Grand Canyon - North Rim - Part 1 This is one of my favorite National Parks (NP) and the North Rim in particular. The main reason is there are fewer people, fewer attractions (1), fewer hotels (1), fewer restaurants (1), fewer tour buses, and more emphasis on the canyon. It is at least 8,000 feet throughout the north rim which results in more cold weather, more snow, and being shutdown from the end of October until May/June depending on snow depth. Most people visit the South Rim since it is more developed with easier access from Williams and Flagstaff, AZ along [View Full Entry]

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Today we spent pretty much all day at Grand Canyon National Park. We rode one of the shuttles to an area where cars aren't allowed to drive to, and hiked a little bit on the rim and took some pictures. It was a little bit warmer today than yesterday, and the sky was nice and clear. It was a beautiful day, but not so good for picture taking. Plus, after awhile, no matter what angle you look at the Grand Canyon, it all looks the same and pictures just start to seem redundant. We had lunch at one of the lodges [View Full Entry]

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August, 15 - August 16 Leaving Las Vegas behind we headed out into the desert to visit the Grand Canyon. It was surreal heading back out into the wilderness after the hype and buzz of the city and soon we were on the long and mostly empty roads sandwiched between the Joshua Tree-dotted desert. We also managed to incorporate a drive along the iconic Route 66 and stopped for food at the Roadkill Café - ‘you kill it, we cook it’. Tempting as flat coyote sounds we opted for soup. The drive to the Canyon’s south rim was a long one [View Full Entry]

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It has been a few days since I have given an update. What a few days, I have been to three amazing National Parks. Monday I went to Arches and Canyonlands in Utah. These were two amazing parks to see. I had not planned to visit Canyonlands but a hiker I had talked to in Glacier recommended it and it was worth the time spent in there. I also spent a little time in the outdoor activity hub of Moab UT. The colors of the rocks in the parks are amazing. Also had the chance to stop at Newspaper Rock on [View Full Entry]

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As much as I was excited about visiting a new place like Phoenix, I was also somewhat reluctant, especially after spending the last five days in Las Vegas. From Vegas’ wild night life of neons and alcohol to the sandy plains of the wild-west; or at least that is how I pictured it to be. For the most part I was right, but I have enjoyed it here none the less. Sitting at a higher altitude, with the desert heat of 100ish degrees (30ish Celsius for the metric folk) Phoenix has been a nice relaxing stop on the way to [View Full Entry]

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Riding a horse in the Old West!! [View Full Entry]

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Found a great way from GV to SEA... via NV and Bend OR.. great trip!! [View Full Entry]

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On our last few days in Vegas, all I kept hearing was about the temperature in Phoenix, “its been 120degrees in Phoenix….” Etc etc, upon hearing this and then converting this into Celsius I nearly cried, nearly 50degrees! So off we headed to Phoenix, a little cautious about the weather, and let me tell you, it is HOT! Although only in the high 30’s, thank god, I don’t think I could stand it any hotter. We’re staying in a small little motel about 20minutes from downtown Phoenix so all exploring has been done just around this area but I cant complain. [View Full Entry]

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Recovery Day I planned on spending the night camped on Second Mesa, but with the weather (thunderstorms and loud noise), KC said “NO”. The closest location with lodging was Winslow, AZ. On the way here we went through the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park. It is a small rather insignificant park, but it does protect the petrified wood. It was mid-day when we got here with the sun high in the sky and the light flat for photography. However there were enough clouds to create contrasting images and the petrified wood is ideal for abstracts. So the day was spe [View Full Entry]

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Whoa. Since my last entry, we have driven all around the state of Colorado, visited Utah, and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. We originally planned all these great places to see...Yellowstone, Yosemite, etc, but between concert tickets I bought for a show in Colorado and a last minute opening for the hike down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the time restraints eliminated a lot of options. However, it did create the chance to see a lot more of Colorado than originally planned. I'd like to start by saying how much I appreciate: A. Hiking [View Full Entry]

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