Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller NHP

Green Pastures and Green Mountains

Walk through one of Vermont's most beautiful landscapes, under the shade of sugar maples and 400-year-old hemlocks, across covered bridges and alongside rambling stone walls. This is a landscape of loss, recovery, and conservation. This is a story of stewardship, of people taking care of places - sharing an enduring connection to land and a sense of hope for the future.

Sept 15 2011
Different for a NHP. We are still trying to wrap our finger around the reason this one is in the National Park system. We did not take the tour of the house so guess we will stop by again and spend some time here.

NPS webpage

Our 64th NPS Unit

Saint-Gaudens NHS

Step into the world of one of America’s greatest artists

Discover the home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s greatest sculptors. See over 100 of his artworks in the galleries and on the grounds, from heroic public monuments to expressive portrait reliefs, and the gold coins which changed the look of American coinage. Enjoy summer concerts, explore nature trails, or indulge your hidden talents during a sculpture class.

Sept 13 2011
We Thought this would be a short visit but we were so wrong. There is so much to see here and taking your time is the best way to take it all in. Saint-Gaudens was a great sculpture and his work can be found across this country.

NPS webpage

Our 63rd NPS Unit

                                                          

Springfield Armory NHS

                          

Forging Arms for the Nation

For nearly two centuries, the US Armed Forces and American industry looked to Springfield Armory for innovative engineering and superior firearms. Springfield Armory National Historic Site commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory by preserving and interpreting the world's largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings, and landscapes.

Sept 12 2011
This was a great site and a must for anyone into the history of Firearms. This Armory played a vital role in every conflict this country has been involved in. There are firearms across the times from the 1700's to modern time's. Plan on a long visit to take all in all this site has to offer.

NPS webpage

Our 62nd NPS Unit

Morristown NHP

Where America Survived

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental army’s winter encampment of December 1779 to June 1780, where they survived through what would be the coldest winter on record. The park also maintains a museum & library collection related to the encampments & George Washington, as well as items relating to pre- and post-Revolutionary America.

Sept 9 2011
This was a second visit park. A vital point in our fight for Independence. A must see and tour is the house George Washington stayed, then spend some time at Jockey Hollow to learn how the troops fought to survive a very hard winter.

NPS webpage

Our 30th NPS Unit

Rocky Mountain NP

Feel Like You’re On Top of the World!

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times. In a world of superlatives, Rocky is on top!

Aug 8 2011
So much to see but we had only a day.  We took the drive up to Alpine visitors center and a enjoy a refreshing visit. We also took in the Visitors Centers at Fall River, Beaver Meadows, and Moraine Park.  This park will be on our must return list as there is still much to see and do.

NPS webpage

Our 61st NPS Unit and 10th National Park

                                                  

                                                   

Bighorn Canyon NRA

                               

Spectacular Views, Endless Opportunity

The vast, wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural world, and experience the wonders of this extraordinary place. With over 120,000 acres, one can find an astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife, and more than 10,000 years of human history to explore.

Aug 5 2011
We spent a day here finding the heard's of wild horse's and other wildlife. The views from top of the canyon are breath taking and can give the grand canyon a good run for best view for a canyon. We did not make it to the North side of the park so this is another one to go on the return list.
NPS webpage

Our 58th NPS Unit 

                                                  

Thomas Edison NHP

Where Modern America Was Invented

Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory are a step back in time, when machines were run by belts and pulleys and music was played on phonographs.  Where to the passerby, the buildings betray little evidence of the industries they once started.  Discover where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever.

June 17 2011
There is so much to see and do here. This time we also took in the Glenmont Estate. Plan on spending some time here to get it all in.

Mar 2 2011

This was a solo trip. Still have to take in the Laboratory complex. With so much to see there will be a return trip to here with the wife to explore more of the laboratory and Glenmont Estate. 

NPS webpage

Our 57th NPS Unit

New Bedford Whaling NHP

The City That Lit The World

"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. One and all, they were harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea."

Apr 9 2011
A solo visit. A great way to learn about the early whaling industry in North America. Still much to see so a return visit is in order.

NPS webpage

Our 56th NPS Unit