Favorite Travel Quotes

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts."
-- Mark Twain
Innocents Abroad

"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan

"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." -- Lao Tzu

Archive for May, 2013

Montana Could Be Dangerous to Your Health

posted: May 7th, 2013 | by:Bert

©Bert Gildart:  Now back in the state I cherish above all others, but with some warnings for others.

Montana is the nation’s fourth largest state and it claims a population of about a million.  I started to say “only” but 1 million is a heap, especially when so many are crammed into only a few places.  It makes me think of the philosophy of a former Oregon governor, who said, “Visit then leave!”


MonidaPass (40 of 1)

Crossing into Montana after a seven month absence. Notice the barren highways. How will we cope?

 


The governor’s thoughts were made out of concern that his state might grow beyond its carrying capacity.  My cautionary  thoughts, however, are based on visitor safety, so I must warn readers that Montana winters are punctuated by terrifying temperatures (once -70) and that summers (once 117) are further harshened by hordes of mosquitoes. It is no exaggeration to say that the state has at least three different species, and that each is large enough to stand flat footed and make love to a turkey.  You need to know these things!

All of our insects are huge, and can sometimes create plagues, something to always keep in mind, especially if you are thinking of taking up permanent residence.  If you are, let me also remind readers that we have horse flies. Zillions!

Just remember that with grizzlies, horrifying weather and bugs, Montana can be a dangerous place.   (Note, too, the extreme elevations –above.  And note, too, the posting below on rattlesnakes.)

Another day and we’ll be home after a seven month absence.  The adjustment from road to home may require counseling, or perhaps we’ll simply flout the harshness of some Montana summers and park our Airstream up the Yaak, outside the Dirty Shame Saloon. We’ll reread the great books listed below, which will help us recall all that we used to do.

Cheers… !


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THIS TIME LAST YEAR: 

*A Most Pleasant Day With Rattlesnakes


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4th ed. Autographed by the Authors

Hiking Shenandoah National Park

Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Often the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.

$18.95 + Autographed Copy


Big Sky Country is beautiful

Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State

Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.

$16.95 + Autographed Copy


What makes Glacier, Glacier?

Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent

Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons

$16.95 + Autographed Copy




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This Past Week at Zion National Park — Capped By Our Anniversary

posted: May 4th, 2013 | by:Bert

©Bert Gildart:  For the past five days Janie and I have been camped in Zion National Park, where we’ve holed up to complete a little work.  That, of course, doesn’t mean we have not taken some time to get out and explore.


Throne

Great White Throne, as seen from bike trip through Zion Canyon.

 

Mostly we’ve been exploring by hiking and biking and here are a few images we’ve managed to create while here.  Other than our excursions, I’ve been trying to catch up on story assignments, leaving little time for writing blogs – which lets family and friends know where we are. Of course I also use the blog to try and promote the sale of books.

Today, Saturday,  we’re leaving this beautiful place and expect that at day’s end we’ll be a little north of Salt Lake City. Next day we hope to make an overnight stop in Dillon, Montana, then on home to Montana.


Watchman VirginRiver WatchmanBike

 

L to R:  The Watchman as seen near sunset from our Zion Campground; Virgin River back dropped by Watchman; bike trail along Virgin River also back dropped by Watchman.


TODAY, we also plan to celebrate our 22 wedding anniversary, and I’ve provided a link at the bottom to some of the  adventures we’ve enjoyed  since we honeymooned at the World Trade Center.


Hard to believe we’ve been lucky enough to see all we’ve seen.


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BLOG POSTING FROM LAST YEAR HIGHLIGHTING OUR TWENTY-TWO YEARS

SINCE HONEY MOONING AT WORLD TRADE CENTER:

*World Trade Center




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4th ed. Autographed by the Authors

Hiking Shenandoah National Park

Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Often the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.

$18.95 + Autographed Copy


Big Sky Country is beautiful

Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State

Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.

$16.95 + Autographed Copy


What makes Glacier, Glacier?

Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent

Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons

$16.95 + Autographed Copy




Read Comments | 2 Comments »