Lola and John Hess enjoying the video of their dream trip
Ellyn Biggs and Linda Harvey
This summer the National Parks Club is putting a focus on our members to share their experiences in our national parks with the group and interested SBR residents. These summer meetings will be held in the La Mesa/La Montana Rooms from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
On June 25 we had the pleasure of hearing from speakers Lola and John Hess. They presented a home movie of their four-month RV dream trip to some of our most picturesque national parks. We were enthralled by sights in Zion, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Glacier National Park, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Bryce Canyon, Glen Canyon, Crazy Horse Memorial, Vermillion Cliffs, and Hoover Dam.
The presentation was both informative and awe-inspiring through Lola and John’s technology expertise of bringing us into their beautiful pictures, making us feel like we were traveling along with them. Thank you, Lola and John, for sharing your dream adventure experience with Mother Nature.
The Hess’ took us to Michigan to see the North Bear Pass and the Tawas Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse was originally lit using a kerosene lamp. In South Dakota we viewed corn that was specifically grown and prepared to design murals. The murals depicted the history of the area.
Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln smiled as we joined them at Mount Rushmore. In the Badlands the rock formation, wildlife, and scenery appeared to come out of postcards or jigsaw puzzles. Each spot of the expedition was more amazing than the last.
In Yellowstone National Park, Fire Hole Mountain Volcano’s beauty spouted steam released from the lava below. Old Faithful erupted in the same way, as it always does—majestically. There was no end to the beauty shared from Ice Lake and its quacking ducks to the Bison meandering through the valley. The natural bridge in Bryce Canyon and the tunnel through the mountains in Zion National Park brought old stories to visions of beauty.
We learned about the Slot Canyons. Slot canyons form when soft rock, like sandstone, erodes slowly from rain and wind. Over time, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and Sandstone Mountains found throughout Utah. The slot canyons in Utah can be found in two areas, the Grand Staircase Escalante and Hanksville. The most beautiful of all sights was the sandstone creations of Slot Canyon. Taking a staircase into the canyon revealed the sun shining on its many colors on the rocks. The beauty and danger of the area necessitates going to this part of the Navajo Reservation with a guide.
We traveled far and wide through the wonders of our country and wish to thank Lola and John Hess for letting us enjoy the splendor of America the Beautiful with them.
On July 23 the SBR National Parks Club presented its third in the Community Sharing Program. Tom Anderson offered a presentation on two National Parks: the Virgin Islands and his favorite park, Death Valley.