The Travels of Johnny Thunder

For the benefit and enjoyment of the people...

2011-09-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

This September, the family and I took a trip to America's first national park: Yellowstone. Famous for its geysers and hotsprings, the park is also home to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

And, of course, not trip to Yellowstone would be complete without seeing Old Faithful. But first you have to wait about 90 minutes until the appointed time. But then the geyser does not disappoint.

Other geothermal features, include pools of hot water (that dark spot is a buffalo in the background) and colorful mineral terraces.

Mapping my Travels

2011-03-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

I created a map of my travels on flickr. Now you can see a geographic representation of all of my adventures. A simple click on the map marker will take you to the photographs. Be sure to check it out here:

Flickr Map.

-JT

"Bye and Bye"

2011-01-31T19:24:00.000-08:00

Last summer, Pippin and I took the family to explore the evergreen state of Washington. Our first stop took us to a viewpoint of Mt. Saint Helens, very near the site where some of the famous eruption photos were taken in 1980.

From Mt. Saint Helens, we travelled to Mt. Ranier National Park and visited the verdant flower meadows of Paradise and the alpine lakes in the shadow of the mountain.

Leaving the mighty mountain, we turned north to the Olympic Peninsula. From the coastal seastacks and foggy beaches to the rugged Olympic Mountains, we explored it all. Along the way, we glimpsed the Elwha dam, which is scheduled to be removed this year to restore salmon migration routes. In the coastal rain forests, we saw waterfall after waterfall. And we even managed time to tour the emerald city of Seattle and enjoy the scents of the lavender fields of Sequim, before finally bidding a final adieu to Washington and Mt. Ranier.

Yosemite

2010-06-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

As the snow was melting off the Sierra Nevadas, we made a trek to Yosemite National Park. Our first stop was at Tunnel View, for its iconic vista of El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls. While in the glacier carved valley, we took a short walk to Mirror Lake. Since the higher elevations were still burried in snow, we spent our time on the valley floor, in the shadow of Half Dome and watched the cascading water of Yosemite Falls.

Until next time!
-JT

Joshua Tree '09

2009-07-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

Johnny and Pippin made their third annual trip to Joshua Tree National Park this last March. The Joshua Tree desert was its usual strange self, especially after nightfall. There were even some yellow flowers blooming.

Since spring had arrived in Joshua Tree, we decided to seek out more flowers and trekked to see the blooms in California's Anzo-Borrega desert. Many different varieties and colors flowers were blooming; reds, purples, yellows, and whites dotted the landscape.

Also, while in the area, we managed to visit the Calico ghost town. The old mining town got its name from the multicolored rocks and dirt in the area. Its been turned into a bit of a tourist trap, but there are well preserved remains of numerous buildings and equipment.

That's all for today, until next time,
-JT

Famous Potatoes

2009-05-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Headed north into a land famous for potatoes: Idaho. Idaho is not, however, all about potatoes. It is also home to Shoshone Falls, a cascade of water taller than the famous Niagra Falls. The mist from the falls even creates rainbows.

Also located in the same region is Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. No fossils were visible, but we were told that wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail were visible behind us.

That's all for this brief trip. Until next time,
JT!

Winter in Utah

2009-01-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

Pippin and I spent New Years weekend experiencing winter in Utah. We started the tour in Snow Canyon. In addition to finding pioneers' names written on the rock in axle grease, we also found a minifigure scale arch.

After Snow Canyon, Pippin and I traveled just across the Arizona border to Pipe Springs National Monument. While there we toured the fort built over the spring, saw how the cowboys lived and met the locals.

Leaving Arizona we returned to Utah and paid a return visit to Zion National Park. Unfortunately, Zion was mostly snowed in, so we had to make our visit a short one, but we were able to see the only year round waterfall in the valley.

After leaving Zion, we headed north to make our second visit to Bryce Canyon. We were able to snowshoe along the rim of the canyon and take in some great views of the snow covered hoodoos.

Next time, we'll have to go somewhere a bit warmer... but until then Happy Travels,
-JT

The Lost Adventures

2008-11-11T17:19:00.001-08:00

Here are some more pictures from trips I've taken that didn't seem big enough for their own separate updates:

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: a little sea side village on the coast of California.

Garnet Hill, Nevada. A hill in eastern Nevada where you can dig your own garnet.

The car in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed. Now kept as a tourist attraction in a small casino in Verdi, Nevada.

Temple Square. Cite of the Mormon Temple, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Fort Churchill. The ruins of an old cavalry fort in Central Nevada.

Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks

2008-11-11T16:30:00.000-08:00

For our latest travel, Pippin and I went adventuring in Utah and vistied Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.

Our first stop took us to Bryce Canyon, home of strange free standing rock formations called hoodoos. This one is called Thor's Hammer. We also took a walk along the Queen's Garden trail, so named because this rock looks a bit like Queen Victoria. Also found within the canyon are natural bridges, ravens and deer.

After leaving Bryce Canyon we travelled southwest to Zion. Zion is home to rugged red cliffs and narrow canyons, which are carved by the Virgin River. Here we are at Weeping Rock, where water seeps from the cliff face. Scientists estimate the water fell on the tops of the cliffs several thousand years ago.

That's all for this adventure. Happy Travels!
-JT

Petroglyphs and Archaeological Digs

2008-08-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Pippin and I explored a real archaeological dig (inside a dry cave), in central Nevada. We were also able to get up close and personal with some ancient rock art, though we decided against getting up close and personal with this fellow.

Until next time,
-JT

The Great Basin

2008-08-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hello from Eastern Nevada!

Pippin and I spent the weekend exploring our new base of operations in Eastern Nevada. We explored the charcoal ovens at the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park.

We also made a visit to Great Basin National Park and descended into Lehman Caves. While in the park, we also explored the rugged mountain ranges, visited Nevada's only glacier and saw the bristlecone pine forest. Some of the trees are over 3000 years old.

Until next time,
-JT

Sutter's Fort

2008-07-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

G'day from the Golden State!

Pippin and I spent the day in Sacramento California, touring the end point of the westward wagon trail, Sutter's Fort. Built prior to the American Civil War, in the 1830s and 40s, but now located in the modern urban downtown neighborhoods of Sacramento, the white walls and gun towers of the fort, spelled safety for the pioneers and gold seekers, who travelled across the continent and made it through the wooden gates to the well-stocked and industrial interior of the fort.

Until next time, happy travels!
-JT

Dinosaurs and Ghost Towns

2008-06-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

G'day from Berlin, Nevada!

Our latest travel took Pippin and I to the Berlin Icthyosaur Park, which is almost in the dead center of Nevada. The park is home to the well preserved Berlin, ghost town. Many well preserved buildings and debris from the mining town are scattered throught the hillside.

Apart from the ghost town, Berlin is also home to the fossilized remains of the prehistoric Ichtyosaur. The darker colored stones are the fossils. Here is a lifesized relief of one of the creatures.

Oh, and we also took our guest Harold along too...

Until next time, happy travels!
-JT

Sequoias and Kings Canyon

2008-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

G'day from Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

High in the Sierra Nevada mountains, grow the largest trees in the world. In the picture above, you can see the General Sherman, the largest tree, by volume of wood, in the world. Also located in Sequoia National Park, is Crystal Cave, a cave formed in the marble of the mountains, and lush alpine meadows.

Kings Canyon National Park is home to, of course, Kings Canyon, with steep walls of sheer granite plunging down to river crossed meadows.

The park is also home to numerous wild animals, including: coyotes and marmots, as well as bear.

Until next time, happy travels!
-JT

Joshua Tree 2008

2008-05-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

One year ago, Johnny explored Joshua Tree National Park. This year, Johnny and Pippin returned to the desert to explore the areas he missed on his last journey. Rather than focusing on the natural wonders, this time I explored the manmade sites located in the park, including: Keys Ranch, a early 20th century homestead; and the Lost Horse Mine.

Also, while in the area, Pippin and I caught a glimpse of the Salton Sea, an artificially created inland sea (you can read more about it here) and visited Pioneertown, a live-in motion picture set.

On the way to Joshua Tree, Pippin and I stopped briefly at Manzanar National Historic Site, site on an internment camp, high in the Sierra Mountains, for the Japanese in World War 2. Almost nothing is left, but there is a replica of a guard tower.

After leaving the desert, we made a short detour, in an attempt to see some ancient bristlecone pine trees. Sadly, due to the new snowfall, we were unable to see the truly ancient trees and had to settle for viewing some of their younger siblings. More on the bristlecones can be found here.

Oh yes, and we caught a showing of the new Indiana Jones flick.

Until next time, Happy Travels!
-JT

Route 66 and the Southwest

2008-05-24T08:00:00.001-07:00

Getting my kicks on Route 66...

As alluded to in my last post, Pippin and I picked up Route 66 in Texas and followed it for the remainder of our journey, through the land of antelope, squirrels, lizards and dinosaurs.

The classic highway led us through Albequerque, New Mexico, where we saw ancient native american petroglyphs, at Petroglyph National Monument.

From the petroglyphs we continued west to El Morro, where we saw carvings in the rock face of a mesa. This one is from 1709 and if you look closely, you can see the date. We also climbed to the top of the mesa, where natives used to dwell.

Leaving El Morro, we travelled west a bit and spent the night in a teepee at another Route 66 icon: the Wigwam Motel.

Leaving our Teepee, we trekked to the Painted Desert (the picture really doesn't do justice to the colors) and saw the petrified trees of Petrified Forest National Park.

From the Petrified Forest, we made a quick jaunt to Arizona's second most famous hole in the ground: Meteor Crater.

Back on our way west again, we visited Walnut Canyon and explored the pueblo cliff dwellings and the lower portions of the canyon.

Then it was on to Arizona's most famous hole in the ground: the Grand Canyon. As you can see, a storm was coming in.

Leaving the Grand Canyon, we made the last stop of our journey at Hoover Dam, including a tour into the dam's inner workings.

And that is the last of my lost travels,
Until next time, Happy Travels!
-JT

Texas

2008-05-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Deep in the heart of Texas... it was really the panhandle, but we did visit the famous (at least famous in Texas) Palo Dura Canyon. As we headed for New Mexico, we made a brief stop at the Route 66 icon: the Cadillac Ranch.

A small update for such a big state.

Happy Travels... or should that be trails?
-JT

Memphis

2008-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

Between Mississippi and Arkansas, as described in my last post, Pippin and I stopped for the night in Memphis. That evening, we walked on Beale Street, as seen in the picture above, and listened to some delta blues. We also saw the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and the ducks in the fountain of the Peabody Hotel.

The next day, we visited Graceland. And though we didn't see the ghost of Elvis (though this was pretty close), we did see his grave.

That's all for now, thank you, thank you very much...
-JT

The South

2008-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten,
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixieland!

That's right, Johnny and Pippin are touring Dixie, the Southern United States. We stopped at the swamp at Congaree National Park, in South Carolina. Actually, since it was August it wasn't much of a swamp, though we did see this little green guy.

After leaving the swamp, we visited Atlanta, Georgia and saw the house where Martin Luther King Jr. was born.

From Atlanta we traveled west, stopping briefing at the Sloss Ironworks, in Birmingham, Alambama, to Tupelo, Mississippi and saw the birthplace of Elvis Prestley.

Leaving Mississippi, we entered Tennessee and stopped in Memphis (you can read more about that tomorrow). After leaving Memphis, we traveled into Arkansas and visited Hot Springs National Park (the least impressive national park, I've ever visited) to see the Hot Springs and the historic bath houses and health spas. We also dug for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds, the world's only public diamond mine, which is where we are in the picture above. Sadly we did not find any diamonds, but we did get muddy.

Oh and yes, we did see king cotton.

Until next time!
-JT

East Coast

2008-05-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

From Washington, Pippin and I continued east to the Atlantic Ocean. We toured Yorktown, Virginia, site of the British surrender in 1781. Historical reinacters were firing a cannon, a replica of those surrendered by the British (that's one of the actual surrendered cannons, in the picture above). We also visited Jamestown, Virginia, site of the first permanent settlement in North America.

After leaving Virginia, we turned south, onto North Carolina's barrier islands. While touring the islands, we visited Kitty Hawk, site of the Wright Brothers' first flight. Those white stones mark the landing spot of each of the first four flights. And we saw a lot of lighthouses, including the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Happy Travels!
-JT

Washington D.C.

2008-05-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

Washington D.C., capitol of the United States, comprised the next stop on our travels. We had time to tour the houses of the three branches of American government: the White House (executive); the Capitol (legislative); and Supreme Court (judicial).

We payed a visit to Arlington National Cemetary, to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

We also managed to squeeze in time to see: the pandas at the National Zoo; Ford's Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was shot; the Washington Monument; the Lincoln Memorial (which was closed, due to protestors); and the Wright Brothers plane' (which, I also believe is a Lego set) at the Smithsonian.

That's all for now!
-JT

Shenandoah

2008-05-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

Still travelling east, we arrived in Virginia's Shenandoah valley, home of Shenandoah National Park. We toured the park's Skyline Drive, saw some wildlife and a waterfall.

Happy travels
-JT!

Midwest

2008-05-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

The next leg of my lost travels takes us across the great plains of North America. That portion is part of the Tall Grass Prarie Preserve, in Kansas. Most of it, however, is today used for farming, like this field in Illinois, just across the state line from Misourri and the famous St. Louis Arch.

Moving into Ohio, we visited the home of William Howard Taft, which is preserved as a national historic site. Also in Ohio, we visited the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, where native americans built numerous dirt mounds, for reasons unknown.

That's all for now,
-JT

Sand Dunes

2008-05-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Great Sand Dunes constitute the second of my lost travels. These strange formations look like they would be more at home in the Sahara, but in reality are located in Colorado. The wind collects the sand and blows it up into the mountains, where it is washed down many little streams. Eventually the process builds these giant sand dunes at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

After leaving the sand dunes, we also made a quick stop at Bent's Old Fort, a reconstruction of an 1840s fur trading post.

See you next time!
-JT

The Black Canyon

2008-05-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

The first of my lost travels begins at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, National Park in Colorado (actually, it began at Arches and Canyonlands, which you can read about in my earlier posts). Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the steep canyon, with walls of granite shelters the Gunnison River, which is accessable at the end of the canyon.

Until next time,
-JT

The Lost Travels

2008-05-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

G'day fellow travelers. Pippin reminded me that I hadn't posted any pictures of our travels for quite a while. So I decided I would post some of my lost travels. Look for them over the next few weeks.

Until then, enjoy some preview pictures:

-JT

Canyonlands

2007-08-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

Islands in the Sky. Crossing the highway from Arches, I found myself in Canyonlands National Park. The park is named for the numerous deep chasms found all around the area. Also in the area are the islands in the sky (mesas surrounded by canyons).

Well Pippin and I are off on our next adventure,
Until next time, Happy Travels,
JT

Arches

2007-08-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

Johnny visits the golden Arches... well not really golden... more of a sandstone really...

Yes, I'm in the American Southwest, visiting Arches National Park. Arches is home to a huge collection of sandstone arches, including: the double arch; the delicate arch; and the southern window (which, I believe, was in the opening of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). It also has other unusual stone formations including the balanced rock.

Well that's all for now, until next time, Happy Travels!
-JT

Joshua Tree 2007

2007-07-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

G'day from the desert!

This update is a little late in coming, as it was May when I visited Joshua Tree National Park, in California. Home to the strange Joshua Tree, it was quite hot and dry in the desert. Joshua Trees are not the only residents of the desert there are at least two palm oasises hidden among the rocks and dry earth. You can see me in front of the 49 Palms Oasis, in the picture above and I also managed to visit the Lost Palms Oasis. And, while the desert is hot and dry, some animals manage to live there, including desert tortises, lizards and roadrunners.

That's all for now. Until next time, Happy Travels!
-JT

Lake Tahoe

2007-03-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

Jewel of the Sierras.

That's what Mark Twain called Lake Tahoe in 1861. And after working my way, on snowshoes, to the top of a ridge overlooking the second deepest the lake in the United States, I have to agree. You can even see my tracks in the snow.

About halfway up the ridge is a great spot to stop and feed the birds. And, I even took time to build a snowman.

That's all for now, I've got to go dry off my snowshoes, so they don't rust.
Happy Travels!
-JT

Lincoln

2006-11-19T19:21:00.000-08:00

"Four score and seven [hours] ago..." Johnny Thunder visited the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned. The inside of the house, located in Springfield, Illinois, is decorated and restored to the same condition, as when Lincoln left. There is very little furniture that was actually owned by Lincolns, as Mary Todd sold it after Lincoln died. His desk and chair, however, remain.

Also in Springfield are Lincoln's law offices and the old capitol building, where Lincoln served as a legislator.

Finally, in the outskirts of Springfield, is Lincoln's tomb, while protects the coffin, holding Lincoln's remains.

The picture above is me, in front of a bust of Lincoln, which sits near the entrance to the tomb. The nose is so shiney, because, for some unknown reason, visitors touch it, as they enter.

That's all for now. I'll have another update soon. Happy Travels!
-JT

Pyramid Lake

2006-11-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

"See the pyramids along the Nile,
Watch the sunset on a tropic isle..."

G'day fellow travelers!

Actually, there was no tropic isle or Nile for that matter, but there were pyramids. Not true pyramids, however, these are actuallys tufa rock formations. These strange monuments can be found at Pyramid Lake.

Also in the area are bubbling hot springs (that's me in front of one, in the picture above), desert bighorn sheep and other strange rock formations. This one looks a bit like George Washington. I think it's the nose...

That's all for now. Happy Travels!
-JT

Redwoods

2006-10-31T17:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween, from the Big Trees!

What big trees, you ask? Why the California Redwoods, located on the foggy northern coast of California. The massive fog and rain allows these trees to grow to enormous heights and thrive in a lush forest. Some of the trees grow so big, you can drive a car through them. Guess it takes a giant lumberjack to fall one of these giants.

Of course the plants aren't the only thing to live here. Animals such as deer, elk, sea lions, banana slugs and bald eagles also frequent the area.

But, that's all for today. Happy Travels!
-JT

Invitation

2006-10-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

G'day fellow travellers,

The letter from my good pal Chewie got me thinking, why should I be the only one to share my travels. I'm sure many of you out there have travels that are just as interesting as mine. And after all, I can't be travelling all the time. So what I've decided to do is: allow all you fellow travelers out there to submit your travel stories for inclusion in my journal.

Now of course there will be certain rules, which will be subject to modification, by yours truly, at any time, without prior warning or discussion. Any terms requiring definitions will be defined again by me. So here they are

1. All pictures must be decent and in good taste.

2. All submissions must be in substantially the same format as the already existing posts. That is: (a) an image from the location with a Lego minifig (anyone you choose, subject to rule one, of course) at the top; (b) followed by a description of your travels -try to keep it short but with enough information to be interesting; (c) any additional pictures are highly encourages, but should be linked in the text; (d) please include a webpage link (whenever possible) to the location you visited so others can make the same trip, if they so choose; and (e) please try to use a friendly letter type format, just as if you were writing a letter to me, to share your travels -try to stay in character.

3. All submissions are subject to editing and/or non-posting at my discretion.

4. All submissions must be sent by email to: jt.adventurer[NO]@[SPAM]hotmail.com (simply remove the brackets and the bracketed language to contact me).

5. All submissions should be in html format, to enable quick cut-and-paste postings. If you don't know how to do this, I'm willing to work with you, if the submission is good or if it is a slow period.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
-JT

Crater Lake (Chewbacca)

2006-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

JT,

I saw your travel journal, while crusing around the galaxy with Han and thought I would pass along a recommendation for your travels: Crater Lake.

Here is a picture Han took of me (I wish he had told me my hair was messed up).

The lake is beautiful and blue as a Bothan. I wanted to visit Wizard Island, but Han was too cheap to spring for the boat tour... And the water was too cold to swim, even for a Wookie like me and Han doesn't like how the wet dog smell lingers in the Falcon anyway.

Be sure you check out the other sights located around the lake, such as the Pinnacles.

Grrrrraaaawwwwwwhhhhhhh!
-Chewie

San Francisco

2006-10-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Open up that Golden Gate!

G'day fellow travelers,

As promised my update from the City by the Bay: San Francisco. After leaving Point Reyes, I crossed over the Golden Gate and passed through the City -my was traffic a nightmare- on my way to the San Mateo Lego Store. Check out the size of that stud!

Until next time, Happy Travels!
-JT

Point Reyes

2006-10-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

Hello, fellow travelers!

My most recent adventure took me to the Point Reyes National Seashore, purported to be the windiest and foggiest point on the Pacific Coast.

Though this adventure was not as impressive as some I have had (the foliage was dry and the cows were copious and rather smelly, and this is coming from someone who finds farm smells rather pleasant), there were still some highpoints.

Specifically, I would mention the Tule Elk, inhabiting the northern portion of the peninsula. If you look closely you can see them.

Also worth a visit is the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, which operated from 1870 until 1975. Did I mention it is also located at the bottom of a flight of 308 concrete stairs?

Finally, I would mention the spectacular ocean views. Rocky cliffs perfectly frame the violent surf crashing on the beach and if you look down the cliffs, you can see pelicans soaring hundreds of feet below you.

That's all I have time to write for today. I'll fill you in on the remainder of my adventure later in the week... next up: passing through the City by the Bay.

Happy Travels!
-JT

Sheldon Wildlife Refuge

2006-10-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

G'day! Just got in from a visit to the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge. First, I must apologize for the quality of the picture... Pippin is still getting used to these new digital cameras.

We went searching for the elusive bighorn sheep, rumored the inhabit the region, but encountered only a small herd of wild burros near a dried up lake bed. You can barely make out the ears of one behind me, in the picture above!

We also encountered a fire opal mine, to which we will definately be returning to dig for treasures...

That's all for now! I've got to get packing for my next adventure.

Happy Travels!
-JT

Welcome

2006-09-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

Hello, Johnny Thunder here. Welcome to my travel journal. You may have seen me and my friends in some of our other adventures. From Egypt to Asia; from the Lost World to the Amazon; we've been everywhere. Now, however, I would like to extend an invitation to join me on a tour through the real world. Check back here for pictures from my latest travels...

-JT