traveler

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 4)

Posted on November 1, 2022November 19, 2022 by traveler

Utah has five national parks. I’ve previously visited Zion National Park, so my game plan was to try to visit the remaining four parks during this trip. However, one thing had to be taken into account. Utah is a big state in area, and the roads between the parks were not exactly direct or were…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 3)

Posted on November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by traveler

I described myself as an eco-tourist on Tripadvisor because I enjoy travelling, but I usually work with a limited budget. Purchasing the senior national park pass two years ago has been a major benefit to me on that front. It’s has especially come in handy for this trip. Instead of paying $30-35 to enter one…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 2)

Posted on October 30, 2022November 19, 2022 by traveler

I was just a few miles from the entrance to Death Valley National Park. I got a very early start, so I took some pictures of the sun rise. It had felt a little weird to run air conditioning again the night before, but then again, I had used it while in the Irvine/L.A. areas,…

The Singin’ Tourist in the SW USA (Day 1)

Posted on October 30, 2022October 30, 2022 by traveler

Sunday night after dinner with my friends, I decided to find Newport Beach, where I was scheduled officially to begin the tourist part of my trip. I had purchased a ticket through Tripadvisor to go whale watching early Monday morning. I’m glad I found where things were situated Sunday night when everything was quiet and…

Business First–AAASA Conference

Posted on October 30, 2022July 13, 2023 by traveler

Usually when I drive, I am free to take as much “stuff” as I want and leave at my convenience. However, I had scheduled a hair appointment in Des Moines because I wanted it to look its best for my presentation. I somehow managed to get out late yet still arrive only ten minutes late…

A Bit of Business, A Bit of Fun

Posted on October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 by traveler

This “how many national parks can I visit in a week” trip has been on my radar for quite a while. I finally have a shot of actually doing it! The trip is now part business and part pleasure. I am scheduled to give a lecture on the development of concert spirituals during the Harlem…

NATS-Tennessee Workshop

Posted on June 5, 2022July 28, 2023 by traveler

It’s always good when I can combine business and a few days of vacation in one trip. Sorry that this posting is being added eight months after the fact, but better late than never, I guess. This was my first journey since the world went on lockdown due to the COVID pandemic. I’d done several…

Seven National Parks in Ten Days–Can It Be Done?

Posted on May 24, 2022May 30, 2022 by traveler

I’m not sure exactly when I became a fan of national parks, but I am one. I couldn’t wait to be able to get my senior pass, but now I have it I want to put it to good use. I had visited both Rocky Mountain NP and Zion NP with my mother in 2012,…

A New Normal? Prepping to Get Back on the Road

Posted on May 12, 2022July 13, 2023 by traveler

Sorry it’s been so long since I last posted. Real life has been REAL for everyone! I’ve limited most of my interactions to virtual events, but I do owe a post or two about the trip to the NATS workshop in Tennessee in October 2021, so I’ll try to get to it after I finish…

Have Card, Will Travel

Posted on November 15, 2020July 28, 2023 by traveler

Now that I had SB and she had proven herself to be road worthy, I wanted to really put her to the test. Also, with my recent last birthday, I could now purchase a senior lifetime national park card, thus ending the annual card fees. The only thing I had to determine was whether there…