The Route Followed by Spanish Settlers of San Francisco

This is a new little spot that represents the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail here in Tucson, AZ.

This is called Anza Trail Cultural History Park near the Death and Blind school.  This is where the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail and Santa Cruz River connect.

This is just a little area where they have a walkway or a bikeway along the Santa Cruz River.  They do have little signs that have different items that are represented during the time.  There are a couple of areas to sit.

La Expedicion de Anza 1775 from Mexico to California.

1st Fish in Alaska

 

On one trip to Alaska, my dad and stepmom Meg went to Seward, AK for some fishing.  They bought me a fishing pole and showed me what I need to do.  When I swing my pole into the water, I started to bring in my fishing line in when a fish bit the hook.  My fishing pole was weak and about to break apart but I got the fish to the land.  It was either a rainbow or pink salmon.  It was my first fish.  I did bring it back home to Arizona and my mother ate it.  I didn't like fish when I was younger, but she said it was good.  First try and first fish.

Geologic Wonder and Ancestral Homeland

 This was the first time going to see the Grand Canyon National Park.  That year we moved to Chandler, AZ from Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Here is a layout of my mom and me and my stepdad and me in front of the Grand Canyon.  I think the red and orange goes great with the colors of the canyon,

Grand Cany National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Long Distance Communication

In 4/1977, my parents and I went on the Pony Express NHT in Nebraska.  One of the stops was at Gothenburg Pony Express Station.  I don't remember anything about the place.  That picture is my mom and me sitting on the saddle bag.  This is how my adventures started with the National Parks.

Pony Express National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

 

FREE LAND was the Cry!

In 4/1977, my parents and I went to Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska.  I was nine months old, so I don't remember anything of this park.

I just did a simple layout to remind that I was there in my life.

Homestead National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

 

A Frontier Fort for an Expanding Country

 

10/4/2024, my dad and I went to Fort Union in New Mexico.  This was a quick stop.  We got there about half hour before it closed.  We didn't get to walk around that much.  Me in front of the sign, dad on the trail to the fort and me setting on a bench.

Fort Union National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

The Great Prairie Highway

10/4/2024, I was visiting my dad in New Mexico.  Some of the parks we went to were part of the Santa Fe NHT.

Traders witnessed a lived-in-pueblo to later seeing crumbling remains of the Peco Pueblo.  Near Pecos there was Pigeon's Ranch and there was a stage stop for visitors and traders.

Fort Union was also a stage stop for the Santa Fe Trail.  Where soldiers would stop there.

 Santa Fe National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)