Geo: 35.9746, -112.126We planned a layover at the Grand Canyon on the way home, then a leisurely drive north through more astounding canyon country to Kanab, Utah, north past Bryce Canyon National Park (didn't visit it this time, though) and over to I 15 straight north.This country is one red butte after another--almost more than the eye can absorb.We spent sunset and sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Sunset was pretty okay, but the next morning was overcast until around 9 or so, when the sun finally started peeking through and we could begin to see detail in the canyon walls.We especially got a kick (no pun intended) out of the elk cavorting and frolicking--we'd never seen elk play like that.This hotel was wonderful with comfy beds, large breakfast and helpful staff. We highly recommend it to ... read more

Geo: 33.7481, -84.3909Our flight out of Buenos Aires was two hours late last night due to electrical problems, so when we finally got to Atlanda this morning, we'd missed our connection to Phoenix. The next flight they booked us on was oversold, as were all Atlanta flights to Phoenix today, so we re-routed through Washington, D.C.We're sitting in the Reagan airport in D.C. hoping this next plane into Phoenix will have a seat. We got the last two on the flight here, so we're crossing our fingers and trying to take it all in stride. We've been 22 hours and counting, now. When you miss a flight they automatically re-assign you to the next one, but it there's no seats it ends up being an un-funny joke.... read more

Geo: -32.95, -60.6667Rosario hugs the banks of the winding Parana river four hours north of Buenos Aires. The same Parana that forms Iguazu Falls on the Argentine/Brazilian border another 1,041 km up river.Perhaps Rosario's greatest claim to fame comes from it's being the birthplace of the Argentine flag. It makes this claim and even has a gigantic memorial in commemoration, but quiet Entre Rios on the other side of the river says that since the flag was born on an island in the Parana--which islands belong to Entre Rios--the monument and all the whoopla should be theirs.Oh well. It's here now.We spent our one day there walking and shopping and enjoying the beautiful sunshine. As unique as the city is, it was the hostel that Rosario will be remembered by. Punto Clave is run by the ... read more

Geo: -32.35, -65.0333We love this town! Maybe it's the high concentration of negative ions like they say, or maybe it's the exquisite climate--purported in all the marketing hype to be one of three micro climates in the world, or maybe it's just because it's warm and sunny and rains only at night.But it's a favorite, right in there with Junin de los Andes and Salta.If you google this place you'll learn that it had an 85% increase in population in the last 10 years. Phenomenal. All the talk about the micro climate and the negative ions may or may not be part of the reason, but it's a grand little place and if you come, you'll love it.There's paragliding, ziplining, 4x4ing, trekking, fishing, swimming, handball, volleyball, golf and tennis. And when you're done there's a pool ... read more

Geo: -31.4, -64.5167We hadn't done anything fun for days and were sick of ourselves. So when the taxi came we asked him what any stupid foreigner would: Is there a golf course around here?What's the guy gonna say? Yea, there's one just around the corner? Not when he can take us to one waaaaaay out in the boonies. It was beautiful--Nicklaus designed--but after driving 50 miles it's-- what else?--closed. So now what do we do? We already owe this guy an arm and a leg for getting us out this far. Do we have him take us back into town and forget the golf, or do we drive another 10 km (he claims) to a different course and then take a bus back to town because we'll be too broke to hire another taxi? Oh yes, ... read more