Category Parks

The Living Chimney Tree

While there isn't much left to see at Hobbiton, USA, there is more than just a defunct roadside attraction to access from the same parking lot. The Living Chimney Tree gained its titular characteristic in 1914 when a fire hollowed out this 78 foot tall tree without actually killing it. The resulting charred inner room is about 12 feet in diameter and stretches so high that it is difficult to see where the chamber ends. I wouldn't have been against setting up camp inside for a night. There certainly was plenty of room. When it comes to burnt out trees, this one is pretty remarkable. It makes for a pretty short stop: walk in, turn around, sing a song to test the acoustics, then exit.

Lexi Goforth
July 7, 2016

Hobbiton, USA

We are programmers. We've copped to that. So, I suppose it goes without saying that Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films were not our first exposure to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. When I discovered that there was the remnants of an old hobbit themed roadside attraction in the redwoods, we were going there.

Lexi Goforth
July 6, 2016
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Bodie, California

Bodie is the gold standard of ghost towns. Where other ghost towns have ten or so old buildings in varying degrees of disrepair or renovation, Bodie may only have 10% of its original structures but that still accounts for 110 structures preserved in a state of arrested decay. There is a stamp mill with it's original machinery literally falling through the floor, off kilter structures, and occasional doorways that lead to...nowhere.

Lexi Goforth
June 14, 2016

Oh! Ridge

It's hard to believe that just a few days ago we were sweating it out in Death Valley. Now, we are perched above June Lake, with a view that takes reservations to procure, and a smug sense of satisfaction. The only down side with the picturesque Oh! Ridge Campground, though, is the wind. It sweeps over the lake and hits us with a ferocity that I though was reserved for a response to the dozens. I haven't said anything mean about June Lake's mama, but the wind is certainly fierce.

Lexi Goforth
June 14, 2016

The Columns, Pillars, and Caves Of Bishop Tuff

The Bishop Tuff is one of the more unique volcanic formations in the world. It was formed over 700,000 years ago when an explosion settled tons of ash over Owens Valley and then covered the ash with molten lava. The heat from the lava converted the ash into rock. While the Tuff stretches between both Mono and Inyo counties, the point of greatest interest is where the Tuff comes up against Lake Crowley. Here, continuous wear from the lake's tides has cut away at the weaker ash-stone to form columns, pillars, and even caves.

Lexi Goforth
June 14, 2016

Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail

"Almost there" can be a promise or a threat. A lot of the deciding factor can come down to if the speaker actually knows if they are "almost there" or not. We didn't know if we were "almost there" when hiking the Big Pine Creek north fork trail. We had a few pictures of trail maps and no scale bar. So we knew there would be some switch backs, a couple waterfalls, and a couple bridges on our way to the glacier fed lakes of the Muir Wilderness Area, but we thought that four water bottles would be enough.

Lexi Goforth
June 14, 2016
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Wildflowers of The Mojave

Deserts are often considered to be synonymous with desolation. They are seen as barren tracts of sand dunes to travers in flowing white robes astride a camel or stallion in Lawrence of Arabia style. Yet, deserts are incredibly diverse ecosystems and the Mojave spans a wide range of territory including parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Along with sand dunes and hot springs, the Mojave is home to a brilliant array of wildflowers.

Lexi Goforth
June 8, 2016

Summer in Badwater

I can tell you that we experienced 120°F, but I don't think a numeric measurement could convey what such heat does to a human body. Each step away from a cool air conditioned car winnows away energy, drive, optimism, and curiosity. The cool car becomes a recharging station, where one regains the will and ability to strive. The car is where a cool head can set priorities: how far I can safely travel and what pictures will I take. And when one comes to a point where cool air is no longer forthcoming, how willingly one will just give up.

Lexi Goforth
June 7, 2016
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Paramount Ranch

Flanked by the Saratoga Hills, Paramount Ranch is part of an ongoing history of filmmaking. The ranch includes a full western set with the requisite general store, saloon, and sheriff's office. Yet, the location has been used in leu of San Francisco, Salem, the Pacific Islands, the Amazon, Kenya, Vietnam, Morocco, Israel, and more. Parts of The Cisco Kid, American Sniper, Planet of the Apes, and even The Flintstones were shot here.

After a delightful night in the Redwood Forest, we figured the rest of our return journey would be rather rote. It was time to dig in and get to our friend's house outside of Sacramento where we could take a break from traveling and get some work done. But little did we know what a truly beautiful remainder of a trip we had left. Well, we did rather know. I made a point to route us along the coast for a while before heading inland for a mountain pass. So I knew there would be beaches and sea side views. What I didn't expect was an elk crossing.

Lexi Goforth
May 7, 2016