∞

It’s my first time flying out of Mesa-Gateway airport. OHSO Brewing offered us roadie red solo cups so we could bring beer to our gate, which feels a bit Vegas but is a nice policy.

I’m 100% certain that we are the only tourists on this flight to (checks notes again) Grand Island Nebraska 🤣 25.08A

∞

Our weekend trip to central Nebraska

We’re off to Grand Island, Nebraska this afternoon, taking advantage of a cheap flight to tackle a blank space on our county quest map.

Our itinerary, or lack thereof

We don’t have much on our itinerary, and plan to play most of the weekend…by ear 🌽😉 (sorry).

That said, the general plan is to head northwest along scenic Hwy 2 through the Sand Hills region up to Carhenge (the only “must-see” on our trip), then loop our way south and back towards Grand Island. If we have time, we’ll overshoot a bit and do a shorter loop around the Columbus-Norfolk area. We fly home Sunday evening, so we have less than 3 days to explore. Will we travel fast and pack each day as full as we can? Or will we take a more leisurely approach and simply enjoy a relaxing weekend away in cooler temps? No idea!

We’ll likely focus our route on strategically marking off a bunch of unvisited counties, while still seeing anything of interest along our route. I’ve already done large swaths of the historic trails (Oregon, California, Pony Express, et al) that cross the state, but I’m sure we’ll make a few related stops. And there are some other attractions—such as the Golden Spike Tower, Great Platte River Road Archway, and some smaller history museums—that are on our list.

And by luck, it happens to be opening weekend at the Nebraska State Fair (great domain, btw), which is conveniently located in Grand Island, so we may try to add that on Sunday prior to flying out. Then again, I see that it’ll be “4-H Day” at the fair, so…maybe not.

To tank, or not to tank?

The only truly “Nebraska” activity we’re considering (besides, perhaps, getting some Runza) is going tanking.

What’s tanking, you ask? Well, it’s akin to tubing down a river in a metal cattle tank. It’s apparently a legit local thing; a whole bunch of river outfitters rent them, and there are even tanking races, too.

Why might we go tanking? Just for the shits and giggles, really. And hey, I love relaxing river trips, and it’s been awhile since I’ve paddled my beloved Lower Salt River. I’ve also been contemplating adopting a new quest of paddling on a river in some minimum number of states, so this could add Nebraska to my list.

I’m not sure if the timing will work, or if the weather will cooperate, or if we should be out on the water for so long given my recent health issues (my doc barred me from kayaking for now; but hey, he never said anything about tanking).

Either way, we’ve tried to pack in a way that gives us the option of doing some tanking if the opportunity arises. And if it doesn’t happen this trip, I’m pretty sure that we’ll be back to do it at some point. These cheap flights to Grand Island might help unlock some future trips to the fly-over states that we wouldn’t have otherwise considered.

A new travel cooler

Speaking of packing, we’re big fans of having a cooler on road trips, so that we always have cold beverages available, even in remote areas or if we break down.

Most of our road trips originate from home, so it’s easy to bring a cooler or two. But even when we fly to a distant destination and rent a car, we often snag a cheap cooler from Walmart after we land, then donate it to someone in need or a charity shop on our way back to the airport.

But this trip is a bit unusual for us, as we’re only flying in for a long weekend, which makes the per-day cost of a cooler purchase much less appealing. An added challenge is that, because we bought such a cheap flight on a budget airline, we can’t bring any luggage. Instead, we must fit everything we need into a “personal item” that fits under the seat.

That led us to look for a small packable cooler that could fit in our small backpack. We tried a few different options before settling on one that holds 18 cans and folds down to about 3” thick, which we can make work. It has a rigid folding bar on each side, which seems like a great feature to help give it some additional stability.

Since we aren’t travel camping on this trip, we’ll have access to hotel ice machines each day, so even a poorly insulated cooler like this should work just fine for our needs.

Posts during the trip

I don’t expect to post any of my OTD photo posts for #Blaugust during the trip. But hopefully I can get caught back up on those yet again after we return.

In the meanwhile, I do hope to get at least a few trip photos posted to rsjon.es while we’re traveling. I’ll be the primary driver this weekend, so Jen will likely update her own site more frequently than I do. So if you’re dying to see if we didn’t die tanking, check out her site, too.

∞

Jen & I had our first “date” in Ironwood Forest National Monument, and I helped launch the Friends of Ironwood Forest five years before that. It’s an incredible landscape worthy of permanent federal protection. That’s now under threat: Ironwood Forest National Monument—Arizona’s hidden treasure

∞

Aug 19 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Sheep in Wales, Iceland, Waterwheel, North Cascades

Another belated post—and more Wales, more Iceland, and more domestic adventures.

On Aug 19 2023,

…we wrapped up our time in Wales before heading to the airport to fly home.

On Aug 19 2021,

…we had another fun day in Iceland, visiting some waterfalls, doing some short hikes, and finding ourselves some fun street art.

Wait wait wait…

…was that a sheep staring me down back in that first Wales photo? Yep, yes it sure was. Look buddy, I’ve got my eye on you too.

On Aug 19 2018,

…my friend Jessica and I had camped in Coconino National Forest, then hit the Waterwheel recreation area on Houston Mesa.

On Aug 19 2017,

…we spent the day at the North Cascades Parks Complex (which is includes the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which most people mistake for North Cascades itself).

∞

Aug 18 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Iceland, Wales, water in the desert, Isle Royale

I’m posting a bit out of order again today, as I’d like to highlight this day in Iceland. I had to leave out a number of other years, too—August is quite the busy travel month.

On Aug 18 2021,

…we had an excellent day in Iceland. What an amazing place. I included some roadway shots, because even those are scenic as hell.

A majestic waterfall cascades over rugged cliffs with a faint rainbow visible near the misty base.

People are enjoying a swim in outdoor pools with a scenic view of the ocean and distant mountains under a bright sun.

A small, turf-roofed house stands in a grassy landscape with a tree nearby and mountains in the background.

A red house sits on a green field with snow-capped mountains and a body of water in the background.

A majestic waterfall cascades down rocky cliffs into a smooth, flowing river, surrounded by a rugged landscape.

A couple wearing sunglasses takes a selfie in front of a large waterfall surrounded by rocky cliffs.

A long, empty road stretches through a picturesque valley with green hills and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A scenic road runs alongside a lush green hillside leading up to a rugged mountain peak, with clouds drifting above.

A winding road leads through a verdant valley with a mountain partially covered in mist under a clear blue sky.

A serene mountain landscape features a flowing stream surrounded by lush greenery and rocky terrain under a partly cloudy sky.

A rushing river flows beneath a bridge, surrounded by lush greenery and rocky terrain, with a distant mountain peak visible under a cloudy sky.

A traffic light displays a red light in the shape of a heart.

On Aug 18 2023,

…we had a great day in Wales, too. More great scenery!

A winding road cuts through a lush, mountainous landscape beneath a cloudy sky.

A rustic wooden bridge spans a small stream in a lush, green mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky.

An ancient stone castle with round towers is situated on a rocky hill, surrounded by a grassy landscape under a cloudy sky.

A picturesque valley landscape features lush green fields, a winding road, and a distant lake under a cloudy sky.

A river flows through a rocky gorge surrounded by lush green trees.

On Aug 18 2018,

…my friend Carrie and I paddled around Bartlett Lake, in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Scottsdale. Stands of saguaro near water is a special thing.

A blue kayak floats on a calm river surrounded by rocky hills and desert vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.

A serene scene of a calm lake reflecting a desert landscape with a kayak in the foreground and a partly cloudy sky above.

A lakeside scene features tall cacti and sparse vegetation reflected in calm water under a partly cloudy sky.

On Aug 18 2018,

…I spent the day up at Fossil Creek—another gem in the desert—with my old twitter friend Jessica. We made a weekend out of it, camping that night up on the Mogollon Rim, with a great sunset.

On Aug 18 2012,

…I was apparently in Isle Royale National Park. We’re looking to return in 2026 to celebrate our friend Krista’s completion of her 63 National Parks quest.

∞

Aug 17 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Conwy, Myvatn, and…Cabinetlandia?

I’m a few days behind on my OTD posts, here’s one fro Aug 17th.

On Aug 17 2023,

…we spent the day in Wales, among other sites, visiting the castle at Conwy and the town with the longest place name in the world.

A stone suspension bridge with tall, castle-like towers stretches across the image under a cloudy sky.

A towering stone castle with crenellated walls rises under a clear blue sky.

A large, rusty heart-shaped lock hangs on an old wooden door reinforced with metal studs and chains.

A historic stone castle with tall round towers stands on a rocky hill under a cloudy sky, surrounded by greenery and a small road.

A historic stone castle with round towers stands against a blue sky, with flags visible atop the structure.

A grassy mound with an entrance made of large stones and a standing stone in the foreground.

A brick train station building features a long sign with the name of a Welsh village, Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch.

A railway station platform displays a sign with the famously long name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

A green building with multiple windows houses Patrick's, a pub featuring Irish-themed decor and lighting.

On Feb 17 2021,

…we visited the Myvatn geothermal region, and finally did the Icelandic hot spring thing.

People are enjoying a geothermal hot spring surrounded by rocks, mist, and lounge chairs with towels.

A paved pathway winds through a rocky landscape with green vegetation and cloudy skies.

A serene landscape features a clear body of water with rock formations and greenery under a cloudy sky.

A clear blue lake is surrounded by barren, rocky hills under a cloudy sky.

Who needs a shower?

A solitary fountain sprays water onto a barren, rocky landscape surrounded by grassy hills under a cloudy sky.

On Aug 17 2019,

…I visited Cabinetlandia!

Look, I’m not sure how to describe it, but it’s worth checking out the much longer blog post I later wrote about it. It’s an intriguing story. Anyway, here’sthe video tour I recorded without knowing any of the background, which somehow holds up pretty well:

On Aug 17 2014,

…I visited Uncle Bear’s Brewing in Ahwatukee with my friend Jenny as our 10th in pursuit of our #PHXBrewQuest. Funny enough, this would be where I’d meet Jen (my wife, not my friend Jenny) the following year. So even though the beer wasn’t great, it’ll always hold an important place in my life.

A wall display of cans is illuminated with green lighting, featuring a central sign for Uncle Bear's Brewhouse Grill.

Five large stainless steel fermentation tanks are lined up in a brewery, with hoses connected to them and tables in the foreground.

On Aug 17 2010,

…I apparently drove part of the Pacific Coast Highway and stopped at the Monterrey Aquarium. These must be among the earliest photos in my current iPhoto Library.

A scenic coastal landscape features rugged cliffs, blue ocean waters, and distant mountains under a clear sky.

A seahorse with a speckled body swims near colorful coral in an aquarium.

∞

Aug 16 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Icelandic waterfalls, Isle of Man, Agua Fria ruins

Catching up on my OTD posts, highlighting Iceland again here.

On Aug 16 2021,

…we had yet another amazing day Iceland, highlighted by our visit to the incredibly impressive Dettifoss.

A powerful waterfall cascades down a rocky ledge, surrounded by mist and greenery in the foreground.

A powerful waterfall cascades over a rocky cliff surrounded by a misty, rugged landscape.

A massive waterfall cascades powerfully over a rocky cliff with a solitary person standing on a grassy ledge nearby.

A powerful waterfall cascades between rocky cliffs under a cloudy sky.

A picturesque waterfall cascades down a rocky hillside, surrounded by lush green vegetation and a stream flowing over scattered rocks.

A picturesque waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff into a flowing river surrounded by lush green hills.

A winding road meanders through a lush, mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky with a distant view of a body of water between the mountains.

A lush green valley is nestled between rolling hills and mountains, featuring a series of cascading waterfalls and patches of snow under a partly cloudy sky.

A serene waterfall cascades down a rocky hillside surrounded by boulders and lush greenery under a blue sky.

A serene landscape features a grassy field with scattered wildflowers in the foreground, a calm body of water, and mountains partially veiled by a horizontal mist in the background.

A bottle and two cups on a table are set against the backdrop of a scenic sunset view through a window.

A tranquil lake scene at sunset with distant hills and a partly cloudy sky is bordered by lush greenery.

On Aug 16 2023,

…we spent the day exploring the Isle of Man before heading back to Scotland.

A collection of boats rests on the muddy banks of a harbor with a historic stone castle in the background under a clear blue sky.

A serene forest scene features a small waterfall cascading through rocks surrounded by lush greenery.

A suspension bridge with multiple cables stretches across a highway under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Aerial view of a coastal landscape featuring patchwork fields, small settlements, and a blue seascape.

On Aug 16 2015,

…I made a trek up to Agua Fria National Monument to check out a pueblo ruin I hadn’t been to ages. In a longstanding tradition, I apparently rode a gila monster in Carefree on the drive home.

A person wearing sunglasses and a yellow shirt is standing in front of a sign for Agua Fria National Monument.

A rocky landscape with scattered stones, dry grass, a cactus, and a leafless tree under a clear blue sky.

A panoramic view of a vast, scenic landscape features rolling hills, scattered trees, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A person wearing a yellow shirt poses on top of a large, realistic sculpture of a lizard outdoors.

∞

I wrote a quick bit about Asshole Scott for #Blaugust2025.

∞

If you’re not already a member, Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is having a 53% off sale on their premium membership right now (just $23/yr; use the code HAPPY10THBDAY). We’ve been members for many years.

∞

In spite of some fun destinations and photos, I didn’t get around to any OTD posts for #Blaugust this weekend. I probably won’t get one posted for today either—at least before bed tonight. I’ll see if I can catch up over the next few days. It’s been a fun way to relive previous trips.

∞

Creating a rental car kit

When we fly and rent a car, we bring along what we call a “rental car kit.” It’s a premade ziplock bag of the stuff we want to use in our rental car. We keep it easily accessible so that it’s quick and easy to get everything all set and pull away without any fuss.

A collection of travel essentials including cables, USB drives, car chargers, lens wipes, hand sanitizer, and Wet Ones packets is arranged on a red surface.

Here’s what it includes:

  • Mag-safe vent phone holder (one for each of us; we bring two different styles so that it’s likely at least one works for the driver, though CarPlay is making this less important than in the past)
  • Phone charging cords (again, one for each of us)
  • 12V charger - we use a high wattage one with three ports—two USB-C and one USB-A—so that we can fast-charge our phones, but also charge our laptops if necessary. If we expect to charge a lot of things while driving, we bring a second one and extra cords, too.
  • Charging cords
    • USB-C cord, for charging laptops or other items
    • USB-C to USB-A adaptor, so we can charge using the USB-A port on the charger when appropriate, or use Apple CarPlay if you have to plug-in
    • USB-C to USB-micro adaptor, so we can charge using the USB-A port on the charger when appropriate
  • Sanitizing wipes - it’s nice to have a few of these to wipe down any gross spots the rental company missed.
  • Lens cleaner wipes - useful to clean the inside of the window if necessary; if not, they’re conveniently accessible for cleaning my glasses, which I often do when I shift between regular glasses and sunglasses.
  • Hand sanitizer - I only add this to the kit if I’m checking luggage; otherwise, it lives in the ziplock with my other “liquids.” But we always have one of these handy for road trips, so I’m including it here.

It seems like a simple thing, but it’s stupid how much easier this makes things when you’re renting a car. We intentionally put this in an easy-to-access spot in our luggage so we don’t have to rummage around when we’re in the airport parking garage.

A few other rental car tips:

  • Check your insurance and credit cards for what coverage they provide for rental cars. For instance, our (basic) Chase Sapphire card covers basically everything you need liability-wise, as does our normal auto insurance (State Farm). But if you’re overseas? Hmm, we often pay the LDW premium to avoid any hassles, especially if it’s a tough place to drive (eg, a small island nation where the roads are shit).
  • Take a video while inspecting the vehicle for damage before you pull away. You can supplement with photos, but make sure you zoom in on problem areas either way. There’s nothing worse than having to fight damage claims on a rental car.
  • Adjust the seats and mirrors before you leave the parking space. Dial it in before you touch the gear shifter. Seriously, it seems like every other rental car is doing stupid stuff just 200 yards after leaving because the driver can’t see or is adjusting the seat or whatever.
  • Choose your next destination and get that GPS map running before you pull out. Look, airports can be confusing and it’s better to have clear directions before you start moving.
  • And yeah, there’s a little marker near the fuel level gauge indicating which side the gas tank is on. Take a glance before you pull up to the pump.
  • Speaking of fuel, don’t prepay—you’ll always overpay. The only reason to do is if you are absolutely, 100% hopelessly awful at refilling before you go to the airport and you’ve consistently proven this fact. But that’s only like 6 people in the country, so you’re very very likely not one of those people. There’s always a gas station not too far from the airport.
  • If you’re in an area that has toll roads, make sure you have a fast pass of the appropriate type. It’s just so much easier, especially in traffic.
  • Keep your rental agreement in the glove box, so you can easily find it in case of an accident or getting pulled over. Or, more likely, to remember which damn company you rented from when you’re navigating to the right lot when returning the vehicle.
  • Don’t get rushed in the check-out process when you drop off the vehicle. Take plenty of time to check for all your stuff before leaving.
  • If you have a specific vehicle preference, smile big and ask for it as soon as you arrive to check-in. They’ll often accommodate a request if they haven’t already started working on your check-in, or at least give you specific available options to choose from instead of just randomly picking something for you.
∞

I wrote a bit about how I abandoned minimalism to reduce friction though duplicative purchases. I’m just far more interested, these days, in better enabling activities I want to do than focusing on how much stuff I own. #blaugust2025 #blaugust #blogging

∞

Aug 15 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Iceland, Paleozoic Trackways, and Spaghetti Monsters

I’m misordering these posts again today to better highlight our Iceland memories. Man, it’s been fun looking through all of these photos.

On Aug 15 2021,

…we were campervanning around Iceland, checking out some great waterfalls, geological features, and even an iceberg-filled glacial lake.

A narrow river flows through a steep, rocky canyon with lush green vegetation under a clear blue sky.

A picturesque landscape features a waterfall cascading down a rocky hill into a stream, with lush green grass and a clear blue sky above.

A picturesque landscape features a cascading river flowing over rocks, surrounded by grassy terrain and steep cliffs under a blue sky.

A scenic pathway winds through lush green grass and rocky cliffs with a waterfall in the distance under a clear blue sky.

A waterfall cascades down a rocky, moss-covered cliff surrounded by lush greenery.

Chunks of ice float in a glacial lagoon with a glacier and cloudy sky in the background.

Two people wearing sunglasses smile for a selfie in front of a landscape filled with ice and snow.

A waterfall cascades over rocky terrain, framed by lush, green mountains under a clear blue sky.

Hexagonal stone formations cover the foreground with a backdrop of grassy hills and cliffs under a clear sky.

A vast rocky field is filled with numerous small cairns under a clear sky, with a few structures visible in the distance.

A steep coastal road with a parking sign leads alongside a foggy ocean and rocky terrain.

A white van is parked on a gravel road with misty mountains in the background.

A serene waterfall cascades through rugged, rocky terrain surrounded by lush greenery.

On Aug 15 2023,

…we ventured to Dunbar, Scotland to pay homage to John Muir and his hometown, then explored the New Lanark World Heritage Site.

A statue of a person holding a bird stands prominently on a street with colorful buildings in the background.

A statue of a person holding a flying figure is set against a backdrop of historic buildings on a sunny day.

A building with a sign marking it as John Muir's birthplace, featuring informational posters and surrounded by vibrant flowers.

A serene canal flows between historic brick buildings and lush greenery, framed by an ornate fence.

A wooden pathway winds through a lush, green forest.

A waterfall cascades through lush green forest surrounded by dense trees.

A large waterwheel is situated next to a historic stone building surrounded by lush greenery and a partly cloudy sky.

On Aug 15 2020,

…we were camping near Big Lake in Arizona. Funny enough, a friend I met on a group paddling trip down the Green River in Canyonlands National Park at least a decade earlier took up the adjacent campsite—he goes by the nickname “Wu.” I jokingly obscured my face a bit and walked up saying that I had gotten a call from our mutual friend Russ saying he owed us a bottle of whiskey. A bit frazzled, it took him a moment to figure out what was happening, and we subsequently spent the evening hanging out around the campfire together.

A scenic landscape features a grassy meadow with trees on the left and a distant lake under a clear blue sky.

A serene forest landscape features a clear stream flowing through lush greenery beneath a sunlit sky.

A lush, green meadow with scattered trees and rolling hills is set against a backdrop of a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Three people are relaxing in camp chairs around a fire pit near a parked camper van in a wooded area.

On Aug 15 2019,

…I made a trip out to Las Cruces, stopping at the Lordsburg playa along the way. In Cruces, I visited the museum to see the Paleozoic Trackways exhibit, then hiked in the (oddly named) Prehistoric Trackways National Monument.

A vast, barren landscape with cracked earth extends into the horizon, scattered with a few sparse bushes under a blue sky.

A museum exhibit features a large dinosaur skeleton with a spiny back displayed behind glass, alongside rock slabs with preserved footprints.

A person wearing a hat and sunglasses stands next to a sign that reads Boundary Paleozoic Trackways Research Natural Area in a desert landscape.

A landscape of rocky hills and sparse vegetation extends towards distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

A sunlit desert landscape reveals rugged, reddish terrain and sparse vegetation beneath a partly cloudy sky.

On Aug 15, 2015,

…I attended the 100th birthday party for my great aunt, Delma—the inspiration for our ASU Football fandom. She had just been honored as the Arizona Cardinals’ “oldest fan.”

An elderly woman and a bald man with glasses smile together, with his arm around her.

A collection of framed photos, newspaper clippings, certificates, and memorabilia is displayed on a table with a red tablecloth.

An elderly woman is smiling at a gathering while holding a signed football with a personal message.

On Aug 15 2014,

I became an official ordained minister for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. No, seriously. Unfortunately, I only perform weddings while on vacation at amazing destinations. So, um, keep me in mind.

On Aug 15 2013

…I tried as I might to get a good selfie with my dog, Sipapu—but he would not be denied in making it extra weird. It was my last night before I moved to an apartment and couldn’t easily bring him along. My mom had just lost her dog, so she was going to care for him for a year as a transition, and could provide a better home as I was often traveling for both work and fun. Unfortunately, he suddenly passed away the following St Patricks Day. :(

A person wearing glasses holds a black and white dog that's showing its teeth.

∞

Jen is starting to narrow in on the finish line of her National Park units quest. She only has ~50 remaining (the white pins on this map), which are strategically grouped into convenient batches. We have trips booked in the next 60 days to tackle the units circled in blue, with group trips in 2026 that hit the units in yellow. Even with the other travel we’re looking at, she’s on track to finish in 2027 if she wants to. There are currently only 8 of us who have visited all 433 park units.

A US map of the National Park units, with blue and white pins.
∞

Aug 14 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Iceland, "wild" horses, and a nuclear reactor

I’m excited to get a look back at our Iceland trip, but it was especially fun to look back at our Hanford Reach tour. It’s so crazy to wander through a nuclear reactor and chat with folks about how it works and how they were still sorta figuring things out as they went.

On Aug 14 2021,

…we had our first full day in Iceland. And oh my, it did not disappoint. We saw several amazing waterfalls, hiked to a glacier, hit our first Icelandic craft brewery, and enjoyed yet another sunset at our campervan campsite. We even found a golf course; I FaceTimed my dad so he could see it. These are all iPhone shots—wish I had my Nikon shots handy!

A breathtaking waterfall cascades into a deep canyon surrounded by lush green landscapes under a partly cloudy sky.

A powerful waterfall cascades down a rocky landscape surrounded by lush green vegetation under a bright sky.

A waterfall cascades over a moss-covered cliff, with a rainbow forming at its base.

A majestic waterfall cascades down a lush, green cliffside into a serene pool below, with clear blue skies overhead.

A powerful waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff amidst lush green surroundings.

A glacial landscape features a rocky foreground, a lake, and a glacier set against rugged mountains under a clear blue sky.

A wide river flows over multiple rocky tiers, forming cascading waterfalls under a clear blue sky.

A person wearing a mask sits behind a flight of four beers on a wooden tray, with brewing equipment visible in the background.

A white van is parked on grass under a vibrant orange sky at sunset.

Two people are smiling for a selfie with a scenic backdrop of green hills and parked caravans.

A grassy landscape with a golf course is set against a backdrop of rugged hills under a hazy sky.

On Aug 14 2023,

…we were still in Scotland, and met up with my aunt, uncle, and cousin in Glasgow. It was great to reconnect. We also stopped by a Big Lebowski pub for lunch; nothing special, I just like this photo. (And yes, this is out of order, just because I wanted the Iceland photos as the lede).

Three people stand together, smiling in a warmly lit room with a colorful painting in the background.

A cozy cafe interior features wooden floors, a bar, seating area, and a decorative display of bowling pins.

On Aug 14 2021,

…we camped at Big Lake in the White Mountains, driving home via the scenic Salt River Canyon.

A serene landscape features a vast lake surrounded by grassy fields and dramatic, cloud-filled skies.

A stunning sunset casts vibrant colors across a cloudy sky above a lush green landscape.

A tranquil sunset reflects over a calm lake surrounded by grassy fields and silhouetted trees.

A rugged canyon landscape features towering cliffs, scattered greenery, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

A canyon with a river winding through it is surrounded by rugged cliffs and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.

A scenic view features a winding river surrounded by rocky hills and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.

A rusty metal surface with a quatrefoil cutout frames a view of a rocky landscape with a small stream running through it.

On Aug 14 2017,

…we toured the Hanford Reach B Reactor in central Washington, one of the major sites of the Manhattan Project. This was the last of the three “sub-units” of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, so I got the last third of the 3-part national park stamp.

A man and woman are taking a selfie outdoors in front of an industrial-looking building.

A person is seated at a vintage control room filled with switches, dials, and monitors.An industrial facility features a complex network of large pipes, valves, and metal walkways.

An industrial control panel filled with numerous switches and mechanisms is prominently displayed under bright overhead lights.

A complex array of wires and circuit breakers is displayed behind a sign warning not to open it during reactor operation.

A yellow sign warns to evacuate promptly when a horn sounds, accompanied by a horn mounted above it.A vintage office scene features a drafting table with tools, a desk with a typewriter, and a fan, set against a backdrop of large machinery and wall-mounted gauges.

A narrow corridor is flanked by walls of vintage mechanical computing components and wiring with dials and numbers.

A green shelving unit displays various gas masks, gloves, and protective gear.

A circular design features the words Manhattan Project with icons for Hanford, WA; Oak Ridge, TN; and Los Alamos, NM, related to the development of the atomic bomb.

On Aug 14 2015,

…these “wild horses” (read: feral horses relocated to the White Mountain Apache Reservation from the Lower Salt River) wandered through my campsite on the Mogollon Rim and interrupted my sunset viewing.

Earlier in the day, I had attended an ASU football practice at Camp Tontozona and stopped by Pinetop Brewing.

A group of American football players in maroon and yellow uniforms are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by trees.

A person wearing sunglasses and a yellow shirt takes a selfie in front of a football game on a field surrounded by trees.

Pinetop Brewing Co. features outdoor seating with red umbrellas and a rustic wooden facade.

∞

Socializing at the bar

Here’s a #JulyReply2025, though a very belated one I never wrapped up and posted. Whoops!

Robert Birming recently blogged about his enjoyment of The International Bar in Sweden, and how it’s a bit more friendly than other watering holes in the country. I didn’t realize that “bar culture” was that much different in parts of Europe.

As an American, bars are one of the increasingly few public places remaining where striking up a conversation with a stranger is not uncommon1. If you’re seated at the bar (as opposed to a table in the bar), it’s generally fair game to casually comment to someone nearby. In fact, chatting up the customers is often a big part of the bartender’s job.

This social tradition is so strong, in fact, that we often include stops at craft breweries and dive bars during our travels as it’s one of the best ways to chat with a local (we jokingly call it #LostNeededDirections). It’s a great little hack for learning more about the local area.

I happened across this video about loneliness in the US recently and was reminded of the important role that bars play in today’s America—at least when it comes to socializing with others.

And especially for older, single men. Whether for good or bad, the bar is at the heart of many of their social lives. Simply interacting with others, plus the relationships they make with fellow regulars and bar staff, and feeling like part of the “in crowd” all contribute to the sense that they’re part of a larger community.

When my dad ended up in the hospital with heart failure in 2020, it was his buddies at the Dubliner Pub that came to check on him. They did their own welfare checks when he hadn’t shown up when expected.

“Hey, anyone seen Norm recently?”

“Nope, and he didn’t answer my call this morning.”

“Yeah, I got voicemail too.”

“Hmm, let’s go check up on him.”

“Sure…but not until I’m done with my beer.”

(How I imagine the conversation at the Dubliner the day after my dad entered the hospital.)

I’m typing this at happy hour, where a longstanding group of 15-20ish regulars congregates. Most of these folks have been frequenting the same bar together for more than two decades now, occasionally switching venues as the local scene shifts or new bar owners take over. They organize a variety of sports betting pools, occasionally dine at each others’ houses, and drive each other to doctor appointments when they need a hand. But mostly, they hang out at the bar together.

After the time I spent here with my dad in his final years, I’ve been partially adopted into this crowd. They ask how my last trip went, rib me for my failed cooking attempts (of which there are far too many), and ask if I rode my bicycle over even in this summer heat (yes, yes I did).

For many of these folks, this is their primary social scene. While plenty of them drink more often than they should, they primarily show up to talk with their buddies, not drink their sorrows away. It’s their social time. A few of them show up and only drink NA beer, or get a soda instead; they’ll get a teasing comment or two from the peanut gallery, but no one actually cares.

Too many of us spend too much of our time on our phones. But here, most are focused on actual conversations, only glancing at their phone to look something up. Sure, they say they’re here to watch baseball on the bar TVs too, but they’re mostly here to chat with their bar friends while the game plays in the background. Even with people who are substantially different than themselves. Even with people who don’t share their politics (a bar is one of the last remaining places where there’s some sort of broad political mixing). Even with people they wouldn’t have stopped and said hello to in another context. But here? Yeah, they met at the bar, many of them decades ago, and that’s been enough to maintain these friendships.

  1. This is a cultural and a personal choice. We could collectively decide tomorrow that we should be more friendly and open to conversing to others in public settings. And by doing so, we could convert far more places and situations into “third places,” improving social cohesion and understanding while reducing loneliness and tribal othering, but instead we seem more reluctant to engage others these days. Maybe it’s the distracting phones, maybe it’s to avoid politics. I’m not sure. ↩︎

∞

Aug 13 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Scotland, Iceland, rivers, and weird border crossings

Apparently, August 13th has been an eventful day for me over the years. Iceland was one of my all-time favorite trips, so it’s going to be fun seeing photos for the next week plus. Until Africa, the Angle Inlet border crossing (near the bottom) was the weirdest I’ve been to.

On Aug 13 2023,

…we continued our time in Scotland, just Jen and I at this point.

Sheep graze in a lush green field with an ancient stone castle and misty mountains in the background.

A small, ancient castle is situated on an island surrounded by water, with lush greenery in the foreground and a cloudy sky above.

A serene lake is surrounded by lush greenery and mountains under a cloudy sky.

A pile of rusty chains lies on a concrete surface near a lake, with grassy hills and mist-covered mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

A serene canal with reflective water is flanked by green grass and stone walls, leading to a village under a cloudy sky.

On Aug 13 2022,

…I did an evening paddle with my friend Brittany.

A scenic landscape features rugged, reddish-brown mountains, lush greenery, a river, and cacti under a clear sky.

A person in a pink kayak paddles on a calm river surrounded by lush greenery with towering, rugged mountains in the background under a vibrant blue sky.

A person is kayaking on a river surrounded by mountainous terrain and lush greenery under a cloudy sky.

Silhouetted mountains stand beneath a cloudy, dimly lit sky.

On Aug 13 2021,

…Jen and I landed in Iceland and picked up a campervan, our home for the next ten or so days. We grabbed some supplies, took a nap, and started exploring Thingvellir National Park.

A man and a woman wearing sunglasses are smiling inside a vehicle.

A gravel path winds through a green and rocky landscape under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

A scenic view showcases a landscape of blue waters, rocky terrain, and distant hills under a clear sky.

A scenic landscape features rocky cliffs, a winding river, lush greenery, distant mountains, and a partly cloudy sky.

A waterfall cascades over a rocky cliff into a stream surrounded by boulders.

A white van is parked on a grassy field under a colorful sunset sky with mountains in the background.

On Aug 13 2020,

…I brought a couple bartender friends, a regular from the bar, and Jen on a morning paddle down the Salt River.

A person is kayaking on a serene river surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky cliffs, with the sun setting on the horizon.

A person is kayaking on a tranquil river surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky.

A person is kayaking on a river surrounded by rocky cliffs and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Two people are kayaking on a calm river surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Four people are kayaking down a river surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Several people are kayaking on a river surrounded by lush greenery and rocky hills under a bright blue sky.

On Aug 13 2017,

…we spent the day at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in central Oregon, my 379th national park unit.

A stunning landscape showcases rolling, multicolored hills and valleys with cloudy skies in the background.

A wooden walkway winds through rolling hills of red earth under a partly cloudy sky.

A green road sign displays the message Curve 58.8 against a backdrop of a hillside with trees.

A yellow road sign with a silhouette of a deer stands beside a rural road amidst a landscape of hills and sparse vegetation.

A person is holding a 379 sign next to a National Park Service sign for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Sheep Rock Unit.

On Aug 13 2013,

…I visited what is now New River Gorge National Park, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River—quite the busy day!

A large steel arch bridge towers over a lush, foggy forest landscape.

A serene river flows over a series of small waterfalls surrounded by lush green hills and trees.

A person with a backpack is standing in front of a flowing river with a lush forest in the background.

A person is holding a sign with #277 while standing on a wooden platform with a foggy mountain backdrop.

On Aug 13 2012,

…I visited that silly little notch in the northern border of Minnesota. To get there, you have to cross into Canada and then back into the US—using a videophone booth to clear immigration and customs each time. It’s a trip. There’s no security, you just stop because that’s what you should do. You enter, pick up the phone handset and press a button to start the one-way video call. YOu answer some basic questions, hold your passport up for viewing (no scanning), and…well, that’s about it.

A wooden booth marked YOUNG'S BAY IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS REPORTING STATION with accompanying signs for U.S. Customs and Canada Border Services stands among trees and rocky ground.

A man holding a U.S. passport looks surprised in front of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection site panel.

I also apparently decided to officially adopt my High Points of Otherwise Flat States quest this day (which I just finished in May).

Scott Jones shares thoughts on visiting high points in Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, with plans to include others in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

∞

I’m working on a new web project that showcases public lands across the US. If you enjoy our public lands and have some photos to share as a contributor, please get in touch. I’m primarily interested in BLM and USFS lands, but might scatter in some national park lands as well.

∞

It was fun to get an email from Sid, who is blogging all month about the websites of other #Blaugust2025 participants, when he featured mine. What a great idea!

∞

Aug 12 OTD for #Blaugust2025: Scotland, Oregon, Marshall, Fern Canyon

Another installment of my “On This Day” photos for the month-long #Blaugust2025 blogging challenge.

On Aug 12 2023,

…we wrapped up our time in the Scottish Highlands.

A waterfall cascades over rocky terrain surrounded by lush greenery and a forested hillside.

A serene landscape features a calm lake surrounded by rolling hills and fields of purple heather under a cloudy sky.

A river flows through a cityscape with buildings on both sides and a cloudy sky overhead.

A picturesque valley with lush greenery, a river flowing through it, and distant hills under a cloudy sky.

…and toured the Culloden Battlefield, where so many Scots clans were crushed;

A winding path stretches through an open grassy field with people walking and cloudy skies overhead.

A stone marker inscribed with text stands on a grassy area bordered by bushes under a cloudy sky.

A weathered stone cairn, commemorating the Battle of Culloden, stands surrounded by overcast skies and lush greenery.

A rustic stone cottage with a thatched roof stands beside a tree in a grassy, open landscape under a cloudy sky.

…and stopped by the Clava Cairns, too.

A stone cairn surrounded by trees is visible, with a tall standing stone in the foreground under a cloudy sky.

A stone cairn surrounded by lush green trees sits on a dirt path.

A grassy field features an ancient stone cairn surrounded by trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

On Aug 12 2017

I visited Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, then Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and ended at a brewery in Bend, Oregon—where I finally finally got to meet one of my earliest social media friends, @Calipidder.

A wooden path winds through a lush, green forest with tall trees and dense foliage.

A lush forest scene shows large fallen trees surrounded by dense greenery and tall standing trees.

A wooden fort with a U.S. flag surrounded by trees.

A large historic house with a wraparound porch and manicured lawn is flanked by two cannons under a clear blue sky.

Three people are smiling and posing together in what appears to be a restaurant setting.

On Aug 12 2013

…I was continuing my roadtrip around Ohio, which included a short detour in West Virginia to visit Marshall University. Marshall is famous for the tragic plane crash that claimed its entire football team, who was returning from a game. But I didn’t visit fort that reason—it was my dad’s alma mater and I wanted to FaceTime him the campus so he could see what it looked like these days and hear some new stories that might be triggered by seeing various places on campus.

On Aug 12 2012,

…I stopped by the incomparable Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota—my second visit to the famed roadside attraction.

On Aug 12 2010,

…I hiked in Fern Canyon in Redwoods State and National Park. This is the only photo in my Photos library, which is a shame because I loved this hike and back then it wasn’t crazy crowded.

A narrow, scenic canyon with lush green ferns and a small stream crossed by a wooden plank walkway.