Bill’s Presentations

Bill Deitzer has hiked in 51 National Parks and in all 50 U.S. states. He is a member of the 900 Mile Club having hiked all 800 trail miles in the Great Smokies Mountain National Park. He completed seven hikes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. He has hiked to the highest point of 45 of the 50 United States geographical highpoints. He is retired as CFO of Cincinnati State Technical & Community College.

The Fires of Yellowstone & Smokies National Parks
The enormous fire in Yellowstone National Park in 1988 was very different than the 2016 fire in the Great Smoky Mountains. Hear the comparison of the causes, size, length, fatalities, structures affected, surrounding towns damage, and firefighting efforts in both Parks. Bill will outline what was learned and what has changed for the National Parks and the local communities.

New!

Views from the South & North Rims of the Grand Canyon
Walk along the Rim to enjoy the various attractions and activities of Arizona’s most visited Natural Wonder. Important historical individuals including the John Wesley Powell, the Kolb Brothers and Mary Colter helped create this grand adventure and destination.

New!

Zion National Park, Utah’s First National Park

Originally named Mukuntuweap by John Wesley Powell, this national treasure was designated a National Monument and then Zion National Park in 1919. May your spirit be renewed and soar as high as its tallest cliffs and canyons. Special places include the Narrows, Angels Landing, the Subway, Canyon Scenic Drive and Kolab Canyon.

America’s Best Idea: Celebrating 100+ Years of the National Park Service
“Keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Bill describes how America’s Best Idea got started including our national parks, monuments and historic sites. The talk also includes some amusing questions asked of Park Rangers.

“Many thanks for an excellent presentation today ! Everyone loved it ! Your photographs are magnificent! Now everybody wants to visit the National Parks.” Janet Banks, University of Cincinnati Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Committee Chair

NEW!
Acadia National Park – Where the Sun Rises First
Through the generosity and work of two men, the Park was created, made accessible for all, and then gifted to the National Park Service. It’s a fascinating history of Acadia, the town of Bar Harbor, its people and fishermen. George Dorr, a local, and his friend, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., created this seaside masterpiece. They envisioned, acquired and funded it.

Bryce, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks
These three national parks encompass the Grand Staircase of the Southwest. Within 90 miles immense geological changes take place. Each Park is grand, glorious and magnificently beautiful.

Glacier National Park
The Crown of the Continent: the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Its Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most challenging and beautiful in the world. It’s also the Land of the Grizzly.

The Grand Tetons
Learn about the uniqueness, history, and beauty of “the American Alps” and how it became a national park including the role of the Rockefeller Family.

Transforming the Blue Ridge Mountains – the Making of Shenandoah National Park
Enjoy the beauty of this special place. Hear the story of the making of the Park including the history of the Skyland Resort, and President Herbert Hoover’s Summer Camp and the Civilian Conservation Corp’s efforts.

Yellowstone National Park, the World’s and America’s First National Park
It’s one of our largest National Parks and one of the most visited. Hear the fascinating history and the diversity of attractions in the five regions of the Park.

Yellowstone National Park: the Fire of 1988, Winter, and Wildlife
Our first National Park has one of the National Park’s harshest winters, unique wildlife, and the history of the largest wildfire affecting 36% of the Park in 1988.

Colorful Characters of the Grand Canyon
Before it was a Park, John Wesley Powell conquered the Colorado River. Many men and women came after him to form the history of the Park’s beginning including: prospector Bill Bass, Kolb Brothers Photographers and Glenn and Bessie Hyde came to the River seeking fame and fortune. Georgie Clark made Colorado River canyon rafting affordable.

The View from the Rims of the Grand Canyon
Walking along the Rims is a glorious trip in itself. See the Canyon from the North, South and West Rims and explore the stories and beauty from the top.

Smokies: the Fire of 2016
This catastrophic fire started the day before Thanksgiving. Within five days, it spread across the Park, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee claiming fourteen lives and destroying over 2400 residential and commercial structures. Hear the circumstances that began this inconceivable series of events involving multiple governmental and fire maintenance agencies. The vacation towns and National Park you visit have been impacted forever.

People Who Shaped the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Part I
Hear the story of the Park’s formation and history which originated because of the passion and work of dedicated families and naturalists. They include Horace Kephart, Thomas Clingman, Elisha Mitchell, the Walker Sisters and the Scottish/Irish Whaley Family Settlers.

People Who Shaped the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Part II
Hear more stories of the Park’s formation and history including the last resident of the Park, Lem Ownby, artist Mayna Avent, Will Walker and his three “wives”, Colonel Townsend of the Little River Lumber Company and the Elkmont Summer Resort Community.

Why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Like No Other Park
The Park’s history, people, historical houses, churches and cemeteries. Bill highlights what is so unique about the Park and its 800 miles of trails, waterfalls, flora, wildlife, and seasons.

“I want to tell you that I really enjoyed “What Makes the Smokies Like No Other Park”. I have attended many of your presentations and while I enjoyed them all, this one is tops. My second favorite was last year’s about the Grand Canyon. Zion was great too. Yep, I am a fan! “ Kathy Wendt, Kodak, Tennessee

Margaret Stevenson, the Walkingist Woman in the Smokies
Margaret began walking at age 45 and walked/hiked 3000 miles a year for 40 years. She was the first person to hike all 800 trail miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She was an inspiration to so many people. Her life story is as interesting as her hiking story.

“Your presentation on Margaret was excellent! You really captured her spirit, and you chose wonderful photographs.” Margie Ribble, daughter of Margaret Stevenson, Wilderness Wildlife Week

Historical Presentations

New!“If You Seek Their Monuments, Look About You”: The Story of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Smokies

In the 1930’s the CCC literally built the Grand Smoky Mountains National Park. . . the trails, bridges, Park Headquarters, Visitor Centers, roads, tunnels, and rock walls. They restored the forests and changed the lives of the 3500 enrollees making men out of boys. The work of FDR’s Tree Army has left a lasting heritage for all to enjoy. Bill shares numerous stories of the lives of the “Juniors” and the impact their work had on them.

“I attended the talk you gave about the Civilian Conservation Corps at Llanfair Retirement Center in College Hill. I enjoyed it in every way — for the information you provided, so much of which was new to me; for the really remarkable set of visuals you have assembled to go with the talk; and for your pleasant, yet organized, manner of presentation.” Sharon Cusick, Cincinnati

Fred Harvey & The Harvey Girls
“Don’t Slice the Ham Too Thin.” The story of Fred Harvey and Harvey Girls and how he civilized the West with a Sante Fe Railroad partnership.

Mt. Everest, The Roof of the World
The people who climbed and summited it; the Sherpas who make it possible; and the challenges, costs and fatalities involved. Why do people attempt this?

Hikes & Family Adventures

Highpointing
Highpointers’ goal is to walk, hike, or climb to the geographic highpoint of every state. Bill has been to 45 with many adventures and mishaps along the way.

“We had incredible feedback from the presentation! Bill did an incredible job! Thank you for coming.” Springfield Masonic Community, Springfield Ohio

The Path to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon
Enjoy the hike down from the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail
and the hike out via the Bright Angel Trail after spending one night at Phantom Ranch.

Hiking Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
“Hike” with Bill on his 31 mile hike down the North Kaibab to Phantom Ranch and up Bright Angel Trail.

“WOW, you sure know how to attract a crowd of people! Congratulations you brought in the largest attendance this season with well over 120 folks.” Bill Creasey, Chief Naturalist, Cincinnati Nature Center

“Bill’s hike with a friend through the Grand Canyon (in retirement) was very interesting, with beautiful pictures and extra challenges. This and others of his presentations build on a lifetime of hiking in the Smokies and to the High Points of almost every state of the USA.” Peter & Gudrun Seifert, Brown’s Run County Club, Middletown Ohio

Rafting through the Grand Canyon & Colorado River
Join Bill & Rosemary as they raft the 277 miles of the Colorado River through the Canyon — moon-lit skies, side canyon hikes, and those marvelous rapids!

Great Smoky Mountains Adventures – Something for Everyone
Our most visited Park is beautiful to simply drive through and offers 800 miles of trails for every level of adventure you want. Its most famous inhabitant, the American Black Bear, thrives among its 520,000 acres, and 2000 miles of streams.

Hiking Safely
The best way to hike is the safe way – with the proper equipment, clothing, gear and supplies. Get on the trail the right way.