America’s National Parks

Aloha Everyone,

The two of us rely on our mobile devices to do lots of reading, research, book airline, train and cruise tickets, and accommodations. Especially for road navigation, we seldom bring out our oversize road atlas. We use Siri.

But if given a choice, J.J. and I both love to read books and to “hangout” in libraries. We’ve spent countless hours in university libraries, law libraries and even in Native American owned and managed libraries.

Today, while J.J. was reading about England in preparation for our trip, I found an interesting book published by the National Geographic Society. The book featured 10 Best of everything including 10 Best Parks, 10 best landmarks, 10 Amazing Trees, 10 best caves (I have visited 5!).

Here is updated online version:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/top-10-landmarks/

Top 10 Best of Everything including10 Best Parks Landmarks - distinctive, prominent & instantly recognizable natural landmarks.

For lunch, we went to J&D Family Restaurant located in downtown Brigham City for their special Country-Style meal. J.J. had Roast Beef Sandwich Au Jus while I ordered a hamburger served with no buns, fried sweet potatoes on the side. The potatoes were prepared fresh then sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon. There goes my healthy diet!

Aloha -- Cathi

Yellow-headed Black Bird

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I had an exciting sighting of a male Yellow-headed Black Bird at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. (BRMBR). It is a beautiful and distinctive bird featured on the cover of the BRMBR brochure. Perched on top of a reed proudly displaying his bright yellow head and a long conical bill, he stayed long enough for me to observe him with binoculars and take photos.

This is actually our 3rd visit to one of the best bird sanctuaries. What makes the refuge attractive to avian visitors is its variety of habitats. Today J.J. and I were alarmed at the low level of open water and wetlands. According to the information pamphlet, “There are more than 41,000 acres of freshwater wetlands.” Even mudflats which are covered with water at high tide appeared parched and their surface were cracked.

Based on the Utah government website:

“Abnormal dryness or drought are currently affecting approximately 2,764,000 people in Utah.”

Summer weather in Utah is typically dry followed by short periods of wet weather called monsoon. The monsoon means higher humidity, more clouds, more thunderstorms and more rain. For the sake of Utahan, including birds and other living creatures, we hope this summer will bring a good monsoon season to replenish the state’s low water supply.

Aloha -- Cathi

To Brigham City, Utah

Aloha Everyone,

The pungent miasma of a skunk’s lingering scent made me divert from my usual walking route. I decided to walk on the main road to the edge of town. What I saw was a glorious rainbow in the early morning sky. A perfect way to say au revoir to our wonderful stay in Kanarraville.

Beautiful scenic driving day through green valleys and mountains. Unfortunately, we are seeing more commercial buildings and residential units alongside I-15. Thank goodness for national parks and monuments, state parks and wildlife preserves. We, our children, grandchildren and future generations would be able to continue to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of our country.

Today, the two of us were on the road for 5 hours covering 322 miles plus 1.5 hours for lunch and a rest break.

Heavy rain mixed with hail greeted us as we checked in at Golden Spike RV Park in Brigham City. This being Memorial Day Weekend, management can only accommodate us for four days.

Aloha -- Cathi

Hike with Gail, Visit with Jeff & Paula from Texas

Aloha Everyone,

At 6:30 am, I was ready to go on a hike with Gail, the owner of Red Ledge RV Park. J.J. and I met Gail 4 years ago and established an immediate friendship. For one thing, her daughter was working with our daughter-in-law in Hawaii at a veterinary hospital. Digging out of the rare Mother’s Day snowstorm of May 2014 was another common thread we share.

This was going to be a new hiking adventure — potentially encountering  sunbathing rattlesnakes. However Gail decided to choose an easier trail. Not knowing my level of hiking ability, she didn’t want to be responsible in dragging me down the hill. Being an experienced hiker, Gail also feels that I should wear hiking boots and take a pair of walking sticks as well. Coming downhills would be very slippery with the terrain made of loose pebbles and rocks. Being a former competitor in martial arts, I must admit that Gail is fit. Much more so than I am.

Jeff and Paula from Texas have been living in their RV for 6 months and loving it. 40 feet in length and 8.5 ft in width, the RV is their home on wheels. It is enormous! They graciously invited us to come on board from their private patio equipped with an entertainment center and a bar. Their RV can accommodate up to 8 persons, but Jeff impishly smiled and said it really is meant for 2.

Retired from a computer tech job, he seems to relish this new chapter of a less stressful, unhurried lifestyle. “Nothing to do and all day to do it” is their current mantra. Jeff and Paula continue to take delight living in their RV. They would like to continue as long as they are healthy and are not tired of it. That sounds a lot like us.

Aloha -- Cathi

Turmeric

Aloha Everyone,

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. Their rhizomes, a modified subterranean resembles ginger. Turmeric is commonly used in Southeast Asian food. The bright golden color prevalent in Indian curry dishes come from turmeric powder.

Daily intake of turmeric might decrease swelling and myriads of conditions that involve inflammation such as:

1.  Memory loss

2.  Chronic aches and pains

3.  Chronic depression

4.  Heart & cell

5.  Skin

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric

Aloha -- Cathi