SchmidtTravels
@schmidttravels.bsky.social
Explorer of Public Lands, by foot and by book
41) The Sun is a Compass by Caroline Van Hemert. The author's remarkable 4,000 mile journey with her husband through Alaskan wilderness. Underpinning is a life direction decision after completing her doctoral thesis. Encounters with all the big Alaskan wildlife and a sublime grand landscape. 4⭐️
December 20, 2025 at 3:08 AM
41) The Sun is a Compass by Caroline Van Hemert. The author's remarkable 4,000 mile journey with her husband through Alaskan wilderness. Underpinning is a life direction decision after completing her doctoral thesis. Encounters with all the big Alaskan wildlife and a sublime grand landscape. 4⭐️
A8. We revisited Glacier National Park for the first time since 1998, spent a winter week in Saguaro, discovered Grand Mesa NF, and did a road trip through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia park sites. Too many photos to choose from, but here is one of my favorites... #ParkChat
December 12, 2025 at 2:06 AM
A8. We revisited Glacier National Park for the first time since 1998, spent a winter week in Saguaro, discovered Grand Mesa NF, and did a road trip through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia park sites. Too many photos to choose from, but here is one of my favorites... #ParkChat
A7. Oh, too much to list! I visited the largest flattop mesa in the world in Colorado, learned about John Brown's raid, saw one of the oldest indigenous structures in the country, Effigy Mounts is great any time of the year, and much more!
#ParkChat
#ParkChat
December 12, 2025 at 1:59 AM
A7. Oh, too much to list! I visited the largest flattop mesa in the world in Colorado, learned about John Brown's raid, saw one of the oldest indigenous structures in the country, Effigy Mounts is great any time of the year, and much more!
#ParkChat
#ParkChat
A5. I learned that we can take a little more time in retirement; we've usually bee-lined to a destination. Photo from a side trip through Yellowstone on return trip from moving our daughter to Washington State.
We have the Isle Royale lodge booked and probably a trip to see our daughter. #ParkChat
We have the Isle Royale lodge booked and probably a trip to see our daughter. #ParkChat
December 12, 2025 at 1:45 AM
A5. I learned that we can take a little more time in retirement; we've usually bee-lined to a destination. Photo from a side trip through Yellowstone on return trip from moving our daughter to Washington State.
We have the Isle Royale lodge booked and probably a trip to see our daughter. #ParkChat
We have the Isle Royale lodge booked and probably a trip to see our daughter. #ParkChat
I hope I get a similar Isle Royale picture when I am there in 2026.
I'll share a St Mary Lake sunset from our August trip to Glacier National Park. Taken from a moving car, but turned out quite well.
#ParkChat
I'll share a St Mary Lake sunset from our August trip to Glacier National Park. Taken from a moving car, but turned out quite well.
#ParkChat
December 12, 2025 at 1:17 AM
I hope I get a similar Isle Royale picture when I am there in 2026.
I'll share a St Mary Lake sunset from our August trip to Glacier National Park. Taken from a moving car, but turned out quite well.
#ParkChat
I'll share a St Mary Lake sunset from our August trip to Glacier National Park. Taken from a moving car, but turned out quite well.
#ParkChat
40) The Last Ranger by Peter Heller. A fictional novel centered on a park ranger in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. I enjoyed the descriptive writing and character development; but, the plot seemed to leave loose ends. Maybe a sequel will be written? 4⭐
December 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
40) The Last Ranger by Peter Heller. A fictional novel centered on a park ranger in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. I enjoyed the descriptive writing and character development; but, the plot seemed to leave loose ends. Maybe a sequel will be written? 4⭐
39) A Flower Traveled In My Blood by Haley Cohen Gilliland.
The true story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, grandmothers who have been fighting to find their grandchildren, stolen during Argentina’s 1970s dictatorship. Gilliland dives deep into difficult research to tell one family's story. 5⭐
The true story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, grandmothers who have been fighting to find their grandchildren, stolen during Argentina’s 1970s dictatorship. Gilliland dives deep into difficult research to tell one family's story. 5⭐
November 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
39) A Flower Traveled In My Blood by Haley Cohen Gilliland.
The true story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, grandmothers who have been fighting to find their grandchildren, stolen during Argentina’s 1970s dictatorship. Gilliland dives deep into difficult research to tell one family's story. 5⭐
The true story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, grandmothers who have been fighting to find their grandchildren, stolen during Argentina’s 1970s dictatorship. Gilliland dives deep into difficult research to tell one family's story. 5⭐
I80 will be a mess tomorrow. I wouldnt be surprised to see highway closures and definitely tow bans.
November 28, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I80 will be a mess tomorrow. I wouldnt be surprised to see highway closures and definitely tow bans.
Forecast update. 🥶
November 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Forecast update. 🥶
A10. A spring break trip to Phoenix with my now wife. A 1994 Grand Canyon hike to Plateau Point and swing through Sedona opened our eyes to the beauty of public lands. Our kids have grown up on public lands since that time. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 3:02 AM
A10. A spring break trip to Phoenix with my now wife. A 1994 Grand Canyon hike to Plateau Point and swing through Sedona opened our eyes to the beauty of public lands. Our kids have grown up on public lands since that time. #ParkChat
A7. Relatively hard to get to, not too many people. Hundreds of miles of sparsely populated trails and views to the San Juans. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 AM
A7. Relatively hard to get to, not too many people. Hundreds of miles of sparsely populated trails and views to the San Juans. #ParkChat
A4. We tend to hike near rivers or creeks or along lake shores, the sound of water moving usually means we are on a trail somewhere. #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:25 AM
A4. We tend to hike near rivers or creeks or along lake shores, the sound of water moving usually means we are on a trail somewhere. #ParkChat
On Nov 19th, 1863:
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM
On Nov 19th, 1863:
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
A9. I'm guessing @camarowrx.bsky.social has mentioned the C&O Canal Towpath? My wife ran a self-marathon there this summer. And, I visited the Dayton Aviation Heritage NHS with a friend this summer. #ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A9. I'm guessing @camarowrx.bsky.social has mentioned the C&O Canal Towpath? My wife ran a self-marathon there this summer. And, I visited the Dayton Aviation Heritage NHS with a friend this summer. #ParkChat
A5. The Gettysburg self-driving audio tour using the NPS app was exceptional. Plus, it was February and not many other tourists. #ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
A5. The Gettysburg self-driving audio tour using the NPS app was exceptional. Plus, it was February and not many other tourists. #ParkChat
A4. Favorite is driving my daughter and her carload of friends up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain NP. Some had never been to mountains before!
#ParkChat
#ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A4. Favorite is driving my daughter and her carload of friends up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain NP. Some had never been to mountains before!
#ParkChat
#ParkChat
A2. Good reminder, I was going to answer that I had not traveled to a park by rail and this jogged my memory for Cinque Terra in Italy and Parque Natural de Sintra in Portugal (April 2024).
#ParkChat
#ParkChat
November 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
A2. Good reminder, I was going to answer that I had not traveled to a park by rail and this jogged my memory for Cinque Terra in Italy and Parque Natural de Sintra in Portugal (April 2024).
#ParkChat
#ParkChat
38) A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers. The sequel to my last entry. The monk and robot continue to seek the answer to "what do people need?". Some nuggets of wisdom and humor sprinkled throughout. 4⭐
November 11, 2025 at 1:08 AM
38) A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers. The sequel to my last entry. The monk and robot continue to seek the answer to "what do people need?". Some nuggets of wisdom and humor sprinkled throughout. 4⭐
