Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Montana Capitol, Charcoal Kilns and Bannack
I returned to the Montana Capitol early for another round of photographs before heading south toward the Canyon Creek Charcoal Kilns. The rough washboard road led past the ruins of Glendale and finally to the old beehive-shaped kilns once used to produce charcoal for the mining district. From there, I continued to Bannack State Park and arrived in time for an evening walk through the ghost town before settling in for the night.
Willamette Heritage Museum
I didn’t know what to expect walking into the Willamette Heritage Center, but it turned into one of the more interesting stops in Salem. From the water-powered Thomas Kay Woolen Mill to the darker, colder Picker House and the surprisingly detailed historic homes, the entire site shows how wool became fabric—and how a community formed around it.
Martin Guitar Factory & More
From watching frets installed by hand at the Martin Guitar Factory to carefully navigating an icy trail at Trexler Nature Preserve, the day unfolded as a mix of precision, patience, and quiet observation. It ended simply and comfortably in the Cabela’s parking lot in Hamburg — one of those rare places where a long day of exploring wraps up without complication.