I first started serious photography in 1976, when I took a 4-week cross-country vacation, my first solo vacation after college.  This was my “National Park” tour.

     My first stop was in Durango, Colorado, to ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

     I started my vacation in mid-September, after school was in session.  As a result (and by design) Yellowstone Park was almost empty, I had the place virtually to myself!  And the weather was fantastic, too.  The park rangers said it was one of few times the park wasn’t already snowed in.

     Yosemite Park was also relatively empty.  The waterfalls were running a little light in the fall, but the park was still beautiful.

     The Grand Canyon is a “must see” for anyone.  I decided to walk down one of the trails and made it most of the way to the bottom before I started back.  It was a LOT more work going back up and I could hardly stand when I got to the top again.  But the views were breathtaking.