Erosion Does Its Dirty Work: Zion National Park, September 2001 Our next activity was to drive along the Zion—Mount Carmel Highway. A portion of the highway passes through a 1.1-mile long tunnel that was built in the 1920s. Alongside this road are some of the tallest sandstone cliffs in the world. Wind and water cut perpendicular grooves into the surface of the sandstone of Checkerboard Mesa. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
Checkerboard Mesa: Zion National Park, September 2001 Our next activity was to drive along the Zion—Mount Carmel Highway. A portion of the highway passes through a 1.1-mile long tunnel that was built in the 1920s. Alongside this road are some of the tallest sandstone cliffs in the world. Wind and water cut perpendicular grooves into the surface of the sandstone of Checkerboard Mesa. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
A Scar of Battle: Gettysburg National Military Park, June 2001 On our way to visit Rachelle’s brother in New York during the summer of 2001, Rachelle had to spend a day at a facility near Gettysburg for work. I took the opportunity to spend the day driving around the battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park after I had dropped her off. For three days Union and Confederate forces fought in and around the small town of Gettysburg, PA. The Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee, was marching through Pennsylvania. Only the Army of the Potomac stood between Lee and the Union capital, Washington D.C. The two armies clashed just outside of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. And would fight for another two days until Lee retreated after having suffered grievous casualties attempting to break the Union lines. The battle affected the citizens of Gettysburg. Even though there was only one civilian casualty, the town, as well as the nation, would be changed forever as a result. Evidence of the battle still exists in the Park. This photo is of the barn located on the Trostle Farm. In its wall can be seen a scar from the battle that was fought here. A hole from a cannonball remains 138 years after the battle was fought. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
The Canyon Narrows: Zion National Park, September 2001 After Weeping Rock we went to the end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the Temple of Sinawava. We hiked for a while on the Riverside Walk, a trail alongside the river which leads to The Narrows, the end of Zion Canyon. At the end of the Scenic Drive, the canyon narrows and the scenery changes dramatically. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
Zion Scenery: Zion National Park, September 2001 Another shot of the wonderful Zion scenery. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
Green Water, Blue Skies: Norris Dam State Park, May 2007 While my parents were visiting us, we planned a picnic lunch at Norris Dam State Park. My dad and I spent some time wandering around the dam taking photos. I took this shot standing on the east side of the dam looking out at Norris Lake. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
Water from Above: Zion National Park, September 2001 After we finished our hike on the Middle and Lower Emerald Pool Trails, we continued up the canyon and stopped at Weeping Rock. At Weeping Rock there is a short hike to a shallow cave. A cascade of water falls along the edge of the cave. This water is trapped between two layers of rock in the canyon walls. Gravity pulls the upper layer of rock down against the lower layer, squeezing the water out of cracks and fissures in the canyon wall. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)
Weeping Rock: Zion National Park, September 2001 After we finished our hike on the Middle and Lower Emerald Pool Trails, we continued up the canyon and stopped at Weeping Rock. At Weeping Rock there is a short hike to a shallow cave. A cascade of water falls along the edge of the cave. This water is trapped between two layers of rock in the canyon walls. Gravity pulls the upper layer of rock down against the lower layer, squeezing the water out of cracks and fissures in the canyon wall. (via Robby Edwards’ Photos)