Friday, May 28, 2004

Grand Canyon - North Rim to Lake Powell
Well, we got lucky again - thanks to each of you who said your prayers that we would get permits and get to hike down into the canyon again. We got our first choice, which was the slow and easy route. First night in Cottonwood Campground, second night in Bright Angel Campground, and third night in Cottonwood again heading back out of the canyon. This schedule kept our hiking to 7 miles per day. Which, with the backpacks, is plenty for us. We met several other hikers who were hiking 14 miles down, camping one night, then hiking 14 miles back out. They were either very gungho or very foolish - depending on their physical shape and preparation. Either way, I can't imagine that they came out of the canyon with the same peace, contentment, and fun that we had. When we weren't hiking we were reading, playing cards, or napping. But we would also walk around our campground, and put our feet in the 55 degree creek to cool off. One side-trip that we did (twice)was from Cottonwood Campground to Ribbon Falls, which was about 1 1/2 miles from camp. This set of Falls was probably one of the most beautiful and unique falls I've ever seen. It wasn't the height, or the quantity of water, but the rock formation in which the creek cascaded upon. The rock was draped in a bright green moss and there were severals holes in the rock creating doors and windows that the water dripped past. There were also falls that fell off the backside of the rock formation, that could only be seen from walking up and behind the main waterfall. Then, by accessing an alcove area down the creek further, you could see the multiple levels of falls that existed before it rained off the cliff. While we sat near the creek below the falls, with our feet cooling off and as we listened to the tree frogs baa-ing like big-horn sheep, we watched the falls dance as if performing a show for us with the changes in the wind. The hiking itself was also enjoyable. The North Kaibab trail differed from the trails on the South Rim mainly for two reasons - it was more wooded at the top and it had large canyons that you had to hike through towards the bottom. We got to see critters surviving in nature - saw a raven capture and eat a frog; 2 whiptail snakes chasing lizards, but our presence foiled the hunt; and saw birds eating beatles and bats flying after insects. The only 'problems' that we had during our hike were blisters (Diane - old and new; Andy - new ones) and breathing going back up the trail. Usually you can get into a proper breathing rythym that keeps up your energy, but the mule "pies" where soooo stinky that you couldn't help but hold your breath in spots (which is not a good thing to do when working out!). Needless to say, we did make it to the top, but a little out of breath. Afterwards we figured that we must've been breathing in, not only the dust from the trail, but dried, ground up mule p**p. Yuk!
 
We're currently in Glen Canyon Nat'l Recreation Area, aka Lake Powell. Finally got our 'yaks in the water. Boy were they happy to get off the car! We put in at Lone Rock and paddled towards Wahweap Marina. In that area are two caves back inland. We took a hike to go check them out and realized one is an arch or natural bridge. As you may know, the SW is experiencing a drought. It is very apparent at Lake Powell which is about 150' below normal water levels. Land bridges exist now where water once flowed deep. Marinas are closed because their docks no longer reach water. So boaters are limited to where they can put in and access. Being Memorial Day weekend, we're expecting a lot of boaters and waverunners - in a 'compact' area (since we're located in Wahweap, one of the only open Marinas). We hope to get our 'yaks back into the water, but we'll have to be more careful now that the weekend is here.

We are scheduled to leave here on June 1st, and it looks like we may be heading into Colorado after this. Hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend!
12:35 pm pdt


Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Las Vegas to Zion National Park
After returning from our Boca/Philly trip we flew back into Las Vegas. How weird was this? It was very odd to be flying to our car and "home" in Vegas. Don't ask how, but Andy got into a conversation with the taxi driver about how our car was parked at the Tropicana Casino, we were staying at the San Remo Casino, we were flying in from Philly, but we lived in Florida. Needless to say she was willing to drive us all around town to learn the details of our situation - and to increase the fare. Vegas is crazy - all loudness and lights, crowds and chaos - but it is fun. Lost more of our "nest egg" gambling. Saw a great magic show at the Sahara. Eventhough we were in the second row, we couldn't figure out HOW they did what they did. Andy wanted me to be picked to go onstage to learn some of their secrets - thankfully that didnt happen.

Drove to my favorite park on May 13th - Zion NP. We were here in 2001 and loved it. Wasn't disappointed with our 2nd trip...well actually one major disappointment. Due to some large blisters on my toes, our hiking was very limited here. Ironically enough, the blisters were from wearing real shoes and walking around in Vegas! So we saw and did things differently here this time. Rode our bikes along the park road. Did some shorter hikes such as Hidden Canyon Trail. Drove up through a different section of the park along Kolob Terrace Road to Lava Point lookout and saw volcanic debris, a crater, hoodoos, and cliffs that looked like the Painted Desert along the way. We also hiked in the Narrows again. Due to hiking in cold, wet conditions my blisters actually were pain-free for the 7 hour hike. The water was about 55 degrees and was generally knee-high, occassionally thigh-high, periodically hip-high, and once for Diane too deep. Let's just say, we were at the end of the trip (200 yds away from end), I was tired, cold, not paying attention, and I out-walked my stick. This means my foot went past my stick (which is your support and water-level gauge) and of course I went into a deep pool. Yep, the drop-offs are quick in the Narrows. My feet were no longer touching bottom, I was now floating downstream, and once that cold water surrounded my chest my breath was sucked out of me. Where was Andy are you asking? Where he usually is...way ahead of me, now turned towards me (he heard me cry out), yelling "What ARE you doing down there?" (remember, at this point he can only see my head!) Too much excitement for me at the end of a long hike!
 
We'll be moving on to the Grand Canyon - North Rim on the 20th. We are hoping to get another permit to hike down in - so cross your fingers for us! We may not be so lucky this time since the campground is full and we have to camp outside the park - not a good sign. After that, Page, AZ and Lake Powell. We're looking to kayak some of the fingers and canyons, so if anyone has any helpful information on doing that please let us know.
10:56 am pdt


Monday, May 10, 2004

Grand Canyon
After leaving Sedona we went to the Grand Canyon - South Rim. We had been hoping to get a permit to backpack camp in the canyon so we started preparing days in advance. By "preparing", I mean shopping - new backpacks, new hydration packs, new clothes, new walking poles, new sleeping pads, pretty much we had to buy new everything! Yes, we became the people we make fun of! We took a trip without testing out a lot of this new equipment. Ha! Fortunately we did get the permit and all of our new gear worked out perfectly.

Our hike into the grandest of canyons was a loop trail. We hiked down the South Kaibab trail, spent one night on the bottom at Bright Angel Campground, hiked half-way back up the 2nd day via Bright Angel Trail to Indian Gardens Campground, and then the final day we hiked back to the South Rim.

The hike down the South Kaibab was steep and we were experiencing winds of 25-30 with gusts of 40mph. We were very thankful for the walking poles since they kept our wind-blown and knee-aching bodies from being blown off the trail. Of course there was a learning curve - Andy was so intent on where to place his poles that he kept forgetting to think of where he was placing his feet. The campgrounds were beautiful with trees and creeks and canyon walls to admire. The vistas along the trail were breathtaking and we were surprised by several waterfalls. The Bright Angel trail wasn't as challenging physically, but the number of day-trippers added a new hazard since many don't know the hiker's etiquette (uphill hikers have the right-of-way).

It's too hard to appreciate the Grand Canyon (in my opinion) without hiking into it - even if only a few miles or few hours. Only when you are "in" it do I think you can see the variety of colors in the rock and many of the small beauties of the canyon. So, if you go, do take a hike - short or long - for a different perspective of this grand canyon. But don't be a "touron" (tourist-moron) - be prepared with food, water, etc and not have all your gear be brand new :)
 
Outside of trip down into the canyon we were fortunate to also go for a bike ride along the rim, enjoy the Rim Trail, and visit some shops, etc. We also got to see several of the California Condors. The big news was that they now have their first baby born in the wild since 1970's. The baby is 8 wks old with a three foot wingspan. It is still truly wild since they haven't even been able to tag it yet.

We had so much fun, we're going to try hiking down from the North Rim. Cross your fingers we'll be able to get another permit. After landing in Vegas, we'll probably head to Zion, the North Rim, then on thru southern Utah/northern AZ.

Happy Mother's Day to all of our family and friends with children!