Sam’s travelogue

reaching out uploaded on 16 December 2008

On a trip this past summer to Glacier National Park in Montana I took this photo while hiking through the dense forests. I was struck by how this fallen tree seemed to be reaching upwards, like a hand or claw, reaching out to something...

independence hall uploaded on 30 July 2008

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one the most important historical buildings in the United States.

Built in 1753, Independence Hall was first used as the Pennsylvania State House for the Province of Pennsylvania. It later became the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress.

Most notably, the United States Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were both signed at Independence Hall.

Today the building is part of the larger Independence National Historical Park and is also a World Heritage Site.

control room uploaded on 2 April 2008

Here is where all the action happened, or really the lack thereof. Crewmen and women on 24-hour shifts monitored and check all of these panels throughout the day and night, looking after the massive nuclear warhead just down the hallway. In the event they were called upon to fire a nuclear missile, the crew of the Titan missile complexes around the country were prepared and ready to do it. Thankfully despite the close calls of the Cold War none of the 54 Titan ICBMs were ever used and were later destroyed.

corridor uploaded on 2 April 2008

This corridor leads from the control room to the Titan missile silo.

environmental suits uploaded on 2 April 2008

In the event of problems with the nuclear mission housed at the Titan facility, environmental suits were at hand to protect the servicemen and women from harmful radiation.

uploaded on 28 February 2008

red buttes at dusk uploaded on 28 February 2008

A cloudy day at Lake Powell makes for a beautiful dusk.

dusk at lake powell uploaded on 28 February 2008

The end of another day at Lake Powell.

lake powell bluff uploaded on 28 February 2008

Flooded by the waters of the Colorado in the 1960s, the high cliffs and peaks of Glen Canyon tower above the waters of Lake Powell. The sight of the red rock against the blue sky and blue waters is stunning.

pathway through the park uploaded on 28 February 2008

Makeshift stairs built into the side of the cliffs allow you to walk around parts of Cathedral Gorge. A small pavilion in the background is one of the few structures in an otherwise undeveloped state park.