national forests
Fly-fishing in Arizona?
When I say Arizona you might think Grand Canyon, Sedona, Painted Desert, maybe Spring training for baseball but not fly-fishing. Big mistake. Fred and I are not anglers (Fred even avoids the fish counter at our local grocery store) but the following list could also double for outstanding locations to enjoy Arizona scenery and quiet Read More >>
Magnificient Ponderosa pine
There are few trees, IMHO, more beautiful than the Ponderosa pine. I have read the Ponderosa pine outlines the “real” American West. If you’re driving through the high desert of the Southwest, the towering mountains of Colorado, or watching an old episode of Bonanza on tv, the tree youare most likely seeing is the Ponderosa Read More >>
Light Pollution
A light pollution map If you have spent any time in a national forest or grassland west of the Mississippi River, it is likely you have noticed the night sky. The sky appears bigger, taller, wider. It also seems darker and has more stars that sparkle, not just twinkle. The Milky Way is clearly visible. Read More >>
Colorful Acorn Caps
The best crafts for entertaining children (whether camping or dealing with yucky weather) are really easy, take a little more effort than a quick run to the closest, and allow for some creativity once the basic skill is learned. This Colorful Acorn Caps craft has all these elements! FYI: Oak trees do not produce all Read More >>
Giarda – No fun at all
Lyme disease, West Nile disease, and Poison ivy – these are just a few potential dangers you’ll find in the forest. Another problem that is becoming more common – Giardia. Although more cases are being seen across the country each year, medical staff remain unfamiliar with this nasty intestinal bug. Hope this articles helps you Read More >>
Care for your boots
Quality hiking boots is an investment. I have long held the opinion that one should invest their money in quality hiking boots. After investing that much cash in this essential piece of outdoor gear, one should take care of it. Here are some tips from Dave Page, REI’s go-to person for footwear repairs, and called Read More >>
Ecotourism – life blood for some
“Ecotourism” as defined by Michael Klesius, “is responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of the local people.” He provided this definition in a September 2002 National Geographic article titled “State of the Planet.” When I read the definition of “Ecotourism” images of the plains of Africa, mysterious jungles Read More >>
Camping on a shoestring
The summer camping season is just beginning. It is time to enjoy a Mother nature. But alittle short on cash and camping equipment? Never fear, here are some suggestions: Tent – You could borrow a tent from a friend or use the back seat of your car but think about these two alternatives: buy an Read More >>
Best NF Campgrounds in Arizona
After more than twenty years of crisscrossing this magnificent country, visiting 156 national forests and 20 grasslands, Fred and Suzi Dow have come to appreciate the diversity of recreational opportunities found in national forests and grasslands. When asked, “What is the best campground?,” their answer often is “Depends on what you want to do.” This Read More >>
The humble earthworm
One of the more enduring national forest images I’ve carried in my mind for years is of a Grandpa teaching his granddaughter to fish. The pond small and not very clear but there on the bank was grandpa, wearing coveralls, kneeling next to a little girl with pigtails and dirty sneakers. Their heads were close Read More >>
