• Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact
Geogypsy
Menu
  • Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact

Category: CORVID-19

09 September 2020

Survived Labor Day weekend at Bryce Canyon

hoodoos valley light Table Cliffs storm clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWe didn’t know what to expect for visitation this year over Labor Day weekend at Bryce Canyon National Park.  Overall, visitation has been down about 30% except for maybe Saturdays.  Yet it seemed like a crazy busy end of summer holiday like any “normal” year.  Americans do like to celebrate their last hooray three-day weekend.  Felt like summer turned to winter with smoky haze in between.

Pink Cliffs sign Mossy Cave SR12 East Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAlong the SR12 east drive to Tropic

On my last weekend, Wednesday through Friday, I once again stayed home the first day, and ran out of propane that evening.  That would motivate me to go out the following day as I have no hot water without propane, or stove cooking.  Plus I went to the nearby Tropic hardware store for some washers to fix the sagging camper door that wouldn’t open.

That morning I received an email from the park that the water would be off at least part of the day to repair a leak in pipe.  I saw that being worked on as I left to get propane.  I was told the propane tank couldn’t be filled because it’s out of date, by five years.  I asked to be shown the date and it’s stamped 2003 and is good for 12 years.  Funny, it’s been filled many times in that expired time.  So both the 7-gallon tanks on the 5th-wheel will have to be re-certified.  Later.  Instead I had both the 5-gallon tanks in the camper filled and am using one in the 5th-wheel.  I have only temporarily made the camper door open and need some help to add more washers in the hinge.  RV homes need just as much maintenance, if not more, than a S&B (stick and brick).

I didn’t see the increasing visitation on Friday of Labor Day weekend at Bryce Canyon having the day off.  But Saturday I opened the visitor center at 8am and fought off the crowds 30 minutes before that trying to get set for the day.  This year, being set up outside, it takes a lot more than putting up the flag and unlocking the doors.

View South from Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahView south from Yovimpa Point

After a couple non-stop hours answering pretty much the same questions I was happily headed 18 miles away, south to Rainbow/Yovimpa Point.  Yet after circling that parking lot slowly three times with every available parking space, and not spaces, overflowing I drove back down the road about 1/4 mile to park in a wide spot.  Then walked back up to Yovimpa Point for afternoon presentations about Grand Staircase geology.

visitors Suicide Point from Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThere was more than just a bit of stupid going on by visitors going off trail

The park entrance station closed for about an hour as there was no place for anybody to park.  Extra shuttle buses were put on to accommodate visitors to the four main overlooks.  Buses don’t run to the end of the road where I was.

hoodoos valley view East Agua Canyon overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAgua Canyon overlook view east

After several hours I walked back down to my truck (I take my own rig for the toilet) and then stopped at a couple overlooks where I could park to rove for a while.

visitor comments Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSunday was no less crowded and once again had to close for about an hour.  I started the day just afternoon as I worked late for the evening program.  Had people waiting at the door to the visitor center most of the three hours I spent keeping the building capacity at 50.  It was hot in the sun at 87°F.  People were a little cranky but for the most part polite, and mostly wearing masks.  The next three hours at the information station were non-stop again.  I’m a bit disappointed that people don’t pre-plan their visit just a little.  I’m not a travel agent, just a Park Ranger.  After a late dinner and closing the visitor center, still busy, I set up my laptop at the outdoor amphitheater by North campground for the 9pm “Where’s the Wildlife” program.  40+3 people signed up for the program—maximum is usually 40—and then 12 didn’t show up.  But it was a great program with much interest and good questions.  Leaving for home about 10:30 the sky was incredibly clear showing the Milky Way stretched across the horizon.  I didn’t take the time to set up tripod and camera.

hoodoos amphitheater smoky haze Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe next morning a smoky haze surrounded Bryce Canyon.  Couldn’t see the valley from the rim. Difficult to say which of so many fires in the west sent smoke our way.  My heart goes out to those more affected.  Fire is usually good for the land but not good for people.  I had over 20 people at both hoodoo geology talks, and also talked about fire ecology.

solar panel trees sun smoky haze Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSmoky sun by solar panels

I was relieved to see the crowds dispersing by late afternoon the last of Labor Day weekend at Bryce Canyon.  I appreciate that my job is to provide information and service to visitors but sometimes…  It’s hard to fix stupid, or is just a lack of respect for self and others.  Way too many people with dogs on trails where they don’t belong.  Sometimes even the people don’t belong, or, are not prepared for rough terrain, high elevation, and arid conditions.  Why would anybody want to hike steep trails in flip-flops with no water, and then on top of it take their dog?  Emotional support dogs are not ADA service dogs.  One of our PSR (preventative search and rescue) volunteers was called a bitch for informing hikers about the no dog on trails policy.  But I’m sure they’d want our help if they got in trouble.

hoodoos valley light Table Cliffs storm clouds Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

hoodoos valley light Table Cliffs storm clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahTuesday the temperature dropped to a high in the 40s with northwest wind blowing the smoke away and gusting to 45mph.  Brutal wind chill.  Sure glad I wasn’t camping in a tent.  Our information service moved inside the visitor center with masked Rangers standing behind plexiglass.  Stationed at the door that morning to maintain building capacity I also stood inside.  Ranger Haley reported sideways snow at Rainbow Point and returned early.

hoodoos valley light Table Cliffs storm clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI was scheduled to do a 4pm Rim Walk, and even dressed with leggings under my pants, three outside layers on top, a fleece hat, and compression gloves I was freezing.  Can’t see through fogged up glasses when wearing a mask.  I wasn’t disappointed when no visitors showed up for the walk.  Yet the light between clouds dancing on the land called for at least a few photos.   I and visitors watched a guy propose to his lady along the trail below Sunset Point overlook and applauded when he looked up and announced “she said yes.”

hoodoos trees storm clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahFinally my fingers went numb and snow flurries started to fall, my sign to end the day outside.

After work I sat home wrapped in coat, hat, and scarf with a blanket over my lap and three electric heaters running for several hours before I thawed out.  Prediction for below 32° meant adding another blanket to the bed.  You have to know by now, I don’t like cold weather.  Now I have to survive beyond Labor Day weekend at Bryce Canyon and hope it doesn’t get too cold.

Today’s predicted 30% chance of snow has me staying home on my first of two days off this week.  The temperature is suppose to increase this week starting tomorrow with low 60s to high 70s again next week.  Thank goodness.

 

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Bryce Canyon National Park, CORVID-19, holiday, Places I've been, United States, Utah COVID-19, Labor Day weekend, Park Ranger, summer to winter 16 Comments
08 July 2020

Busier at Bryce Canyon with a holiday hoodoo moon

Thors Hammer last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahStarted off as a quiet week but then got busier at Bryce Canyon with a holiday hoodoo moon rising.

trees hoodoos SR12 E UtahI am always happy to work on holidays as I don’t want to be out traveling anywhere.  So I  made a quick trip to Tropic for a few groceries and treated myself to lunch at IDK BBQ—plus a couple dinners from leftovers—before the Independence Day weekend.     Other than a couple town trips for groceries I really haven’t gone anywhere out of the park.

Skippy the hippy Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSkippy the Hippy

The quietness must have been the lull before the storm because starting Friday the crowds increased.  And was it just the full moon, or more idiot unprepared visitors that made me want to scream.  Don’t think I was the only Ranger who felt that way, especially by the end of the weekend when it quieted down a bit.

Yet when walking down the Navajo trail a few switchbacks with just enough hikers passing in both directions I decided not to howl at the holiday hoodoo moon.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

clouds over Bryce Point from Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahFriday a storm blew through complete with rain, thunder, and lightning.  The heavy clouds cancelled the park’s scheduled moon walk and my idea of going to the rim for an almost full moon over the hoodoos.  I did have a few people join me for the 2pm hoodoo geology talk and roved near the Navajo Loop trailhead before it started to rain.  Then back at our information tables outside the visitor center when I really noticed the increase in people.

In fact, by the time I got home that night I was in a foul mood and ready to scream, “GO HOME!” What are these people all doing out on a vacation not wearing masks during a pandemic?  I began to wish I wasn’t here and could go back to isolating in some gorgeous natural place with no people.  It’s rather early in the season to wish for it to be over already.  Yet nothing is normal about this summer.

Besides, it would be more difficult to find that quiet natural place to isolate right now because RV rentals and sales are up 300-400% making it hard to find places to disperse camp.  Again I kind of wanted to scream, “STAY HOME!” Now is not the time to go in debt buying a new RV you know nothing about then taking it down the highway and not even know what to cook for dinner.  I’ve seen that question repeatedly on RV groups.  (OK, enough ranting, maybe.)

tree exposed roots hoodoos Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThank goodness much needed synchronicity happened the next day when I separately met two wonderful women, younger than me, on their first solo road trips and was reminded of myself at 22-years old traveling to Southwest national parks in my Vega with a large dog.  They’d both lost jobs because of COVID19 and decided to seek independence.  So even though crazy busy again, they renewed my faith in at least some of humanity.

hoodoos full moon Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahClear skies on the 4th of July probably made those watching fireworks happy.  I am always happy to live in a national park at that time where fireworks are illegal.  I do like the colors, really dislike the noise, and worry much about possible injury and fire.  So for me, much better to make photographs while watching the light of the holiday hoodoo moon, and presumably a partial penumbra eclipse.  So I headed down the Navajo Loop Trail a few switchbacks to get below the hoodoos.

hoodoos full moon Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahGetting home past bedtime, I didn’t look the shots over until the morning and processed a few of what I consider the best.  That’s about 1% of the many taken.  Once seen on the larger laptop screen I wondered why I, A. didn’t see an eclipse, and B. why the moon looked ovoid, flattened somehow before realizing that was the result of the partial eclipse.

hoodoos full moon Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahEclipses happen when Earth’s shadow falls on the moon and this was only the lighter, outer shadow, known as the penumbra.

hoodoos Penumbra Eclipse full moon Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahJuly’s full moon is widely known as the buck moon, named because mid-summer is when male deer, called bucks, grow their new antlers.  However, it’s also known as the thunder moon in reference to the summer’s frequent thunderstorms, which we all hope happen soon.

valley White Cliffs Molly's Nipple smoke from Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMonday, the schedule took Paula and me to Yovimpa Point, the furthest south overlook in Bryce Canyon.  Here we talked about the vast landscape seen below with a 90 mile view to the North Kaibab Plateau on the far horizon.  We tried a ‘tag team’ approach on the Grand Staircase talks with her version first taking visitors on a visual journey across the land and me following with more details and sharing of images and rocks.  Worked really well.  People liked it and said they learned some new things.

Ben Ranger Gaelyn & Josh plaza Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMy Friday on Tuesday included time counting visitors in and out of the visitor center and answering questions at the outdoor information area.

Prarie dogs Bryce Canyon National Park UtahPrairie dogs (look closely bottom center)

Mule deer crossing truck SR63 Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMule deer

Then I presented my first evening program of the season, “Where’s the Wildlife?” about habits and habitat of wildlife in Bryce.  Was a small group of only ten but went pretty well once I got my laptop hooked up to the park’s system.

Black Witch Moth Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBlack Witch Moth-6 inches across (phone shot)

Looks like I’ll be working one of my next three days off to help fill in for a sick, not COVID, employee.  That nine hours of overtime will make for a really nice pay check and I’m saving for a new camera.  After switching lenses to test the wonky auto-focus I am almost convinced it’s a camera body problem.  Yet I still ask, is it me or the camera?

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Bryce Canyon National Park, CORVID-19, full moon, Places I've been, United States, Utah Park Ranger, photography 30 Comments
01 July 2020

Settling into a still changing routine at Bryce Canyon

trees hoodoos amphitheater Table Cliffs clouds Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAlthough I am sort of settling into a routine at Bryce Canyon we are still introducing new services so schedules change and visitation continues to increase at the park.  Ranger programs are being expanded—but only if the individual feels comfortable and ready—including constellation tours Wednesday through Saturday.  Back-country trails opened July 1st.

trees rock SR89 Kanab UtahNormally, shopping is rather routine except when living in a remote place with a long scenic drive to services.  Last week I spent one of my three-day weekend driving 1 1/2 hours to Kanab for groceries.  Even better was visiting with a friend, who had been evacuated from the North Rim because of the Mangum Fire, over an outside lunch at my favorite Utah Mexican restaurant Escobars.  Shopping was adequate, lunch and company superb.

2020 Mangum burn by Jacob Lake InnSR89 Jacob Lake Inn photo

Friday, SR89A opened through Jacob Lake and the owners and staff of Jacob Lake Inn returned to clean and assess smoke damage from the Mangum Fire.  Two days later they were open for business but not overnight accommodations.  The North Rim Grand Canyon opened for day use June 30th.

Molly's Nipple & No Man's Mesa smoke from Wire Pass fire Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBack to work on Saturday took me to the southern end of the Paunsaugunt Plateau to Yovimpa Point where I managed two Grand Staircase geology talks before the light rain and heavy wind arrived.  New smokes were visible from the previous night’s lightning strike starting the Wire Pass Fire plus general haze from the Mangum Fire.  As of Monday the Wire Pass fire closed House Rock Valley Road from Utah SR89 south to Arizona SR89A.  And that also closed hiking by permit to The Wave.

view northeast from LaFevre overlook by Jacob Lake InnView northeast from LaFevre overlook along SR89 Kaibab National Forest from Jacob Lake Inn photo

As of Sunday morning, the Mangum Fire had reached 71,450 acres at 51% containment and July 1st report at same acreage and 67%.  Monday’s report on the Wire Pass Fire indicated no growth over the 1580 acres, 10% containment, and closures still in place.

I was home Sunday with an upset stomach and slept most of the day having been up half the night feeling nauseous.  Might have eaten some lunchmeat on the edge of bad.  Don’t know what else it could have been as my daily diet doesn’t change much.

Mountain Bluebird Rainbow Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMountain Bluebird from Rainbow Point

While sitting at my computer, I dearly enjoy watching out the window where I see Chipmunks scurry from pinecone to cone, a pair of Stellar Jays follow from perch to perch and may even hear babies squawking.

Yet not so pleasant when home is the smell of the horse corral through open windows and the noise of tractors moving horse shit around and setting up dust.  In the winter I get really spoiled by almost exclusively the sounds of nature.

hikers hoodoos Wall Street Navajo Loop Trail Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHikers on Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop Trail

Knowing I had nothing to spread around to others and how short on staff we are I returned to work on Monday feeling better throughout the day.  Scheduled for a 11am hoodoo geology talk near Sunset Point with groups of people keeping respectful distancing, and 1pm unadvertised Rim Walk that didn’t go so instead I roved the rim.  Then ended the day at the information tables outside the visitor center followed by three and a half hours counting people into the visitor center with a limit of 50.  “Yes mam, that does include the bathrooms.”

chipmunk & Haley in RV Bryce Canyon National Park Utah by HaleyRanger Haley and chippy selfie

As much as I love to watch the wildlife, I don’t want them in my house.  Coming home to find a chipmunk sitting on the back of the couch and Sierra, the not very good mouser, watching it from the floor didn’t make me happy.  Where do they get in?  RVs are notorious for small openings allowing in various uninvited small critters.

live trap in RV Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe next day I borrowed a small live-trap from the park’s wildlife folks.  Now set up with peanut butter but no chippy.  Anyone had luck with electric ultrasonic rodent/insect repellers?

hotshots Yarnell Hill Fire from Christopher Mackenzie's recovered cell phoneLate Tuesday afternoon, my Friday, I went roving at Bryce Point, one of my favorite overlooks in the park.  When roving I meet the most wonderful people: folks from Illinois who helped rebuild houses from the Yarnell Hill Fire, seven years ago June 30th when 19 firefighters died.   I met a most amazing family with intelligent and curious teenagers in tow.  People often ask about my last name.  I thought Olmsted was a common enough name and I do get asked if I have relatives in California, Florida and places in between.  Not that I know anyway.  Yet the name also brings to mind Frederick Law Olmsted who I claim as an ancestor and had a history with national parks.  Have I mentioned how much I love my job?

Although seeing an increase in visitation, I’m still enjoying the weirdly wonderful of a whole lot less people this strange summer, and I think visitors are also.  Overlooks are not overcrowded and that’s the way it should be.  I know it’s not like that at all national parks, and they’re not all open.  Of course at Bryce Canyon our typical international visitation makes up 65% of the 2.6 million who visited in 2019.  Compare that to 1929, the first year visitation was recorded, when 5,232 vehicles entered the one-year old Bryce Canyon National Park.  The last week of June 2020 averaged 1,260 vehicles a day.

face mask litter by Sunset parking lot and trail to rim Bryce Canyon National Park UtahNote the mask dropped as litter

I support “America’s Best Idea” behind preserving landscapes, environments, and history for “future generations” from around the world, where the idea has spread.  I don’t want to see anyplace loved to death by overcrowding.

multiple use trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMany of our national parks reached critical mass over a decade ago.  And so many parks were established in the 1920s when nobody envisioned the huge influx of visitors.  Parking lots are small.  Pull-outs built to accommodate maybe half a dozen cars and certainly not huge RVs.  Narrow windy roads through spectacular landscapes made for slow driving.  A few scattered small and intimate campgrounds for tents.  Possibly a few cabins and a lodge for dining.  One hundred years later, it’s much easier to travel in go fast cars and RVs.  Promotional events like the 2016 National Park Service’s Centennial #FindYourPark, Utah’s “Mighty Five”, and social media quickly spread the word.  I’m not judging any of these things as bad.  However, I believe we need more parks—and Rangers—to give visitors a safe and uncrowded experience.

By the way, my rim walk is a history talk about changing connections to the land through cultural and individual time.  I’m ready if you’ll join me, at a safe distance please.  Next week, July 3, 4, and 5 at 4pm starting by Sunset Point.  See you there.

Couch Ranger badgeMost recent addition to my collection of Ranger badges

 

“Visitation to units of the National Park System reached 318 million in 2018, an increase of about 16% from a decade ago, with especially notable increases over the last five years.  But within that system-wide increase, there is great variation among individual parks.  Visitation has increased steeply to some of the most famous parks in the country.  Arches, Zion, Glacier, Acadia, and Yellowstone National Parks, for example, have all experienced significant double-digit percentage increases in growth in visitation over the last decade or so – 30%, 50%, even 60% increases.”

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Bryce Canyon National Park, CORVID-19, National Parks and Monuments, Park Ranger, Places I've been, United States, Utah chimpmunk, geology, Mangum fire, park history, programs, RV life, seasonal Park Ranger, Wire Pass fire 20 Comments
← Older posts

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

Let’s share our stories.  Here’s more of mine…

My wheeleastate

I am currently…

…boondocking somewhere beautiful in the western USA.  I share my journey at https://www.youtube.com/@geogypsytraveler/    Please Subscribe there to follow my RV travels.

Geogypsytraveler on YouTube

Follow my journey on YouTube. Just click the pic. Hope you’ll like, share, and subscribe.

Click image for 7 minute documentary (Password “geogypsy” lowercase)

Making the Gypsy documentary is a story of its own.  Click below for the rest of the story.

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Photos available for sale include prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tote bags, phone cases and more

Reflected Wave 24X16 metal print under $100

Custom Coffee Mugs

Many items to choose from including prints

The Last Blast 24 x 16″ metal print under $100

Need a signal boost? When I boondock on public lands sometimes signal is weak or intermittent and a booster helps. Click the pic to visit WeBoost.

Connecting to nature and the rest of the world too.

Please contact me for photo purchases not seen at GLOlmsted Photography

Order fulfillment is by Fine Art America. If you’re not happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it within 30 days, and you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Why read Geogypsy?

The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

Search

Popular Posts

  • Geogypsy moved to YouTube June 15, 2025
1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

Categories

Archives

Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

Caught in a Slot 9×12 canvas print under $50

If you don’t like what’s going on in your government, contact your Congress

Directory of Senators

Directory of Representatives

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com
%d