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Date: 10th May 2012
Incredible Place Great River Rafting
Dinosaur National Monument is an amazing place to visit. The dinosaur fossil quarry is worth the visit. There is also a lot of incredible hiking, Native American rock art sites and spectacular scenery. The rivers that flow through the monument the Green River and the Yampa River are must do trips. There is a local outfitter Dinosaur River Expeditions that specializes in these two rivers and provide a top notch river rafting trip. They have a really great website www.dinoadv.com check them out they offer some great family trips and really good kids pricing.
From Blog: Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, Dinosaur CO
Incredible Place Great River Rafting
Dinosaur National Monument is an amazing place to visit. The dinosaur fossil quarry is worth the visit. There is also a lot of incredible hiking, Native American rock art sites and spectacular scenery. The rivers that flow through the monument the Green River and the Yampa River are must do trips. There is a local outfitter Dinosaur River Expeditions that specializes in these two rivers and provide a top notch river rafting trip. They have a really great website www.dinoadv.com check them out they offer some great family trips and really good kids pricing.
From Blog: Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, Dinosaur CO
Date: 10th May 2012
Very cool.
I would love to go see that. I'll have to add it to our list.
From Blog: Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, Dinosaur CO
Very cool.
I would love to go see that. I'll have to add it to our list.
From Blog: Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, Dinosaur CO
Date: 1st May 2012
Hi Bill
We love your blogs and continue to follow you. If you write five hundred words your blog will show on the front page. Thanks for sharing the info.
From Blog: Snowmass, CO - Nofstger Zeigler Reservoir - Primitative man and Snowmastodon sites
Hi Bill
We love your blogs and continue to follow you. If you write five hundred words your blog will show on the front page. Thanks for sharing the info.
From Blog: Snowmass, CO - Nofstger Zeigler Reservoir - Primitative man and Snowmastodon sites
Date: 24th April 2012
Harper Corner Drive
I drive the Harper Corner road a lot during the summer months for work on the Green River. I highly recommend this drive and would suggest taking the drive very early in the day or early evening. Drive a little slower and watch for wildlife. You will see sage grouse, elk, mule deer and a lot more. Plus the sunrise or sunset will be spectacular. There area some great pull out locations along the way with excellent views of the Yampa River Canyon and Lodore Canyon. Both are incredible river trips, Dinosaur River Expeditions is the areas specialist in the river trips in Dinosaur National Monument it is worth checking them out for a great vacation their website is www.dinoadv.com
From Blog: Harpers Corner Scenic Drive, Dinosaur National Monument, CO
Harper Corner Drive
I drive the Harper Corner road a lot during the summer months for work on the Green River. I highly recommend this drive and would suggest taking the drive very early in the day or early evening. Drive a little slower and watch for wildlife. You will see sage grouse, elk, mule deer and a lot more. Plus the sunrise or sunset will be spectacular. There area some great pull out locations along the way with excellent views of the Yampa River Canyon and Lodore Canyon. Both are incredible river trips, Dinosaur River Expeditions is the areas specialist in the river trips in Dinosaur National Monument it is worth checking them out for a great vacation their website is www.dinoadv.com
From Blog: Harpers Corner Scenic Drive, Dinosaur National Monument, CO
Date: 6th April 2012
Thanks for the information!
I just got a baby Sulcata and I found your site. Thank you so much for the useful information, it did help with some questions I had in regards to him. Thanks again
From Blog: The Desert Tortoise
Thanks for the information!
I just got a baby Sulcata and I found your site. Thank you so much for the useful information, it did help with some questions I had in regards to him. Thanks again
From Blog: The Desert Tortoise
Date: 23rd March 2012
Was in the Buffington Pockets area for most of the day yesterday, 03-22-12.
To Bill Kettler 03-23-2012 I was in the Buffington Pockets area for most of the day yesterday, 03-22-12. I began from Bittersprings Road and traveled N E toward Buffington Pockets, a 20 mile trek according to that big old sign. I never did get to the petroglyphs area nor did I find any springs along the Bitter Spring Trail toward Buffington Pockets. My 08 Hummer & I will return again soon to take the northernmost forks in the roads. It is impossible to know which fork in the roads to take. Yesterday’s trek took me more than 25 miles from any paved road, but I never found the area that you have so eloquently photographed. Thank you Bill, for sharing this great adventure. I’m an old guy now, and my off-road photographic trips keep me motivated. Mike Goodold & too
From Blog: Buffington Pockets, Clark County Nevada
Was in the Buffington Pockets area for most of the day yesterday, 03-22-12.
To Bill Kettler 03-23-2012 I was in the Buffington Pockets area for most of the day yesterday, 03-22-12. I began from Bittersprings Road and traveled N E toward Buffington Pockets, a 20 mile trek according to that big old sign. I never did get to the petroglyphs area nor did I find any springs along the Bitter Spring Trail toward Buffington Pockets. My 08 Hummer & I will return again soon to take the northernmost forks in the roads. It is impossible to know which fork in the roads to take. Yesterday’s trek took me more than 25 miles from any paved road, but I never found the area that you have so eloquently photographed. Thank you Bill, for sharing this great adventure. I’m an old guy now, and my off-road photographic trips keep me motivated. Mike Goodold & too
From Blog: Buffington Pockets, Clark County Nevada
Date: 30th January 2012
Love reading about your hiking
thanks for going off the beaten path
From Blog: Basalt Wildlife Management Area
Love reading about your hiking
thanks for going off the beaten path
From Blog: Basalt Wildlife Management Area
Date: 22nd January 2012
We love the Glenwood Springs area
It is nice to find the off the beaten path springs rather than always going to the commercial ones.
From Blog: South Canyon Mineral Hot Springs
We love the Glenwood Springs area
It is nice to find the off the beaten path springs rather than always going to the commercial ones.
From Blog: South Canyon Mineral Hot Springs
Date: 2nd December 2011
I have a Sulcata. Had him 6 years now. This is some great information on your blog. I had no idea they used their gular horn's in battle! Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
From Blog: The Desert Tortoise
I have a Sulcata. Had him 6 years now. This is some great information on your blog. I had no idea they used their gular horn's in battle! Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
From Blog: The Desert Tortoise
Date: 2nd November 2011
The Facts
HOW WAS SHAMANS’ PANEL DISCOVERED? (Source: Gordon Smith’s website) The panel was discovered in 1986 by Gordon Smith, a Grand Canyon mule wrangler and guide, in Tuckup Canyon, a side canyon north of the main gorge. Gordon photographed the panel and sent pictures to Dick Marks, the then acting Park Service superintendent. A few weeks later Gordon received a return letter questioning the provenance of the photographs and suggesting they were taken from an aboriginal site in Australia. Gordon then met with archeologist Jan Balsom and an assistant, showed them up to 100 different sites on top of the rim, and hiked them into the Panel. Four months later, he took Polly Schasma, a rock art specialist, and other park service personnel to the site at the behest of the Park Service. Using mules to pack in supplies, they stayed a week. April 1989 Arizona Highways magazine stated that this may be the most remarkable Rock Art panel discovered on the North American continent, and in fact the oldest prehistoric evidence of man in the Grand Canyon. They also stated that the paintings were made before the Giza pyramids were built. The Reason I made the web site Gordons Panel was the fact that the NPS tried to debunk me bringing this site out in the open in 86, I was told I would get the credit if I took them there, and they tried later to debunk what I found, Polly had no right to name this site, that burnt me,what people dont know is that there was also a documentry shot at the site and I have copys of that film, I was interviewed and the facts are in the interview on film, so these people trying to debunk who found this site best be very carefull, becausde I may see them in Court, Kind Regards Gordon Smith
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
The Facts
HOW WAS SHAMANS’ PANEL DISCOVERED? (Source: Gordon Smith’s website) The panel was discovered in 1986 by Gordon Smith, a Grand Canyon mule wrangler and guide, in Tuckup Canyon, a side canyon north of the main gorge. Gordon photographed the panel and sent pictures to Dick Marks, the then acting Park Service superintendent. A few weeks later Gordon received a return letter questioning the provenance of the photographs and suggesting they were taken from an aboriginal site in Australia. Gordon then met with archeologist Jan Balsom and an assistant, showed them up to 100 different sites on top of the rim, and hiked them into the Panel. Four months later, he took Polly Schasma, a rock art specialist, and other park service personnel to the site at the behest of the Park Service. Using mules to pack in supplies, they stayed a week. April 1989 Arizona Highways magazine stated that this may be the most remarkable Rock Art panel discovered on the North American continent, and in fact the oldest prehistoric evidence of man in the Grand Canyon. They also stated that the paintings were made before the Giza pyramids were built. The Reason I made the web site Gordons Panel was the fact that the NPS tried to debunk me bringing this site out in the open in 86, I was told I would get the credit if I took them there, and they tried later to debunk what I found, Polly had no right to name this site, that burnt me,what people dont know is that there was also a documentry shot at the site and I have copys of that film, I was interviewed and the facts are in the interview on film, so these people trying to debunk who found this site best be very carefull, becausde I may see them in Court, Kind Regards Gordon Smith
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Date: 2nd November 2011
The Debunking by NPS
HOW WAS SHAMANS’ PANEL DISCOVERED? (Source: Gordon Smith’s website) The panel was discovered in 1986 by Gordon Smith, a Grand Canyon mule wrangler and guide, in Tuckup Canyon, a side canyon north of the main gorge. Gordon photographed the panel and sent pictures to Dick Marks, the then acting Park Service superintendent. A few weeks later Gordon received a return letter questioning the provenance of the photographs and suggesting they were taken from an aboriginal site in Australia. Gordon then met with archeologist Jan Balsom and an assistant, showed them up to 100 different sites on top of the rim, and hiked them into the Panel. Four months later, he took Polly Schasma, a rock art specialist, and other park service personnel to the site at the behest of the Park Service. Using mules to pack in supplies, they stayed a week. April 1989 Arizona Highways magazine stated that this may be the most remarkable Rock Art panel discovered on the North American continent, and in fact the oldest prehistoric evidence of man in the Grand Canyon. They also stated that the paintings were made before the Giza pyramids were built.
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
The Debunking by NPS
HOW WAS SHAMANS’ PANEL DISCOVERED? (Source: Gordon Smith’s website) The panel was discovered in 1986 by Gordon Smith, a Grand Canyon mule wrangler and guide, in Tuckup Canyon, a side canyon north of the main gorge. Gordon photographed the panel and sent pictures to Dick Marks, the then acting Park Service superintendent. A few weeks later Gordon received a return letter questioning the provenance of the photographs and suggesting they were taken from an aboriginal site in Australia. Gordon then met with archeologist Jan Balsom and an assistant, showed them up to 100 different sites on top of the rim, and hiked them into the Panel. Four months later, he took Polly Schasma, a rock art specialist, and other park service personnel to the site at the behest of the Park Service. Using mules to pack in supplies, they stayed a week. April 1989 Arizona Highways magazine stated that this may be the most remarkable Rock Art panel discovered on the North American continent, and in fact the oldest prehistoric evidence of man in the Grand Canyon. They also stated that the paintings were made before the Giza pyramids were built.
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Date: 16th October 2011
Road
Wow i was their today and thank God we have a 4x4 the road has washed out since the rain . Still great out their Have Fun
From Blog: Buffington Pockets, Clark County Nevada
Road
Wow i was their today and thank God we have a 4x4 the road has washed out since the rain . Still great out their Have Fun
From Blog: Buffington Pockets, Clark County Nevada
Date: 8th August 2011
Another nice blog
Looks like your adventures continue. Looking forward to reading more.
From Blog: Sand Island Petroglyphs - Bluff
Another nice blog
Looks like your adventures continue. Looking forward to reading more.
From Blog: Sand Island Petroglyphs - Bluff
Date: 29th April 2011
Ghost
Bill, From Gordons panel to the South about 3 miles, there is cotton wood spring, with big cotton wood trees and water, acient mines, copper, 100 yrd about from the mines to the west are over hangs with painted ghosts on ceilings,not to spook you but if you camp there at night you will have a ghost visitor that throws rocks, very spooky indeed, have had to bail out of tents in the night for cover, this thing will also follow you in the day, dont take my word for it, at the trail head at Tuck up walk to the south just enough to look below the rim, the trees you see is cotton wood, I have in the past went straight to the east instead of down the trail, out to the Island and then went off the cliff in some breaks and then directly to the mines and then climbed straight up to the trail head, it can be done with lots of nerve, I did it before I got old, Kind Regards Gordon Smith, Of Gordons Panel.
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Ghost
Bill, From Gordons panel to the South about 3 miles, there is cotton wood spring, with big cotton wood trees and water, acient mines, copper, 100 yrd about from the mines to the west are over hangs with painted ghosts on ceilings,not to spook you but if you camp there at night you will have a ghost visitor that throws rocks, very spooky indeed, have had to bail out of tents in the night for cover, this thing will also follow you in the day, dont take my word for it, at the trail head at Tuck up walk to the south just enough to look below the rim, the trees you see is cotton wood, I have in the past went straight to the east instead of down the trail, out to the Island and then went off the cliff in some breaks and then directly to the mines and then climbed straight up to the trail head, it can be done with lots of nerve, I did it before I got old, Kind Regards Gordon Smith, Of Gordons Panel.
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Date: 29th April 2011
Ghost
Bill, From Gordons panel to the South about 3 miles, there is cotton wood spring, with big cotton wood trees and water, acient mines, copper, 100 yrd about from the mines to the west are over hangs with painted ghosts on ceilings,not to spook you but if you camp there at night you will have a ghost visitor that throws rocks, very spooky indeed, have had to bail out of tents in the night for cover, this thing will also follow you in the day, dont take my word for it, at the trail head at Tuck up walk to the south just enough to look below the rim, the trees you see is cotton wood, I have in the past went straight to the east instead of down the trail, out to the Island and then went off the cliff in some breaks and then directly to the mines and then climbed straight up to the trail head, it can be done with lots of nerve, I did it before I got old, Kind Regards Gordon Smith, Of Gordons Panel.
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Ghost
Bill, From Gordons panel to the South about 3 miles, there is cotton wood spring, with big cotton wood trees and water, acient mines, copper, 100 yrd about from the mines to the west are over hangs with painted ghosts on ceilings,not to spook you but if you camp there at night you will have a ghost visitor that throws rocks, very spooky indeed, have had to bail out of tents in the night for cover, this thing will also follow you in the day, dont take my word for it, at the trail head at Tuck up walk to the south just enough to look below the rim, the trees you see is cotton wood, I have in the past went straight to the east instead of down the trail, out to the Island and then went off the cliff in some breaks and then directly to the mines and then climbed straight up to the trail head, it can be done with lots of nerve, I did it before I got old, Kind Regards Gordon Smith, Of Gordons Panel.
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Date: 29th April 2011
GOOD WORK and Thanks
Thanks for the truth, Regards Gordon Smith
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
GOOD WORK and Thanks
Thanks for the truth, Regards Gordon Smith
From Blog: Gordon's Panel, also known as Shamans Gallery
Date: 15th April 2011
Grand Canyon Question
Hi Bill, Came across your website on the Shaman's Panel. Fantastic photos. I used to live out in Cortez, CO and spent my free time exploring as many pictographs and petroglyphs as I could find. I've known about the Shaman's Panel for a long time but haven't gone because I drive a Honda Civic. Well, I really want to see these works. I'm headed out from Oregon and am planning on renting a truck from St. George and driving down early May. That said, I cannot find directions to the trailhead. I've found some vague references but I'm worried about spending the $200 plus to rent the vehicle and not being able to find the trailhead. Could I give you a call and speak with you or would you be willing to share some road directions with me? I would really, really appreciate any help here. Hoping all is well! Nathan Anderson 503-890-8747
Grand Canyon Question
Hi Bill, Came across your website on the Shaman's Panel. Fantastic photos. I used to live out in Cortez, CO and spent my free time exploring as many pictographs and petroglyphs as I could find. I've known about the Shaman's Panel for a long time but haven't gone because I drive a Honda Civic. Well, I really want to see these works. I'm headed out from Oregon and am planning on renting a truck from St. George and driving down early May. That said, I cannot find directions to the trailhead. I've found some vague references but I'm worried about spending the $200 plus to rent the vehicle and not being able to find the trailhead. Could I give you a call and speak with you or would you be willing to share some road directions with me? I would really, really appreciate any help here. Hoping all is well! Nathan Anderson 503-890-8747
Date: 15th March 2011
Look forward to hiking some of these locations.
Look forward to hiking some of these locations.
Date: 16th February 2011
wow
Love the photos, theyre amazing and have such a feel to them, so much history left in those rooms and so much of the unknown I have such goose bumps....
From Blog: CALICO GHOST TOWN
wow
Love the photos, theyre amazing and have such a feel to them, so much history left in those rooms and so much of the unknown I have such goose bumps....
From Blog: CALICO GHOST TOWN
Date: 28th January 2011
Continue on
I hope someday to have the time to visit a few of these locations. You've found some good ones.
From Blog: Death Valley Junction Ghost Town
Continue on
I hope someday to have the time to visit a few of these locations. You've found some good ones.
From Blog: Death Valley Junction Ghost Town

































D MJ Binkley
Dave & Merry Jo Binkley
I love reading your blogs.
There will be a day in the future when we re-trace your steps on many of these adventures. Can't wait to read the next one.
From Blog: Rainbow Ghost Town, UT