road trip – On The Road with Tall Guy & JET

A Birthday Mana-Treat!

Some experiences in life never lose their charm, no matter how often you have them. For me, swimming with manatees is one of those things. For the past two decades, I have traveled to Central Florida every winter around my birthday to swim with these gentle giants. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve done it; each encounter, when I come face-to-face with a sweet “floating potato,” fills me with joy.

Since TG is not a fan of cold-water swimming, I’ve always invited a friend or two to join me on my yearly pilgrimage.

In 2025, two sets of friends joined me, and we had such a great time we decided then & there to meet up again in 2026. Plus, since we’ve moved so far away, getting “the band” back together once a year is as much a treat as the manatees!

TG found a pet-friendly Airbnb conveniently located close to the springs and other natural areas. It had a “Big Chill” vibe, with plenty of space for the five of us (plus two pups), a large kitchen/common area, a fenced-in backyard overlooking a lake, and a spacious deck for drying our wet gear.

We arrived on Monday afternoon and, after settling in, enjoyed all the birds flitting through the trees across the canal.

We prepared our gear for our first visit to the springs the next morning. The air temperature was in the 50s—a bit warm for manatees—but we found over 30 in the swim area and around the anchored boats.

The water in the springs was crystal clear and a beautiful blue. It’s no wonder that on his first visit to a Florida spring in 1513, Ponce de León believed these waters had rejuvenating properties.

And although Florida’s natural springs aren’t literally Fountains of Youth, the National Park Service has noted that “being surrounded by trees, water, or open skies lowers cortisol levels and blood pressure within minutes. The natural world signals safety to the brain. Stress fades. Mood lifts. You remember how it feels to breathe deeply.”

Our first manatee snorkel of 2026 was just as wonderful as it had been the last 20 times I had done this, and with bright sunshine and air temperatures near 80 degrees, we stayed in the water for over three hours before succumbing to the crisp 72-degree water.

Along with the manatees, we swam with multiple painted turtles

painted turtle

And huge schools of fish: mullets, tilapia, freshwater sunfish, and largemouth bass.

While enjoying the manatees, we also found an alligator snapping turtle, which quickly disappeared into the mangrove roots in the shallows.

alligator snapping turtle (at 25% speed)

While we were having fun in the water, TG was back at the house, preparing dinner each evening. He loves to cook and got as much pleasure from us enjoying his meals as we did from eating them!

On Wednesday, we returned to the springs for Round 2. The air temperature was rising, and we saw fewer manatees than the previous day. Even so, there were close to 20, including a mother and her nursing calf.

January 7, 2026 – mother and nursing calf

Though it wasn’t as sunny as Tuesday, the light filtering through the crystal-blue water was perfect for photographing the manatees without a “dappling” effect.

manatee roll!

We took a break from the manatees on Thursday to visit two local nature areas: the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie State Park and Sweetwater Wetlands.

Sweetwater Wetlands (photo by John Casey)

Highlights included more alligators than we could count, several species of sparrows, a roseate spoonbill, dozens of nesting great blue herons, and fearless sandhill cranes.

On Friday, we returned to the springs for Round 3, but there wasn’t a single manatee to be found. We swam all the way up the run to the lake to no avail.

January 9, 2026 – not a manatee to be found!

However, we did come across a 4-foot alligator sunning on a log, which was quite the experience—to be in the water, looking up at an alligator! It almost made up for the lack of manatees.

little gator sunning on a log

Knowing that it would be busy at the springs, we decided to spend the weekend topside. Saturday morning, we were up at the crack of dawn for a return trip to Sweetwater Wetlands.

Later in the day, we went back to the La Chua trail at Paynes Prairie, with a stop at the Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk to hopefully see some bison. We were happy to find some reasonably close to the deck and got off a few good shots before we continued on.

bison at the Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk, Paynes Prairie

We arrived at La Chua at dusk to look for owls, and although we heard plenty of calls of both barred and great horned, it was nearly dark before we spied our first one. It was a great horned, so far away it was nothing more than a tiny dot high on a treetop.

owl patrol at La Chua, Paynes Prairie (photo by John Casey)

The setting sun painted the prairie a beautiful orange as we headed back to the car.

Sunday morning, we went back to Sweetwater for one last visit. We arrived even earlier than on Saturday – we were second in line for the 7 am gate opening. However, the morning fog never lifted, making for poor light and challenging photography.

sandhill cranes at Sweetwater Wetlands (photo by TG)

As we scouted for owls along a tree-lined path, we momentarily glimpsed a great horned owl before she disappeared behind the moss curtains.

Even so, it was a wonderful morning, and we were treated to multiple beautiful birds, including a marsh wren and a sora – two new birds for me!

sora
marsh wren

Around 9 am, it started to rain, and we hurried back to the parking lot.

We spent a quiet afternoon around the house and drove back to La Chua at sunset for one last chance to photograph an owl. We heard their distinctive hoot-hoot-hoot but were unable to locate them.

we heard multiple owls calling but were unable to locate them

The following morning, we returned to the springs for Round 4. Air temperatures had dropped significantly overnight, and when we arrived at the park, the car’s thermometer read 42 degrees. I was certain we were in for a treat, and sure enough, we saw at least 20 manatees in and around the swim area.

We spent another three hours with them and only got out when our fingers got too cold and stiff to work the buttons on our cameras.

We also saw a bald eagle, an otter, multiple appearances of the alligator snapping turtle, and mermaids! The Florida Springs Mermaid Pod was there practicing, and it was fun to watch as they gracefully swam amongst the manatees.

After warming ourselves with a bowl of steaming hot soup, we spent the afternoon preparing to head home the following morning. We had four glorious swims at the springs, multiple birding opportunities, and hours filled with laughter, friendship, and Nature.

The Band, Sweetwater Wetlands, January 2026

What a mana-treat it was to spend the week with people so dear to my heart! As we drove home, I indeed felt my mood lift and my stress fade away.

January 12, 2026 – manatee at the springhead

To view all my manatee photos click here:

Florida manatees — arrow through set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

To view all my topside nature photos click here:

sandhill crane — arrow through set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

🎵Fun is a Manatee-Splendored Thing🎵

Manatees congregate in the springs in Central Florida every winter when the ocean temps drop. And for the past two decades, I have traveled to the area around my January birthday to swim with them.

my annual birthday swim with the manatees, January 2025

This year, we booked an Airbnb in Fort McCoy and invited a friend to join us. “Kerr Camp” ended up being a perfect choice. It was clean, comfy, and cozy, with plenty of room to spread out and a big backyard for Oscar and Maddie.

You can find DeeAnn’s listing here:

Kerr Camp – Houses for Rent in Fort McCoy, Florida, United States – Airbnb

I also invited another SoFL couple to join us at the springs – friends I had not seen since we moved from Okeechobee in 2023. And much to my delight, they agreed! Hooray – the band was getting back together!

We met at the park when it opened at 8 a.m. It was a bright, cold morning with air temps in the 30s, and we knew the constant 72-degree water would feel warm!

As we made our way to the entry point, I could already see several round, gray blobs in the crystal-clear water, a sure sign that manatees were present.

I counted at least 25-30 in the swim area close to the spring. Although plenty of other people were enjoying the chilly morning with us, there were more than enough manatees for everyone!

Most of the manatees in the swim area were curious and friendly, and welcomed all the attention. I even had the joy of receiving a few affectionate nose-bonks,

And John found a “girlfriend” who seemed smitten with him and would not leave him alone!

At one point, I swam to the opposite shoreline and spotted an alligator snapping turtle, the largest freshwater turtle in North America!

alligator snapping turtle

After taking a few shots, we returned to enjoying the manatees.

John getting a shot of the snapping turtle

Armored catfish surrounded the manatees. Many appeared to be cleaners, eating the algae off the manatee’s backs and around their eyes. But now and then, one would give a quick roll or shudder to shake off the pesky fish.

The park has established a roped-off zone to help fragile sea grass grow, and manatees wanting peace and quiet were resting in that “no swim” area.

PVC pipes mark the protected sea grass area

Despite the fun, we eventually got cold enough to call it quits. We agreed to meet that evening for dinner at a local pizza restaurant and then go to bed early—we had another full day of manatees to look forward to tomorrow!

The next morning was just as cold, but the sun shone brightly, making it feel a bit warmer.

mist rising off the spring on this chilly morning!

When we first entered the water, we spotted a mama with a tiny newborn baby, but they did not stick around long enough for more than a quick proof of life shot. We did, however, see at least two more moms nursing their young.

The sunshine was so bright it created diamond patterns on the manatees, making them beautiful to see but difficult to photograph.

the bright sunshine created diamond patterns on the manatees

There were even more in the spring than the day before, and we spent almost five hours enjoying their company.

swimmers free diving down into the spring

Not a big fan of cold water or wetsuits, TG opted for a lunch meet up with some South Florida friends we hadn’t seen since our move.

TG opted to meet up with friends for lunch at Alligator Joe’s in Ocklawaha

That afternoon we walked to Kerr Lake,

Enjoying all the neighborhood sandhill cranes along the way.

After another quiet evening at the Airbnb, it was time to pack up and head home.

What a fun trip we had – made even more so by the good friends who joined us!

thanks for a manatee-splendid early birthday!

As we packed up the car, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with dear friends and with my beloved manatees. It was a birthday trip I will always cherish.

manatees in the spring

To see all the photos from my two days, click here:

To Guntersville and Beyond!

I have celebrated my January birthday swimming with the manatees in Crystal River, FL, for decades. This year, due to an international trip that nearly coincided with my usual dates, we moved the trip back to mid-December. But as we got closer to the week, AccuWeather predicted unseasonably warm temperatures, which is not ideal for finding manatees in Florida’s springs, so we moved the dates again.

That left us with two open weeks over Christmas and New Year’s. We visited the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for one overnight in December 2023 and have always wanted to return. It was established in 1938 as a wintering area for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds and attracts thousands of sandhill cranes and endangered whooping cranes.

sandhill & whooping cranes, Wheeler NWR, December 2023

TG found a last-minute Airbnb in Scottsboro, a small town outside of Guntersville, about an hour’s drive from Wheeler, and booked nine nights over the holidays.

The charming town of Guntersville is appropriately called “Alabama’s Lake City,” as there is water, water everywhere! With over 69,000 acres of shoreline, you don’t have to travel far to view the Tennessee River or Lake Guntersville. The area is home to dozens of parks and natural areas, and we planned to explore as much as possible during our stay.

We arrived on Christmas Eve and spent the afternoon getting settled. Although basic, the Airbnb was just right for us, with a covered carport, comfy king-size bed, and a large backyard for Oscar and Maddie to explore.

We were up early Christmas morning for our traditional breakfast at Waffle House.

our traditional Christmas breakfast at Waffle House

Then we checked out an owl listing on E-bird (no luck) before heading to the Lake Guntersville walking trail. This beautiful pathway hugs the lake for miles, offering multiple views of waterbirds and colorful songbirds.

cedar waxwing on the Lake Guntersville walking trail

A classic Christmas carol has that lovely line, “Let heaven and nature sing,” and it truly felt like that on this beautiful morning! We were greeted by flocks of graceful white pelicans, Canada geese, thousands of American coots, gem-colored mallards, and a stunning goldeneye.

Canada geese flying over Lake Guntersville

As we walked along the path, we encountered several people who saw our cameras and asked if we had spotted any eagles.

This area is popular for eagle-watching, and while we quickly found their large nest, it took us a few more visits to actually see them perched high in a tree.

it took us a few visits, but we were finally able to see both eagles

Thursday morning, we awoke to drizzly rain. We drove to Wheeler NWR, but the overcast skies offered little promise for photos.

We tried another location, the Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary in Huntsville, but turned back when the trail became too wet and muddy to continue.

Unfortunately, the forecast for next few days looked just as bleak: cloudy with rain. But we have never been ones to sit around due to inclement weather, and we found plenty of things to keep ourselves occupied.

We visited the Unclaimed Baggage store, which has purchasing agreements with airlines and transportation companies for items deemed “orphaned.” I picked up a mint-condition $350 Patagonia jacket for $30! TG was tempted by a sweet $5K Hermès jacket priced at only $300, but unfortunately (or luckily?), the sleeves were a tad short, so we left it for another bargain hunter to find.

We had lunch at Julia’s, a Mexican restaurant in downtown Guntersville, full of beautiful artwork.

And on Saturday, we visited the breathtaking Cathedral Caverns, a state park just a 20-minute drive from our Airbnb. The entrance is massive and is reputed to be the largest commercial cave entrance in the world.

the massive entrance to the Cathedral Caverns

Opened in 1950, the cavern was named for its cathedral-like appearance. While it’s difficult to determine the exact age of the stalactites and stalagmites, radiometric dating techniques indicate that some are at least 190,000 years old.

Once inside, our cheerful guide, Grace, led us on a fascinating journey past some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has created. Highlights included a “caveman” perched atop a flowstone wall, a “frozen waterfall,” and an improbable stalagmite that is 27 feet tall and only 3 inches wide.

About 3/4 of a mile into our walk, we were instructed to turn off every bit of light so that we could experience Total Darkness. We were almost 1,000 feet underground, and the pitch-blackness was so thick that you could practically reach out and touch it!

Grace’s laser pointer in Total Darkness!

The tour follows an out-and-back paved pathway. On our way out, Grace indulged my request to search for the tiny Eastern pipistrelle bats that inhabit the cavern.

the out-and-back paved walkway through the caverns

They are some of the smallest bats in North America, weighing less than a quarter of an ounce. They looked like tiny dots on the cavern walls, and I was only able to capture a proof-of-life shot.

proof-of-life shot of a tiny Eastern pipistrelle bat

But sensing my keen interest, Grace gave me some intel. Sauta Cave, located in Scottsboro, is a summer roosting site for gray bats. One of nature’s most spectacular events occurs every evening in June, July, and August, when at dusk 200,000-400,000 bats leave the cave to begin their nightly foraging.

As if we needed another reason to return to this area next summer! 🦇🦇😍

We visited Guntersville Dam, which was designed by the Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1939.

The dam was built primarily for flood control, but it also serves several additional purposes: navigation on the Tennessee River, hydroelectric power generation, providing water to the city of Guntersville, and recreational activities such as fishing and birdwatching.

The north and south areas of the dam are recognized as E-bird “hotspots,” with nearly 200 species reported on almost 300 checklists.

On Monday, the clouds finally cleared, revealing bright blue skies and warm sunshine.

We decided to go back to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to capture some better photos of the sandhill cranes.

sandhill cranes at Wheeler NWR, 12-30-24

It seemed like everyone was taking advantage of the beautiful weather, reminding us why we have such a “love-hate” relationship with this refuge. While the cranes are certainly lovely, the limited viewing areas are often crowded with photographers, all vying for the same shot!

On New Year’s Eve, I visited the Hays Nature Preserve, which features over ten miles of trails along the Flint River and is an important part of the Alabama Birding Trail. For the first hour, I shared the path with flocks of cedar waxwings, robins, other migratory birds, and multiple hawks.

red-shouldered hawk at Hays Nature Preserve

I crossed paths with a young man carrying a long lens. Kevin was looking for owls, so I asked if I could join him. We scoured his “known locations” for over an hour, but luck was not on our side. As we returned to our cars, I casually asked if he had spotted any owls recently. His response, “Oh no, this is my first time here since last summer,” added a touch of irony to my owl-less adventure.

But the next morning, I took O & M out before dawn and heard the unmistakable hoot of a great horned owl in the trees at the back of the property. I quickly grabbed my phone and played the call. Although I was unable to spot the owl, we shared a delightful “conversation” as he hooted in response to my calls. What a wonderful end to our stay in Guntersville and a wonderful start to the new year.

there is a great horned owl somewhere in those trees!

You can view all of our photos from our holiday week in Guntersville here:

TG:

cathedral cave pano 1-DeNoiseAI-low-light-SharpenAI-Standard — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

JET:

Lake Guntersville — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

2024 was our first full year in our new home in Southern Alabama, and what a year it was! We moved to “Casa-Bama” in the summer of 2023 to lower our cost of living and enable us to continue to travel as much as possible.

If you’ve been following our blog, you’re familiar with our adventures over this past year. As we begin 2025—a year that promises change and uncertainties—we hope you find solace, happiness, and love in every moment. And be sure to stay tuned for the exciting travels we have planned for the coming months!

Trip Report: Riding Mountain National Park

The drive from Stewart, B.C., to Excel, Alabama, takes at least eight days and seven nights. This is too far to attempt straight through – too many back-to-back nights in hotels would not suit us or the pups. So, after our first three nights, including a quick drive through Jasper and Banff, we stopped in Ochre River, Manitoba, for four nights.

Ochre River, a quaint town with a population of about 1000, is strategically located just 20 minutes from the north entrance to Riding Mountain National Park, one of two national parks in Manitoba. We chose to stay at Lois’s Airbnb, a charming old farmhouse on the outskirts of town that offered a peaceful retreat and a convenient base for our adventures.

You can find her listing here:

Mountain view – Houses for Rent in Ochre River, Manitoba, Canada – Airbnb

Riding Mountain National Park consistently makes the Top Ten list of things to do in Manitoba, and it’s easy to see why – the sheer beauty of the over 1,100 square miles makes it a perfect destination for nature lovers. Plus, it’s three overnights from Casa-Bama, making it a convenient place to stop for R&R while on road trips. This brief “layover” was a chance to check it out for future visits, either as a stand-alone destination or as a place to catch our breath on longer trips.

Most of Riding Mountain’s visitors are there to hike, bike, or horseback ride on the 250 miles of trails. But since our visit was so short, and at the end of a two-month road trip, we chose to drive along the scenic roads.

The Visitor’s Center, all the shops, and most campsites (hence most people) are in the park’s southern end, in Wasagaming. Once we were north of the hustle and bustle, the park was quieter, with more wildlife activity.

Riding Mountain National Park Visitor’s Center

On our first morning, we drove into Dauphin, about 20 minutes away, to stock up on the few groceries we would need for our stay. That afternoon, we checked out Riding Mountain. A considerable amount of rain had fallen in the past few weeks, and the unpaved roads were muddy. We drove the Lake Audy Road to the bison enclosure, splashing through puddles and potholes the 15 miles each way. We did not see much on the drive, and by the time we were back on 10 – the main road that runs through the center of the park – our poor car was covered in mud!

Opting for paved roads for the rest of our stay, we headed to Wasagaming and saw several deer.

white-tailed deer near Wasagaming townsite

We stopped at the Visitors Center, and as we started our journey back north, we were graced by the sight of a beautiful cinnamon morph black bear. After experiencing the chaos of Yellowstone bear jams, it was refreshing to witness such a calm encounter. She was happily grazing along the side of the road, unfazed by the few cars that had stopped to watch her. No one blocked traffic, and no one got out of their vehicle. It was a serene moment, a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of Yellowstone.

Thrilled with such a magnificent sighting on our first visit to the park, we headed home, our hearts racing with excitement, to plan the remainder of our stay.

We were at the park by 6:50 the following day, and within two hours, we saw four black bears—one a cinnamon morph—and several deer.

Multiple cars drove by as we watched alongside the road, but no one stopped. We once again marveled at how “chill” Riding Mountain wildlife sightings were compared to the frenzy of Yellowstone.

However, the recent rains had made the mosquitoes relentless. The moment we lowered the windows, they swarmed the car. Merely an annoyance to me, TG was instantly covered in painful bites, making photography almost insufferable. Pack your insect repellent if you plan a trip to Riding Mountain in July!

We went back for a late afternoon drive through the park. During this visit, we spied three more bears, all in the park’s northern half. In our limited experience, we had already concluded that there were two types of bear sightings: if the bear was on the move, running across the road, there was no point in stopping. That bear wanted nothing to do with us.

But if she were going about the business of grazing, paying us no attention, we could stop for photos and sooner or later get the “full face” shot we hoped for.

We stopped at a quiet spot for a picnic supper and watched a pine marten run across the road. Our bear count was up to eight for our three visits, and although we did not see another on this trip, we were thrilled with the sightings we had and the photos we took.

If I’ve piqued your interest in Riding Mountain and you would like to plan a trip, here is an excellent article by Road Trip Manitoba. It covers everything from the park’s history to places to stay to the best hiking trails.

The COMPLETE Guide for Visiting Riding Mountain National Park (roadtripmanitoba.com)

To view our joint photo set from Riding Mountain, click below:

Happy planning and stay tuned for more from On the Road with Tall Guy & JET!

Yes We Canada! Part II: To Stewart and Beyond!

The last stop on our “Westward Ho II” road trip was Stewart, B.C., about a four-and-a-half-hour drive north of Prince Rupert. This tiny community is located just across the border from Hyder, Alaska and offered several opportunities: a chance to visit our northernmost state, a chance to drive the Salmon Glacier Road, and a chance to check out the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site.

We were a little early in the season for bears at Fish Creek, so this would be a short recon mission—only three full days. But since we were already within a few hours’ drive, it would allow us to decide if we wanted to plan an extended visit in the future.

a little early for the bears at Fish Creek

Despite the overcast sky and on/off rain, the drive from Prince Rupert to Stewart was one of the prettiest we had ever seen. For the first part of the journey, the road follows the Skeena River— the scale of which is massive! The towering snow-capped mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the lush green hills and broad, fast-running river.

Heading towards Stewart on Highway 37A, we passed Bear Glacier—a destination for many travelers. Ice once filled the pass, but in the 1940s, the glacier began to retreat, and Strohn Lake was formed in the exposed basin. In the last two decades, the glacier’s annual retreat rate has nearly doubled compared to the previous half-century, making it an important area to study and protect.

Stewart is a quaint little town with a few shops, restaurants, and hotels and a population of around 500.

We chose to stay at “The Cabin,” an Airbnb with quirky African-inspired décor and a funky layout that took a bit of getting used to. However, once you’re settled, it is more than adequate. The stand-alone building, with kitchenette, sitting area, comfy king bed, and very hot shower, provided a cozy and comfortable stay.

You can find Martin’s listing here:

The Cabin – Huts for Rent in Stewart, British Columbia, Canada – Airbnb

On Tuesday, we were out the door by 6 am. We stopped at the Alaskan border (such as it is) for a few photos before continuing to Fish Creek.

no border crossing to enter Alaska – just a sign

The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site offers the unique opportunity to witness grizzlies and black bears in action. From July to September, these majestic creatures can be seen fishing for the coho, chum, and pink salmon that spawn in the creek.

The salmon run also attracts bald eagles, wolves, and other wildlife. On our visit, we were greeted by a mama merganser duck and her adorable fluffy babies,

And a family of beavers busy building a lodge.

It was a clear day, so we continued from Fish Creek to the Salmon Glacier. This is the world’s largest road-accessible glacier, and the road winds through rugged and spectacular scenery as it passes along its eastern edge.

Numerous mining companies operate in the surrounding mountains, making the Stewart/Hyder area a significant gold district in this part of North America.

About halfway up the mountain, we came to a sign warning of avalanches. There was a lot of information to decipher, and as I stood there assessing the risks—and our tolerance—a young couple from Vancouver also stopped. The young man said, “We’re going up! You gotta risk it to get the biscuit!”

So, we threw caution to the wind and carefully followed behind them.

“Stay to the left … just not too far to the left”

We could not drive to the summit as snow still blocked the road.

June 25, 2024 – one mile from the summit the road was still blocked with snow

But we did get within a mile of the top, and the view was incredible!

The Salmon Glacier is the fifth largest in Canada and a remnant of the last great age of glaciers.

listen to the sound of waterfalls and chirping birds as you marvel at the glacier

The road crosses the Canada-U.S. boundary, so upon returning to Stewart, we stopped at Checkpoint Charlie-I-mean-Canada Border Services. The story goes that Stewart once had a Russian mayor who was not the easiest to get along with, hence the “Eastern Sektor” signage (installed by the residents of Hyder).

But with passports in hand, it was an easy process, and we spent most of the time chatting with the agent about the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

We were up early again on Wednesday and drove 37A to the Meziadin Junction to look for bears. It was a beautiful drive, and the reflection of the Bear Glacier in Strohn Lake was too irresistible to pass without stopping to take a few photos.

We then continued to Fish Creek. There were no beavers this morning, so we dallied around Hyder, Alaska. Hyder has the look and vibe of what Key West must have been like in the early days: a small community full of aging hippies and non-conformists.

“a town of about 100 happy people and a few s—heads”

Many of the people we spoke with had lived there for decades but every winter escape the cold and snow for warmer temperatures.

We also had the pleasure of meeting a young couple from Switzerland, Sara and Gian, who were on an adventure of a lifetime. They had quit their jobs, sold all their belongings, and were on their way to Alaska to drive south on the Pan-American Highway to Ushuaia, Argentina—about 30,000 miles! We wished them safe travels, and they gave us a sticker for our car, a memento that will always remind us of their adventurous spirit.

“May all your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view, where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you.” – Edward Abbey

On Thursday, we slept in, caught up on photos, and then drove to Hyder for Fish & Chips 2 Go. Jim catches all the fish, and Dianna cooks it that day—you can’t ask for anything fresher and tastier!

It was delicious, and we enjoyed conversing with Jim while sitting at the picnic table and soaking in the view.

Alaska Premier Seafood and Fish & Chips 2 Go

After lunch we went to Fish Creek and chatted with Flint, a forest service employee, who shared a wealth of information about bears and other wildlife.

Audubon’s warbler pair at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation site

On our way back to Stewart, we stopped in at Hyder Hides, another quirky little shop. While Jerry and Katie mainly sell taxidermy, they also offer a variety of souvenirs. They shared that bears often visit their backyard and Jerry took us to see the skunk grass growing at the back of their property. As we made our way through the tall grass, I gave TG a look that said, “this may not end well.”

Although we did not spot any bears on that sunny afternoon, the possibility was real as Jerry snapped our photo in front of an authentic bear trap!

We traveled to Stewart with three goals:

(1) Visit Alaska, including bring Oscar and Maddie to their 29^th state

Welcome to your 29th state, Oscar and Maddie!

(2) Drive the Salmon Glacier Road

(3) Check out the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation site for a possible future visit

when the salmon are running the creek is full of bears!

We accomplished all that and more! We saw gorgeous scenery around every curve of the road,

Watched a family of busy beavers building a lodge, photographed beautiful birds, and saw bears.

Yes, we did see bears, although they were half-hidden on the side of the road or crossing too fast for photos. However, we managed to shoot a short video of one brief encounter.

bear running across the road (slow-motion at half real time)

We loved our time in Stewart and look forward to planning for bear season at Fish Creek next year. So, stay tuned for more On the Road with Tall Guy & JET!

To see all the photos from our time in Stewart and Beyond, click below:

TG:

bear glacier pano 1-DeNoiseAI-low-light — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

JET:

Highway 16 & 37 — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

Yes We Canada! Part I: Prince Rupert

When TG and I planned our “Westward Ho II” road trip, we had two goals: desert snakes, lizards, & toads – and bears. We successfully achieved the first during our month in New Mexico.

western diamondback rattlesnake, New Mexico, May 2024

And the bear encounters during our eleven days in Yellowstone were extraordinary!

grizzly mama and cub, Yellowstone National Park, June 2024

While in New Mexico, TG cashed in frequent flyer miles and flew up to Prince Rupert, British Columbia for a grizzly bear day tour in the Khutzeymateen. You can read about his solo adventure here:

https://ontheroadwithtallguyandjet.blog/2024/05/19/murals-and-eagles-and-bears-oh-my/

We also mapped out a drive into Canada for later in our trip to experience the beauty of B. C. together.

We left our cozy apartment in Mica, Washington early Monday morning with two planned stops along the way. We crossed the border into Canada without issue and spent the first night in Kelowna, B.C.

We were up early the following day and on our way to Prince George for night #2. The slogan on B.C.’s license plates is “Beautiful British Columbia,” and it is indeed a place that inspires awe. The majestic mountains, the lush greenery, and the crystal-clear lakes all contribute to its breathtaking beauty.

I found myself snapping photos at almost every curve in the road, and TG stopped to shoot a few panos, too.

There are yellow wildlife corridor signs all along the drive.

As we made our way up and over the mountains, we spied a moose, multiple deer, and bald eagles.

One of the biggest industries in B.C. is forestry. We passed pulp mills, sawmills, plywood mills, and dozens of huge trucks carrying heavy loads of timber. However, British Columbia is a world leader in sustainable forest management, as 94% of B.C. is designated Crown land. This allows the province to manage forest resources sustainably despite the almost overwhelming number of logging trucks you see on the roads.

The first five nights of our B.C. leg were in Prince Rupert, and TG picked out a perfect home for our stay. Coastal Bliss was a charming cottage in a quiet neighborhood in Port Edward, a 15-minute drive to Prince Rupert, with plenty of room to spread out and a private area for Oscar and Maddie.

You can find Lindsay’s listing here:

Coastal Bliss – Houses for Rent in Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada – Airbnb

We booked a tour with Prince Rupert Adventure Tours on our first full day. This was the same company TG went out with on his solo trip, so we knew what to expect.

As we parked the car, I noticed a mural across the street and snapped a quick photo. “I hope we see orcas!” I exclaimed.

We were underway before our 7:00 am departure and, soon into the voyage, spotted a pod of orcas! It was exciting for both of us as it was our first time seeing these animals in the wild. We were off to a great start!

Not long after that, we spied the spouts of two humpback whales, but they never gave us anything more than a quick glimpse of their humped backs.

By now we were in the Steamer Passage, nearing the mouth of the Khutzeymateen Inlet. Everyone quieted down and began scanning the shoreline for bears. The anticipation was palpable.

everyone scanned the shoreline looking for bears

We traveled almost to the end of the inlet before we saw our first bear, a sweet female named “Summer.” But by the end of our trip through the inlet, we had spotted six different bears in eight sightings, including a male named “Big Papa” and another female they call “Marshmallow.”

the Khutzeymateen Inlet

Most of the bears were at the far reach of our lenses, but Marshmallow gave us some nice close-ups.

We spied two more humpbacks and some Dall’s porpoises on our return to Prince Rupert.

And then, the pièce de résistance: 20 bald eagles flew towards the boat, diving and dipping for the chunks of pork fat the crew threw overboard. It was a 10-minute bald eagle frenzy!

a bald eagle frenzy!

We were back at the dock by 3:00 pm, tired and happy from our day in the “Khutz.”

We hung around the house all day on Friday, processing photos, doing laundry, and unwinding. We had a 5:30 reservation at a Japanese seafood restaurant in Prince Rupert: Fukasaku. I don’t usually delve too much into food in my blogs, but this dining experience was too exceptional not to share.

The mastermind behind Fukasaku is Dai Fukasaku, a Japanese native who initially came to Prince Rupert as a sushi chef for another establishment. In 2013, he decided to open his own place. What sets Fukasaku apart is their commitment to serving only sustainable seafood, sourced from Northwest B.C. by local fishermen.

We started with an appetizer of Hot N’ Crazy sushi—cucumber, avocado, carrot, walnuts, and a spicy sauce. Then, we had the signature miso-glazed black cod—broiled black cod marinated in a miso marinade for seven days. It was served in traditional Japanese style with a bowl of rice, miso soup, green trio, and edamame.

The spruce-tip crème brulee we had for dessert was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. We enjoyed our delicious food while taking in the beautiful view of the harbor from our window-side table.

When we stopped into the office at Prince Rupert Adventure Tours after our fun day on Thursday, we had casually mentioned that we might like to go out again on Saturday, depending on how our photos turned out. The office manager said that because we were such loyal customers, she would give us a 20% discount if we booked another tour. The savings were too good to turn down—it almost paid for our dinner at Fukasaku!

So, on Saturday we were on the boat again for the 7:00 am departure. On our way to the Khutzeymateen, we saw humpback whales and harbor seals, but the captain wanted to get to the Inlet as quickly as possible, so we didn’t stop.

a quick glimpse of harbor seals as we sped by

Today’s low tide was a bit later than Thursday’s, which meant we might have more – or better – bear activity. And we were not disappointed. We had five separate sightings of four different bears, one of them digging for clams right along the shoreline. It was a thrilling sight, as the magnificent animal went about her morning activities, oblivious to our presence.

But on our way back, we were treated to something that surpassed even the bear sightings. Whales were spotted off the starboard side, in the middle of the channel. The captain said it appeared they might be group hunting.

We were in for a truly rare and awe-inspiring sight as a group of 4-5 humpbacks proceeded to feed in front of us. They engaged in a behavior called “bubble-net feeding.” This is something that even seasoned wildlife enthusiasts rarely get to witness. A group of whales will circle a school of small fish such as salmon or krill and, using a team effort, corral the fish into a “net” of bubbles. The size of the net can range from three to 30 meters, depending on the number of whales participating. At some point in the bubble-blowing process, one whale will sound the feeding call, and all the whales will simultaneously swim up to the surface, mouths wide open, to feed on the trapped fish.

8-image gif of humpback whales bubble-net feeding

It was raining steadily at this point, but we didn’t care. In a dozen years of photographing humpback whales in Ecuador, we had never observed this behavior. It was a thrilling sight, something that will forever stand out in our travel memories.

But the day wasn’t over. Twenty or more bald eagles once again bombarded us as we neared Prince Rupert harbor, giving us more photo opportunities than we knew what to do with.

We met two brothers on this trip – fellow world travelers Mitch and Jeremy. They taught us a new term: “chimping,” which means you’re grinning at the photos in your camera so much you look like a chimpanzee. By the time we returned to our seats after the eagles, everyone was chimping!

On our last day we visited the Sunken Gardens in Prince Rupert. This garden, located downtown next to the harbor, is a stunning tapestry of lush, vibrant flowers, shrubs, and trees.

As its name suggests, it’s nestled in a cavity behind the courthouse, a secret oasis that might go unnoticed if you’re not aware of its existence.

You can view our photos from the Sunken Gardens here:

sunken garden-07131 — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

After a halibut burger at Smiles Seafood Cafe, we got ready for another moving day. Beginning on Monday, we had reserved four nights at an Airbnb in Stewart, about a 4 1/2-hour drive north.

Our five days in Prince Rupert were beyond expectations! We came for the grizzly bears and were rewarded with so much more – beautiful landscapes, orcas, bald eagles, and humpback whales bubble-net feeding! We are already dreaming of a return trip next year.

Click below to see the photos from our five nights in Prince Rupert.

TG’s grizzlies and bald eagles:

bald eagle-05822-SharpenAI-Standard-DeNoiseAI-standard — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

TG’s landscapes and Prince Rupert murals (including photos from his embedded trip in May, 2024):

inside passage pano 23-SharpenAI-Standard-DeNoiseAI-standard — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

JET:

Coming next … Yes We Canada! Part II: To Stewart and Beyond

Palouse-La Trek

The Palouse covers about 3,000 square miles in Southeast Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho. The hills are massive piles of wind-blown, silty loess created during the last Ice Age when continental glaciers pulverized rock into fine powder.

This fertile, silty loess makes the Palouse a productive farming region – growing as much as 25% of the nation’s lentils as well as wheat, canola, and other crops.

And – it’s a landscape photographer’s paradise. The rolling hills burst into a kaleidoscope of vivid greens and yellows in the spring and turn into a golden wonderland by harvest in late summer.

Photographers flock here for the landscapes with the colors, shapes, and textures of the endless rolling terrain.

Old barns and farmhouses, weathered by time, stand in perfect harmony with the rolling hills, creating striking compositions or adding a splash of bright color to the landscape.

Plenty of farm equipment is around, too, making excellent foreground subjects.

plenty of farm equipment around to photograph

And wildlife! The Palouse is home to a variety of species, including elk, deer, wild turkeys, and many birds.

Although this leg of our trip was not about wildlife, I couldn’t help but snap a pic when the opportunity presented itself. You can see my photos here:

Yellow-bellied marmot at Steptoe Butte — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

TG has always dreamed of spending a few days in the Palouse to capture the stunning landscapes. Our route north to British Colombia took us through this picturesque area, so we stopped for five nights at the Skywood Bed & Breakfast outside Mica, Washington.

It was perfect for us: a private downstairs suite with a beautiful view of the valley below. The only sounds were birds chirping and the occasional clucks of wild turkeys.

wild turkey in the tree outside our door

You can find Rick & Gail’s listing here:

Mini Apartment – Houses for Rent in Mica, Washington, United States – Airbnb

We started our first morning at Steptoe Butte State Park, a thimble-shaped 3,612-foot quartzite butte with a 360-degree view of the surrounding hills.

This is a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers alike, providing many of the “iconic Palouse” landscape photos you’ll see.

iconic Palouse from Steptoe Butte, June 2024

The narrow road to the top, which winds around and around like a perfectly peeled orange, has no guard rails and had me breathing into a paper bag.

Steptoe Butte Road winds around and around like a perfectly peeled orange

Once at the top, you are rewarded with a panoramic view that, on clear days, stretches for 200 miles in all directions. While TG busied himself with panos,

TG shooting panos from the top of Steptoe Butte

I scouted the area for wildlife. Much to my surprise and delight, I spied a yellow-bellied marmot – a critter we had seen but did not photograph in Yellowstone.

TG had mapped out a route of photo-worthy subjects for the remainder of our day. On our way, we stopped for a row of old trucks lining the side of a farm,

cool old trucks lining the side of a farm

Beautiful old barns,

And the Artisans at Dahmen Barn, an artist’s colony with a most unusual fence! This unique attraction features a collection of local artisans’ work, including pottery, woodwork, and paintings. We bought a “Greetings from the Palouse” notecard and then spent the rest of our visit outside, photographing the fence.

The following day, we left Skywood before dawn. Sunrise in the Pacific Northwest comes before 5:00 am – and gets light even earlier. We wanted to shoot from Steptoe Butte while the morning sun created contrasting shadows on the rolling, green hills.

early (windy) morning view from Steptoe Butte

Our second visit to Steptoe Butte was challenging. We arrived at 6:00 am, greeted by the beautiful early morning light. However, the wind, forecasted to be 15mph, was stronger than expected at 25-30mph. It made standing at the top of the butte difficult and setting up a tripod next to impossible.

So, we continued to explore the countryside—it was hard not to stop at every weathered old barn and breathtaking landscape! But with such an early start, we were relaxing at home by noon.

we drove the country roads, shooting landscapes and weathered barns

Day Three began with rain, but we were determined to drive to Palouse Falls, a majestic waterfall about a two-hour drive from Skywood, with another stop at Steptoe Butte on our way. Palouse Falls is known for its breathtaking beauty, with cascading waters surrounded by rugged cliffs.

As we drove south, the rain decreased, and the lush green hills became even lusher and greener. It was drizzly when we got to Steptoe, and too windy at the top to take photos. But we stopped on our way back down – we could not resist photographing the valley’s dramatic clouds, their dark shadows contrasting with the vivid colors of the landscape.

We decided to head home for a few hours and try the Falls in the afternoon. I usually write these blogs in my head as the day progresses – putting my thoughts to paper in the evening. But that afternoon left me in awe, struggling to find the right words to describe our experience.

It was overcast when we left Skywood, and not too long into our drive, the rain began in earnest. I hoped it would stop—and it did for a mile or two—before picking up again. In the rain, we drove past the buildings and towns we had photographed from high atop Steptoe Butte.

we photographed this grain elevator from high atop Steptoe Butte!

At the Palouse Falls turn-off we still had another nine miles on a steep, twisting road – and I continued to hope – and the rain continued to pummel the car. Despite the challenging weather conditions, we pressed on, determined to see the beauty of the Falls firsthand.

Arriving at the parking lot, we exchanged a look that said, “Here goes nothing.” Much to our surprise, the rain stopped — just in time for our visit! As we hurriedly grabbed our cameras and made our way to the overlook, the sun broke through the clouds, lighting the afternoon. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any more magical, a rainbow appeared on the canyon wall, adding a final touch of beauty.

Curious about our presence, a yellow-bellied marmot poked its head above the rocks. It was the first of many, as we soon spotted a half dozen or more marmots scurrying around the rock ledges.

We spent far more time at the Falls than we had initially planned.

As we made our way back north, the sun cast beautiful, long shadows on the loess hills, turning them into a patchwork of light and dark.

So, we decided to swing by Steptoe Butte once more to take advantage of the afternoon light.

we stopped at Steptoe on our way home to take advantage of the afternoon light

The view was beyond expectation, with the vibrant green hills stretching as far as the eye could see.

vibrant green hills stretching on forever!

We spent our last morning driving the Scenic Byway and, that afternoon, got ready for our next road trip stop.

The Palouse presents a learning curve for photographers: initially, the rolling hills are so breathtakingly beautiful that you’re unsure where to focus your lens. However, with each drive, we became more familiar with the roads and the best vantage points. Reviewing our photos each evening guided us on what worked and what didn’t.

And while our first visit to the Falls was a thrill, we know a second visit would undoubtedly yield even better results.

We hope to return someday in the late summer, when the fields are ready for harvest. Just imagine the sight of giant combines kicking up vast clouds of golden dust as they roll along! It must surely be a sight to see!

They call the Palouse one of the “Seven Wonders of Washington,” and it is not hard to see why. It is a place of unparalleled beauty, and everyone should experience this area at least once in their lifetime.

To see our photos from the Palouse, click below:

TG (the Landscape Sensei):

cropduster-07081-SharpenAI-Standard-DeNoiseAI-low-light — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

JET:

canola fields — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

Coming Next: Yes We Canada!

You can observe a lot just by watching (Yogi Berra)

When TG and I first started road tripping, we quickly learned that while a 10 to 12-hour drive might get you from Point A to B, you miss a lot on the journey. Now, we limit our driving days to eight hours or less to allow for sightseeing along our route.

We left New Mexico on Wednesday to arrive in Gardiner, MT, by Friday. The second stop on our “Westward Ho II” road trip was Yellowstone National Park. When we visited the park in the fall of 2022, we had many wonderful animal encounters, but we longed to see more bears, especially cubs.

We spent Wednesday night in Gallup, N.M., and were on the road early Thursday morning, with a planned stop at Arches National Park before continuing to Provo, Utah. But first, we detoured by Ship Rock, a dramatic 7,177-foot-high rock formation on Navajo Nation land that figures prominently in Navajo mythology. We briefly chatted with Ray, a Navajo guide who was waiting for clients, took a few photos, and were on our way.

We drove north and west towards Arches, passing by another interesting rock formation called “Church Rock.”

And the beautiful Wilson Arch.

Regrettably, just after Wilson Arch, our plans took an unexpected turn. We found ourselves caught in a horrific traffic jam, with cars backed up for almost 15 miles. By the time we got through, it was too late to stop at Arches. Disappointed, we continued to Provo for the night, a reminder of the importance of building in extra time!

traffic backed up on 191 between Wilson Arch and Moab

We made it safely to Gardiner the following day with no further incidents. Our suite at the Super 8 was perfect: it had two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a comfortable living area, and a fully equipped kitchen. We could not have asked for better accommodations for the four nights we spent outside the north entrance to Yellowstone.

view from our room at the Super 8, Gardiner (yes, that’s an elk by the building)

We were out the door early Saturday morning for our first photo safari into the park. There were herds of bison, pronghorns, and elk. We spied a moose cow with a small calf and later, two bulls. A coyote hunted in a field, and a red fox sashayed alongside the road with her mouth full of breakfast.

And much to our surprise and delight, a mama grizzly with two cubs! This sighting was lucky as they came down the hill at a pull-out, with only two other cars already at the spot. We spent a good ½ hour with them before enough people had arrived to make it an official “bear jam.”

grizzly mama and two cubs

One interesting side note about this sighting: Because we were staying at the Super 8, we could not leave O & M alone in our hotel room—they had to accompany us into the park. Typically, when people or cars are nearby, Oscar is a jerk (there’s a reason we call him “Oscar the Grouch”). But he and Maddie were quiet as church mice during the grizzly sighting. No one even realized we had two dogs in the car. The pups knew … them thar was BEARS!!

On Sunday, we got another early start. We arrived in Lamar Valley by 7 a.m., and just a few miles into our drive, we spotted a mama grizzly and her year-old cub across the river. They gave us a more typical bear sighting than we had experienced the day before – they were at least 200 yards away.

grizzly mama and year-old cub across the river

We moved on to the Trout Lake trailhead, where we had the close encounter yesterday. There were no bears this morning, so we slowly made our way back west. About a mile down the road, we saw our mama and the cubs coming down the mountain.

A bison herd grazing in the field scattered as soon as the bears arrived. We had no agenda today, so we waited and watched to see if anything happened. The bears stayed far off, almost out of reach of our lenses.

the bison scattered as soon as the bears arrived

At one point, mama lay down, and the two cubs began nursing. Although we were too far away to see much, witnessing this intimate moment was still a thrill. Afterward, both cubs were in a milk coma, and they all napped. By this time, we had been in that spot for over two hours.

Suddenly, mama started coming towards us, the cubs following behind. She wanted to cross the road to the river, but people and cars blocked her. She moved further down the hill, out of our sight, and finally crossed to the other side.

We continued west, stopping for a badger

And then a coyote before coming upon a huge group, watching a mama grizzly and three cubs high on the side of a hill. They were nothing more than little dots, even with our binoculars, so we didn’t linger.

Not much further, we spied a lone cinnamon morph black bear grazing in a field of dandelions. This sighting turned into another bear jam, so after taking a few shots, we moved on.

It was another awe-inspiring day in the park, filled with the wonders of nature. As we drove home, I casually told TG that although I was thrilled with all our grizzly sightings, I still hoped to see a black bear with cubs.

On Monday, we planned to make a day of it and packed a picnic lunch. The weather was cloudy and drizzly, but we managed to spy the mama and year-old grizzly we had seen the day before in Lamar Valley. We decided to drive the Dunraven Pass, a scenic road that leads over Mt. Washburn, reaching an elevation of 8,800 feet.

the drive over Dunraven Pass – lots of snow up on the mountain!

No sooner had we started the drive than we spied a black bear grazing along the side of the road.

A few miles further, we found ourselves in a classic Yellowstone bear jam. Two tiny black bear cubs were perched at the top of a tall tree, their mother keeping a watchful eye from below. Two rangers were on duty, managing the traffic and ensuring everyone’s safety. Ranger Fred shared, “Her nickname is Good Mama, but I call her Bad Mama as she’s been known to charge.”

The cubs were challenging to photograph. They were mostly hidden by branches and were nothing more than black blobs to the naked eye. Eventually, they woke up and started to climb down. Mama moved to the bottom of the tree, growing increasingly agitated. The crowd was kept back, 75 yards or more from the tree, as cars continued to pass by in both directions.

two tiny black bear cubs high up in a tree

As the situation escalated, Mama bear signaled the cubs to climb higher, and the rangers swiftly instructed us to return to our cars. “We’re turning this into a drive-by,” Fred said, “for the good of the bears and for your safety.” It was time for us to go.

Near Fishing Bridge, there is a pull-out called LeHardy Rapids. We stopped there for lunch and to photograph the beautiful harlequin ducks surfing on the Yellowstone River.

harlequin ducks (one male and two females)

We drove back to Lamar Valley, but with the on-and-off rain, it was a tough day for everyone. A lone coyote, an animal we often see around the park, had created a huge traffic jam while he sat on the ridge eyeing the crowd and wondering what all the fuss was about.

Tuesday was moving day. We stayed near Yellowstone for a few nights to get sunrise access to the park. But too many nights in a hotel room, plus riding around in the car all day, was not good for O & M – or for us. We had booked an Airbnb outside Livingston for the remainder of our time in Yellowstone.

Shepherd’s Nook was a true escape from the world, miles from any sign of civilization. Our home away from home was a cozy haven, equipped with all the essentials, including reliable Wi-Fi and a washer and dryer. The only light that broke the night darkness was the faint glow from Livingston, and the stars were breathtaking!

You can find the listing here:

The Shepherd’s Nook – Apartments for Rent in Livingston, Montana, United States – Airbnb

We had been going nonstop for a solid week and needed time to recharge, so we gave ourselves a day off on Wednesday. We spent the day leisurely, enjoying the view from our apartment. Oscar was enamored with the Richardson’s ground squirrels that played outside our ground-level windows – it was like TV for dogs!

On Thursday, we returned to Yellowstone. Our goal was to spot bears, and we ended the day with five separate sightings of black bears and cubs.

But the true magic was something extraordinary. A majestic black wolf sauntered through a field and crossed the road in front of us. TG swiftly drove ahead and turned into the first available pull-out. The wolf emerged over the ridge and posed in the most perfect, postcard-worthy light we could have hoped for.

After hearing of multiple wolf sightings viewed only through a scope or powerful binoculars, seeing one this close was a dream come true. The sheer majesty of the creature, with its sleek, black fur and piercing, yellow eyes, left us in awe.

12-image gif of the wolf crossing the road

Not long after that, a second wolf emerged from the river and crossed the road behind us—two close wolf sightings in as many hours!

a second close wolf sighting in as many hours!

Our Airbnb host, Judson, provided many suggestions for local wildlife safaris and scenic drives. We opted to stay close to home on Friday and Saturday to explore the nearby areas.

That evening, as if to affirm our decision, a herd of mule deer walked through the yard and down to the creek, a pronghorn appeared over the ridge, and a coyote stealthily hunted for dinner on the hillside across from our window.

We spent the two days simply unwinding and immersing ourselves in the tranquility of the area, much of which we could enjoy without leaving the property.

mule deer beside Adair Creek (below our window)

To experience the beauty of Shepherd’s Nook, click here:

shepherd pano 2-SharpenAI-Standard — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

Sunday was our last visit to Yellowstone. We began the day with two back-to-back bear sightings, so we were off to a great start!

Our drive took us towards Tower Falls, a place where we had previously spotted bears. However, luck wasn’t on our side this morning. Undeterred, we ventured to Lamar Valley, where a delightful surprise awaited us – the mama badger, leisurely sunbathing outside her den!

TG wanted to take some panos of the valley with bison grazing, so we moseyed west.

We encountered a mama bear and two adorable cubs as we made our way from Tower Junction back towards Mammoth. The scene was chaotic, with several cars and people crowding the area. In a moment of pure pandemonium, the bears crossed the road between the vehicles, then reversed course and retreated down the hill.

We stayed back, trying to get the best photos we could. Finally, a ranger arrived and brought order to the chaos.

We were happy to have one last sighting of a mama bear with cubs, but we also knew we were “done” with Yellowstone on this visit. Neither of us was comfortable with the huge crowds that seemed to have arrived overnight.

We spent our last two days near home, enjoying the wildlife around Shepherd’s Nook and preparing for the next stop on our road trip.

As we said goodbye to Montana, we were filled with profound gratitude. Between the Super 8 in Gardiner and the Shepherd’s Nook Airbnb, we spent 11 full days in the Yellowstone area. We dedicated five days to the park, spending an average of five hours per visit. While surrounded by countless bison, pronghorn, and elk, our hearts were set on spotting bears.

bison and red dogs crossing the road in Lamar Valley

And in the end, we were rewarded with 37 grizzly and black bears in 16 unique sightings, with eleven of those being a mama and cubs.

But the most awe-inspiring moment—surpassing even the bear sightings—was the wolf we were fortunate to encounter on June 6, 2024. It was truly extraordinary, as he passed no more than two car lengths in front of us.

It is a moment we will cherish forever.

To see all the photos from our eleven days in the Yellowstone area click below:

TG:

coyote-05075-SharpenAI-Standard-DeNoiseAI-low-light — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

JET:

Grizzly mama and cubs — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click on any photo to open a new tab in Flickr

Coming next … Palouse-La Trek

It’s Only Rock & Roll (& Rattle) But I Like It

TG and I both reached a milestone birthday in 2024, a year shaping up to be full of memorable moments. We celebrated my big day by spending a week in Crystal River, FL snorkeling with the manatees.

Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, FL, January 2024

TG, a lifelong Rolling Stones fan, was over the moon when we learned that the first stop on the Stone’s Hackney Diamonds tour was in Houston, conveniently on our way to New Mexico. We added two nights onto the beginning of our trip and could barely contain our excitement as we purchased tickets for the April 28 concert. Happy Birthday, TG!

It was a great show, with the timeless talent of Mick, Keith, Ronnie, and the band combined with incredible technology. We had a fantastic time, singing along to old favorites and grooving to songs off their new album.

The following morning, we continued our journey west. After two visits to the Bosque del Apache in November, we were eager to experience the unique charm of New Mexico’s desert in the hot summer months with its colorful rattlesnakes, lizards, and toads.

This visit marked our third stay at Casita del Crane’s, Pam’s cozy Airbnb in Lemitar. It has become our home away from home and a perfect base for explorations.

Pam is always interested in our photo safaris and sharing goodies such as fresh greens from her organic garden. These personal touches make our stays here so special.

Pam selling her organic veggies and eggs at a local farmer’s market

You can find her listing here:

https://www.airbnb.com/Casita del Cranes

Something we’ve always enjoyed about staying at Pam’s is all the nature that greets us right outside our door.

A stroll through her garden or a walk on the dirt road alongside the creek is a wildlife adventure in itself. We’ll often see roadrunners scurrying along the railroad tracks — so cliché it’s comical!

And the rumble of the freight trains that pass by, accompanied by a long, lonesome whistle and clickety-clack of the cars, is charming.

You can view all our photos from our walkabouts at Pam’s here:

casita pano 05292024-1 — hover on photo and then arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

We explored Spring in the Bosque del Apache – a different time of year than previous visits. It was a tranquil place, with none of the mad frenzy we witnessed during the sandhill crane migration in November.

While we searched for reptiles,

western zebra-tailed lizard, Bosque del Apache

We also enjoyed all the birds and other wildlife that call this area home.

vermillion flycatcher, Bosque del Apache

We drove to the Valley of Fires, a lava flow covering 125 square miles. From a distance, it looks like black, barren rock, but as you hike the trails, you’ll see many varieties of desert flowers, cacti, and trees.

Mountain tea growing out of the black lava, Valley of Fires

The valley was formed around 5,000 years ago when a volcano erupted, leaving behind a trail of molten lava. It’s a fascinating place, a stark contrast between destruction and new life.

Thanks to TG’s keen eyes and trusty binocs, we watched as ground squirrels and Harris’s antelope squirrels foraged for breakfast.

Harris’s antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus harrisii), Valley of Fires

It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, and we spied ash-throated flycatchers, black-throated sparrows, and western tanagers among other birds.

ash-throated flycatcher, Valley of Fires

Just a week after settling in, we were back on the road for another concert. The Stones were performing in Glendale, AZ on May 7, just a seven-hour drive away. One of TG’s best friends from high school and his brother live in the Phoenix area, so along with Dan, Bill, and their wives, we purchased Stones tickets for a second show in as many weeks.

After dinner and some quality catch-up time, we piled into our cars and headed over to State Farm Stadium. The atmosphere was electric, with fans of all ages eagerly anticipating the show. And the Rolling Stones did not disappoint.

Their performance was off-the-charts, even better than the tour opening in Houston.

“I know it’s only rock & roll but I like it” (Yes that’s me singing along with Mick)

The drive to and from Arizona was beautiful. Our route took us up and over the mountains, with every curve in the road a new, breathtaking view.

We finished our second week with a lot of rock and roll …

A lot of rocks …

And a lot of lizards …

greater earless lizard, Bosque del Apache

But no rattlesnakes – unless you count the what-we-thought-was-dead snake lying in the middle of the road. By the time we turned around to get a proper ID, it was gone. Either a raptor scooped it up or it slithered off on its own! 😲

On the night of May 10, the Earth was hit by a G5 solar storm, a rare and powerful event that occurs when a large amount of energy is released from the sun’s atmosphere. This was the strongest geomagnetic storm in 21 years, causing the KP index to spike to 9. The internet exploded with photos from as far south as Key Largo, FL, capturing the stunning auroras that were a result of this storm.

TG woke me at 2:30am. “You’re going to want to come outside,” was all he had to say for me to be up and out the door with my camera and tripod. Visible even to our naked eyes, we were amazed at what we could capture with our lenses.

In the hour we stood outside, awe-struck, the sky changed colors from vivid reds to purples & greens to pinks & oranges. It was hard to put away our cameras and go back to bed!

We started Week Three with high expectations. We were each going to have a solo adventure, with TG embarking on a trip to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, while I stayed back at Pam’s with Oscar and Maddie.

Oscar spies a roadrunner in Pam’s garden

I dropped TG off at the Albuquerque airport on Monday afternoon. He was due back on Friday after an overnight flight from Vancouver. The three days stretched before me, and I planned to make the most of them.

When I took O & M out later that evening, we stumbled upon a woodhouse’s toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) sitting in the driveway! These toads are native to the western United States and eat a variety of insects and scorpions—so a welcome visitor to have around the house!

The following morning, I decided to hike the Canyon National Recreation Trail in the Bosque del Apache. This trail is a 2.2-mile “lollipop” loop through the Chihuahuan Desert, the Solitude Canyon, and a climb to the top of a 200ft mesa.

I had no doubt I would see birds and lizards

But with snakes proving challenging to find, I started my hike with zero expectations. Little did I know I was in for an astonishing surprise.

As I stepped off the trail for a closer look at something, I found myself face to face with a magnificent western diamondback rattlesnake, basking in a puddle of warm sunshine! The sheer beauty of the moment left me breathless.

After capturing countless photos, I continued my hike. When I returned to the start of the loop, I retraced my steps, hoping to catch another glimpse of my resting beauty. However, she had gracefully moved on. I whispered a silent ‘Thank You‘ to the wilderness and made my way back to the car.

western diamondback rattlesnake, 5-14-24

What an exciting start to my solo week!

The following day, I returned to the Canyon Trail. To my delight, Resting Beauty was still in the same area, nestled under a bush with thick, tangled branches providing a near-perfect camouflage.

western diamondback rattlesnake, 5-15-24

Ater taking a few shots, I moved on, leaving her undisturbed. As I continued my hike, I was thrilled to spot four more different lizards, each one new to me.

And then, as if to add a touch of whimsy, I came across an adorable desert cottontail, its soft fur blending perfectly with the sandy landscape.

You can see all the photos from my Canyon Trail hikes here:

western diamondback rattlesnake — hover on photo and then arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

On Thursday I woke to a thunderstorm, but by noon the skies had cleared, and the cheerful chirping of birds beckoned me to the nearby Socorro Nature Area, a BLM reserve just three miles from Pam’s.

brown-crested flycatcher, Socorro Nature Area

The sky over the mountains looked ominous, but there was sunshine overhead. So, I ventured out on the one-mile loop to see what I could see.

As I walked along, the air was filled with the calls of many different birds, including a pair of Gambel’s quail. These birds, with their distinctive topknot of black feathers, captivated me on our first visit to New Mexico in 2021. Their call resembles a meowing cat; when alarmed, they gurgle like they’re underwater. On that first visit, I thought they were rare and intriguing. I still find them charming, but they are so common that these days I’m much more selective about when I snap a photo.

Gambel’s quail (male), Socorro Nature Area

I checked the dead logs and scrub for signs of life and was thrilled to spot several lizards. I’ve learned the ID’s of so many lizards on this trip: “A common side-blotched,” I whispered to myself, and later “a checkered whiptail!”

common side-blotched lizard, Socorro Nature Area

You can see all the photos from my Socorro Nature Area hikes here:

Entrance sign — hover on photo and then arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

That night, TG called while awaiting his flight from Vancouver. He was excited about everything he had seen in Prince Rupert and couldn’t wait to share his experiences with me. And I was just as excited to share my three days with him. Our solo adventure week had been a win-win!

TG on the Prince Rupert Adventure Tours “Inside Passage”

You can read TG’s Prince Rupert blog here (right click on title to open in a new tab):

Murals and Eagles and Bears, Oh My!

right click on title to open in a new tab

TG wanted to work on his photos, so on Saturday I returned to the Canyon Trail hoping to spot Resting Beauty – or one of her cousins. There were no snakes that morning, but I was delighted to add another new lizard to my growing list: a long-nosed leopard!

TG and I went back to the Canyon Trail three more times after that, and on two occasions we spied Resting Beauty tucked tightly beneath a thick tangle of branches. She didn’t give us *quite* the photo-op of my first sighting but it was a thrill nonetheless!

Pam and Steve invited us to a BBQ party one afternoon. We wanted to stick close to home, so that morning we headed to the Socorro Nature Area.

TG photographing lizards at the Socorro Nature Area

We spotted several lizards, including two new ones: a desert side-blotched lizard and a Chihuahuan spotted whiptail.

TG stepped towards a rock to photograph yet another lizard when WHOOPS! he almost stepped on a five-foot bull snake, fully stretched out and basking in the morning sun.

WHOOPS! a 5-foot bull snake fully stretched out, basking in the morning sun

I saw him jump out of the way before I saw what made him jump. What a big, beautiful girl she was! As we watched, she slithered up a pile of dirt and into her little hidey-hole.

Later that day, we walked next door for the BBQ. Most of Pam and Steve’s friends are musicians, and we were treated to a delightful afternoon of good conversation and the soulful sounds of rock and roll.

Grateful Dead, Tom Petty, John Prine, and their own original songs

One day we couldn’t resist checking out one of the quirkiest roadside attractions you will spy driving around Albuquerque: a giant rattlesnake gliding down the median on a long hill near the airport.

The snake has spawned many urban legends, but the real story is simple. When the city hired Sites Southwest to landscape the median, they were faced with a challenge. Plants were not an option, as there was no water source. So, they decided upon a sculpture that spoke to the region, and what better way to represent New Mexico than a giant rattlesnake made of rocks?!?

Albuquerque’s giant rattlesnake sculpture

With incredible geological formations, New Mexico’s many wilderness areas allow you to immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of nature. San Lorenzo Canyon, a mere six miles from Pam’s, is one of these unique gems.

This natural wonderland contains picturesque sandstone cliffs, mesas, arches, and hoodoos.

It reflects millions of years of Earth’s history – a landscape shaped by the movement of tectonic plates and erosion.

The beauty of the place is truly inspiring!

We dedicated two days to exploring the San Lorenzo Canyon. Our goal was to search for wildlife while capturing the breathtaking landscapes.

On our first morning hike, we spied several lizards, colorful desert flowers, beautiful birds, and four antelope jackrabbits that scattered as soon as they caught sight of us.

the antelope jackrabbits scattered as soon as they caught sight of us

We stuck to paths we felt confident to hike. However, there was one climb that I decided to abort midway.

I feared that what went up might not be able to come down, so I turned around and let TG scramble to the top.

On our second visit, we drove the 5 ½ miles to the canyon’s end. The road dead-ends at a small spring, surprisingly full of cold, somewhat muddy water.

the spring at the end of the San Lorenzo Canyon Road

We hiked around on the rocks, looking for lizards and other wildlife while also shooting the stunning rock formations.

Not intending to rockhound, I found two lovely pieces of sparkling pinky-white quartz!

We got up early one morning to explore the Petroglyph National Monument, just outside of Albuquerque. This national park is home to one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America.

There are multiple trails at the park, each of varying length. We chose to hike the Piedras Marcadas Canyon, a 1.8-mile loop. Although the Piedras (rocks) Marcadas (marked) were named by the Spanish settlers who came to this area during the mid-1600s, most of the petroglyphs were made by ancient Pueblo people 400-700 years ago, and to this day have profound cultural and spiritual significance.

Upon starting our hike, we were delighted to spy a jackrabbit feeding in the early morning light. Later we came across a mother and four baby Harris’s antelope squirrels scampering around on the rocks.

a family of Harris’s antelope squirrels (Ammospermophilus harrisii)

That evening, Pam and Steve invited us to a “Sundowner.” We drove to a remote area to view the ocotillo cacti blooming on the hillsides and enjoyed cheese & crackers while watching the sunset. As the skies grew dark, nighthawks and bats swooped in the air above us.

It was a wonderful end to our fourth week in New Mexico!

We were under no pressure during our final week. Our count was now up to 14 lizard, one toad, and two snake species—including four sightings of the western diamondback. We revisited many of the trails we had hiked before and began preparing for the next stop on our road trip.

However, New Mexico had one more surprise in store for us. Pam’s sister lives in Polvadera, just a ten-minute drive away. A pallid bat, Antrozous pallidus, had decided to take a nap on the side of her house! Pam drove me over to photograph this lovely little creature, sharing in the excitement of the moment.

Some might call us crazy for dedicating more than a month to the pursuit of snakes, lizards, and toads. And rest assured, we’re not planning to swap our beloved Oscar and Maddie for a pet python any time soon! But after a lifetime of capturing the wonders of our world underwater and the dozens of birds and mammals we’ve encountered on land, we felt it was time to turn our lenses towards the often-overlooked cold-blooded creatures.

The animals in New Mexico’s desert are uniquely beautiful, and our journey of photographing them has opened our eyes to a whole new world. We hope this blog has sparked a sense of wonder in you, inspiring you to seek out and appreciate the beauty surrounding you, no matter where your journey takes you.

To view all of our photos from New Mexico visit our Flickr albums below.

TG:

giant roadrunner-03332-SharpenAI-Standard-DeNoiseAI-standard — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

JET:

western kingbird — hover on photo to arrow through the set or click to open a new tab in Flickr

Coming next … “You can observe a lot just by watching.” – Yogi Berra

Murals and Eagles and Bears, Oh My!

When we were planning our Westward Ho II road trip, we allocated the month of May to New Mexico. With that in mind, I made plans to take a short embedded solo trip to Prince Rupert, B.C. to join a grizzly bear day tour offered by Prince Rupert Adventure Tours. This trip was a prelude to our upcoming drive to British Columbia, a journey that promised both adventure and discovery.

JET dropped me off at ABQ Sunport on Monday afternoon. I flew to Vancouver through Denver, arriving late that night and checked into a nearby hotel. The next day, I boarded an Air Canada turboprop plane for the 90-minute flight to Prince Rupert, B.C. The mountains were in full view when we left Vancouver but were blanketed by thick, cottonlike clouds as we approached Prince Rupert, a surprisingly bustling city of around 20,000 on British Columbia’s coast, with a robust cargo port, grain, propane, and wood pellet terminals, a cruise ship port and a vast fleet of all sizes of fishing vessels.

YPR Airport, essentially a large one-room building with a runway, is located on Digby Island, which requires a 10-minute (school) bus ride, a 20-minute ferry ride to the dock at Prince Rupert, and another 10-minute bus ride to the city center.

Once downtown, Prince Rupert is quite walkable, if a little hilly. I arrived at Eagle Bluff B&B, my home for the next two nights, after a brisk 15-minute walk. Blue, the proprietor, had upgraded me to the Harbor Suite, with a private deck and view of the harbor.

I had dinner that evening at the Breakers Pub, followed by a short walk around town before hitting the hay. Note: if you like fish & chips, Prince Rupert is THE place to be. Some of the best fish (halibut) and chips you are likely to find.

The following day, Blue provided a sublime breakfast of homemade yogurt, fresh fruit, pancakes, and coffee/juice. Afterwards I headed to Prince Rupert Adventure Tours to check in for my 10AM departure.

Guests board the Inside Passage, a banana-yellow pontoon boat that can comfortably hold 100 passengers and the crew. The vessel is in pristine condition, comfortable, and quite fast, with a top speed of 21 knots. There are multiple inside and outside decks for viewing wildlife and scenery. There is also a well-stocked snack bar.

There were only 24 guests on my chosen date, which allowed for plenty of room for photography. However, the spaciousness of the ship would make photography manageable even at capacity. Once everyone was checked in, we embarked on our journey.

The eventual destination is the Khutzeymateen Inlet, a two-hour trip from Prince Rupert. The scenery is quite breathtaking and quickly becomes wilderness, with little evidence of human life.

Along the way, we saw sea birds and an occasional humpback whale. We also saw some stellar sea lions on a rock outcropping that quickly slipped into the water as we approached. At the mouth of the inlet, the crew gave operating instructions for our time there: No talking while outside on deck if possible, and then only in a low whisper, walk quietly, no food or drink of any kind outside on deck.

no talking on deck once inside the Inlet

It was not long before we spied our first grizzly bear, a lone male digging for clams on the beach. He was far away, perhaps 150 yards or more, but wonderful to see, nonetheless. The bear looked somewhat thin, evidence that he had only recently emerged from his months-long hibernation. By the fall, he will have fattened up considerably.

A little farther along, we spied a mother and two-year-old cub named Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow, respectively. They were also quite far away, farther than the first bear. They were aware of our presence but continued to munch on vegetation.

We eventually passed the Khutzeymateen Lodge, the only evidence of human activity in the inlet. The lodge offers three and four-day stays for up to 10 guests, with multiple opportunities for up-close viewing of the bears. I can only image how quiet – and dark – it must be there at night!

Khutzeymateen Lodge against a backdrop of wilderness

Eventually, the ship reached the end of the inlet, and it was time to start slowly heading back to Prince Rupert. We had not seen any more grizzlies after the mother and cub, so everyone was scanning the banks closely. We saw one last lone male before we reached the mouth of the inlet, along with a couple of humpback whales.

The sail back took a slightly different route through what is called the “Work Channel,” a very productive fishing area that humpback whales also frequent in season. The whales work together to force their favorite food source, krill, up to the surface where they open their huge mouths and take in the krill-filled water, then siphon the water through their baleens, a behavior known as bubble-feeding. We lingered in the area to see if the whales would give us a show, but it was not to be.

As we approached Prince Rupert, a bald eagle came into view trailing the ship. Then another, followed by two more. The captain slowed the boat, and soon there were over twenty beautiful raptors circling the ship. As bald eagles are my favorite subject for bird photography, I was thrilled – I shot several hundred photos in 15 minutes. The eagles eventually disbursed, we continued to Prince Rupert, and good-byes and well-wishes were shared among guests from all over the world.

You can view all the photos from my day with Prince Rupert Adventure Tours here:

Still in awe over the eagles, I headed to Dolly’s Fish Market for fish and chips. Several of my fellow tour companions were also there for dinner, and we passed the time revisiting our journey to the Khutzeymateen. It was a nice ending to a great day.

The next morning, I finished packing, stowed my bags, and spent a few hours walking around Prince Rupert. There are many photo-worthy murals around town depicting marine and wildlife in the area.

many beautiful murals around Prince Rupert

You can view my photos from Prince Rupert here:

Finally, it was time to walk to the bus station for the ferry. Less than 48 hours after arriving, my adventure was over, and I was on my way back to New Mexico. Having never visited Prince Rupert before, my expectations were uncertain. With it now in my memories, I can’t wait to return next month, this time with JET and the pups.

Stay tuned!!