Shameless Hipster Scum

Please know that I say this all with respect and in a state of calmness. I promise you my soul is very jocund.

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The sunset splashes the sky with miraculous color combinations at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Seeing the view of the mountains that make up this amazing national park under a bright Wyoming sky fills the heart and overwhelms the senses. There are many epic ways to enjoy the park, such as rafting the Snake River, backcountry camping or riding a boat across Jenny Lake. But if you’re only stopping by, you’ll find breathtaking scenic turnouts, picnic areas and hiking trails throughout the park. Photo by Mark Rutt (www.sharetheexperience.org).

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You deserve a smile today. Here’s a momma sea otter floating with her pup at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Marc Webber, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Part of Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay is a wildlife refuge within sight of the New York City skyscrapers. Walk along the water, kayak, boat or birdwatch and take pleasure in the serene views of the open bay. One of the most significant bird sanctuaries in the Northeast, Jamaica Bay provides vital woods, fields and marshes for wildlife to flourish. The National Park Service stewards this remarkable place that serves as a break from the bustling metropolis of the city. Photo by Micael Fano (www.sharetheexperience.org).

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The Miracle of St Justus, c.1630 by Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640)

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big mood

[americasgreatoutdoors]

Step into the spectacular underground caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. Follow the Big Room route, a one-mile, self-guided trail as it leads you through decorative geologic formations and highlights like the Hall of Giants and the Bottomless Pit. Marvel at the intricacies of the stalagmites and stalactites– all romantically lit but challenging to convey with a photo. With over 100 limestone caves, look close as you explore, and you may see fossilized remains of marine animals like snails and nautilus. Photo by Michael Larson, National Park Service.

[3eanuts]

May 12, 1997 — see The Complete Peanuts 1995-1998

[americasgreatoutdoors]

This shouldn’t be a surprise, but cypress trees are an important part of Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. A cypress dome is a fascinating habitat. Forming over an underwater depression, the tallest trees grow in the deepest water and the smaller trees grow along the edge in the shallower water, giving the dome its shape. The trees’ wide bases help them absorb water and keep them stable in storms. Epiphytic plants attach themselves to the tree trunks, earning them the name of airplants. River otters and alligators make their homes here, too. It’s probably not a place you’d want to live, but the shade, colors and reflection are worth the visit. Photo by National Park Service.

[americasgreatoutdoors]

Deep glacier-carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers – you’ll find all these and more in the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area in Oregon. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds, numerous trails, the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District and opportunities for fishing and hunting. The views from Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse and Little Blitzen Gorge overlooks are not to be missed. Photo by Bureau of Land Management (@mypubliclands)

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David hoists the severed head of Goliath (1866) by Gustave Doré

[americasgreatoutdoors]

If you’re a photographer, you can’t find a much better model than Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. They might not be able to smile and twirl, but the mountains are beautiful, reliable and look good in just about any light. Photographer Josh Packer has taken countless shots in this epic park, but this is one of his favorites. “This had to be one of the most stunning sunsets I have ever experienced in the Tetons and is one I will not soon forget.” Photo from Schwabacher Landing courtesy of Josh Packer.

[americasgreatoutdoors]

Get away from the crowd and venture into the amazing solitude of Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. Marked hiking routes lead into narrow, twisting gorges, slot canyons and to spectacular viewpoints high atop the Waterpocket Fold. Water, wind and gravity have shaped Cathedral Valley’s free-standing monoliths, or temples, out of the soft reddish-orange sandstone, leaving visitors feeling like they’ve stumbled onto an alien planet. Enjoy the beauty, but remember to take plenty of water and Leave No Trace. Photo by Dan Mitler (www.sharetheexperience.org).

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A kaleidoscopic sunset splashes across the sky and over the sagebrush sea at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. At 8,100 to 8,700 feet above sea level, it’s the highest refuge in the lower 48 states. The refuge supports diverse wildlife habitats, including sagebrush steppe uplands, grassland meadows, willow riparian areas, and wetlands. Visitors can experience hiking, wildlife observation and photography, an auto-tour, and hunting and fishing opportunities. Over 200 bird species have been documented on the refuge, in addition to elk, moose, pronghorn, and porcupines. Photo by Tom Koerner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Ghost fleet

[americasgreatoutdoors]

Green and vibrant, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kaua‘i’s north shore shows off the Hanalei River Valley in Hawaii. Steep hillsides and stunning overlooks surround the wetlands and river valley with mountain views. The refuge was created to provide over 900 acres of vital habitat for rare and endangered birds such as the Hawaiian stilt, coot, gallinule and duck. Photo by Timothy Burton (www.sharetheexperience.org).

[americasgreatoutdoors]

One of Interior’s nine bureaus, the Bureau of Land Management was established on July 16, 1946, when the General Land Office and the U.S. Grazing Service were merged. More than 70 years later, the BLM remains a small agency with a big job - managing public lands for multiple-uses like recreation and natural resource development on more than 245 million acres of public land. From working with family ranchers to big business, protecting untrammeled wilderness and wildlife habitat, and providing visitors with epic adventures in stunning settings, 10,000 passionate employees work hard every day for the benefit of present and future generations. Photo of the South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management (@mypubliclands).

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Unlike any other place on Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan offers the opportunity to explore miles of pristine beaches, hike nearly 100 miles of trails, view towering sandstone cliffs and experience the serenity of northern woodlands. The multicolored cliffs that give the park its name rise 200 feet above the lake’s turquoise waters in some places. It’s a great place for a summer adventure. Photo by Sonja Saxe (www.sharetheexperience.org).

[3eanuts]

April 14, 1997 — see The Complete Peanuts 1995-1998