Archive for April 2014

North Cascades National Park   2 comments

North Cascades NP 00Where Is It: North and east of Seattle, on the Canadian border.

The Birth: from Wikipedia:

North Cascades National Park is managed by the National Park Service and the park headquarters is in Sedro-Woolley, WA. North Cascades National Park is bisected by Ross Lake National Recreation Area, creating a northern and southern district or unit of the park. The southeast boundary of the southern district abuts Lake Chelan National Recreation Area; the park and two recreation areas are managed as the North Cascades National Park Complex. The three entities were all established in 1968 and in 1988, much of the park complex was designated wilderness as the Stephen Mather Wilderness, preventing further non-natural alterations to 94 percent of the park.

Size: 504,781 acres

# Visitors: 21,623 visitors in 2013.

Choices: from NationalGeographic.com:

The western part of the park differs markedly from the east. Moisture blows in from Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It hits the western slopes and rises, condensing to rain and snow. Western red cedars, hemlocks, and Douglas firs luxuriate on slopes that receive 110 inches of precipitation a year. When the winds reach the east, they are mostly wrung dry: Only 35 inches of precipitation fall in Stehekin at the head of Lake Chelan. Arid-dwelling sagebrush and ponderosa pine grow in the peaks’ rain shadow.

Fees: There is no entrance fee. Camping fees range from free to $12, depending on the campground and the season.

Staying There: There are hundreds of campsites, but most of them are very primitive: bring your own water and carry out your garbage.

Contact Info:

810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

(360) 854-7200

Don’t Miss This: from Gorp.com:

  • North Cascades National Park is renowned for its varied and rugged climbing terrain. The numerous peaks and over 300 glaciers present classic mixed mountaineering routes, intricate glacier travel, and technical rock climbing as well as scrambling—all within a premier wilderness setting.
  • A popular backpacking trail is the 40.4-mile Devil’s Dome Loop, which circumnavigates Jack Mountain. The trail is known for its wonderful wildflowers and much of it is high ridge walking above tree line.
  • Another popular backpacking trail is the 33.5-mile Copper Ridge-Chilliwack River Loop. This strenuous route features a rare ridge walk with expansive mountain views and one of the finest old growth forest hikes in the park.
  • Intrepid hikers, backpackers, and climbers visit all year, but April through October is peak season. The driest and most popular time to visit is during the summer—mid-June through September. Higher elevation trails often remain snow-covered well into July and sometimes August.

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National Park Service: North Cascades National Park

HowStuffWorks: The Ultimate North Cascades National Park Quiz

Seattlemet.com: The Complete Guide to North Cascades National Park….

Backpacker.com: North Cascades National Park Backpacking….

 

Windows XP: Get. Out.   Leave a comment

xp-end-of-lifeIf you still run Windows XP on your computers for home or work … you need a new operating system. Now.

Microsoft no longer supports the software … which means there is no longer any development to improve the operating system. That might seem like no big deal when your computer is working just fine … but that will change.

The next time you buy a new printer … the driver may not be compatible.

And last week, a new security breach was found in the operating system. If you use Internet Explorer (like 56% of the world), and you use XP … the right hacker can get into your system. And what is Microsoft doing about it?

Nothing.

If you use XP, you need a new computer. Not only is the hardware aging, Microsoft has already left the software for dead.

I know one thing about your computer: some day it will die. Now, I know something about your XP computer: it is less secure today than it was a week ago. And it will never get better.

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Wall Street Journal: New Browser Hole….

 re/code: New Vulnerability Hits Internet Explorer, And It’s Serious

Microsoft: Windows XP Support Has Ended

Posted April 29, 2014 by henrymowry in Living Life

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Tall Trees   Leave a comment

Most people know Redwood National Park in California as home to the tallest trees on Earth. But the parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild riverways, and nearly 40 miles of pristine coastline, all supporting a rich mosaic of wildlife diversity and cultural traditions. Together, the National Park Service and California State Parks manage these lands for the inspiration, enjoyment, and education of all people. Photo: Jessica Watz. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 4/25/14.

Most people know Redwood National Park in California as home to the tallest trees on Earth. But the parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild riverways, and nearly 40 miles of pristine coastline, all supporting a rich mosaic of wildlife diversity and cultural traditions. Together, the National Park Service and California State Parks manage these lands for the inspiration, enjoyment, and education of all people. Photo: Jessica Watz. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 4/25/14.

Animals, Part 2   4 comments

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The Animals

Posted April 27, 2014 by henrymowry in National Parks

The View From My Window   Leave a comment

This is the view I want from the living room window of my mountain cabin ... which means it should be in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 4/22/14.

This is the view I want from the living room window of my mountain cabin … which means it should be in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 4/22/14.

When Nature’s Incredible Beauty Needs Help, Stand On Your Horse!   Leave a comment

Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. Dan Perkins (USGS employee) standing on his horse “Cap” on top of Owachomo Bridge. Circa 1925. Photo: WT Lee, USGS. Posted by the US Department of the Interior on Tumblr, 4/24/14.

Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. Dan Perkins (USGS employee) standing on his horse “Cap” on top of Owachomo Bridge. Circa 1925. Photo: WT Lee, USGS. Posted by the US Department of the Interior on Tumblr, 4/24/14.

Purple Mountain Majesties   Leave a comment

Photo of Grand Teton National Park by Arianna Grainey. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/21/14.

Photo of Grand Teton National Park by Arianna Grainey. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/21/14.

Right Place, Right Time   10 comments

Photo taken from Glacier Point in the Yosemite National Park on 4/18 by a NPS employee. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior on 4/22/14.

Not the best picture ever taken of Half Dome, but, oh, my, isn’t it great when you get lucky with a shot like this? Photo taken from Glacier Point in the Yosemite National Park on 4/18 by an unnamed NPS employee. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior on 4/22/14.

Cutting Boards: The Next Set   2 comments

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Who Doesn’t Love Cheese & Crackers?

I Had To Mention Cutting Boards

The Cutting Board

Capitol Reef National Park   2 comments

Capitol Reef NP 00Where Is It: 220 miles south of Salt Lake City or 350 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

The Birth: After years as an under-developed National Monument, President Nixon finally singed legislation in 1971 to declare Capitol Reef a National Park.

It Happened Here: The early Mormon pioneers who settled in a colony they called Junction (later known as Fruita) planted fruit trees that still stand today in the shadow of Capitol Reef National Park’s towering cliffs.

Size: 241,904 acres

# Visitors: 663,670 in 2013. Peak attendance in May; low attendance was in December.

Fees: $5 per vehicle, good for 7 days.

Staying There: There are 3 campgrounds, 80 spaces, available on a first come, first served basis.

Contact Info:

HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, UT 84775
 
(435) 425-3791 ext. 4111

 

More

National Park Service: Capitol Reef National Park

TerraGalleria.com: Capitol Reef National Park

 YouTube: Capitol Reef National Park

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