Country August/September 2020

GROWING UP IN ARIZONA, I was a little spoiled by easy access to wide-open spaces. Wherever I looked, mountains stood in the distance. Getting away from the crowds and back to nature entailed a quick drive to the nearest trail. Of course, many of our readers are blessed to live with outdoor access right in their own backyards. On page 22, Betty Westburg shares the view from her homestead in Montana’s Judith Mountains. She lives in a storied valley with plenty of wildlife and history. However, some of us have to find that connection to the outdoors through travel. Country is here to show you the way. This issue takes you to remote places like Idaho’s Lost River Range. Starting on page 26, photographer Leland Howard reveals his favorite adventure…

CAROL SUMNER Murphy, North Carolina THE SPECTACULAR PHOTO by Brent Young (“Morning Light,” page 11) in the June/July issue gives one the impression that it is a painting done by a master artist rather than a mere photo. Perhaps it’s a reminder that the Master Artist who fashioned this world also appreciates beauty. JOEL MONTEITH Preston, Missouri THANK YOU for bringing me back 35 years to Seneca Rocks in West Virginia in your June/July issue (“Appalachian Forest,” page 45). My maternal grandparents were from Clarksburg, and my grandmother’s sister lived “down the road” from Seneca at the Kisamore farm in Petersburg. Besides at Seneca Rocks, you could also find us at Smoke Hole Caverns, where I’d swim with my sister in the cool waters. The story of my grandparents walking…

Blissful Backdrop In our neck of the woods, my family loves to be outdoors. The longer days filled with sunshine are exciting, because in the Pacific Northwest they’re gone so quickly. We feel fortunate to live near the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest here in Washington state close to British Columbia. One day my husband, Garrell, was fishing for trout at East Bank Baker Lake when some nearby campers rode up to see what was biting. Nothing says summer like biking to your favorite clear blue lake to fish the day away under snowcapped mountains. Mukilteo, Washington…

A FRIEND AND I have started going on jaunts we call Adventure Days. The purpose is to take a daytrip to any location and enjoy the little things along the way. The best part is that there is no itinerary. We just go and explore the sites on a whim. On our last trip, we went to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, Kansas. On the drive home, we saw the prettiest sunset I’ve ever seen. I love these days with my friend. They remind me that life is an adventure and that there is beauty everywhere you look. JASMINE HADDOCK Derby, Kansas BICYCLING WITH BIGFOOT I took up bicycling as a way to continue exercising into my later years. It gave me the chance to check a…

EXPLORING THE WATERFALLS of Iron County, Wisconsin, is the perfect weekend getaway. Located on the northern edge of the state, Iron County borders Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the mighty Gitche Gumee, also known as Lake Superior. I left my home in Minneapolis early Saturday morning and drove about four hours to my first trip destination, scenic Copper Falls State Park. Along the way I drove past the huge majestic pine trees of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The trees, the deep blue sky, the incandescent sun and the cool air of Wisconsin’s North Woods invigorated my spirit as I stepped out of the car. That day I explored the marvels of Copper Falls and its neighbor, Brownstone Falls. The 1.7-mile Doughboys Trail winds around both waterfalls, offering lovely views of them.…

Aug. 11-12 PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER Scan the night skies to see the peak of one of the year’s best meteor showers. Find a dark location after midnight and turn your gaze to the constellation Perseus to view up to 60 meteors per hour. space.com WHALE WATCHING Stroll the seashore of Monterey Bay, California, between the months of April and December to see spectacular pods of migrating humpback and blue whales. Book a boat tour through Monterey Bay Whale Watch to get up close and personal. montereybaywhalewatch.com Aug. 25 The National Park Service was established on this date in 1916. Celebrate with this scratch-off map poster to keep track of the parks you’ve visited. amazon.com SEPT. 25 ROUND ’EM UP! Relive the Old West at the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup.…