In 2024 the top five countries visited are France, Spain, United States, Turkey, and Italy. I was surprised by that fact. I thought the United States or Italy would be number 1. I was wrong. Having said that, I’ve been to all four but Italy and while I like the other countries I don’t think anything compares to the United States. And if our cities out West and East would clean up the crime and the encampments, I think we would be number 1.

My son, Isaiah, booked a week at campgrounds in Glacier National Park last week. I hate to rank the National Parks, but this is the 37th one I’ve been to and it is definitely in the top five if not number 1. He decided to start day one with a grueling 11-mile hike on the Highland Trail. It was an absolutely beautiful hike. I did notice by mile 5 that we were not seeing many people on the hike. Mile 8 my feet, knees, back were all in pain and I had to stop. We were stopped in the middle of a bunch of blueberries and I used that as an excuse to rest for 30 minutes. We then took off again and completed the trail. Isaiah carried a 40-pound pack of camera equipment, while I had my water bottle — so I can’t complain too much.

Over the next six days we saw amazing peaks, valleys, glaciers, water so clear you could see everything. We saw a Marmot, Mountain Goat, Big Horn Sheep, Buffalo, Grizzlies, Eagles. Every day we had blue skies and plenty of sun. I can’t think of any other park with the same views. The only negative was we were without cell service and my rental key fob battery went dead. The Tahoe wouldn’t start for like two hours. Once I got it started, I drove 50 miles to the nearest large town to replace the battery. The roadside assistance at National was worthless, but in the end it worked out.

People talk often about travel to other countries and I’ve been to a lot, but there are 63 National Parks in the United States that are pretty phenomenal. Of the ones I’ve visited Glacier, Tetons, Olympic, Zion, Crater Lake, Acadia and Canyonlands are among my favorites.

Prior to going out to Glacier, I took Mojito (my dog) to Udovich’s game farm in Greaney. I had them put out 10 pheasants. We started and the first bird Mojito put a solid point on and I shot him with one shell. I thought — wow, I haven’t shot in a year — I still have it. Then it started raining. I thought about quitting, but I was there, I was going to finish. The next three birds that got up I missed each of them three times. Long story short, Mojito found nine birds by the time I quit due to the rain. I had three birds in the bag. Guess I need some practice. If you get the chance, head on out to Udovich’s. We are lucky to have them and it is the closest thing I can find to real hunting. The cover is fantastic and their birds run and fly very well. Then afterwards, if they aren’t busy, Dennis and Mimi will visit in the clubhouse and have a cup of coffee.

Fall is coming quickly, time to start winterizing and pulling in the boats.