Trevor's Travels

Spring is here and with the onset of warm weather, comes more dog shows and our annual vacations, plus the urge to take a Sunday drive. However, we sometimes neglect the needs of our pets or do not take extra precautions for unseen emergencies. If you cannot board your pet, or leave it at home and find that you must take it with you please make sure you provide adequate ventilation and water in your vehicle. Plus you should read up on heat stroke and heat prostration. Below is a simple check list to ensure your pet is provided for under normal circumstances and in the event of an emergency:

a comfortable crate or seatbelt harness 2 leashes (your usual one and a spare) a spare collar ample water for your pet, yourself and your vehicle a water dish your pets first aid kit your first aid kit tools for your vehicle a brush to remove brambles and ticks pet food (if canned, store in a cooler if opened) toys to offset boredom (nothing worse than chewed upholstery) a tarp for shade, or park in a shady area a copy of your pets vaccinations and registration your veterinarians telephone number a picture of your pet make sure your pet is very familiar with the commands sit, stay, and come – a pet in an unfamiliar area can be nervous and may try to flee a towel and/or blanket make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations

I’ve traveled a fair amount in North America and have found we have given emergency care to animals in the most unlikely spots: A mother cat and kittens in a campground in Olympic National Park, an abandoned dog in a Texas highway rest area, a mother dog and puppies in California. Plus there always seems to be someone at a dog show who hasn’t brought enough water. I’ve had dog collars get lost in brush and leashes break on beaches. Seems like I’m never prepared enough myself for unforeseen emergencies, but taking the above precautions does make the trip go a little more peaceful.

Fall’s changing leaves, with their stunning reds, oranges, and purples, both herald the end of summer and delight the eyes. This fall, treat yourself to a display of color like no other on earth and visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Feast your eyes on the rich hues of billions of leaves on over 100 different species of trees as you breathe in the fresh, crisp autumn air.

Hiking the Smoky Mountains will give you spectacular panoramic views of the great diversity of wildlife the park has to offer. There is no shortage of hiking trails. With over 800 miles of them, you will be able to find the one right for your level of expertise. And plants aren’t the only type of wildlife you’ll enjoy. You’re sure to spot many furry critters at home in the natural habitat, including deer, elk, and even the occasional black bear!

For the adventurous at heart, a fun—an inexpensive—way to enjoy the Smoky Mountains is to campout in the park. What’s better, the campgrounds aren’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, you have a few options to choose from, so you can select the area of the park that’s right for you. Play Lewis and Clark and trek out to the backcountry. You can only get there by foot! For those of us less keen on “roughing it,” frontcountry offers running water and flush toilets. There are also campgrounds that accommodate groups of 8 and some made for folks who bring along their horses.

Of course, there’s more to the Smokies than leaves. The park has the makings of a romantic getaway for two or a trip that’s fun for the whole family. Here are just a few of the activities this national park has to offer:

• Bicycling

• Auto tours

• Wildlife viewing

• Historical sites

• Hiking

• Waterfall walks

• Picnicking

In fact, there’s more to do in Smoky Mountain National Park than you can probably fit into one trip. For history buffs, there’s the Mountain Farm Museum. This museum is actually an extensive collection of 19th century farmhouses. Highlights include a barn, apple house, and working blacksmith shop. Be sure to arrive in time for one of the live gardening demonstrations.

Lesser known than Hoover, the Fontana Dam is also an impressive site. It’s actually the tallest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains—480 feet to be exact. The dam, with a reservoir size of 11,700 acres, forms Fontana Lake, which provides boat access to more remote areas of the park. To learn about how the dam was built, you can check out the visit center operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Don’t forget to include Clingmans Dome in your itinerary. The dome is the highest point in the whole park and the highest point in all of Tennessee. It’s a half-mile walk to the observation tower, but well worth it. At 6.643 feet, the tower offers you an unrivaled view of the Smokies. Typically, you can see for about 20 miles, but if you’re lucky enough to be there on a clear day, you can see as far as 100 miles.

If you need a break from nature, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are near by and chock full of family fun. There’s Dollywood, numerous shows and restaurants, miniature golf, go-karts, and the Ripley’s Believe it or not Aquarium, just to name a few.

Glacier National Park is located along the Rocky Mountains in the northwest corner of Montana. It is a perfect place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts and those who appreciate nature. From hiking to bike riding and camping, there are several activities in which to partake, whether young or old. The following is a detailed list of four activities recommended for those who take the venture to Glacier National Park.

1. Hiking: There are over 700 miles of hiking trails in Glacier National Park. Hikers can choose quick day trips or extend their adventure to a multiple day excursion. The Red Eagle Lake Trail starts in St. Mary, Montana and offers an easy course for a beginner hiker or someone who wishes to walk along low-elevation terrain. The moderate hiker can enjoy an adventure on The Highline Trail, one of the most popular trails in Glacier National Park. The trail starts at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, in east Montana, and spans for about 20 miles to Fifty Mountain Campground. Hikers wishing to continue their adventure can continue on to the Waterton Valley Trail. Guided day-hiking and backpacking tours can be planned from mid-May until September.

2. ATV Tours: From May to October, visitors staying in St. Mary can book an ATV tour of the eastern portion of Glacier National park. St. Mary Lodge and Resort guests have the option to book an ATV tour through the lodge. The 39-mile tour takes about four hours. These tours allow visitors to experience breath-taking views and to spot wildlife including elk, moose, deer, and possibly bears.

3. Horseback Riding: Guided horseback riding tours are available during the summer months. Beautiful views and wildlife may be spotted no matter which trail visitors decide to blaze. The guided tours can accommodate to any riding skill level and range from hour to a full day. The tour around Lake McDonald, the largest alpine lake in Glacier National Park, is a favorite of horseback riders. One of the most popular day trips includes a tour of Sperry Chalet, and the scenic two hour tour through Upper McDonald Creek Trail gives horseback riders a chance to view picturesque scenery and views.

4. Red Bus Tour: The Red Bus tours are known throughout Glacier National Park because of the historic nature of the buses. There are 33 touring coaches in total that were built between 1936 and 1939. The tours allow visitors to experience traveling throughout all parts of Glacier National Park, including a road trip experience along the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road. Each bus features a roll back canvas top, allowing tourists to experience spectacular views right from the road. Between 1999 and 2002, the entire fleet was renovated, at a cost of $250,000 per bus, so the safety features could be updated and the buses could continue to service the park visitors.

No matter what activities visitors of Glacier National Park choose to do, there are plenty of adventures in which to participate. Outdoor enthusiasts and general visitors can all appreciate the beautiful scenery and exciting adventures Glacier National Park, located in Montana, has to offer.