Harry and Max’s national park “walkabout”
By LAMAR THAMES
Harry Eagle and his traveling companion, Max, at Spring Park in Green Cove Springs, Fla.
There are more than 300 photos in a collection that will adorn an album that Harry Eagle (yes, that is his real name!) plans to put together.
Sort of a legacy, if you will, of the special journey that Eagle took in September 2009.
Accompanied only by his dog Max (short for Maximilian, the explorer), Eagle traveled more than 8,000 miles in a 20-year-old Dodge truck to see for himself what writer and historian Wallace Stegner called “the best idea we ever had” — our national parks. His agenda included Yellowstone, Yosemite, Redwood Forest and the Grand Canyon, among others, all in about 22 days.
To say that it was memorable would be an understatement.
“Absolutely spectacular,” Eagle said, emphasizing that he would do it again in a heartbeat. But probably not right away. First, he has to finish the album and record his memories for his wife, children and grandchildren.
HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT
Eagle, 63, and retired for nine years following a lengthy career with AT&T Yellow Pages, became interested in a “walkabout” when a friend suggested they take a trip by themselves.
His friend, a former Navy SEAL who lost part of an arm and hand in combat, had never been to the national parks out West, so that became their destination. The friend eventually backed out and Eagle, with his wife’s blessing, decided to go it alone. Camping is just not her thing, Eagle said.
