On the road again, May 2012, visited  Julia Pfeiffer State Park just beyond Big Sur  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578  We were able to see some California Condors up close and spent about 1/2 hr watching these majestic birds.  It is great to see them fully protected and returning to their natural habitat.  Also some beautiful flowers along the water's edge.  After going on down and staying at Moro Bay State Park :  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594   

After traveling down the Coast we headed straight across Kern County to Kernville Ca where our son and daughter-in-law live on the Kern River:  http://www.kernvillechamber.org/ Kern River, Kernviller CA is   Dave and Allison's dream place to live, because of their Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Skiing etc in that area:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernville,_California

Near Dinosaur, Box Canyon and the Cabin built by a very independent woman

Great canyon and a historical cabin built by Josie Morris, who lived there and worked the ranch by herself for 50 years - a beautiful but lonely spot.

Petroglyph's at Dinosaur

Amazing rich area of Paleontological and Archaeological finds, as there are also petroglyph's sculptured or drawn by the Fremont Indians in this same area of Dinosaur. Unbelievable history portrayed in such a concentrated spot. If you like, click on a picture to make larger to see the petroglyphs.

Camping at Dinosaur, March 2012

Beautiful campground along the green river, the same river that is backed up into the Flaming Gorge Dam and lake.

Outside on the trails at Dinosaur Utah, March 2012

After viewing in the Dinosaur Quarry several times, we moved outside and took some trails on the nearby hills. They not only let you touch these bones in the Quarry, but we practically stepped on them outside on the trail. It is so amazing to discover an unmarked dinosaur bone beneath your feet. They call it the bone yard/graveyard. Wow is all I could say. Feel free to click on any picture to make it larger.

Arriving in Dinosaur Utah, March 2012

What an amazing place and National Monument. This is our second visit to this astonishing place. I have never been so confused as to where these giant creatures fit into Creation. Every time we see these fossils we are transfixed. Hopefully you and your families will be able to visit this great testimony to the existence of these wonderful creatures who once roamed our earth.

Apparently these dinosaur bones were all washed down an ancient river to this site. This graveyard has lifted geologically throughout time to where it is now almost entirely vertical and great for public viewing. The fact that these incredible palentological finds were all found in one location, personally makes it very difficult for me to grasp the full meaning. Apparently there are many other similar potential sites in the area. If you have wondered about these ancient creatures, I would highly encourage you to visit this incredible place. The below dinosaur quarry has been closed to the public for five years due to a shifting of the geology under the building. After spending 6 million dollars for repairs, the dinosaur quarry has just been re-opened to the public.http://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/quarry-exhibit-hall.htm As far as I know, there is no dinosaur quarry like this anywhere in the world where there are 1500 dinosaur bones all undisturbed and just in one location! Incredible experience. Perhaps an expert that I would have enjoyed talking with would have been a 'Theological Palentologist', that is, if there is such a person or field of study. It is so amazing that these gigantic creatures actually roamed the earth. It is important to distinguish the Dinosaur Quarry from the Visitor Center. The ' Quarry' is what is so unique and slightly removed from the visitor center. It is a great educational destination.

In 1909 this amazing palentological discovery occurred along a hogback (a ridge formed from steeply tilted strata) near Split Mountain Utah. Over 350 tons of fossil material was shipped back to the Carnegie Museum. The rest was left intact in the rock for us to view at the National Monument Quarry.http://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/quarry-exhibit-hall.htm

Black Hills of South Dakota & Crazy Horse - March 2012

The Black Hills really amazed us. We had no idea that they were so beautiful, and they should be called mountains not hills. Viewed the private Crazy Horse Monument from a distance, also appreciated the non existent traffic. We experienced some serious weather in the foothills as seen in the first picture with the very black sky and the sun on the wheat in the foreground.