cashley10
Craig Ashley Joined: July 26th 2006
Logged in: February 3rd 2011
Logged in: February 3rd 2011
Travel Blog Posts
Grand Canyon
Last day before I start my LONG drive home. I went to the Grand Canyon this morning. What a place!!!! It is huge and overwhelming how large it is. The shapes that are present in the canyon were awesome and to find out that the canyon averages about 10 miles across is stunning. I spent several hours at the park and enjoyed seeing it. As I was leaving, I heard the call of a bull elk. It was pretty close to where I was parked. A great way to end a visit to the Grand Canyon. I started my trip home. I did decide to stop at the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park. The logs were so very colorful and it was cool to see the way they looked. They also have a bunch ... read more
Cliff Palace
It has been a few days since I have given an update. What a few days, I have been to three amazing National Parks. Monday I went to Arches and Canyonlands in Utah. These were two amazing parks to see. I had not planned to visit Canyonlands but a hiker I had talked to in Glacier recommended it and it was worth the time spent in there. I also spent a little time in the outdoor activity hub of Moab UT. The colors of the rocks in the parks are amazing. Also had the chance to stop at Newspaper Rock on the way into Canyonlands.. There are drawings on this rock from well over 700 years ago!! I drove to Cortez CO and spent the night there to make into Mesa Verde the next day. Mesa ... read more
What a day!!!! I am trying to do an organized event in all 50 states. While on this trip, I had knocked out two more states and CO was on the agenda for today. 25k should be about 15.5 miles. It WAS NOT 15 probably a bit closer to 17. The run started in Marble at an elevation of 7,950 feet. I didn't really know that going into the run. The run gained 2,900 feet in almost 6 miles. It started to drizzle some at mile 4. It really started to rain at mile 7.5 and it was probably in the mid 40's for the entire race. It was a tough race and I'm feeling it in my feet and legs. The scenery of the race was impressive!! The Aspen trees are turning colors. Most of ... read more
Storm in Victor ID
Today started in Victor ID. I left Whitefish Friday and drove to Victor to run in the Horseshoe Canyon 10k trail race this morning. I love the Teton Valley. It is so impressive to see the HUGE peaks of the Teton range just shooting up from the valley floor. I camped in Victor for the night and had the chance to watch a storm blow off the western slopes of the mountains. It was a gorgeous sight to see. I was concerned about getting wet in my tent but the storm blew away. I walked out of my tent about 2:30 am and was astonished by the amount of stars that were visible in the very clear sky. It really lets you know how small we are in the galaxy. I ran the 10k race which ... read more
Otokomi Lake
I have had a couple of laid back days in the area. Just took it easy Tuesday still recovering from my run. Wednesday, I decided to go back into Glacier and do another hike. I decided to hike Otokiimo Lake. It is 5.2 miles one way and gains about 1,900 feet up the trail. It was a tough hike and I was really working to cover the distance. The clear blue green water of the lake made the tough walk up well worth it. The water was really cold. I decided to wade in and cool my feet after the long hike. I stopped at the Logan's Pass Visitor Center on the way back down the Going to the Sun Road. There were two mountain goats in the parking lot. I also found out that I ... read more
Iceburg Lake
I am pretty sore from my run yesterday. I hung around the place for a while and finally decided to go back to Glacier and go for a hike. I went to the Many Glacier area of the park and decided to do the Iceburg Lake hike. It is five miles one way I was a bit concerned going out by myself after all the bear warnings. I was very aware of every noise around me. While I was walking, two birds walked out in front of me. When the third walked out in between my feet, I just about jumped off the mountain. The color of the water in the lake was incredible. It made the ten mile walk worth it. The views all around the trail were amazing. I went back across the going ... read more
I did the Two Bear Half Marathon this morning in Whitefish MT. It was a brisk morning in town and by the time they dropped us off at the start it was really cold. The course was very scenic as we ran by Whitefish Lake. About 160 people competed in the half marathon. I did better than I had expected. Because of the all the time I have spent in my car and eating junk. I figured my time would be close to three hours. My time was about 2:25. I just relaxed for the rest of the day. Will probably head back into Glacier again tomorrow.... read more
Hidden Lake
Glad to be in one place for several days. All of the driving in the last week has been rough. From the parking area at my condo, I can see several of the ski runs at the Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort. I got up and drove over to Glacier National Park. The natural beauty hits you as soon as you drive in the park and gets better as you drive. The park is crossed from west to east by one main road called the Going-to-the-Sun Road. That is an experience to drive across this road. I drove to the high point of the road at Logan's Pass. Pretty neat to see all the license plates in the parking lot at Logan's Pass. They are from all over. I did a 3 mile round trip hike to ... read more
Road block
Another day and another 400 miles!! Glad i don't have to drive much for the next few days. It was chilly again this morning in West Yellowstone. I went back into Yellowstone one last time before I left the area. I got to see a couple of more bison before I left. That made my day, they are great creatures. Then it was back on the road for the long drive to Whitefish. It was a long day driving but the topography is really awesome and makes the drive a bit more bearable. I am at my condo and just got a few things to start the week. I am also trying to rest up for the Two Bear half marathon that I'm doing Sunday.... read more
Lower Falls
What a day!!!! I left before 9 AM to go into the park. It was a breezy 33 degrees when I rolled in and found about 5 elk beside the river and one of them in it. About 2 miles later I finally found my bison. There is not an animal that symbolizes the West more than a bison. I was really glad to finally get a good look at one. I would end up following one down the road later on in the day. Here it was just meandering down the road in my lane. That kind of thing happens all the time here apparently but wow it was cool. because of road closure I had to drive WAY out of the way to get around in the park so I made the best of ... read more
