Lauren Danner
@laurendanner.bsky.social
Pretty much only here for #ParkChat. Writing a book about Washington state parks. Also interested in: design (especially Scandinavian) and modern architecture.
A11. Always ask #ParkChat people first, is my rule. Essays like those by @adamsowards.net often contain good info that I’ll use in planning, too. And books about a given park, because they include places important in the park’s history and I like to visit those if I can.
November 6, 2025 at 2:59 AM
A11. Always ask #ParkChat people first, is my rule. Essays like those by @adamsowards.net often contain good info that I’ll use in planning, too. And books about a given park, because they include places important in the park’s history and I like to visit those if I can.
A10. All of the above, but I usually have good luck when I decide the recommended trail is too crowded and just pick a nearby one instead. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:56 AM
A10. All of the above, but I usually have good luck when I decide the recommended trail is too crowded and just pick a nearby one instead. #ParkChat
A9. Guadalupe Mountains has a lot of human history tucked into plenty of places if you’re willing to hike a bit. Indigenous, Spanish, early settler, ranching, sometimes right on top of each other. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 AM
A9. Guadalupe Mountains has a lot of human history tucked into plenty of places if you’re willing to hike a bit. Indigenous, Spanish, early settler, ranching, sometimes right on top of each other. #ParkChat
A8. A ranger suggested we hike the South Mountain trail at Valles Caldera to the snow line. The trail was clear, and on the way down we startled two bear cubs in a Pondy pine—and heard a loud huff from the mother, who we never saw. Instant adrenaline. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:47 AM
A8. A ranger suggested we hike the South Mountain trail at Valles Caldera to the snow line. The trail was clear, and on the way down we startled two bear cubs in a Pondy pine—and heard a loud huff from the mother, who we never saw. Instant adrenaline. #ParkChat
A6. From the summit of Capulin Volcano, the geology of where the Rockies meet the Great Plains is visible and stunning. So many volcanic features everywhere. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:38 AM
A6. From the summit of Capulin Volcano, the geology of where the Rockies meet the Great Plains is visible and stunning. So many volcanic features everywhere. #ParkChat
A5. Mesa Verde is stunning, but if you want fewer people and tons of ancient architecture, try Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients national monuments nearby. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:33 AM
A5. Mesa Verde is stunning, but if you want fewer people and tons of ancient architecture, try Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients national monuments nearby. #ParkChat
A4. People rightfully go to Bandelier to see the amazing cavates and pueblo structures, but the Frey Trail, which follows the old road to the rim, is well worth the hike. I have never met anyone on that trail. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 AM
A4. People rightfully go to Bandelier to see the amazing cavates and pueblo structures, but the Frey Trail, which follows the old road to the rim, is well worth the hike. I have never met anyone on that trail. #ParkChat
A3. Part of me selfishly doesn’t want lesser-known parks to get more attention, because then they get more people. But since you asked, how about Cedar Breaks, which my family infamously skipped on the way from Zion to Bryce Canyon, to my everlasting chagrin. I still haven’t made it there. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:19 AM
A3. Part of me selfishly doesn’t want lesser-known parks to get more attention, because then they get more people. But since you asked, how about Cedar Breaks, which my family infamously skipped on the way from Zion to Bryce Canyon, to my everlasting chagrin. I still haven’t made it there. #ParkChat
A2. Underrated, hmmm. That’s a tough one. I don’t think it’s underrated, just not as crowded, and I’d really like to see Great Basin NP. #ParkChat
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 AM
A2. Underrated, hmmm. That’s a tough one. I don’t think it’s underrated, just not as crowded, and I’d really like to see Great Basin NP. #ParkChat
A1. On the way to Rio Grande del Norte NM, we stopped at La Cueva in Taos and had the best tortilla soup ever. Eight years later, we went back and it was just as good. Amazing. In the parks, Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room in Yellowstone. Hello from rainy Vancouver, #ParkChat!
November 6, 2025 at 2:11 AM
A1. On the way to Rio Grande del Norte NM, we stopped at La Cueva in Taos and had the best tortilla soup ever. Eight years later, we went back and it was just as good. Amazing. In the parks, Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room in Yellowstone. Hello from rainy Vancouver, #ParkChat!
A10. Fort Vancouver does a living history day a few times a year, including cooking demonstrations and talks in the dining room about what would have been served and when. Really interesting. #ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:55 AM
A10. Fort Vancouver does a living history day a few times a year, including cooking demonstrations and talks in the dining room about what would have been served and when. Really interesting. #ParkChat
A9. On a hike to Ranger Falls at Mount Rainier I had a strong sense of being watched and knew there’d been mountain lion sightings in the area. And (repeat story) I heard one scream as I was driving on the Mather Parkway at Rainier. Absolutely chilling. #ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:47 AM
A9. On a hike to Ranger Falls at Mount Rainier I had a strong sense of being watched and knew there’d been mountain lion sightings in the area. And (repeat story) I heard one scream as I was driving on the Mather Parkway at Rainier. Absolutely chilling. #ParkChat
A7. We’ve been to Carlsbad Caverns, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave. Only one was open, and we did get to see the bats! Does Ape Cave at Mt. St. Helens count, @mtmagog.bsky.social? #ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:39 AM
A7. We’ve been to Carlsbad Caverns, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave. Only one was open, and we did get to see the bats! Does Ape Cave at Mt. St. Helens count, @mtmagog.bsky.social? #ParkChat
A6. When we visited Hampton NHS in Baltimore, we didn’t go inside the house because it was closed, but I thought a lot about the people enslaved there and what their lives might have been like. Certainly they did not enjoy the manicured grounds as we did. #ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:35 AM
A6. When we visited Hampton NHS in Baltimore, we didn’t go inside the house because it was closed, but I thought a lot about the people enslaved there and what their lives might have been like. Certainly they did not enjoy the manicured grounds as we did. #ParkChat
A4. I’m thinking @beckyjlomax.bsky.social, because she spends a lot of time on trail and would likely be prepared and be able to figure out a plan. #ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:21 AM
A4. I’m thinking @beckyjlomax.bsky.social, because she spends a lot of time on trail and would likely be prepared and be able to figure out a plan. #ParkChat
A2. Neither. I lie awake, listening intently and scaring myself. Seriously, once I lay awake listening to a scritch-scritch sound for hours. It sounded like something pawing at the ground. Next morning I found the culprit: a branch of Western redcedar just low enough to scrape the tent. 🙄 #ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:13 AM
A2. Neither. I lie awake, listening intently and scaring myself. Seriously, once I lay awake listening to a scritch-scritch sound for hours. It sounded like something pawing at the ground. Next morning I found the culprit: a branch of Western redcedar just low enough to scrape the tent. 🙄 #ParkChat
A1. @tthrash.bsky.social already a complicated Q?! We don’t celebrate Halloween per se. We follow the Wheel of the Year, which marks seasonal changes in eight-week increments. We celebrate Samhain (say SOW-hen), an ancient harvest festival that gave rise to most modern Halloween traditions.#ParkChat
October 30, 2025 at 1:09 AM
A1. @tthrash.bsky.social already a complicated Q?! We don’t celebrate Halloween per se. We follow the Wheel of the Year, which marks seasonal changes in eight-week increments. We celebrate Samhain (say SOW-hen), an ancient harvest festival that gave rise to most modern Halloween traditions.#ParkChat
My Wednesdays have been crazy, but I’m finally here for the always excellent #spookyParkChat #ParkChat!
October 30, 2025 at 1:04 AM
My Wednesdays have been crazy, but I’m finally here for the always excellent #spookyParkChat #ParkChat!
Thank you @babyboomersaves.bsky.social for a great #ParkChat. I couldn’t keep up!
October 2, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Thank you @babyboomersaves.bsky.social for a great #ParkChat. I couldn’t keep up!
A8. c? That seems really tall for an East Coast tree, but I dunno. Maybe. The pic is on Whidbey Island, where there are some massive old trees. @mtmagog.bsky.social #ParkChat
October 2, 2025 at 1:40 AM
A8. c? That seems really tall for an East Coast tree, but I dunno. Maybe. The pic is on Whidbey Island, where there are some massive old trees. @mtmagog.bsky.social #ParkChat
A7. Petroglyphs or rock art. I think some are a “Kilroy was here” type of marker. Some are cultural markers, telling stories and holding traditions. Many we have no idea. These are all in Washington. #ParkChat
October 2, 2025 at 1:37 AM
A7. Petroglyphs or rock art. I think some are a “Kilroy was here” type of marker. Some are cultural markers, telling stories and holding traditions. Many we have no idea. These are all in Washington. #ParkChat