hiking trails, but instead focused on the southwestern portion and Lake McDonald. The pretty town of Kalispell and the historic Kalispell Grand Hotel, built in 1911, served as our base.

We learned that Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and contains approximately one million acres. We also discovered that Going-to-the-Sun Road is a spectacular road to follow across the park from Lake McDonald to St. Mary Lake. Completed in 1932, the road is considered an engineering marvel. Driving the narrow roadway over Logan Pass is not for the feint of heart, but the journey is breathtaking and offers numerous unforgettable photographic opportunities.

I hope for another chance to visit this National Park and explore the eastern side where St. Mary Lake is located. It would be fun to follow Highway 89 north toward Canada.

"On Lake McDonald" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"F" is for Flagstaff, Arizona, Gateway to the Grand Canyon National Park

"Dream Vision, the Grand Canyon" ©Mary Montague Sikes

The first time we visited the Grand Canyon National Park, I thought we were there when we reached Flagstaff.

We weren't.

Although I still think of Flagstaff as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, it is actually 80 miles away. It is the largest city near the Canyon, and many tour buses leave from Flagstaff to carry tourists on a very special day trip.

Viewing the Grand Canyon is an experiences everyone should strive to have. It is almost mystical to gaze over the vast expanse of rock formations that at some point is 18 miles across. Looking down, one can see the winding Colorado River a mile below.

Someday, I would like to have the time to watch the changing light on the canyon facades and take photographs all day long. I am glad for Flagstaff as a point along the way with restaurants and information for those who are Grand Canyon bound.

                                                                                          

"E" is for Everglades National Park

"Near the Everglades" ©Mary Montague Sikes

If you love visiting South Florida, you will want to explore Everglades National Park. This is the third largest park in the United States. Death Valley and Yellowstone are the two largest.

Developed in 1934, the National Park was dedicated in 1947 to protect the area from rapidly developing canal systems. Inside the park, the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther are among the protected species.

When we visited Bonita Springs several years ago, we traveled along Tamiami Trail, construction of which began in 1915 connecting Tampa with Miami. The trail is Highway 41 which is not far from one of the four major park entrances. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located five miles south of Highway 41 on State Road 29, in Everglades City. We drove near the Everglades but did not enter the park.

"Everglades Foliage" ©Mary Montague Sikes

The Everglades National Park covers an extensive area in South Florida. A visitor to that area will never be far away from park entrances which, besides the Gulf Coast one in Everglades City, are located at Homestead, Flamingo, and Miami.
 

"D" is for Death Valley National Park

"Flying Over Death Valley" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Death Valley National Park is a place we've flown over many times, but we have never actually visited the park (at least not in recent years). Both the hottest and driest park, it's also the largest National Park in the lower 48 states. 

The haunting name, Death Valley, came in 1849 when prospectors heading to California lost their way and got stuck there. It took weeks for them to find their way out of the valley. To survive, they were forced to slaughter some of their own oxen for food and to burn some of their wagons for fuel to cook it. 

Over the years, I've created several paintings of the Sierra Nevada Mountains that are among the ranges that border it. I never tire taking photos of these mountains as we fly across them.

Groups of Native Americans lived there as long ago as 7,000 BC. At that time, the terrain was less harsh and featured a few small lakes.

When tourism grew in Death Valley in the 1920s, resorts were built in the area. Eventually, the park expanded to the size it is today and it became a National Park in 1994.

"C" is for Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park with its deep blue waters is located in the state of Oregon. According to Wikipedia, it was established in 1902 making it the fifth oldest National Park in the system. This amazing lake is almost 2,000 feet deep. Besides the lake, the park encompasses a destroyed volcano and surrounding hills and forests.

With a violent volcanic past, the area must be filled with drama and history. It's said to be a place to watch the rise and the setting of the sun through pristine clean air. Sometimes the waters glow with lovely shades of purple, orange, and pink.

The 33-mile Rim Drive around Crater Lake is part of the park visit not to be missed. Trail hikes abound from easy to hard. Rangers at the Park make talks and lead guided walks. In the southeast corner, volcanic pinnacles grace the scenery.

First opened in 1915, Crater Lake Lodge features history exhibits and much more. We plan to visit the lodge during the summer and hope the snow has melted from the windows.

Because of the heavy snowfall, the north entrance road and Rim Drive are closed most of the year. Those roads usually open in June or early July.

Crater Lake National Park will be our next National Park destination. I can hardly wait to arrive there, camera in hand, to photograph the landscapes and the pure blue water of the lake.