I've always dreamt of seeing some of these other ranges in person. I love the photo with the shadow of the cloud in the foreground.

Thanks so very much for taking the time to share all of the "egghead" stuff. It is so much more interesting than my geology class was; it's in the context of something familiar, you know. I vaguely recall learning something about how the Apps are very much older than a # of the other "more impressive" ranges. My general responses in geology were " oh, pretty rock" or "who cares about that ugly thing?" Sad but true. I gave away my geology texts cuz I kept falling asleep whenever I tried to read them. BTW, I dropped the Geology class, lol.

There are many uniquely lovely places on this planet and they need to be protected.

In answer to the hiking question, I used to hike the mtns when I lived there. There's just about nothing I enjoy more. I think my longest hike was about 10 miles, after a snow. Thanks again, Dean! Well, I'm off for a beach walk. -Joy