Karen (always looking for a road trip)

I agree. They've been BAD over the past decade, but this is a whole other level.

Chychrun is certainly a forceful presence, that's for sure.

I would also wonder about someone with straight up charisma like Duhaime or quiet presence (shows up and gets the job done) like McMichael.

rushing water along the Kephart Prong Trail at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

#Flowing #BlueSkyArtShow #ParkChat #GreatSmokyMountains

In the distance, Olwshead Mountain, Death Valley, pen and ink drawing using stippling. 11x9 in.

#fineart #art #penandink #drawing #nationalpark #parkchat #deathvalley #desert #blueskyartshow

If I were TVR, I'd decline. He was on the trade block, too.

Marty wore an A for the Slovakian national team during the Olympics, so he is considered a leader by his compatriots. He would be a great choice.

The A should not simply be based on longevity.

Aliaksei Protas is everything we were promised with Evgeny Kuznetzov.

Peripheral vision can't distinguish between the two. I'm going to hope the Bruins have more "bad passes" as a result of this than the Caps do.

Whoever authorized yellow and white jerseys in the same game is an agent of chaos. #ALLCAPS

It was clearly a business decision, even more so than the Dowd trade. They didn't want him to retire/leave the team without getting "something in return". Very upsetting they only saw a player like him as an asset and not a person who'd given so much to the team over almost 20 years.

Might be too rainy for camping, so this is a great idea! #ParkChat

You, me, my #404family. We're still in shock. 😞

Yesterday and today have just not been good days. Hopefully this weekend makes things better.

Hopefully.

August 2016 at Furnace Creek Visitor Center at Death Valley National Park, where it was 117 Fahrenheit.

My photo is much cooler. #ParkChat

YAY! #ParkChat

No dysentery either! #ParkChat

I'm pretty heat tolerant. I just remember getting out of the RV at the borax mines (I was traveling with my mom in her two-person "camper van"), and it felt like a blast furnace. Seriously, it was like opening the oven and that wave of hot, dry air. No hiking for me. #ParkChat

Driving the Crosstrek through Soldier's Creek at Fort Robinson at the camp ground

You can actually stay in the former barracks at Fort Robinson, or camp, or stay in a former officer's house! Last year, we stayed at the barracks, which was neat. In 2024, I camped, and got to ford a stream! #ParkChat

A11 #ParkChat Death Valley in February 2016 (SUPERBLOOM!) and then again in August 2016.

Do. Not. Recommend. Death Valley. In. Summer.

And Nebraska National Forest & Grassland! And! Wind Cave is about 45 minutes from Fort Robinson!

So much awesome in a small area.

And NPS-wise, Scotts Bluff and Agate Fossil Beds..... #ParkChat

There are a LOT of really awesome state parks in Nebraska. Check out Fort Robinson SP, Toadstool Geological Park, Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site, and Chadron SP! #ParkChat

A10 #ParkChat I'm interested in hearing answers to this one. :)

Clearly that alt-tag should say "...the solar eclipse in 2024". #ParkChat

Some turtles basking at Cuyahoga Valley NP just before the solar eclipse in April 2025.

A9 #ParkChat Well, I showed last year's bear cub spotting. Usually, it's either white tail deer, the ubiquitous squirrel or some fish we caught.

*Pink*!! Bluebells near Fifteenmile Creek along the C&O Canal.

Wild columbine in the aqueduct stone work along the C&O Canal at Fifteenmile Creek.

Bloodroot near Antietam Creek

Toadshade trillium with Dutchman's britches near the C&O Canal Towpath, close to Ferry Hill.

A8 #ParkChat I'm generally not looking for the wildflowers and greenery specifically as much as I'm just looking to "get away." So I'll just go back to the C&O Canal, with the Virginia bluebells, Dutchman's britches, bloodroot, trillium and other interesting blooms!

Momma and cub black bears crossing the road near our campground at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A7 #ParkChat I'm a fan of camping. 'Nuff said. 😃 I've had multiple spring camping experiences, so I'll just go with last spring at GSMNP, where @ecb08.bsky.social and I saw bears on our way back from Cherokee.

Snow along the Boundary Trail at Mount St. Helens in 2011.

A6 #ParkChat I'm fine with the cool or warm weather. I try to dress appropriately regardless, and always check the park information and/or ask people I know who've been there to see what I should plan for. I didn't expect snow in July in the Rainier and Mt. St. Helens areas!

Are you going to host, or should I? 😜 #ParkChat

Virginia bluebells along the C&O Canal Towpath

Dutchman's britches along the C&O Canal towpath

A5 #ParkChat I guess that depends on what you're looking for. 😃 I go searching for certain things that make me happy, and I'm satisfied with that.

A4 #ParkChat Spring Break timing is different for colleges and public schools. Most public schools time it around Easter/Passover, while many colleges use it as a mid-semester break, regardless of the Easter holiday.

So, I don't think NPS sites suffer as much as beach/resort towns do.

A3 #ParkChat In this area, it's usually rain that ruins things. So I monitor the weather constantly, @patred.bsky.social is always looking at the river depth (fishing!). Ankle height boots are a great idea, and I keep the microspikes in the car "just in case" there's a late season snow storm.