Thank you for coming out! Courage is contagious. My first protest was this year too.

Thank you Senator!

We did the first section of chains on Angels Landing before deciding to turn back. The weather was rolling in and my husband started getting vertigo. Was an easy decision, and a lovely reminder that a hike can still be a great one, even if you don't "finish it." Our little summit was perfect.

A4) Extra water. Sometimes I find myself hiking up to a water source with a full liter. When I catch myself, I'll drink it or pour it out once I feel confident there's a reliable source close by, but I rarely let it drop below 8oz. Just in case. Also FAK stuffs to stop a bleed. #parkchat

A7) Honestly, I sleep so much better outside with the various nature noises of night. Except around whippoorwills. So loud. So endless. I once slept through an entire herd of buffalo walking up against the tent. I'd be surprised if a bump in the night woke me up long enough to be scared. #parkchat

My cat called for me, then climbed into my lap and fell asleep. She wasn't been a lap cat until old age so I'm relishing every second (which is good because this nap cycle has already lasted an hour and is projected to last at least one more)

No, not now. I love our National Parks fiercely, but they are understaffed and the pressure from reduced international tourism might talk. Visitor spending feeds the local economies, usually GOP, not the parks. Spend your $$ elsewhere until we deserve it again.

I take a photo of every single one I encounter. Very helpful when reviewing photos later to recall the general location of thing - little waymarks still serving their purpose off trail.

Oh my goodness, those pictures are the cutest! Completely understand the excitement; an NPS badge - even a wooden one - means something special. I grieve for those who have had their real ones revoked.

For over a decade a lottery system has been in place to protect the area from overuse. Applicants have ~2% success rate for a Core Zone permit, and even with restrictions rangers still haul approx. 1000 lbs of trailside human excrement out of the backcountry each year.

A10) If the question was which landmark do *I* love, it would be mountains for sure, but a more literal interpretation has got to be this heart I found eroded into the West Rim Trail in Zion NP, below the White Cliffs #ParkChat

A9) I have taken thousands of photos in the parks, but here’s a photo I didn't take that really captured the moment (credit to Zion Adventure Photog) #ParkChat

We got little bags of pretzels and lemonade at Phantom Ranch after hiking down into the canyon as campers and to this day those were the BEST bags of airline pretzels I think I've ever had, even if they did cost a fortune. I'd forgotten about that! #ParkChat

I recognize that picnic area! There were lots of memories being made the day we were there for sure. I got the recipe for those beans back when it was printed on the menu of Roosevelt Lodge - to this day it's one of my go-to side dishes for cookouts and barbecues. #ParkChat