June 25, 2007 10:32:43 PM EDT
Subject: last night
We made it. We weren't sure that we would - after all, we had only two days to blast through a bit more that 1,000 miles, but we had a plan, and we stuck with it. I think that 2nd part - the sticking with it, was the toughest part, mainly because it required getting up at an ungodly early morning hour, two days in a row - which given that we'd spent the whole trip getting up and getting going whenever we pleased, was a bit torturous. The Plan also meant we couldn't stop at any more viewing spots, potty breaks had to be quick and we had to give up the other things that we had wanted to see along the way - like the Carlsbad Caverns and the ancient cliff dwellings in New Mexico.
But really, that was all okay, because we had an amazing trip!
So we spent two days in the car, barreling through the southwest, eyes peeled for state troopers, discussing how long we could put off stopping to pee. We had stopped at the grocery and made our meals right in the car, eating at 80 miles an hour. Nia ate at 90 miles an hour, because I drive faster than she does. The first day we drove about 9 hours - but lost 2 hours due to time changes, and an hour in Tuscon because there was freeway construction - we were routed along the freeway for about 5 miles or so - nearly an hour sitting in 100+ degree weather (at one point the temp read 118), crawling along. Waiting to get back on the freeway irritated us to no end, and we spent a good part of the rest of that day griping about it, and projecting how far behind we were in our schedule, and how much closer we could have been if not for that ...
The second day we got up at 3:45 (a.m!), by 4:23 the car was packed, we were checked out of the hotel, and back on highway 10, eastbound. The second day went much as the first day, with Nia and I taking turns driving. Around 5:30 or so we finally ... finally, finally, finally ... crossed the Texas border. Nia took the last shift driving, but we worried about speeding through Louisiana and into the Florida panhandle. She then displayed a self-control that I never would have managed had I been her - here she is, so close to her new home, her brother and sister-in-law and their kids waiting, the key to her new house heating up the glove box, dancing anxiously on it's good-luck Kokopelli key ring; jingling, "hurry, hurry, hurry ..." But Nia maintained - she stayed within the speed limit, Lawrence and Jeanne calling, "where are you?," I heard one-sided conversations about the freeway we're on, where we are, how much longer?
We were maybe 15 miles from our final destination, coming up on a bridge - when 3 patrol cars went whipping by us - lights flashing, sirens going - huh - wonder what's up? And so there we are, doing the speed limit - which was 45 mph at this point, hellishly slow - and dying because we just wanted to be there already, and then we found out what was up - they had closed the bridge right in front of us ...
I thought Nia would explode. Nia held it together; I was impressed. There was an accident - luckily we were close enough to see the action, so that kept us from completely losing it (human nature, lookie-loos and all that) - and they got the bridge opened up pretty quickly. From there Nia drove directly to her new home - we stepped out of the car, vibrating from the long day on the road, staggering a little as we tested our legs on the solid ground. We dumped our bags and Nia took me on the grand tour - such a cute place! Two bedrooms, open floor plan, great back deck, on a lagoon - it's perfect for her!
Nia opened the wine that Lawrence and Jeanne had been kind enough to leave for us, and poured us each a glass. Shortly after that Lawrence and Jeanne showed up, and we cracked open the Veuve that Nia's mom had left in the fridge (thank you, JoAnn!!!) - ahhh - nothing like a glass or three after 16 1/2 hours in a car. We were up until 3:00, yakking, laughing, enjoying the good company. We're all moving a little slow today.
Today we went around the area - Nia's home came with a Candy Apple Red golf cart and we took that to Lawrence and Jeanne's, then to lunch, which included hush puppies - I was in heaven! Then Aunt Nia treated her niece, Grace, and Grace's friend Abbey (and me and Jeanne!) to an ice cream at Kilwin's. We cruised around the resort a bit, I got to see the stunning white sand beach, and Nia got to learn the ins and outs of driving a golf cart, rolling over more than one front yard in the process. At one point Nia was complaining that the cart was going too slowly - Grace (who knows more about the golf cart than her Aunt Nia), explained that we were going uphill. Nia, coming from San Francisco, now needs to revise her understanding of a "hill," here in flat Florida.
Tonight is my last night - my plane leaves Ft. Walton Beach airport at 6:35 a.m. - tonight we're grilling kabobs and sipping wine. Grace and Abbey are at staying the night at Abbey's, Josie, the baby, is sleeping. Jeanne's niece, Elise, is here with her 2 year old, Ethan. Ethan is playing with Brownie - the dog - Brown Man, out here on the patio where I'm sitting, loving the humid night air, listening to everyone chat, Brownie's tags clinking wildly as he chases a laughing Ethan around the table ...
really, I'm not sure it gets any better than this.
Mileage: 1,090 (two days) Time: 25 1/2 hours (two days) Destination: Home
Sunday, January 31, 2010
we bailed ...
June 22, 2007 9:20:11 PM EDT
Subject: we bailed ...
We left early. We just couldn't take it. The Grand Canyon is grand, to be sure - and I imagine that the other 5 million 3 hundred and 46 thousand other people who were there with us today thought the same thing.
We drove to the first viewing spot only to be faced with a full parking lot, and a street lined on both sides with cars. There were people everywhere, all the promontories were jammed with tourists, crowding the fences, taking pictures, bumping into us, stepping on our ankles, stopping dead in the middle of the walkways to stare, or to shout back to a companion to "hurry! bring the camera" ... and all of this in 105° heat. Why was it so crowded? Maybe because it's Friday. Maybe because it's the Grand Canyon and school is out for the summer. Regardless, it was more than either of us could handle. We walked silently back to the car, baking in the sun, our gazes downward, focused on the way the asphalt seeped sticky black tar. Our feet sank slightly into the surface of the street as we trudged along, frustrated by the crowds, already drained by the heat.
Back at the car we grabbed our water bottles and chugged down mouthfuls of warm water that only 20 minutes before had been cold, swallowing gratefully, we laughed at our incredible thirst - we hadn't been out there very long! We drove a little further hoping that most people would have chosen to visit the first viewing area then gone back to their camps, or their hotel swimming pools, or to eat ... anywhere but where we wanted to go to enjoy the beautiful views. And I think to a large extent that was the case - the further viewing points were not as crowded, but still, parking was almost impossible, and neither of us could muster the enthusiasm to hike along the tarmac for the privilege of jostling for a position along the viewing rails, sandwiched in between the hot, sweaty bodies of total strangers.
And so we bailed. One of us - I don't remember which now - said (out loud) "what if we just leave?" And the other was all over it, like the sticky tar that had coated the bottom of our shoes. We decided we'd seen plenty of beauty this week, and Zion had been our favorite anyway. We hit the potties at the visitor center, wandered around looking at all the same books, postcards and chotchkies we'd seen at the other 3 canyon visitor centers, and then left. Somewhat giddily we made our way out of the park, leaving behind whatever bit of guilt we may have felt at abandoning our exploration of one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.
We cruised down to Flagstaff, and have chosen to stay the night here. It's early still, but the next big city is Phoenix, and we would have been arriving during rush hour - not an attractive option given the fact that we'd just bolted from overwhelming crowds. We checked into a Holiday Inn and then went in search of food - we hit a health food grocery here - New Frontiers - thanks for the tip, Bryan! - and bought lettuce, tomatoes, a rotisserie chicken and some dark chocolate. Shortly we're going to get into our bathing suits and hit the hot tub ... ahhh ...
Tomorrow we start the hard driving. We have two days to get to Miramar Beach, FL - about 1,800 miles by our calculations - including getting through Texas - we've discussed taking turns and driving through the night. We'll work it out - so there may or may not be a journal entry for the next few days. For certain I'll send one out once we get to FL - have to report on Nia's new home!
Mileage: 83 Time: 2 hours
Destination: Miramar Beach, FL with whatever stops attract our attention and won't take too much time!
Subject: we bailed ...
We left early. We just couldn't take it. The Grand Canyon is grand, to be sure - and I imagine that the other 5 million 3 hundred and 46 thousand other people who were there with us today thought the same thing.
We drove to the first viewing spot only to be faced with a full parking lot, and a street lined on both sides with cars. There were people everywhere, all the promontories were jammed with tourists, crowding the fences, taking pictures, bumping into us, stepping on our ankles, stopping dead in the middle of the walkways to stare, or to shout back to a companion to "hurry! bring the camera" ... and all of this in 105° heat. Why was it so crowded? Maybe because it's Friday. Maybe because it's the Grand Canyon and school is out for the summer. Regardless, it was more than either of us could handle. We walked silently back to the car, baking in the sun, our gazes downward, focused on the way the asphalt seeped sticky black tar. Our feet sank slightly into the surface of the street as we trudged along, frustrated by the crowds, already drained by the heat.
Back at the car we grabbed our water bottles and chugged down mouthfuls of warm water that only 20 minutes before had been cold, swallowing gratefully, we laughed at our incredible thirst - we hadn't been out there very long! We drove a little further hoping that most people would have chosen to visit the first viewing area then gone back to their camps, or their hotel swimming pools, or to eat ... anywhere but where we wanted to go to enjoy the beautiful views. And I think to a large extent that was the case - the further viewing points were not as crowded, but still, parking was almost impossible, and neither of us could muster the enthusiasm to hike along the tarmac for the privilege of jostling for a position along the viewing rails, sandwiched in between the hot, sweaty bodies of total strangers.
And so we bailed. One of us - I don't remember which now - said (out loud) "what if we just leave?" And the other was all over it, like the sticky tar that had coated the bottom of our shoes. We decided we'd seen plenty of beauty this week, and Zion had been our favorite anyway. We hit the potties at the visitor center, wandered around looking at all the same books, postcards and chotchkies we'd seen at the other 3 canyon visitor centers, and then left. Somewhat giddily we made our way out of the park, leaving behind whatever bit of guilt we may have felt at abandoning our exploration of one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.
We cruised down to Flagstaff, and have chosen to stay the night here. It's early still, but the next big city is Phoenix, and we would have been arriving during rush hour - not an attractive option given the fact that we'd just bolted from overwhelming crowds. We checked into a Holiday Inn and then went in search of food - we hit a health food grocery here - New Frontiers - thanks for the tip, Bryan! - and bought lettuce, tomatoes, a rotisserie chicken and some dark chocolate. Shortly we're going to get into our bathing suits and hit the hot tub ... ahhh ...
Tomorrow we start the hard driving. We have two days to get to Miramar Beach, FL - about 1,800 miles by our calculations - including getting through Texas - we've discussed taking turns and driving through the night. We'll work it out - so there may or may not be a journal entry for the next few days. For certain I'll send one out once we get to FL - have to report on Nia's new home!
Mileage: 83 Time: 2 hours
Destination: Miramar Beach, FL with whatever stops attract our attention and won't take too much time!
and the gorgeousness continues ...
June 22, 2007 2:30:39 AM EDT
Subject: and the gorgeousness continues ...
Zion gave up the beauty that it promised us last night as we drove in. Satisfaction guaranteed & received.
We drove all through the canyon today stopping at every outlook there was, plus a few that weren't, but where Nia was able to park the car anyway. The amazing thing about Zion is that the drive is through the bottom of the canyon, so left, right, forward and back you're surrounded by soaring cliffs - fractured walls peppered with trees growing out of the cracks between the rocks. Massive boulders line the roads - pieces of the cliffs that have broken off and crashed to the ground below - they lay scattered all along the roads and in the valleys, remaining in the spot where they landed when they finally stopped their bouncing paths down the canyon walls. It is impossible to leave Zion unimpressed.
We stopped at the last outlook before leaving the park and despite the 109° heat we chose to make the 1 mile hike up the cliff in order to view the entire canyon. Sunblock smeared over our San Francisco skin, cameras in hand and inappropriately shod we began, and it was worth every step. We walked the switchback up, surrounded by the fractured stone of the cliffs, the desert foliage, and incredible views. About halfway there we stopped to cool off under a huge overhang - water seeped through the back of the wall where it met the ground, and there delicate ferns grew thickly, the open cave was almost chilly in the hot desert air.
At the end of the walk we were treated to an overall picture of the stunning beauty we had just driven through - one of the pics I am posting with this email is of that view. The road through the park can be seen, and there are a few cars on it - just to give perspective to the whole thing. I want to recommend to the hikers in the crowd - if any of you go to Zion - plan on staying and hike it! There are things there that Nia and I were not able to see due to time limitations, and the fact that we just weren't prepared to hike - but there are caves and waterways and branches to the canyon that just beg to be explored.
We reluctantly left Zion, wishing we'd had more time, noted that the stinky foot smell was back - although this time we were both wearing sandals, so we both took the blame, and laughing at our dirty, smelly state, we made our way first east and then dropped south and then west again toward the Grand Canyon. We stopped in a little town called Kanab at the Utah/Arizona border - tip - eat at the Rocking V, and stay for dessert. Totally worth it!
The drive took us through the Vermilion cliffs and the painted desert. We were amazed to see a "mini canyon" that wound it's way along our drive - looking at the map we think it was made by the Little Colorado River - much smaller than the Grand Canyon, but still beautiful. In retrospect we shouldn't have been surprised by multiple canyons - why should we have been? Any waterway that runs through this area is going to have the same effect on the earth - it just wasn't something we thought about. Very cool.
We pulled into the Grand Canyon as the sun was going down, although we still had another 31 miles to get to our hotel. We began our drive through the park in the dusk, the dark cliffs a mere tease against the setting sun. And that will be our tomorrow - the Grand Canyon.
Until then!
Mileage: 260 Time: 6 hours Destination: The Grand Canyon
Subject: and the gorgeousness continues ...
Zion gave up the beauty that it promised us last night as we drove in. Satisfaction guaranteed & received.
We drove all through the canyon today stopping at every outlook there was, plus a few that weren't, but where Nia was able to park the car anyway. The amazing thing about Zion is that the drive is through the bottom of the canyon, so left, right, forward and back you're surrounded by soaring cliffs - fractured walls peppered with trees growing out of the cracks between the rocks. Massive boulders line the roads - pieces of the cliffs that have broken off and crashed to the ground below - they lay scattered all along the roads and in the valleys, remaining in the spot where they landed when they finally stopped their bouncing paths down the canyon walls. It is impossible to leave Zion unimpressed.
We stopped at the last outlook before leaving the park and despite the 109° heat we chose to make the 1 mile hike up the cliff in order to view the entire canyon. Sunblock smeared over our San Francisco skin, cameras in hand and inappropriately shod we began, and it was worth every step. We walked the switchback up, surrounded by the fractured stone of the cliffs, the desert foliage, and incredible views. About halfway there we stopped to cool off under a huge overhang - water seeped through the back of the wall where it met the ground, and there delicate ferns grew thickly, the open cave was almost chilly in the hot desert air.
At the end of the walk we were treated to an overall picture of the stunning beauty we had just driven through - one of the pics I am posting with this email is of that view. The road through the park can be seen, and there are a few cars on it - just to give perspective to the whole thing. I want to recommend to the hikers in the crowd - if any of you go to Zion - plan on staying and hike it! There are things there that Nia and I were not able to see due to time limitations, and the fact that we just weren't prepared to hike - but there are caves and waterways and branches to the canyon that just beg to be explored.
We reluctantly left Zion, wishing we'd had more time, noted that the stinky foot smell was back - although this time we were both wearing sandals, so we both took the blame, and laughing at our dirty, smelly state, we made our way first east and then dropped south and then west again toward the Grand Canyon. We stopped in a little town called Kanab at the Utah/Arizona border - tip - eat at the Rocking V, and stay for dessert. Totally worth it!
The drive took us through the Vermilion cliffs and the painted desert. We were amazed to see a "mini canyon" that wound it's way along our drive - looking at the map we think it was made by the Little Colorado River - much smaller than the Grand Canyon, but still beautiful. In retrospect we shouldn't have been surprised by multiple canyons - why should we have been? Any waterway that runs through this area is going to have the same effect on the earth - it just wasn't something we thought about. Very cool.
We pulled into the Grand Canyon as the sun was going down, although we still had another 31 miles to get to our hotel. We began our drive through the park in the dusk, the dark cliffs a mere tease against the setting sun. And that will be our tomorrow - the Grand Canyon.
Until then!
Mileage: 260 Time: 6 hours Destination: The Grand Canyon
time
June 20, 2007 11:54:41 PM EDT
Subject: time
Time is a funny thing. Mostly we don't seem to have enough of it because the work-week takes so much of it, and so we're always rushing, rushing and never quite getting everything in. Ideally vacation would be different - suddenly, because we don't have to go to work, we have entire days in front of us to do whatever it is that we wish to do. But that isn't reality, either.
And that is what Nia and I are faced with. On vacation, days and days stretch out in front of us, and yet we just can't seem to fit everything in. Although we're doing our very best - and having a great time doing it! - our days are staying full well into the evenings, and some things are being cut from our plan, as loose as it is.
Yet still, we try to change that concrete what is; somehow make it so that we have more time to do more things. Every night in the hotel we plan our route for the next day, where we want to go, and what we have to scrap, make reservations for where we're going to stay. We hunt down grocery stores and discuss how much time multiple potty breaks and scenic views will add onto our sightseeing/drive time. Generally we figure how long we can ooo and ahh at all the pretty sights, and then how long it will take us to drive to the next hotel. Usually on the drive we discuss the hotel, will it have a jacuzzi? a pool? will we get there in time to use them?
As it goes we always figure we'll get to the hotel around nine at night. We look at the mileage, we figure the time and accept that we're going to have to settle for hot baths or hot showers rather than bubbly chlorinated water and soothing jets. And yet it never fails that while we're driving, and discussing our various hot water options, wistful pining for relaxing soaks, that I will pull out the atlas and re-figure our time. And always, it's still nine o'clock. You just can't bend time.
But today was a little different. We stayed the night at Bryce Canyon last night, and this morning - early! - we went touring. It was beautiful, of course! The towering red columns, the deep green tree-filled canyons and the blue, blue sky. Tall mesas surround everything, the pits and groves in the sides showing the signs of wear, the promise of more beauty to come, after the beauty that is finally collapses into dust - basically we're staring at Mother Nature's chosen medium, and her sculptures both finished and in progress. It's almost too much for camera-happy folk like Nia and I.
We finished Bryce around two in the afternoon, and made the drive to Zion. Arches National Park was gorgeous, Bryce was awe-inspiring, but words cannot describe Zion. Why don't people talk about this place? Do they not come here? Does everyone blow by Zion on the way to her more famous sister, The Grand Canyon? It's all about the marketing, I think, and Zion needs a new ad exec.
We got here around 4 in the afternoon. We were both tired, so we've elected to see Zion more thoroughly tomorrow. We checked into our hotel where we were finally able to harness enough time to allow us to lounge around the pool for a few hours. Eventually we got hungry, and the sun was going down, so we dressed and went wandering. Springdale is the name of this place, about a mile outside of the park. Rather trendy, kitschy, but cute in a touristy sort of way. We found out today that last night, when we registered online, it was one of the last reservations in town. Nia and I are thanking her lucky kokopelli for fortune we've been having.
The wireless doesn't work in the rooms here, but it was 109 today, so now, at 9:42 at night, the sun is down, and it's still warm. I'm sitting outside the hotel office - the only place where wireless is working - there are two men and another woman - we all have our laptops out, slapping at bugs and enjoying the warm night air. Time may run short a lot, hurry being the norm, but every now and again we are given the opportunity to enjoy what's right in front of us. I'm having one of those moments now, and believe me, I'm loving it.
Mileage: 89 Time: 2 hours Destination: Zion, then the Grand Canyon
Subject: time
Time is a funny thing. Mostly we don't seem to have enough of it because the work-week takes so much of it, and so we're always rushing, rushing and never quite getting everything in. Ideally vacation would be different - suddenly, because we don't have to go to work, we have entire days in front of us to do whatever it is that we wish to do. But that isn't reality, either.
And that is what Nia and I are faced with. On vacation, days and days stretch out in front of us, and yet we just can't seem to fit everything in. Although we're doing our very best - and having a great time doing it! - our days are staying full well into the evenings, and some things are being cut from our plan, as loose as it is.
Yet still, we try to change that concrete what is; somehow make it so that we have more time to do more things. Every night in the hotel we plan our route for the next day, where we want to go, and what we have to scrap, make reservations for where we're going to stay. We hunt down grocery stores and discuss how much time multiple potty breaks and scenic views will add onto our sightseeing/drive time. Generally we figure how long we can ooo and ahh at all the pretty sights, and then how long it will take us to drive to the next hotel. Usually on the drive we discuss the hotel, will it have a jacuzzi? a pool? will we get there in time to use them?
As it goes we always figure we'll get to the hotel around nine at night. We look at the mileage, we figure the time and accept that we're going to have to settle for hot baths or hot showers rather than bubbly chlorinated water and soothing jets. And yet it never fails that while we're driving, and discussing our various hot water options, wistful pining for relaxing soaks, that I will pull out the atlas and re-figure our time. And always, it's still nine o'clock. You just can't bend time.
But today was a little different. We stayed the night at Bryce Canyon last night, and this morning - early! - we went touring. It was beautiful, of course! The towering red columns, the deep green tree-filled canyons and the blue, blue sky. Tall mesas surround everything, the pits and groves in the sides showing the signs of wear, the promise of more beauty to come, after the beauty that is finally collapses into dust - basically we're staring at Mother Nature's chosen medium, and her sculptures both finished and in progress. It's almost too much for camera-happy folk like Nia and I.
We finished Bryce around two in the afternoon, and made the drive to Zion. Arches National Park was gorgeous, Bryce was awe-inspiring, but words cannot describe Zion. Why don't people talk about this place? Do they not come here? Does everyone blow by Zion on the way to her more famous sister, The Grand Canyon? It's all about the marketing, I think, and Zion needs a new ad exec.
We got here around 4 in the afternoon. We were both tired, so we've elected to see Zion more thoroughly tomorrow. We checked into our hotel where we were finally able to harness enough time to allow us to lounge around the pool for a few hours. Eventually we got hungry, and the sun was going down, so we dressed and went wandering. Springdale is the name of this place, about a mile outside of the park. Rather trendy, kitschy, but cute in a touristy sort of way. We found out today that last night, when we registered online, it was one of the last reservations in town. Nia and I are thanking her lucky kokopelli for fortune we've been having.
The wireless doesn't work in the rooms here, but it was 109 today, so now, at 9:42 at night, the sun is down, and it's still warm. I'm sitting outside the hotel office - the only place where wireless is working - there are two men and another woman - we all have our laptops out, slapping at bugs and enjoying the warm night air. Time may run short a lot, hurry being the norm, but every now and again we are given the opportunity to enjoy what's right in front of us. I'm having one of those moments now, and believe me, I'm loving it.
Mileage: 89 Time: 2 hours Destination: Zion, then the Grand Canyon
Arches
June 20, 2007 2:25:20 AM EDT
Subject: Arches
Wow.
That's what Nia and I have been saying all day ... wow, look at that ... wow, amazing ... wow, beautiful. All day, everywhere we went everything was "wow."
We started our day fairly early ... yes, we were pretty pleased with ourselves, getting out of bed before noon and all. We had breakfast in Green River, and stopped at the market for lunch and ice. We made the hour drive to Arches National Park without getting lost even once! In the visitor's center parking lot we stepped out of the air-conditioned car into the supremely blue day and immediately began to sweat in the 108° temperature. I voluntarily put on sun-screen - I know Shell is proud of me ...
We drove through the park, stopping at every turn-out to take pictures, admire the scenery and discuss just how hot it was. Every time we climbed back into the car we would discuss how hot it was outside and then remark on the stinky-foot smell inside - we just couldn't figure it out - yesterday we thought it was Nia's feet, since I was wearing closed shoes. Today she had closed shoes, so we thought it was my feet - that lead to a huge discussion about how it could be possible to be wearing sandals in a hot, dry climate and still have smelly feet. Of course, in the interest of thorough investigative techniques, I eventually pulled my foot up to my nose and took a good whiff ... nope, no smell ... hmmm ... eventually we realized that it wasn't stinky feet, but rather the dried figs I'd bought from Trader J's a few days ago ... problem solved!
Those figs are quite tasty.
We laughed at ourselves all day as we tried to avoid the heat - it was so hot that at one point we drove the 800 feet to the restrooms! We would get in the car after a viewing point and Nia would laugh at me because I would refuse to close the car door until she turned on the engine and got the air-conditioner going - I can't help it! I just can't breathe in hot stagnant air, and I really didn't want to suffocate there at Arches National Park, in the passenger seat of Nia's car - not that Nia's car would be an entirely unpleasant place to suffocate, but you all know what I mean. After a particularly long session under the sun, taking in the beauty around us, we would get in the car, crank the air and move to immediately adjust all the vents to blow directly on us. Of course, as it got later in the day, the temperature dropped. At one point we got out of the car and it was downright pleasant outside - Nia noted that it was 88° - we reveled in the coolness of the late afternoon!
We loved the park - the sights were amazing - but unfortunately for us the best arches were not in places that we would have been able to get to easily. For example, Landscape Arch - the one I wanted to see - was at the far end of the park, and according to the map it was a 4.2 mile walk. Not only was it supremely hot, but neither of us was prepared to go that far in that kind of heat. But while we weren't able to see all the arches we were treated to amazing sights - towering columns of red rock, some of which had large boulders balanced on top, massive walls of stone beautifully carved over the millennia by snow, rain and wind, the red rock contrasting brilliantly against the blue sky. We were surrounded by stunning landscape, desert foliage, mountains and striking colors.
We stayed at Arches later than we planned, but eventually headed back west on highway 70, then down 15, then over to 20, then down 89, to 12 to Bryce Canyon ... really we shouldn't have had to do the whole 15-20-89 part at all, but somehow (somehow ...) we managed to miss our turn-off - but we can't entirely blame my sad navigation abilities - we were both looking for the turn-off! But it wasn't that far out of our way, and the drive was, of course! very pretty. Tonight we're staying at Ruby's Inn - a place we mistakenly assumed was small-ish, and rather rustic. Turns out it's not small at all, and the main lodge looks like a Vegas reject. But our room is comfortable, it overlooks a pond, and we're right in the park.
Tomorrow we're going to get up whenever we wake up, and spend the day exploring Bryce Canyon. More wow's to come ...
Until then ...
p.s. okay Lawrence, now that you've had your journal entry fix you can go to sleep!
Subject: Arches
Wow.
That's what Nia and I have been saying all day ... wow, look at that ... wow, amazing ... wow, beautiful. All day, everywhere we went everything was "wow."
We started our day fairly early ... yes, we were pretty pleased with ourselves, getting out of bed before noon and all. We had breakfast in Green River, and stopped at the market for lunch and ice. We made the hour drive to Arches National Park without getting lost even once! In the visitor's center parking lot we stepped out of the air-conditioned car into the supremely blue day and immediately began to sweat in the 108° temperature. I voluntarily put on sun-screen - I know Shell is proud of me ...
We drove through the park, stopping at every turn-out to take pictures, admire the scenery and discuss just how hot it was. Every time we climbed back into the car we would discuss how hot it was outside and then remark on the stinky-foot smell inside - we just couldn't figure it out - yesterday we thought it was Nia's feet, since I was wearing closed shoes. Today she had closed shoes, so we thought it was my feet - that lead to a huge discussion about how it could be possible to be wearing sandals in a hot, dry climate and still have smelly feet. Of course, in the interest of thorough investigative techniques, I eventually pulled my foot up to my nose and took a good whiff ... nope, no smell ... hmmm ... eventually we realized that it wasn't stinky feet, but rather the dried figs I'd bought from Trader J's a few days ago ... problem solved!
Those figs are quite tasty.
We laughed at ourselves all day as we tried to avoid the heat - it was so hot that at one point we drove the 800 feet to the restrooms! We would get in the car after a viewing point and Nia would laugh at me because I would refuse to close the car door until she turned on the engine and got the air-conditioner going - I can't help it! I just can't breathe in hot stagnant air, and I really didn't want to suffocate there at Arches National Park, in the passenger seat of Nia's car - not that Nia's car would be an entirely unpleasant place to suffocate, but you all know what I mean. After a particularly long session under the sun, taking in the beauty around us, we would get in the car, crank the air and move to immediately adjust all the vents to blow directly on us. Of course, as it got later in the day, the temperature dropped. At one point we got out of the car and it was downright pleasant outside - Nia noted that it was 88° - we reveled in the coolness of the late afternoon!
We loved the park - the sights were amazing - but unfortunately for us the best arches were not in places that we would have been able to get to easily. For example, Landscape Arch - the one I wanted to see - was at the far end of the park, and according to the map it was a 4.2 mile walk. Not only was it supremely hot, but neither of us was prepared to go that far in that kind of heat. But while we weren't able to see all the arches we were treated to amazing sights - towering columns of red rock, some of which had large boulders balanced on top, massive walls of stone beautifully carved over the millennia by snow, rain and wind, the red rock contrasting brilliantly against the blue sky. We were surrounded by stunning landscape, desert foliage, mountains and striking colors.
We stayed at Arches later than we planned, but eventually headed back west on highway 70, then down 15, then over to 20, then down 89, to 12 to Bryce Canyon ... really we shouldn't have had to do the whole 15-20-89 part at all, but somehow (somehow ...) we managed to miss our turn-off - but we can't entirely blame my sad navigation abilities - we were both looking for the turn-off! But it wasn't that far out of our way, and the drive was, of course! very pretty. Tonight we're staying at Ruby's Inn - a place we mistakenly assumed was small-ish, and rather rustic. Turns out it's not small at all, and the main lodge looks like a Vegas reject. But our room is comfortable, it overlooks a pond, and we're right in the park.
Tomorrow we're going to get up whenever we wake up, and spend the day exploring Bryce Canyon. More wow's to come ...
Until then ...
p.s. okay Lawrence, now that you've had your journal entry fix you can go to sleep!
Salty
June 19, 2007
Subject: Salty
The Salt Lake is really salty. I know because Nia made me taste it. Not in a "taste the lake and tell me how salty it is" sort of way, but in an "I tasted it, don't be such a wuss" sort of way. I objected because 1) I trusted Nia's judgement of "really salty" and just didn't feel a need to test it for myself, and 2) because the water is thick and there's lots of gross floaty-things in it. In an oh-so-patient voice she pointed out the obvious - that whatever the gross floaty-things were they wouldn't hurt me because because the lake is so salty that nothing could possibly be living in it. So basically she shamed me into it. I tasted it. And yes, it's very salty.
Happy now, Nia? ;)
We had a great day. We got a late start ... stop laughing ... but began our day by finding something to eat (lunch, because we slept through breakfast), and then went to Wild Oats to get food for dinner. We hit the salad bar and loaded up. Out in the parking lot we debated the ice situation. There were issues yesterday - leaking that got on my books and threatened both Nia's camera and computer. After tossing around some ideas - one of which would have required that I go into Rubio's and purchase 2 cups of ice ... not my favorite idea since I didn't want anyone looking at me like some sort of freak out of California ... buying two cups of ice? uh, no ... but in the end we used a combination of plastic bags, bagged ice, our thermal bag from Trader J's and a beach towel - no leakage! We're pretty smart chicks.
Fed, caffeinated and ready for the next meal, we left the strip mall parking lot and headed to the Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Let me start this by saying that Salt Lake City is a very pretty place - it's extraordinarily clean, well organized and not crammed full of people - even the 30,000 Rotary Convention people didn't do much for making the streets feel crowded. And I know this is a strange observation, but the Salt Lake City-ans ... Salt Lakens? ... whatever ... they're very attractive people. Fit and healthy, well-dressed and incredibly friendly. And it's sincere friendly, a real friendly, not that "I'm paid to be nice to you, so don't push it" friendly.
We wandered around the Temple grounds. We saw the Assembly Hall and the restrooms, the Tabernacle, the business offices, the restrooms and of course, the Temple. The Temple was the only thing we weren't allowed to go into. After that we went to the restrooms. Then we wandered down the street to the Lion House and the Beehive, where Brigham Young and his family lived. Apparently Young was mightily impressed by the work ethic of bees, so beehives in various forms can bee seen all over the city. We wanted to go through the Beehive House - it was allowed, and from what we understood full of period furnishings, but we got caught behind a 20 minute tour that included a good bit of Mormon history and Young's life, which we weren't so interested in, mainly because it was getting late and we did have plan, loose as it was. We couldn't see a way around the tour group, so we left, bereft of the sight of period furnishings.
Our next stop was the Great Salt Lake. It's really beautiful, the lake is huge, and the mountains impressive. Birds flew overhead, and seagulls snacked on something that they were finding under the crusty sand. We rolled up our jeans and went wading. The lake is shallow and we were able to wade quite a ways out. We both wished we could have just submerged ourselves - the water was so warm, and felt great on our legs - it beckoned, that giant salt bath. There was a guy who'd waded out even further than us and had crouched down and was scooping water over his shoulders - we watched in envy and splashed our feet around, delaying our eventual departure.
Around 5 we finally left - it was time to leave because we wanted to get to Green River for the night so that we can hit Arches National Park in the morning. The drive from Salt Lake to here was gorgeous - mountains peppered with trees and grasses, the slopes eroded into that beautiful landscape that blesses this part of the world. Along highway 6 we stopped and ate our Wild Oats salads and enjoyed the last bit of day, watching the ground squirrels and the chipmunks, as the sun began to set.
So here we are in Green River, about 45 miles from the Colorado border, and about an hour from Arches. We're snug in our hotel room, plotting out tomorrow, anxious to see the amazing landscape - the colors, the natural structures and the beauty that we know are there.
Until then!
Mileage: 183 Time: 4 hours Destination: Arches National Park
Subject: Salty
The Salt Lake is really salty. I know because Nia made me taste it. Not in a "taste the lake and tell me how salty it is" sort of way, but in an "I tasted it, don't be such a wuss" sort of way. I objected because 1) I trusted Nia's judgement of "really salty" and just didn't feel a need to test it for myself, and 2) because the water is thick and there's lots of gross floaty-things in it. In an oh-so-patient voice she pointed out the obvious - that whatever the gross floaty-things were they wouldn't hurt me because because the lake is so salty that nothing could possibly be living in it. So basically she shamed me into it. I tasted it. And yes, it's very salty.
Happy now, Nia? ;)
We had a great day. We got a late start ... stop laughing ... but began our day by finding something to eat (lunch, because we slept through breakfast), and then went to Wild Oats to get food for dinner. We hit the salad bar and loaded up. Out in the parking lot we debated the ice situation. There were issues yesterday - leaking that got on my books and threatened both Nia's camera and computer. After tossing around some ideas - one of which would have required that I go into Rubio's and purchase 2 cups of ice ... not my favorite idea since I didn't want anyone looking at me like some sort of freak out of California ... buying two cups of ice? uh, no ... but in the end we used a combination of plastic bags, bagged ice, our thermal bag from Trader J's and a beach towel - no leakage! We're pretty smart chicks.
Fed, caffeinated and ready for the next meal, we left the strip mall parking lot and headed to the Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Let me start this by saying that Salt Lake City is a very pretty place - it's extraordinarily clean, well organized and not crammed full of people - even the 30,000 Rotary Convention people didn't do much for making the streets feel crowded. And I know this is a strange observation, but the Salt Lake City-ans ... Salt Lakens? ... whatever ... they're very attractive people. Fit and healthy, well-dressed and incredibly friendly. And it's sincere friendly, a real friendly, not that "I'm paid to be nice to you, so don't push it" friendly.
We wandered around the Temple grounds. We saw the Assembly Hall and the restrooms, the Tabernacle, the business offices, the restrooms and of course, the Temple. The Temple was the only thing we weren't allowed to go into. After that we went to the restrooms. Then we wandered down the street to the Lion House and the Beehive, where Brigham Young and his family lived. Apparently Young was mightily impressed by the work ethic of bees, so beehives in various forms can bee seen all over the city. We wanted to go through the Beehive House - it was allowed, and from what we understood full of period furnishings, but we got caught behind a 20 minute tour that included a good bit of Mormon history and Young's life, which we weren't so interested in, mainly because it was getting late and we did have plan, loose as it was. We couldn't see a way around the tour group, so we left, bereft of the sight of period furnishings.
 |
Around 5 we finally left - it was time to leave because we wanted to get to Green River for the night so that we can hit Arches National Park in the morning. The drive from Salt Lake to here was gorgeous - mountains peppered with trees and grasses, the slopes eroded into that beautiful landscape that blesses this part of the world. Along highway 6 we stopped and ate our Wild Oats salads and enjoyed the last bit of day, watching the ground squirrels and the chipmunks, as the sun began to set.
So here we are in Green River, about 45 miles from the Colorado border, and about an hour from Arches. We're snug in our hotel room, plotting out tomorrow, anxious to see the amazing landscape - the colors, the natural structures and the beauty that we know are there.
Until then!
Mileage: 183 Time: 4 hours Destination: Arches National Park
napping and eating and Bernice getting us lost
June 18, 2007 1:51:46 AM EDT
Subject: napping and eating and Bernice getting us lost
I'm really tired. I don't know why, we didn't do a lot today, and I did pretty much nothing except eat and nap, Nia did all the driving - some control-freak thing. ;) Although I was in charge of navigation. That didn't go so well.
Anyone surprised?
So today was a driving day. We wanted to get to Salt Lake City by this evening so that we could have tomorrow to explore - we made it, but there were hotel issues. Somehow - and really, I'm blushing so much over this that I can't bear to go into detail - I managed to goof up our hotel reservations and we didn't realize it until just before we hit Salt Lake City - I had reserved us a room - for JULY 17th. Oops. And of course, there's a huge conference in town and not a room to be had anywhere - except this one that we finally scored at the Radisson in downtown Salt Lake. We have sleep number beds - woo-hoo!
The drive was really good, the scenery beautiful and we weren't in any rush. We stopped at Trader J's this morning and got salads and figs and water so that we wouldn't be tempted by the fried roadside yummies - although it turned out that wouldn't be an issue - not a whole lot out there on highway 80 - including potty stops - not even bushes, which we were actively seeking out at one point - those were BIG bottles of water we bought at Trader J's.
At some point in our drive I fell asleep for about an hour or so. Apparently Nia yakked on the phone the whole time to various friends and family members. When I woke up I asked where we were. Nia replied, "I don't know. Somewhere in Utah." As bad a navigator as I am, I'm the one in charge, because Nia is even worse. So I pull out the atlas and find our location. We're about 3/4 of the way through Nevada. Really, no where near Utah. Nia starts laughing because she's told everyone who's called for the past hour that we're in Utah.
Eventually we did get to Utah, and when we were close enough to Salt Lake City (after fixing the hotel problem), we plugged in Bernice. Bernice is the GPS system we've been using. She speaks to us, her commands shrill and demanding, often leaving us very confused. Bernice frequently tells us to "stay right" while in the same electronic breath telling us to "go left 200 yards." Bernice would never make it in San Francisco - too many cars, we would never be able to follow her commands in time - but thankfully there's precious little traffic in Nevada and Utah and Nia has been able to successfully cross 5 lanes of traffic, with little or no notice, in order to fulfill Bernice's shrill directives. Many times she instructs us to make U-turns, not because she's a such a big fan, but because we just couldn't maneuver as quickly as she wanted us to, and she was forced to "recalculate the route."
So here we are. Much as last night - laptops up and running, tv droning in the background and an almost empty bottle of red on the nightstand between us. It's late, and I'm going to bed. Tomorrow we're sight-seeing here in Salt Lake, then heading over to Arches National Park. We have a hotel reservation for tomorrow night. Nia made it, so if it's wrong, I won't be the one left feeling dumb!
Mileage: 523 Time: 8.5 hours Destination: Arches National Park
Subject: napping and eating and Bernice getting us lost
I'm really tired. I don't know why, we didn't do a lot today, and I did pretty much nothing except eat and nap, Nia did all the driving - some control-freak thing. ;) Although I was in charge of navigation. That didn't go so well.
Anyone surprised?
So today was a driving day. We wanted to get to Salt Lake City by this evening so that we could have tomorrow to explore - we made it, but there were hotel issues. Somehow - and really, I'm blushing so much over this that I can't bear to go into detail - I managed to goof up our hotel reservations and we didn't realize it until just before we hit Salt Lake City - I had reserved us a room - for JULY 17th. Oops. And of course, there's a huge conference in town and not a room to be had anywhere - except this one that we finally scored at the Radisson in downtown Salt Lake. We have sleep number beds - woo-hoo!
The drive was really good, the scenery beautiful and we weren't in any rush. We stopped at Trader J's this morning and got salads and figs and water so that we wouldn't be tempted by the fried roadside yummies - although it turned out that wouldn't be an issue - not a whole lot out there on highway 80 - including potty stops - not even bushes, which we were actively seeking out at one point - those were BIG bottles of water we bought at Trader J's.
At some point in our drive I fell asleep for about an hour or so. Apparently Nia yakked on the phone the whole time to various friends and family members. When I woke up I asked where we were. Nia replied, "I don't know. Somewhere in Utah." As bad a navigator as I am, I'm the one in charge, because Nia is even worse. So I pull out the atlas and find our location. We're about 3/4 of the way through Nevada. Really, no where near Utah. Nia starts laughing because she's told everyone who's called for the past hour that we're in Utah.
Eventually we did get to Utah, and when we were close enough to Salt Lake City (after fixing the hotel problem), we plugged in Bernice. Bernice is the GPS system we've been using. She speaks to us, her commands shrill and demanding, often leaving us very confused. Bernice frequently tells us to "stay right" while in the same electronic breath telling us to "go left 200 yards." Bernice would never make it in San Francisco - too many cars, we would never be able to follow her commands in time - but thankfully there's precious little traffic in Nevada and Utah and Nia has been able to successfully cross 5 lanes of traffic, with little or no notice, in order to fulfill Bernice's shrill directives. Many times she instructs us to make U-turns, not because she's a such a big fan, but because we just couldn't maneuver as quickly as she wanted us to, and she was forced to "recalculate the route."
So here we are. Much as last night - laptops up and running, tv droning in the background and an almost empty bottle of red on the nightstand between us. It's late, and I'm going to bed. Tomorrow we're sight-seeing here in Salt Lake, then heading over to Arches National Park. We have a hotel reservation for tomorrow night. Nia made it, so if it's wrong, I won't be the one left feeling dumb!
Mileage: 523 Time: 8.5 hours Destination: Arches National Park
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