Author Archives: mvbattelle

Personal Journey

Posted on October 6, 2023 by mvbattelle

It’s with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Tom Hummell, my husband, love,  best friend and soulmate and travel companion. He fought the good fight but cancer won. We had many adventures, accomplished our goal of visiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Chiricahua National Monument

Posted on August 12, 2023 by mvbattelle

Through a combination of geologic forces and erosion, the canyons and hilltops of Chiricahua National Monument contain spires, balanced rocks and columns. To the Chiricahua Apaches, it was the Land of Standing-Up Rocks. Pioneers called it the Wonderland of Rocks. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Chiricahua Apache, Chiricahua National Monument, geology, National Monuments, National Park Units, Nature Photos, rock formations, Southwestern U.S., Travels in the U.S., U.S. National Park Unit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

El Morro National Monument

Posted on June 23, 2023 by mvbattelle

Pasó por aquí – “passed by here” – is definitely the message of El Morro National Monument, located in western New Mexico and somewhat of a hidden gem. This rock is a significant “document” of Southwestern history and provides a … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, desert, El Morro National Monument, hiking, History, Inscription Rock, national monument, National Monuments, National Park Travels, National Park Units, New Mexico, petroglyphs, prehistoric ruins, Southwest History, Southwestern U.S., Travels in the U.S., U.S. History, U.S. National Park Unit, Western History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Posted on May 29, 2023 by mvbattelle

A 3-mile roundtrip hike to the visitor center? That’s correct. Fort Bowie National Historical Site in southeastern Arizona is unique in the National Park system in the fact that you have to hike to the visitor center. We visited in late … Continue reading →

Posted in Apache Pass, Apache Spring, Arizona, Chiricahua Apache, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Frontier Fort, History, National Historic Site, National Park Units, Southwest History, Southwestern U.S., Travels in the U.S., U.S. military history, U.S. National Park Unit, Western History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

And the desert blooms!

Posted on April 9, 2023 by mvbattelle

At the end of March, we made a quick trip to the Valley of the Sun. Due to a wet winter, the wildflowers were blooming in wild profusion. Northeast of Phoenix on the Bush Highway between Saguaro Lake and Hwy … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, cactus, desert, flowers, Nature Photos, Southwestern U.S., wildflowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

Posted on March 25, 2023 by mvbattelle

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site in Arizona was something I stumbled across when planning our trip to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Since I’m always interested in petroglyphs and our country’s history and prehistory, I inserted Painted Rock into our itinerary … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Arizona, desert, History, Hohokam, Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, petroglyphs, Southwest History, Southwestern U.S., Travels in the U.S., U.S. History, Western U.S. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Posted on March 18, 2023 by mvbattelle

What’s so special about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument? After all, there’s Saguaro National Park easily accessible right outside Tucson. Organ Pipe NM is a good three-hour drive from Tucson and a desert is a desert, right? Turns out that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, cactus, desert, National Monuments, National Park Travels, National Park Units, Nature Photos, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, scenery, Sonoran Desert, Southwestern U.S., Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. National Park Unit, UNESCO biosphere reserve | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Posted on February 24, 2023 by mvbattelle

Established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Montezuma Castle was one of the nation’s first national monuments. Easy to get to off I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Montezuma Castle National Monument can be a quick stop and a brief look … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Arizona, desert, History, Montezuma Castle National Monument, national monument, National Monuments, National Park Units, prehistoric ruins, Sinagua culture, Travels in the U.S., U.S. National Park Unit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Katmai National Park – July 2022

Posted on November 8, 2022 by mvbattelle

In early July 2022, we made our third visit to Katmai National Park. Our first time to Katmai in July of 2016, we stayed at Kulik Lodge and we returned there again this time. As before, we thoroughly enjoyed this … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Bears of Katmai, Katmai National Park, National Park, National Park Travels, Nature Photos, Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. national parks, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Fort Larned National Historic Site

Posted on March 10, 2022 by mvbattelle

We visited Fort Larned, Kansas, as part of a three-week trip with our camper and were extremely glad we did. Fort Larned is the best preserved Indian Wars’ Era fort along the Santa Fe Trail. We were there in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, Frontier Fort, History, Kansas, National Historic Site, national park unit, National Park Units, Travel, Travels in the U.S., U.S. History, U.S. military history, U.S. National Park Unit, Western History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment