Kim McMahill

I didn’t think there could possibly be anything left to see in the Big Horn Basin that I hadn’t already seen, but I was wrong. A friend mentioned the Gooseberry Badlands, so we decided to check it out. The geology was definitely interesting and the short hike was a worthwhile stop. It turned out to be a fun part of a great day of exploring.

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The next  fee-free day is  August 25, in celebration of the National Park Service’s birthday. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park or discover something new for free. The remaining fee-free days in 2021 are September 25 (National Public Lands Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day). For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

I’ve never been to Bhutan, but I’ve always dreamed of visiting this landlocked country nestled in the Himalayas. One of the most intriguing aspects of this country is the idea of Gross National Happiness. The core philosophy behind the concept of Gross National Happiness is to enable development while promoting the attainment of happiness. The four main pillars of Gross National Happiness are equitable and equal socio-economic development; preservation and promotion of cultural and spiritual heritage; conservation of environment; and good governance which are interwoven, complementary, and consistent.   Most people have probably heard about Bhutan’s development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. The concept that the pursuit of prosperity doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness or the protection of the environment may seem crazy to some, but to me it sounds like a noble goal to strive towards. If you’re curious, check out http://www.tourism.gov.bt/about-bhutan/Gross-National-H

“Adventure begins with you, personally. It is in the way you look at things. It is the mental stance you take as you face your day. It is finding magic in things. It is talking with people and discovering their inner goodness. It is the thrill of feeling a part of the life around you. The attitude of adventure will open things up for you. The world will become alive with new zest and meaning. You'll become more aware of the beauty everywhere. Nothing will seem unimportant. Everything will be revealed as having pattern and purpose.”  Wilferd Peterson

  A Measure of Madness, the fourth installment in the Risky Research Series, can be downloaded from Amazon at  https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Madness-Risky-Research-ebook/dp/B08TX7C1BZ/ .   Not sure about trying a new series? Download a free copy of Midnight in Montana, a prequel micro-read for the series at  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YZ53XKJ .

I’ve recently had an amazing opportunity to visit Iceland. It is a stunning country with so much natural beauty that photos cannot do it justice. It was also greener and warmer than I expected. While there, we had about twenty hours of daylight to allow for long days of exploration. Iceland is a fascinating land of unparalleled beauty, created and shaped by volcanoes, glaciers, and the countless waterfalls that occur as a result of winter snow and glacial melt. I’ve always dreamed of visiting the land of fire and ice and it exceeded my expectations.     

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. August 4 is one such day in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park for free. The remaining free days are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.”  Franklin D. Roosevelt