Trip West 2007 #1

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Finally getting around to starting this trip blog!....We actually began this trip at the Great Smoky Mtns, then headed west to Arizona, where we spent 3 nights at the Grand Canyon south rim which we hadn’t been to. You could hike around the rim trail and get away from the crowds. The highlight for us was hiking down a trail into the canyon to an area called Cedar Ridge. It was about a 1200 ft. descent and the views were spectacular!

Today is May 16, 2007, we’ve been at Zion National Park in SW Utah for the last 4 nights. We love it here. We have a great campsite in the park right on the river. They have electric hook ups which is rare for a national park. We were able to hike up the Virgin River a few miles where the canyon gets so narrow it’s about 25 feet wide and the walls go straight up for 1500 ft. or so. Today we took the shuttle up to the top of the canyon and rode our bikes down about 8 miles or so. It’s great riding, because they don’t allow cars and the shuttles only come about every 10 minutes or so.

Today is May 17th, we got up early this morning and blasted over the Mojave desert and we're now in Bakersfield, CA. We're gonna be in California for a couple of weeks, stopping at Kings Canyon/Sequoia NP, Yosemite NP, Napa valley and the northern California Coastal redwoods area.

We'll send some more stuff in a week or 2. Take Care!!

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Photos

Kaibab trail
goes part of the way into the canyon, this was called ooh-ahh point

Kaibab trail 2
ya gotta pay a little attention to where you're walking

Mule train
Had to let a mule train pass that was hauling out stuff from phantom ranch on the bottom

Colorado river
there are rapids between the 2 trees, with binocs you could see rafts going over

entering Zion National park
from the east...had to go thru a mile long tunnel 6 inches taller than the camper!!! hairy

Happy Camper wine
had to screw open the happy camper wine when we reached Zion....really not bad!

Zion Canyon valley
the Virgin river carved the valley

No PB & J today!
A little Chardonnay with lunch on the balcony of the Zion lodge. We're thinking about ya Beckie & Gary!!

Suitin' up
We rented Gore-tex dry pants and boots from an outfitter to hike a couple miles up the Narrows river canyon..the water was 45 degrees

The Narrows
The further up you go, the narrower it gets, pictures don't do it justice. This was an area called Wall Street

Zion mountains
These were called the Court of the Patriarchs

Comments

[Sara and Jeff]

The pictures are beautiful. It's hard to believe you two are really out west right now. I'm so happy for you guys!! Be safe and check in with us soon. Oh how I feel the parenting role reversal...call and check in, don't stay out too late and watch out for strangers!! ha ha! Love you!

[Diane Dossman]

Hey!!
You both look sooooo good and so happy...I wish I was there!!

[Dave Springer]

Wow what a great adventure and the photos are terrific. I would particularly like hiking Wall Street some day and the bike ride in Zion would be very neat. I'll see Richard at Doubles tonight and I'll make sure he remembers to check your pics. Wish I had bought some Exxon stock before you left!! Oh, well, I need that money to keep my tank filled anyway. Have fun and stay safe...... Dave and Pam

[Alison Mann-Shahane]

Oregon bound
You guys are getting some great weather, can't wait for you guys, Kelly and the gang to come out to Oregon!