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babyboomersaves.bsky.social
@babyboomersaves.bsky.social
I believe in democracy, science and social justice. 💯 💙💙💙
Nature lover. 🏕️🌲 On a quest to visit all the national parks.
Personal Finance writer. 💲✍️ Exploring creative ways to catch up retirement savings after a late start. She/Her.
Shopping on Black Friday? You can still save by shopping local! 🎁

Save more by sharing experiences instead of shopping. I'll be out hiking. 🏞️

From Robert Reich ~ Black Friday reminder that in 75% of U.S. industries, a smaller # of companies control more business than 20 yrs ago. Shop small.
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Hey, I thought of some more! (I'm motivated by food!) How about the Chocolate Drops in Canyonlands? Also, there's a Salmon River that flows through part of the Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska. Or lava Breadcrust Bombs at Craters of the Moon NM in Idaho?! #ParkChat
Photo credit: NPS CC BY 2.0
November 28, 2025 at 2:18 AM
A2: We're grateful we survived long hikes our daughter planned for us at Canyonlands NP! 🤣 Kidding - we treasured our time with our daughter in this beautiful place. It was special to share the experience as we viewed ancient pictographs & petroglyphs, and breathtaking red rock scenery. #ParkChat
November 27, 2025 at 7:30 AM
A4: There are many conveniences that make visiting the parks easier today, such as GPS for driving directions, apps like AllTrails or the NPS app, pretty good dehydrated meals & modern gear. I probably use my lightweight phone camera the most. Looking through pictures brings back memories. #ParkChat
November 27, 2025 at 7:06 AM
A5: I'm grateful to live in California, where it doesn't take too long to get to many of our NPS sites. I've definitely taken advantage of the recharge effect of the majestic mountains, big trees & crashing waves in the parks here. I believe in the healing power of nature! #ParkChat
November 27, 2025 at 6:54 AM
A6: The underground landscape in Mammoth Cave NP features interesting formations with culinary names: cave bacon, cave popcorn, and soda straws! 🥓🍿🥤 #ParkChat
November 27, 2025 at 6:37 AM
A3: We spent one of our Thanksgiving holidays hiking in John Day Fossil Beds NM, in Oregon (new park to us). It was so quiet there on Thanksgiving Day. True solitude. We only saw one or two other people. Very unusual to have a NPS site to ourselves. #ParkChat
November 27, 2025 at 6:05 AM
It's National #Fibonacci Day! Celebrating beautiful fractals in nature: the spiral pattern in romanesco broccoli, pinecones, pineapples, ferns, seed heads of sunflowers, succulents, snowflakes, shells & more. Fibonacci's grave in Pisa, Italy. I expected to see ferns carved into the stone, but no.
November 24, 2025 at 6:44 AM
I am not a morning person, either! I will join, but I'm sure I'll still be sipping my matcha latte in my jammies. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A11: We're trying to visit every NPS site. Hopefully we'll get to some more parks in Alaska, Hawaii, and American Samoa. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 4:37 AM
A10: Hmm, hard to say. 1st park may have been Yellowstone. I grew up visiting parks w/my family & worked at Mount Rushmore during college. Hubby & I took our kid to the parks from the time she was very young. We still visit the parks w/extended family, including my 85 year old mom! #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 4:12 AM
A9: Seeing the contrast of the tiny light-colored wildflower plants against the dark black lava scapes in Craters of the Moon NM. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 AM
A8: I love every answer already shared. Yes, and... the preservation of the stories that are not pretty or pleasant. We must recognize our past mistakes, make reparations, and educate future generations to be better than past & present. Oh, and protecting cryptobiotic soil crust! #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:48 AM
A7: Remote - you're going to have to rely on your own two feet. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:37 AM
A6: I will always remember the star parties in the parks! We've been to some fun ones at Joshua Tree NP. Also, I treasure the experiences we shared with my dad when he served as a volunteer astronomer at Chaco Culture NHP. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 AM
A5: Many opportunities to get small in the National Parks! Here's a shot from White Sands NP. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:25 AM
A4: The Thunderhole in Acadia NP has very distinctive sounds! You know you're close when you hear the rounded rock boulders clacking against each other in the surf and the boom of the ocean wave blasting back out of the narrow watery passageway. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 AM
A3: I'll say solitude. I specifically sought out one of the quietest places on earth, deep in the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic NP. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
A2: I liked Karen's idea of typing in "horizon" for a photo prompt. Here are some lovely horizons from John Day Fossil Beds NM, Acadia NP, Great Sand Dunes NP, and Bryce Canyon NP. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:02 AM
A1: The expansive view, whether it's overlooking a red rock canyon or gazing up at a giant Sequoia. Or trying to hug one of those redwood trees, right Don? #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Seeing #Firefall in #Yosemite 🤩
November 13, 2025 at 5:09 AM
A6: We prefer to visit the less crowded Kolob Canyon unit of Zion. But we braved the main part of the park, driving in circles until a parking spot opened. The VC was a zoo with wall-to-wall tourists! Luckily, you just have to hike about 20 minutes until you have the trails to yourself. #ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Absolutely counts! White Sands NP vs. Pink Coral Sands SP. Both offer sand sledding! #ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Ohhh, I forgot to say that! We also took a boat to Rainbow Bridge NM. It was a long boat ride and a short hike to the monument. #ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
A2: I've stayed at Old Faithful Inn - as @jlankauchase.bsky.social stated, built by the Yellowstone Park Company, a subsidiary of Northern Pacific RR. Hubby & I stayed at Glacier Park Lodge, first built by the Great Northern Railway. #ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 3:57 AM