Uncle Jack

A Few U.S.A. West Coast Bridges.

Historic Bridges and some not, …………………. These bridges were photographed in September, 2022 as I drove from Vancouver, B.C., Canada to San Francisco, California, after a cruise to Alaska, plus two bridges I photographed in 2021. There are wooden bridges and steel bridges and concrete bridges for vehicles and bridges for people. All these bridgesContinue reading “A Few U.S.A. West Coast Bridges.”

Dry Tortugas Cruise.

The impetus for this cruise started in April, 1970, when I camped on Marquesas Key. Marquesas Key is 48 miles east of the Dry Tortugas. (Marquesas Key is 20 miles west of Key West.) Pete and I talked about going to the Dry Tortugas someday in a small boat. Pete eventually went, I never followedContinue reading “Dry Tortugas Cruise.”

Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park is a nearly 3,500-sq.-mile wilderness recreation area atop a volcanic hot spot. Mostly in Wyoming, the park spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho too. Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. It’s also home to hundreds of animal species,Continue reading “Yellowstone National Park.”

Stockade Lake Trail, Black Hills, SD.

This trailhead is located on the southeast side of Stockade Lake, across from a sandy swimming beach. This trail ascends through a Ponderosa Pine forest to a ridge line. The 1.5 mile hike is considered moderately difficult because of the 390 foot climb. The trail is well marked with blue diamonds nailed into trees. OnContinue reading “Stockade Lake Trail, Black Hills, SD.”

Center Lake Lost Trail, Black Hills, SD.

This is a lightly trafficked loop trail that circles a dammed lake, and is located off of Playhouse Road between Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. I encountered only one lady on the trail, the day I hiked. The trail had been lost and forgotten for years. It has recently been re-discovered with the historyContinue reading “Center Lake Lost Trail, Black Hills, SD.”

Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, Black Hills, SD.

The Sylvan Lake Shore Trail offers passing motorists on the Needles Highway an opportunity to stretch their legs on a leisurely 1 mile walk. This is a trail that the whole family can enjoy. While most of this trail is relatively flat, a portion contains steps and crosses exposed rocky areas that are not easilyContinue reading “Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, Black Hills, SD.”

Presidential Trail, Black Hills, SD.

I walked the 0.6 mile long interruptive Presidential Trail with 422 stairs on Monday, September 20, 2021 to get up close and personal with the sculptures. I can not over emphasise how the trail goes right under these giant sculptures and gets you a lot closer than just staying at the visitor’s center with severalContinue reading “Presidential Trail, Black Hills, SD.”

Jewel Cave National Monument, SD.

Beneath the Black Hills National Forest is the Jewel Cave National Monument containing the Jewel Cave, currently the third longest cave in the world, with over 200 miles of mapped passageways. It is located approximately 13 miles west of Custer in the Black Hills National Forest. It was discovered in 1900 and became a nationalContinue reading “Jewel Cave National Monument, SD.”

Black Hills, SD – Wanderings.

Pick apart areas of the Black Hills National Forest I’ve experienced by clicking an area of interest to you. Jack’s Black Hills Scenic & Historic Wanderings: Wyoming: Devils Tower Tower Trail South Dakota: Black Hills National Forest Crazy Horse Memorial Custer State Park Iron Mountain Road Needles Highway Sylvan Lake Shore Trail Center Lake LostContinue reading “Black Hills, SD – Wanderings.”

Professor Samuel’s Portrait Emporium, Keystone, SD.

Ms. Traci and her dad scouting the Old West in 1986. Dress up photography with many costumes and western backdrops at Professor Samuel’s Portrait Emporium across the street from the 1888 Train stop and down the street from the Big Thunder Gold Mine, in Keystone, SD. What I wish I had done in 2021 isContinue reading “Professor Samuel’s Portrait Emporium, Keystone, SD.”