Hot Springs and Cool Nights

After an interesting night in a very windy RV park with broken showers and toilets, we headed north, driving up the valley just beside the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There was still snow on the peaks so we knew the waterfalls in Yosemite would be flowing strong.

The drive along was fun, with a tour though an area used in a lot of old Westerns and a stop for double smoked bacon and beef jerky. We had a recommendation of a hot spring located off the beaten path from one of the rangers in Death Valley, so we decided to try and track it down. After some long winding gravel roads we came to a small parking lot overlooking the valley. We packed up some food and drink and headed down to the spring. The spring was easy to find and has been built up in to a little pool. The view was spectacular with the valley and hills sprawled out before us. A few dust devils swirling up and a nudist couple sun bating, kept it an interesting time.

From there we headed off for a night in Mammoth Lakes, a ski town close to the entrance of Yosemite. The near freezing temperatures and lack of showers in the area, made getting a hotel room a great idea. After some great food and local beer it was off to bed to get lots of rest for Yosemite National Park.


Tangerine helped is make it through the Wild West


Relaxing in the Hot Spring, Don't ask who took the photo


The entertainment

From Shinning Lights to sweltering heat

We headed out of Zion and fueled on buffalo jerky, we headed towards Vegas. Lots of hanging by the pool, a few drinks and a few slots. I think we may have gambled $15 over all. Hey big spender.

After fueling up on burgers and sushi the next day we left late for Death Valley. We decided to sleep at an RV park just outside Death Valley and check it out in the morning.

A 5 am wake up call from a wild burrow announced that it was time to explore the park. Due to the over 100 degree temp expected that day we decided to make it a car exploration day and keep the hikes to a minimum. We visited the salt flats at badwater, drove through artists pallette canyon and went to zabrinski point for the view. All this was pretty spectacular, but then again so was the cold beer waiting for me when the temp hit 104 degrees.

After successfuly exploring the park and not having the car or me overheat we made the crazy trecherous drive towards Lone pine, our place of rest for the day. This drive included twisting switch backs, an elevation change of thousands of feet, lots of hairpin turns and meeting up with RVs that were way to big for the road. But we made it and it was time for sleep.


Trying some of that Death Valley Salt


Things got a little HOT!


Amazing colours in the soil at Artist Pallet

Zen In Zion

The drive to Zion is pretty spectacular and scary at the same time, made even moreso by the construction on the road into the park. You ride along small gravel sections, making sharp corners on switch backs. I could not have imagined this drive had there been oncoming traffic. But we made it safe and sound to find the site we reserved. The last sight available, which was in the RV section and had not a spot of shade.

This seemed like a good time to check out the Zion Museum and head into town for a drink. Linda decided on the Provo Girls Pilsner while I had the Springdale Pale Ale. We returned to our now shaded by the mountains campsite and cooked an amazing rib eye steak we had just picked up that day with some great potatoes. Not bad for camping.

That night Linda caught up with writing her travel blog while i had some fun with star photos!

The next day after the crazy drive in, we settled on taking the shuttle around the park to various lookouts; Weeping Rocks, the Emerald Pools and the River Walk. All where pretty spectacular in the morning. With the crazy winds we decided to pass on Angel's landing, a trail that at one point is 2 1/2ft wide, with a sheer drop off on either side. By the time the sun heated the place up we were packed up and on our way to Vegas for a quick stop over before Death Valley.

On another note, Linda is doing a much better job of writing about our adventures. Here is a link to the travel blog she has been working on:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/lindaandchris/1/tpod.html


View from our open campsite


Stars over the hills


Zion Valley

Beautiful Bryce

Sorry it has been a while since an update. We have had some pretty full days. But we are starting to settle in to a nice traveling pace now.

From the North Rim of the Grand Canyon we drove north towards Bryce Canyon. We started out on forested roads, but soon ended up in desert country. We passed through all kinds of little towns, all of which seemed to have a rock shop; apparently lots of people want rocks.

When inquiring about camping at Bryce, we were told that if we arrived between noon and 2, we should be able to find a site as they are all first come first serve. When we arrive just before 2, we found only one site available, and it was stuck between a row of port-o-potties and cuation tape from the washroom being repaired. But it is only a place to sleep so we did not care.

After not realizing there was a time change, we ended up forced to hike back from Bryce Point to our site, which ended up being one of the best hikes of the trip. We were treated to beautiful sunset scene of the Hoodoos as seen below.

The next morning we did a hike down in to the Hoodoos. This was a great hike as well and included some interesting switch backs at the end. After a great morning it was time to head off to Zion.

The scope of the Grand Canyon is amazing, but the interesting features in Bryce Canyon blew me away. It was spectacular!


The Amazing Hoodoos


Linda Getting A Closer Look


A Great Hike

11 Miles Apart, 6 Hrs of Driving

After a great day on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, we woke up extremely early to do the 3 2 1/2 hr drive to Page for our 7:30 am rafting trip. It was early but worth it. We boarded our big blue raft for a lazy morning floating down the Colorado River. After hiking down the Rim, this rafting seemed like the way to go. We even got a chance to see some petroglyphs aswell.

After rafting we finished the drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Even though the camping spots at the North and South Rim are only 11 miles apart, you have to drive around the entire Canyon to get from one to another. Although the South Rim had more to do, the North Rim had some spectacular scenery. After a winding drive, we watched some amazing colours on the Canyon from the sunset.

Tomorrow we do a small hike and head to Bryce Canyon, which I can't wait to see. We see, to be doing very well for the beginning of our trip still.


Our raft trip down the Colorado River


Petroglyphs along the way


Beautiful North Rim of the Grand Canyon

We Made It!!!!

After a early and long day of traveling, Linda and I made it to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We pick up our great little orange car in Phoenix and booted it to the Grand Canyon. It was an early morning and a late night when we got there, so we decided to call it a night and save the canyon for the morning.

After a terrible nights sleep (I bought the wrong size air mattress for the tent), it ended up early morning. So we checked in and headed out on the Bright Angel Trails. There where alot of people on it and alot coming back up the trail looking exhausted. But we made it down to the first rest stop and back again with out keeling over. Not bad for our first hike of the trip. On out way back we saw people urging their kids to get closer to some elk near the lodge, I found peoples complete lack of respect for the animals amazing, but I guess it happens all the time. Luckily a ranger showed up and warned people before anything happened.

After a quick rest and a great supper, we headed off to watch the sunset. It may have been in the company of hundreds of other people, but it was still spectacular. Tomorrow we head off to do some rafting in the canyon and then head to the north rim, a place I have not been yet. Not bad for 2 days in!


Our "Tangerine" Car


Bright Angel Trail, more switch backs then you can shake a stick at!


One of those wildlife interactions that could so easily go bad


Worth the trip on the first day!

A while has passed since I have been on any big trips, but that is about to change. I am returning to the south-western United States for a camping trip which will take me from Phoenix, Arizona to San Francisco.

This will be a trip to explore the National Parks along the way. As can be seen in the map below we will be visiting Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks. The trip will end with some exploration of the California coast and the wines of Napa Valley.

This time I will be living out of a tent rather than a VW van, which may prove to be more or less reliable. I will be posting photos as often as I can, sneaking on to wi-fi where I find it. So here to another adventure and exploring a new area!


View Chris and Linda's American Adventure in a larger map

Great Horned Owl just after landing for a snack
Great Horned Owl making quick work of its meal
Capturing the Owl in flight provided to be tricky


Arizona Is A Hoot

I really need to quite with these cheesy titles, but hey they are fun.

I recently got a chance to go through some of my photos taken from my Arizona trip with my Canon 20D. At the Arizona Desert Museum I was lucky enough to borrow a 200mm lens and 2x converter from Ethan. This let me get some great shots of the free flights they did with their captive birds.

Here are some of the ones that I managed to snap of a Great Horned Owl. I must admit that photography of anything moving is still a learning process for me, but some of these did not turn out too bad.

Sporting the latest in VW Van hair styles

An example of Organ Pipe Cactus, and me sucking my stomach in

A Harris Hawk at the Arizona Senora Desert Museum during a free flight

Becoming the Vagabond

The trip was winding down after I had spent almost two week bolting around the southwestern US. By this point I was right in to the vagabond lifestyle, or at least pretending I was. By this point 5 days with out a shower was not a big deal, berkinstalks where considered appropriate footwear for cactus country and a hat was the "in" hair style for any occasion. Breakfasts of oatmeal or just a pot of bacon where just the meal to give you enough energy to take photos all morning, drive some place new and then nap. By this point of the trip Ethan had relinquished control of the van and grown accustom to the idea of having someone to share the driving with. Taking the wheel of this large heavy tent on wheels was an adventure in itself. One almost has to grow a sixth sense for braking a half mile early to come to a safe stop.

After spending some more time photographing the Ocotillos and Organ Pipe Cancti, we headed back towards civilization, Tucson that is. There we enjoyed some luxuries, shower, wings and a movie. Of course the night was not complete with out an attempted parking lot repair of the van.

The next day we headed to the Arizona Senora Desert Museum. This place was an outstand museum, thought that seems like the wrong word. They have live animals in well-designed natural settings, excellent exhibits and plenty of people to help you learn about the desert. We were there early and first in line, and it paid off for us. In the morning and afternoon we were treated to a birds of prey show. I managed to snap a few photos in the afternoon with my Canon G10. I will soon be posting some of the photos I managed to capture of mountain lions and birds with my Canon 20D. This was a great way to end the journey in the van. However there are still plenty of photos, so keep checking back