The Sierra Mountains

The Sierra mountains are beautiful.  The Stanislaus National Forest is scenic.  The Yosemite National Park with its noisy rivers and tributaries is stunning.  These are some of the country's and perhaps the world's most scenic places.  The old growth trees stand in some of the largest tracts in the country.  These places are precious.  See them as soon as you can.  Return to them if you are able.

The Cumberland River

The Cumberland River in Southeast Kentucky

This is the Gatliff Bridge. It crosses the Cumberland River at the border of McCreary County  and Whitley County.  The road is Highway 90. On one side is Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and on the other side are tracts of the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and the Daniel Boone National Forest. The bridge is located above Cumberland Falls. The bridge was built in 1953.  It is hard to imagine how the local people got around before 1953.  There is a plaque on the bridge that honors Mr. Gatliff.  Mr. Gatliff worked at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The bridge appearance was chosen to look natural with its forest setting.  A low cost bridge could have been erected but the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet stood firm for a bridge appropriate to the scenic setting. It could have looked like a railroad bridge with steel structure over the bridge deck. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet stood firm. Hence the bridge is made with an outer layer of cut stone.  Masons were brought to the site to lay the stone during the construction.

A 16.1 mile corridor of the river is designated a state wild river.  There are only nine rivers in Kentucky with the wild river protection.  Generally there are not buildings along the wild river protection areas of these special areas.

It is one of the region's most beautiful places.  It stuns with its surprising beauty.
  
Have you seen this scenic Kentucky place? If not, what are you waiting for?

Cedar City - Place to pick up supplies

You may need a few food items and you may need fuel for your vehicle before you start on the trails in Southern Utah.  There is a fueling station and a Walmart store at 1330 S Providence Center Drive at Cedar City, Utah, 84720.

Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway 9

Utah 9 connects I-15 with Springdale and the southern portion of Zion National Park.  The town of Springdale is very touristy.  On the east Utah 9 takes off from Highway 89 at Mount Carmel Junction.  The 1.1 mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is located in Zion National Park on the Highway 89 side of the property.

Supermarket Las Vegas

There is a Whole Foods at 8855 W. Charleston Boulevard in Summerlin.  This can help with having fresh fruits, vegetables and fruit juices while siteseeing.  Eat fresh and keep moving.

Zion National Park Points of Interest

Riverside Walk - Zion National Park

The Zion National Park Nature Center was formerly Zion Inn. It was the office for rental cabins that were at the building site.  Today it has a taxidermy mountain lion on display.  It has various items for youngsters to enjoy.  It has a picnic area that has a rare feature in the park, shade.  The cottonwood trees provide a refreshing place for weary walkers.

The Zion National Park Visitors Center has the desk that issues back country permits and the bookstore.  The bookstore has later hours than the Visitors Center main area.  The bookstore has Zion National Park items and and a good selection of Southern Utah items.  The shuttle that goes through Zion Canyon begins at the Visitors Center.

The Zion National Park Human History Museum has the exhibits on the Zion National Park background.  In typical National Parks these exhibits would be in the Visitors Center. But Zion National Park is different. 

Sol Foods Supermarket

Sol Foods is in Springdale, Utah.  Springdale is the tourist town for Zion National Park.  The store offers made to order sandwiches.  There is also a large Subway restaurant close to the Zion National Park entrance.  Sol Foods has many colorful displays of non food items. 

Highway 12

Highway 12 is a scenic byway east of I-15 in Utah.   It is Utah's "All American Road."   It is an important transportation route for the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument. East of Panguitch it leads to the Red Canyon Visitor Center of the Forest Service. The Red Canyon Visitor Center is located in the Powell Ranger District.  It is an appealing building with displays about local activities.  The elevation is 7,100 feet; mountain buffs take note.  The staff provides good information about recreational opportunities in the area. Tunnels were carved out in 1925 for Highway 12 in the Red Canyon rocks for the road alignment.  The tunnels run for such a small distance that they might be called "circles." The Red Canyon area is so appealing it is hard to leave.  Highway 12 is the approach from the west for Bryce Canyon National Park. Highway 12 extends from Heritage Highway 89 al the way to Turrey; about 124 miles of scenic country. 

Virgin River Gorge

The Virgin River Gorge is the gorge between St. George, Utah and Beaver Dam, Arizona.  The roadway I-15  follows the Virgin River and includes at least seven crossings in this part of Arizona. The channel of the Virgin River was moved twelve times to complete this highway.  The Gorge area is hilly and scenic.  There was one rest area in the Arizona section of I-15 but that rest area was closed.  It is a frustrating drive for motorists that want to take in the beauty of the area.  There are no roadside stops in the Arizona section.  It is hard to keep up with the driving and view the scenery on this challenging road.  This is a beautiful stretch of road and it is very difficult for a motorist to see it.

Cedar City, Utah

Road side over look at Utah 14 East of Cedar City, Utah

Cedar City is located 5,846 feet above sea level on I-15 in Western Utah.  It is located 172 miles from Las Vegas.  It has most consumer items.  It can be a good base for going to the public lands in Southern Utah.  It has less businesses than St. George but it is located closer to the scenic areas in Southern Utah.

Zion National Park

Deer gingerly feeding - Zion National Park

Zion National Park has the immense bluffs that one would want to see in Arizona or perhaps Utah.   Zion National Park is surprisingly green.  One will have little trouble finding bushes and trees and  wild animals such as the one shown in this photograph. 

Bryce Canyon National Park

Over look of red Hoodoos - Bryce Canyon National Park

The arid climate of Southern Utah discouraged moving to the area.  Ebenezer Bryce was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Bryce was ordered by the Church to take up residence in the Paria Valley.  He built a road there.  Paiute Indians had been in the area since about 1200 AD.  The hoodoos of the area are mysterious yet glorious. It could be said that the scenic appeal of Bryce Canyon surpasses that of any place in the forty eight states of the Union.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument - Utah

Cedar Breaks National Monument, is at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. At the overlook by the Visitor's Center the wind blows constantly. The Visitors Center building was constructed by the CCC. The Monument is only open to visitors from Memorial Day to mid-October. In the winter months, the  roads are closed.
The property is very much a walkers' place.  There is a lot to walk to, there is not much to drive to. 
The scenic areas are generally overlooks that are reached by footpaths. A trip to the Monument is a worthwhile trip. 

Highway 14

Driving East toward Cedar Breaks National Monument

Sheep were along the road when driving west toward Cedar City

Navajo Lake - Elevation 9,035 feet

Utah Highway 14 is is Cedar Mountain U-14, a scenic byway east of Cedar City in Utah.  Driving East of Cedar City U-14 intersects with U-148 to access the Cedar Breaks National Monument.  Further east along U-14 is Navajo Lake.  Navajo Lake was formed when lava flowed out from a volcano. The community of Duck Creek is located east of Navajo Lake along U-14.  Still further east is Heritage Highway 89.  Highway 89 can be used to access either Bryce Canyon National Park or Zion National Park.


 

Chile has announced a national plan to phase out coal

In January 2018 Chile pledged to forgo any new coal power plant.  Chile has announced a plan to replace all of its coal power generating stations.  The plan is based on photovoltaic, wind, concentrated solar, batteries and pumped hydroelectric power generation.  It looks like Chile is looking at the need for action and is planning so that Chile is engaged in a solution.

Plastic particles found in snow in the Arctic

The BBC is reporting this week about evidence gathering about plastic particles in the snow in the Arctic.  Investigation has shown that samples of snow taken from the Arctic are contaminated with plastic particles with a size less than 5 mm.  Scientists are surprised to detect plastic particles in the Arctic because the Arctic is considered a pristine area.  There have been results of 10,000 particles per liter of snow.  The evidence is that the particles come from the air.  It is likely that people are breathing these particles from the air.  It is not known what effect this has on a person's health.  This is a  serious matter.  Our elected officials need to represent their constituents and work on serious matters like this one.

Major Redesign of a Building

Former Utility Building Reopened As Coffee Building

This former industrial building has been renovated. Now it is a neighborhood coffee shop. It is at Seventh and Ormsby in Louisville. There are members left from a jib crane and what appears to be a former monorail crane. The crane would not be necessary for a coffee shop. The curves in the brickwork would not be in the architecture of a building built today. It is not clear if the building supported gas or electric maintenance. There was an environmental cleanup to reopen the nearby building to become the Edison Center. Additional buildings are available nearby for renovation.

The Destruction of the George Garvin Brown Garden

George Garvin Brown Garden

This garden was located along Muhammad Ali Boulevard.  Close by was Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Chestnut Street.  Perhaps Muhammad Ali brought new light to some of Dr. King's message in Muhammad Ali's life.  In the last thirty years of his life  Muhammad Ali sought to solve problems of conflict on many stages.  The garden was to provide the message of making conflict less intense. This photograph was taken of the George Garvin Brown Garden with the trees decorated with snow.

The Center for Interfaith Relations created the garden in Louisville.  The symbols built in the garden communicated spirituality, tolerance and the faith traditions of many faiths. Moving water was central to the garden.  Two fountains symbolized themes of creation and reconciliation.  The walkways were granite arcs that symbolized the foundations of the sacredness in faith.  The completed garden earned design awards from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Boston Society of Landscape Architects.

The garden has been demolished.  All that is left of the garden is the few photographs that were taken of the garden.

The Shore at Hampton, Virginia

Sunlight on Chesapeake Bay, from Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe was built to protect the Chesapeake Bay at Hampton, Virginia. The land and water side is beautiful at this historic site.    The need for a fort overlooking the Chesapeake Bay was justified after the War of 1812.   The construction of the seven sided stone fort was authorized in 1814.  This area is rich with history. The work began in 1819.  The stone fort ended up being the nation’s largest stone fort.  The fort was built with a moat surrounding the structure.  The stone fort was completed in 1834 but the completion of the stone fort was not the end of construction at Fort Monroe.  Several batteries were built alongside the stone fort as coastal artillery changed.  Companion fortresses at Fort Wool and at Virginia’s Eastern Shore were made so the guns could cover the sea far out from the shoreline.  During the Endicott period in military weapon development seven batteries of disappearing guns were built to defend the area at Fort Monroe. These batteries were installed primarily in the period of 1897 to 1901.  The disappearing gun was fitted with a giant hinge assembly that allowed the gun to rise above the wall of the battery and then sink down behind the wall after the gun was fired.  This was the reason the gun was named the disappearing gun.

Fort Monroe continued to have coastal artillery until 1945.  The fort at Corregidor had similar coastal artillery that was used in the Pacific theater of World War II.  At the time of 1945 it was decided that coastal artillery was outmoded.  The Army removed the batteries from Fort Monroe.

Though the batteries are gone the appeal of the Fort remains.  Great crowds want to go there.  Preservation and care are needed to keep it as a place that impresses. 

"The great wilds of our country once held to be boundless and inexhaustible are being rapidly invaded and overrun in every direction, and everything destructible in them is being destroyed. How far destruction may go is not easy to guess. Every landscape low and high seems doomed to be trampled and harried."

John Muir

I think of the destroying of our natural places.  It is on my mind.  Our plans will consider how to care for our natural places or we will lose them.

Coastal artillery at Hampton, Virginia at Fort Monroe

Battery Alongside of the Stone Fort at sunset

Fort Monroe was built to protect the Chesapeake Bay at Hampton, Virginia from invasion by a foreign country.  The need for a fort overlooking the Chesapeake Bay was justified after the war with the British known as the War of 1812.  This war resulted in the lyrics that became the national anthem.  The construction of the seven sided stone fort was authorized after the British marched through Washington, DC in 1814.  The work began in 1819.  The stone fort ended up being the nation’s largest stone fort.  The fort was built with a moat surrounding the structure.  The stone fort was completed in 1834 but the completion of the stone fort was not the end of construction at Fort Monroe.  Several batteries were built alongside the stone fort as coastal artillery changed.  Companion fortresses at Fort Wool and at Virginia’s Eastern Shore were made so the guns could cover the sea far out from the shoreline.  During the Endicott period in military weapon development seven batteries of disappearing guns were built to defend the area at Fort Monroe. These batteries were installed primarily in 1897 to 1901.  The disappearing gun was fitted with a giant hinge assembly that allowed the gun to rise above the wall of the battery and then sink down behind the wall after the gun was fired.  This was the reason the gun was named the disappearing gun.

Fort Monroe continued to have coastal artillery until 1945.  The fort at Corregidor had similar coastal artillery that was used in the Pacific theatre of World War II.  At the time of 1945 it was decided that coastal artillery was outmoded and the shore batteries were taken away from Fort Monroe.

Early Kentucky

Woods in Carter County, Kentucky

Kentucky’s history is a history of exploration into a wilderness land.  The parks in Louisville have the names of the region's native Americans in the names.  When George Rogers Clark came into the present-day Kentucky the area was a place of wilderness.  The place was covered with grasslands and forests.  Bison traveled across the state on worn paths through the trees and grass.

Shawnee hunting parties were consistently seen.  A corridor between present day Ohio and present-day Tennessee passed through present day Kentucky.   The area of Chattanooga, Tennessee in the South was connected to the area of Xenia, Ohio in the North.  The Shawnee came from the north and the Cherokee came from the south traveling into many areas of Eastern Kentucky.  During the Revolutionary War Captain Henry Bird commanded a combined force of British soldiers from Detroit and native American fighters.  Captain Bird was unsuccessful in overcoming the settlers turned militiamen in Kentucky.

The pathway between Chattanooga and Xenia was known as Athawominee.  The pathway had many sections and branches in the East from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.  The Kentucky settlers began calling the pathway “The Warrior’s Path.”  Today one can see the path as it comes from the south to meet the Licking River.  The path is preserved in the Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park near Carlisle, Kentucky.  At nearby Tanner Station, a competition is held where rifles of the eighteenth century are employed.  The competition goal is to hit the target with the best accuracy. The participants are keeping alive the history of the Kentucky long rifle. Other paths from the Warrior’s Path era include Boone Trace, Skaggs Trace, the Unicoi turnpike, and the Wilderness Road. 

The past is the foundation for many of the terms and practices of the present in Kentucky.