Greetings all! It has again been a while since we have shared our travels with you. Internet access and campfires have kept us from posting. At any rate, the journey continues!
We met up with Salli and Doug late last Thursday and the next day headed to Bryce Canyon. Salli's comment sort of says it - this may be why the aliens [remember site 51 and Roswell?] chose to land out here. A very bizarre and DRAMATIC landscape. As has been the case we hiked deep into the canyon through many arches and up and down steep, open cliff facing. As a ranger would tell us later at the Grand Canyon, he didn't worry about us as we didn't fit the idiot profile of being between 16 and 35 with a six pack. Having said that, the path we walked was absolutely FULL of opportunity to have a mishap.
We spent the night at Bryce [my birthday actually], saw some more the next day and headed to a new dinosaur museum in St. George - Doug is into dinosaurs. In 2000 a man was digging a hole on his farm when he dug up a piece of sedimentary rock that had a large dinosaur footprint on it. Hence, the new museum on the site which is still actively being explored.
We met up with Salli and Doug late last Thursday and the next day headed to Bryce Canyon. Salli's comment sort of says it - this may be why the aliens [remember site 51 and Roswell?] chose to land out here. A very bizarre and DRAMATIC landscape. As has been the case we hiked deep into the canyon through many arches and up and down steep, open cliff facing. As a ranger would tell us later at the Grand Canyon, he didn't worry about us as we didn't fit the idiot profile of being between 16 and 35 with a six pack. Having said that, the path we walked was absolutely FULL of opportunity to have a mishap.
We spent the night at Bryce [my birthday actually], saw some more the next day and headed to a new dinosaur museum in St. George - Doug is into dinosaurs. In 2000 a man was digging a hole on his farm when he dug up a piece of sedimentary rock that had a large dinosaur footprint on it. Hence, the new museum on the site which is still actively being explored.
The weather in the mountains [elevation here is about 9000 feet] is getting cooler as we are chased by winter south. It was 17 degrees when we woke up in Bryce. I personally think Zion will emerge as my personal favorite. We did three hikes but our favorite was an 8 miler, involving paths that were absolutely beyond belief for views and hazard as the upper part of the path was about 2 1/2 feet wide and sloped toward the canyon and had no rail or other implement to stop your free fall down more than 3,500 feet. Look at it this way, you would have enough time to contemplate exactly what misstep that put you on that trajectory. The path gained 2,000 feet of elevation in 4 miles. It was a GREAT hike with my canyon buddy, Kare.
They had a great lodge and we stayed in a cabin. We were impressed with the food and service while there. We learned that the Xanterra employees agree to work in a variety of jobs and only pay $11 a day for lodging and 3 meals a day. Lots of laughs with Salli and Doug as they are easy travel companions.
They had a great lodge and we stayed in a cabin. We were impressed with the food and service while there. We learned that the Xanterra employees agree to work in a variety of jobs and only pay $11 a day for lodging and 3 meals a day. Lots of laughs with Salli and Doug as they are easy travel companions.
And now for the Grand Canyon adventures from Kare............ Matt
OK, we'd seen all sorts of reddish,orange cliffs and canyons, so I wasn't prepared to be wowed by the immensity of the Grand Canyon. I think I was suffering from scenic vista overload. We took a flight on a Cessna 207 over the North and South rim. We actually flew over the prescribed burns that were happening in the North rim. Just amazing looking down on the scene below. While watching a sunset at Hopi Point Matt was almost bowled over by an enthusiastic hug from a tiny woman. Lo and behold, it was Linda, of the famed Brian and Linda, our friends from Calgary. Talk about serendipity. So we joined them for dinner and caught up on travel adventures! What are the odds of that happenng? We finally camped out under the brilliant stars in the Mather campground. Of course we had a campfire complete with S'Mores. Salli and I found an actual kit that included 4 long sticks for toasting the marshmallows. Happy to report that our new sleeping bags were toasty and comfortable. Nice change from the hotel scene. And after all, the Red Sox series has ended so we didn't need a TV! Met a couple from New Durham, NH on the shuttle bus. Hiked a piece of the Bright Angel trail, but my favorite hike was the hike in Bryce. Said good bye to the Grand Canyon and drove on to Sedona. All for now, Kare
