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Published: April 2nd 2012
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Antelope Canyon was the next beauty spot on the itinerary. And it certainly was beautiful. A much smaller, more intimate place to explore, despite the bumpy 6km ride in a Navajo truck to get there. The colours of the sandstone rock were amazing, especially with the sunlight shafting through. We later drove out to Horseshoe Bend to do a 3/4 mile walk to a stunning view of the Colorado River. Although it was 6pm, it was still very hot and I also got quite giddy with the huge drop, so despite the view I was relieved to get away safely and in one piece!
The next day we drove over Glen Canyon Dam and made it to Bryce Canyon (spotting a theme here?!) in the late afternoon. Yet another scenic drive followed by more beautiful views from aptly named Inspiration Point. Bella and I walked part of the Navajo Loop which gave a totally different perspective once you were down amongst the formations, although the many switchbacks meant a steep climb back up.
Joined by hummingbirds for breakfast next morning! Only 3 inches long, they looked more like large insects. Next stop was Zion National Park (so named because
it was thought of as a refuge). About 112 degrees so a bit too hot to do much walking although more great views from the car and Shuttle Bus including the Court of the Patriarchs. Nice to have a paddle in the river at the end - the kids even fell in ha ha!
The Valley of Fire Park was a bit out of our way as we headed south west back towards LA on Friday but worth the detour with its colourful rocks and petroglyphs. That night we stayed at a place called Henderson which had a great view of Las Vegas across the desert 20 miles away.
Headed south again and made another detour to visit Lake Havasu City to see London Bridge - a reconstruction of the original London Bridge that was built across the Thames in 1831, dismantled in 1967 and bought by a rich American businessman as a tourist attraction for his retirement village, which was far from the usual tourist track. The idea worked really well and made him lots of money. However, it was very strange for us, like having a part of home but much hotter (well over 100 deg!)
with palm trees. It even had authentic looking paving, bollards, lamps and plaques. The place had a really nice vibe, lots of boats out on the lake, fountains etc.
By the Sunday we had made it across to Idyllwild for the Bible School where we spent the following week enjoying studies and meeting lots of great people. Bella even after said that it was her favourite part of the whole trip (Charlie's was Disneyland!) One great part was Stick Horse Camp where each day the kids got to go on another "adventure" including travelling around the world, panning for gold, being pirates, Indians etc. We also enjoyed the kids concert, a choir performance of Ruth and Talent Night (even though we chickened out of singing ourselves).
Bible Schools are always good for making friends, and at Idyllwild we made lots! We went back to one couple, Renee and Grant's, for Saturday night, before heading north after church on Sunday to Monica's. As well as her two kids she also had her two little nieces staying with her and on Monday morning, they all decided to take the dog for a walk (some of them still in their PJs).
What we didn't know was that Monica had only moved in a short time before and that her kids didn't really know their way around! So we got quite a shock when her son Tristan came back in a neighbours car after they got lost, knocked on his door and ended up eating his pancakes and playing on his Wii! Oh, and the dog had taken a swim in the pool. Fortunately, the guy was very understanding, although he had called his detective friend to ask Joe a few searching questions when he went to get the kids back!
Bit disappointed not to see any guns in Wal-Mart when we hit the road again. Made it up to Sequoia National Park and its giant redwoods, including General Sherman, the tallest tree in the world, which obviously was huge! Made it as far as Yosemite that night.
Yosemite the next morning greeted us with yet more amazing views, including the valley, waterfalls and Half Dome. And we even saw a small bear... Went back for more the next day, including Bridal Veil Falls and Happy Isles. Charlie happily recited Wind in the Willows lines most of the day. However,
even that wasn't enough for me and I got up extra early the next morning to drive back to a particularly spectacular lookout for yet more photos that Joe hadn't let me take the evening before. I was quite keen on Yosemite! Still, having left Joe and the kids with the weird mother/daughter owner combo at the campsite 30 miles down the road, I finally tore myself away and we headed across towards San Francisco and our date with Melissa and Ben Dondero and their kids.
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