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Published: April 29th 2009
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Apologies for taking a while in getting this online - lack of computers, being out in the sticks and the lack of Neils ability to save what´s been typed before his internet credit runs out has not helped! However a kind barmaid in a San Fran bar has kindly lent us her laptop so we can now update this blog and have a beer at the same time which is perfect! We have also just watched Man U win too so Lou is happy.. anyhow back to business:
After driving across the desolate plains of northern Texas it was great to finally hit the spectacular mountain scenery of New Mexico. Our first stop was the small city of Santa Fe, a v.arty laid back place where we enjoyed another good night out. First stop was a local Mexican called Tomasitas which our big texan limo driver recommended - cracking place + nice and cheap.. apparently Bill Clinton ate there when he was in town if that's any sort of endorsement..
We then headed to Bandalier National Monument which is the site of some old cave dwellings high up on the mountainside. in order to get to the highest ones
you had to climb up 4 long ladders to reach an overhang which was 140ft high - not for the faint hearted!
The next day it was time to visit Monument Valley- for those that don't know it is the landscape where lots of old John Wayne westerns and other films have been set. Won't bother saying much else, just check out the photos showing lots of really big rocks!
After a night in a rather over priced motel in the middle of nowhere we had a v.early start to get to the Navajo National Monument to ensure we were one of the 25 per day allowed on the guided hike down to a place called 'the Betatakin', an ancient Navajo cliff settlement that has been preserved since it was deserted 700 years ago. Probably the main reason why it remained in good shape all these years is the fact it's not too easy to access - a 5 mile round trip, deep into a canyon (the 2.5 miles back out in the mid day sun was a tad more tiring than the way down but thankfully no ladders!), but the steep climb was worth it as it
was a unique place..
After a brief overnight stay on the shores of lake powell (another campsite with a great view) it was time to visit the biggest canyon of them all - the Grand Canyon. After seeing numerous photos of the place you sort of know what to expect however these don't come close to the sheer scale of the place (it's a really, really big hole). After spending the first day taking in various views from the rim it was time to get right into it. Now, although the Canyon gets millions of visitors a year there are still the 2 same ways down. Either by 4 legs using a mule (and booking months in advance) or by using your own 2 pins. We hiked down the South Kaibab trail and made it to Skeleton Point which is 3 miles in - now that doesn't sound too far but bear in mind it's 3 miles pretty much straight down steep paths and steps cut into a rock face, followed by the same back up.. was certainly hard on the knees but was worth it to get right into the canyon and away from the crowds at the
Angels Landing
this is the last bit where the path finishes and the climbing beginsss top!
Following a couple of days taking in the splendor of the canyon it was time to hit the road again and head up to Utah and more national parks. First stop was Zion, another spectacular place with great scenery although it was pretty cold up there - the first night dropped well below zero (which is not good when you are camping in a old tent from tesco in tesco summer sleeping bags) so after scraping the ice off the tent we decided to warm up by doing the most famous hike in the park, a 5 mile trip up 1500ft to Angels Landing - the final half mile of which involves walking on narrow ledges with sheer drops either side (thankfully there were chains to grab hold of!) We had certainly warmed up by the time we reached the top, and it was great to get there as the views were amazing - many had turned back or not even attempted to get up the final bit so they had missed out on seeing zion in all its glory!
From Zion we headed up to spend a day at Bryce Canyon National Park. We were certainly
glad we weren't camping here as it's a lot higher than Zion with even more snow around! anyhow we spent the day hiking in some more amazing scenery before heading off towards civilisation (if you can call Las Vegas that.)
Anyhow, off to explore some more of San Fran now - Will be sure to add the photos to this soon - hopefully they will have more internet cafes in Peru!..
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