Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[leshunlenese]

You guys are having such an amazing time with some great adventures. The grand canyon looks amazing! Maybe I will get to see it one day. I love all your pictures! Ready for more!

 

[Pinkocto]

WOW!!!!! Stunning photos! I had no idea the Grand Canyon was 18 miles wide!

Glad DH joined you on the morning walk.

The Wupatki park looked fascinating. What's important is that you enjoyed your 11 hour journey, not that it took 8 hours longer than 'supposed' to

I'm sorry about the fight during lunch tears have no place on vacation.


ETA: I thought I was jumping 3 pages of chatting but completely missed an update. Bonus on finding the art exhibit. Now glad DS joined on the walk. I couldn't be that close to the edge with no railing, too scary.

 

[ejud]

We took the opportunity to grab our tourist shots early.

I recognize that tree!!! Here it is on 2002, my last visit:



There was no walk- or wall- then.

You have done more than 99% of the visitors to the Grand Canyon: the average visitor spends four hours there!!! That you actually hiked down a couple of trails at all gives you a reality on the GC that few have.

Viewing it from the rim is like looking at a beautiful woman but never kissing her or holding her in your arms: you don't really get it.

The rim walk is new to me. You used to be able to drive point to point, but over the years, even with the fairly few number of cars, it had created significant pollution and smog and was destroying the view. It didn't clear easily- it hung there. So they closed the drive and added trams. The walk is sometime after that and after my last visit.

The further west you go, the deeper and richer the Canyon becomes- also more verdant. I think there are 5 or 7 different climate zones in the GC.

I have done top to bottom, Tanner Trail, the most eastern, Kaibab, Bright Angel, and Hermit's, the most western trail in the National Park. West of that, it is native land. I have a total of two weeks below the rim.

Don't want to hijack your thread, but wanted to share this with you. The Canyon is kinda like Disney for some of us.



Jud

 

[kmedina]

Thanks for all of the great information about the Grand Canyon. It is on my bucket list, and Crap brings up frequently that we should go. It looks very beautiful. Waiting until I am in better shape to hike some if the trails is probably advisable. I am in the worst shape of my life right now. Even though it took some convincing, I am glad your DS decided to hit the trail with you. Based on his smile, I am guessing he had a good time.

I laughed about the comment regarding the woman giving her husband the look. Crap gives me that look often when I am talking to a stranger. People with nicer cameras usually get approached more than people who carry small ones. They probably assume you know what you're doing if you have an expensive camera in your case, they'd be right. With me, they are mistaken.

It is so neat that your travel dates coincided with the art event. Looks like it was pretty cool. We happened to visit the Statue of Liberty on her birthday by chance in 2004. That was awesome. Added bonuses like that are the best.

 

[franandaj]

I definitely envy you in that you can do things like take hikes on trails like that. Fran would love to do that too, but she is smart enough to know her limits. We did what ejud described, on our band trip (possibly not the same one that stopped in Sedona) we went past the Grand Canyon and got a few shots of the two of us in front of the canyon about where you were.

I would like to go back someday and really experience it. We might have to do it via helicopter, but I think a redo on the Grand Canyon is in order for us!

 

[rentayenta]

Wow!

Is that how long it takes to really get down into the canyon on foot, a week? I'm guessing they don't have hotels down inside do they?

 

[Pluto0809]

Beautiful pictures of the Grand Canyon! Also loved seeing the photos of the Indian dances, that must have been something to see!

 

[Luvchefmic]

WOW Oooh & Ahhh so appropriately named Your series of photos in the Beauty commentary would make a wonderful calendar for next year I love coming along with you on this trip

 

[TMGosizk]

Beautiful pictures! I'm so glad to read your DS joined you on your post-breakfast walk!

The Grand Canyon art event looks like it was a lot of fun and I love the pieces you shared! They are gorgeous!

Great updates!!

 

[wiigirl]

Beautiful pics!

 

[zanzibar138]

Now it's starting to look familiar... I remember that section of Bright Angel Trail very well, and it sure was a highway - so many hikers! We wondered what that building was for too - we'll have to visit next time.

We took the bus to Hermit's Rest and walked along the rim trail back towards the village. We really enjoyed the views from this section, and never saw another person on our walk

The performance at Hopi House looked like fun! And great luck being there for the art festival

Wow!

Is that how long it takes to really get down into the canyon on foot, a week? I'm guessing they don't have hotels down inside do they?

I think PIO would also like to have a couple of days to stay down at the bottom - there are a lot of hikes and interesting things to see down there

And there actually is accommodation at the bottom - it's called Phantom Ranch and consists of basic cabins and dorm style accommodation. We were really impressed with the facilities there given the isolated location and the fact that everything is brought down by mule! There is also camping of course, if you really like the idea of lugging all your equipment back up the canyon with you

 

[Meriweather]

Still trying to read along

I love visiting the Grand Canyon. It is so intense and pictures (even your GREAT ones) just don't do it justice!

Here we are on a visit. 2012.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures of the Grand Canyon during the hike. It will be nice to go back one day and take some pictures of the scenery.

There were a lot of nice art works at the 5th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art event.

Great updates.

 

[ACDSNY]

You have done more than 99% of the visitors to the Grand Canyon: the average visitor spends four hours there!!!

Wow only four hours. I can't imagine such a short visit. We spent two nights and did many of the same things PIO is doing and felt like we barely scratched the surface.

I'm really enjoying PIO's pics and reliving our trip through them.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Beautiful shot!

And I am so glad your son entered.



Jud

Me too.

I recognize that tree!!! Here it is on 2002, my last visit:



There was no walk- or wall- then.

You have done more than 99% of the visitors to the Grand Canyon: the average visitor spends four hours there!!! That you actually hiked down a couple of trails at all gives you a reality on the GC that few have.

Viewing it from the rim is like looking at a beautiful woman but never kissing her or holding her in your arms: you don't really get it.

The rim walk is new to me. You used to be able to drive point to point, but over the years, even with the fairly few number of cars, it had created significant pollution and smog and was destroying the view. It didn't clear easily- it hung there. So they closed the drive and added trams. The walk is sometime after that and after my last visit.

The further west you go, the deeper and richer the Canyon becomes- also more verdant. I think there are 5 or 7 different climate zones in the GC.

I have done top to bottom, Tanner Trail, the most eastern, Kaibab, Bright Angel, and Hermit's, the most western trail in the National Park. West of that, it is native land. I have a total of two weeks below the rim.

Don't want to hijack your thread, but wanted to share this with you. The Canyon is kinda like Disney for some of us.



Jud

Thanks for sharing Jud. I'm always intrigued to see pictures that are over 20 years past. That tree was a lot more green than when we were there. And the last time I was at the GC.....there was no walking path nor low wall either. It was all straight on to the edge.

You guys are having such an amazing time with some great adventures. The grand canyon looks amazing! Maybe I will get to see it one day. I love all your pictures! Ready for more!

Thanks! I hope you get to see it too with your DS.

WOW!!!!! Stunning photos! I had no idea the Grand Canyon was 18 miles wide!

Glad DH joined you on the morning walk.

The Wupatki park looked fascinating. What's important is that you enjoyed your 11 hour journey, not that it took 8 hours longer than 'supposed' to

I'm sorry about the fight during lunch tears have no place on vacation.


ETA: I thought I was jumping 3 pages of chatting but completely missed an update. Bonus on finding the art exhibit. Now glad DS joined on the walk. I couldn't be that close to the edge with no railing, too scary.

Thanks Pam. It's funny.....I don't remember what we fought about but we all remember the tears. And you're right. No place on vacay.

Yes, it's about the journey not the destination.

Thanks for all of the great information about the Grand Canyon. It is on my bucket list, and Crap brings up frequently that we should go. It looks very beautiful. Waiting until I am in better shape to hike some if the trails is probably advisable. I am in the worst shape of my life right now. Even though it took some convincing, I am glad your DS decided to hit the trail with you. Based on his smile, I am guessing he had a good time.

I laughed about the comment regarding the woman giving her husband the look. Crap gives me that look often when I am talking to a stranger. People with nicer cameras usually get approached more than people who carry small ones. They probably assume you know what you're doing if you have an expensive camera in your case, they'd be right. With me, they are mistaken.

It is so neat that your travel dates coincided with the art event. Looks like it was pretty cool. We happened to visit the Statue of Liberty on her birthday by chance in 2004. That was awesome. Added bonuses like that are the best.

Kim - With the way the South Rim is, I would book a trip irrespective of fitness level. There is lots to do even if you don't walk down; and those short walks really aren't that bad.

How fantastic that you got to visit Lady Liberty on her birthday.

I definitely envy you in that you can do things like take hikes on trails like that. Fran would love to do that too, but she is smart enough to know her limits. We did what ejud described, on our band trip (possibly not the same one that stopped in Sedona) we went past the Grand Canyon and got a few shots of the two of us in front of the canyon about where you were.

I would like to go back someday and really experience it. We might have to do it via helicopter, but I think a redo on the Grand Canyon is in order for us!

Alison - If you can fit the GC in one of your road trips or even to Phoenix, I would recommend that you do the redo. Fran might like Hopi House and you can just cruise between Hopi and Kolb Studio. And catch the NPS bus to go to some of the lookouts.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wow!

Is that how long it takes to really get down into the canyon on foot, a week? I'm guessing they don't have hotels down inside do they?

It takes half a day to get down the canyon. You used to be able to do it but these days they ask that you don't hike down and up in the same day. I think there have been a few too many people collapsing on the way.

I'd like to hike from South Rim to North Rim and stay a couple of days at Phantom Ranch down the bottom. It's another one of the Mary Colter buildings.

I'd also like to do some white water tours down the Colorado. I think you need a minimum of 3 nights for those tours.

Beautiful pictures of the Grand Canyon! Also loved seeing the photos of the Indian dances, that must have been something to see!

The Indian dances was a bonus. DH and I were specifically looking for Native American experiences on this trip so it was a nice surprise for us.

Thanks!

WOW Oooh & Ahhh so appropriately named Your series of photos in the Beauty commentary would make a wonderful calendar for next year I love coming along with you on this trip

Thanks Ruthie.

Beautiful pictures! I'm so glad to read your DS joined you on your post-breakfast walk!

The Grand Canyon art event looks like it was a lot of fun and I love the pieces you shared! They are gorgeous!

Great updates!!

Thanks TM.

Beautiful pics!

Thank you.

Now it's starting to look familiar... I remember that section of Bright Angel Trail very well, and it sure was a highway - so many hikers! We wondered what that building was for too - we'll have to visit next time.

We took the bus to Hermit's Rest and walked along the rim trail back towards the village. We really enjoyed the views from this section, and never saw another person on our walk

The performance at Hopi House looked like fun! And great luck being there for the art festival




I think PIO would also like to have a couple of days to stay down at the bottom - there are a lot of hikes and interesting things to see down there

And there actually is accommodation at the bottom - it's called Phantom Ranch and consists of basic cabins and dorm style accommodation. We were really impressed with the facilities there given the isolated location and the fact that everything is brought down by mule! There is also camping of course, if you really like the idea of lugging all your equipment back up the canyon with you

Did you do the overnight mule tour? I looked into that. DS wasn't keen this trip; but I think he's really keen next time.

Still trying to read along

I love visiting the Grand Canyon. It is so intense and pictures (even your GREAT ones) just don't do it justice!

Here we are on a visit. 2012.

That's a great picture of the two of you, Nancy. Love that you can see the River in the picture.

Very nice pictures of the Grand Canyon during the hike. It will be nice to go back one day and take some pictures of the scenery.

There were a lot of nice art works at the 5th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art event.

Great updates.

Thanks Bret. Landscape photography and I became friends on this trip.

Wow only four hours. I can't imagine such a short visit. We spent two nights and did many of the same things PIO is doing and felt like we barely scratched the surface.

I'm really enjoying PIO's pics and reliving our trip through them.

Thanks Angela. Yes, seems like we covered the major things that short term visitors like to do.

 

[zanzibar138]

Did you do the overnight mule tour? I looked into that. DS wasn't keen this trip; but I think he's really keen next time.

Yep, we did the overnight ride. It was a fantastic experience I would highly recommend I would definitely go in shoulder season though, NOT in the height of summer. Apparently there are people literally fall off their mules at the end, and there is a person on stand-by with buckets of water to splash and offer basic medical assistance to people who aren't doing well. Oh, and DH and I managed to book in about October for a March ride too. You'd have to book in as soon as it opened up to get one for the summer period.

In early March we went from snow and ice at the top of the canyon, to very pleasant jeans and t-shirt weather down the bottom. The ride was still a long hard slog, resulting in very sore bodies. Our guide suggested we all go for a walk when we arrived instead of resting, so that our bodies didn't start seizing up too much.

It takes a bit of getting used to letting the mule take its own track (usually on the very outside edge ), and turning to face into the canyon at the few stops you make along the way. However for me, especially with the snow and ice, I actually trusted the mule much more than I would have trusted my own legs and feet. They don't want to fall down either! But you'd have to make sure DS was up for the challenge, and that he really understands that it's not just a pony ride. I have plenty of photos if you're interested Here's one by the Colorado River to pique your interest (I'm the one in the white jacket on the light coloured mule)

 

[ejud]

Here's one by the Colorado River to pique your interest (I'm the one in the white jacket on the light coloured mule)

OMG Zanaibar! I remember that so well I can feel it!!! I had my first Colorado Kool-aid not very far from there! (I walked...)



Jud

 

[Aussie Wendy]

MIA for a few weeks so just catching up now I have started hols. Love the accommodation in Sedona - just the sort of place we like staying at, as you know, and your first walk looks just our sort of walk too. Very pretty. I wonder if it looks a bit like Carnarvon Gorge though a steeper gorge (the latter is on my list - not got there yet). It reminded me of some of the scenery in Alice Springs too - have you done any of those walks? Did DS get a reward for going along relatively quietly!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yep, we did the overnight ride. It was a fantastic experience I would highly recommend I would definitely go in shoulder season though, NOT in the height of summer. Apparently there are people literally fall off their mules at the end, and there is a person on stand-by with buckets of water to splash and offer basic medical assistance to people who aren't doing well. Oh, and DH and I managed to book in about October for a March ride too. You'd have to book in as soon as it opened up to get one for the summer period.

In early March we went from snow and ice at the top of the canyon, to very pleasant jeans and t-shirt weather down the bottom. The ride was still a long hard slog, resulting in very sore bodies. Our guide suggested we all go for a walk when we arrived instead of resting, so that our bodies didn't start seizing up too much.

It takes a bit of getting used to letting the mule take its own track (usually on the very outside edge ), and turning to face into the canyon at the few stops you make along the way. However for me, especially with the snow and ice, I actually trusted the mule much more than I would have trusted my own legs and feet. They don't want to fall down either! But you'd have to make sure DS was up for the challenge, and that he really understands that it's not just a pony ride. I have plenty of photos if you're interested Here's one by the Colorado River to pique your interest (I'm the one in the white jacket on the light coloured mule)

Lovely! I'm sure you can find somewhere to post the rest.

I think I remember that you wrote a TR on this trip?? Either that or I really am an Old Fogie.

MIA for a few weeks so just catching up now I have started hols. Love the accommodation in Sedona - just the sort of place we like staying at, as you know, and your first walk looks just our sort of walk too. Very pretty. I wonder if it looks a bit like Carnarvon Gorge though a steeper gorge (the latter is on my list - not got there yet). It reminded me of some of the scenery in Alice Springs too - have you done any of those walks? Did DS get a reward for going along relatively quietly!!

Welcome back! I'm starting to wind down for the hols as well. One more week to go.

I think I looked at VRBO because of your TRs; and knowing that you got pretty good accommodations.

I haven't been to Carnarvon Gorge (yet). I've been to Uluru (and walked the Olgas) and King's Canyon. We didn't stay in Alice; so I haven't seen anything of Alice. Is it worth a trip?

Reward for DS? You know....we never even thought about it like that.

Perhaps the burger and frozen yoghurt were rewards enough. He really is a pretty good teenager.