A Love Story Begins
Given that Wesley residents Wayne and JoAnn Baker have visited every national park in the contiguous United States, it’s no surprise their love story began as an adventure. In January 1965, JoAnn says she found herself gobsmacked when she opened her front door and met “this really good-looking man.” For his part, Wayne recalls meeting “the most beautiful person I had ever seen.”
The first switchback in their trail appeared when Wayne announced he was there to collect Deloris, JoAnn’s older sister, for a date. Wayne and Deloris went out a couple of times and, though sparks didn’t fly, became good friends. Deloris encouraged Wayne to ask JoAnn out.
“I asked JoAnn several times but remained firm that she wouldn’t date anyone who’d previously dated her sister,” says Wayne. “Six months later, I arranged a date with my friend for Deloris in exchange for encouraging her younger sister to go out with me. JoAnn finally said yes.”
That first August date launched myriad endeavors the Bakers have shared over their sixty-year marriage.
“I was in the military when we started dating. Visiting Rainier National Park or Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park provided a perfect day trip for us, inexpensive cost-wise but rich in experiences,” says Wayne.
Family Adventures in the Parks
The favorable economics, stupendous nature, and abundant time for meaningful conversations gained more appeal after marriage and the birth of their two children. Couple’s day trips to Washington State’s national parks transformed into family vacations that stretched across months in national parks across the West.
“We took the kids to Glacier National Park when they were young,” says JoAnn.
“One memorable hike was the Highline Trail from Logan Pass down to the Granite Park Chalet. We paused for lunch on the trail, and a couple passing by said, ‘Did you know this is the exact spot where Night of the Grizzlies happened?’ After that, we sang at the top of our lungs the whole way, and at every blind turn, our son would yell, ‘Boy, this sure is a fun vacation!’ That trip was just one of many unforgettable adventures.”
Outdoor memories flood back, like the downpour they once braved at Granite Park Chalet. “My daughter had a white jacket that was completely soaked,” chuckles JoAnn. “I placed it next to the wood stove to dry out, and it melted! Despite the amusing mishaps, exploring national parks gave us great opportunities for shared experiences, family bonding, and personal growth.”
Not surprisingly, JoAnn and Wayne’s kids and grandkids are avid outdoor enthusiasts. JoAnn credits Wayne with the idea of visiting every national park in America. Given that they were now committed to visiting every state, they added fifty state capitals to their quest, a decision that engendered another set of surprises.
Chasing Every State Capital
As they checked off parks, they set their sights on a new goal: every state capital.
“State capitals are consistently beautiful and interesting,” says Wayne. “There is so much history to every state, but fascinating discoveries like the distinct tilework in Pierre at the South Dakota state capital happen every time.”
Wayne says surprises have come in other forms too, like arriving in Raleigh on the one day of the year the North Carolina state capital is closed for “administrative review.”
“We were wandering around the capital in Helena once when an officious woman approached us and asked, menacingly, ‘Why are you two exploring our buildings so closely?’ When we explained our focus, her mood changed. She asked how much time we had, then took us on a one-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the capital.”
Life Lessons from the Trail
Wayne and JoAnn have learned many life lessons traversing America in celebration of its nature and democracy, beginning with the importance of flexibility when traveling. Adjusting when on the move has taken many forms, including one ill-fated hike in their favorite national park, Yellowstone.
“We were on a seven-mile hike along the Yellowstone River, about two-thirds in, when we ran into two dozen bison on the trail in front of us,” says JoAnn. “They started walking toward us, so we turned and made our way back up the trail. It’s probably the only hike we haven’t completed.”
JoAnn isn’t kidding. When visiting Zion National Park, she was determined to celebrate her 60th birthday by crossing Angels Landing, the razor-thin path that hovers 5,500 feet above the valley floor, part of which requires hand-over-hand grips upon a lateral chain to cross. Wayne, a self-proclaimed acrophobe, waited down trail at Scout’s Lookout.
“I’m five feet tall and was having trouble reaching a handhold to climb over this one boulder,” she says. “I heard ‘don’t give up’ from a German visitor who gave me a hand up. He walked with me until we returned to Scout’s Landing. Wayne and I remained friends with him for years.”
Wayne and JoAnn relocated to Wesley at Tehaleh in February, where they enjoy the friendliness of the residents and staff. They also love the nearby trails as well as the deer and elk they’ve observed from their brownstone’s windows.