Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01
- Thread starter PrincessInOz
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zanzibar138
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I'm with you PIO, I'll always take the scenic route if there's time. Why not see as much as you can on the way? Looks like it was worth the trouble too 
And that is a great family photo at the Wupatki Monument! I also love the one of you and DS at the lookout 
So relieved to hear that the shutdown didn't affect you. It would be devastating to go all that way and find that you couldn't see half the things on your itinerary (especially for those 'once in a lifetime' travelers)
I think there was a photo doing the rounds on facebook of a couple in wedding attire at the closed gates of Yosemite... that would be pretty awful too!
I just wanted to point out, for those who are interested, there are also ensuite rooms available at a decent price at Bright Angel Lodge. They are rustic but charming.
Yavapai doesn't look like much from the outside, but the rooms look pretty swish
We only found the cafeteria on our last day there. We found it a cheap and ok for breakfast.
And that is a great family photo at the Wupatki Monument! I also love the one of you and DS at the lookout So relieved to hear that the shutdown didn't affect you. It would be devastating to go all that way and find that you couldn't see half the things on your itinerary (especially for those 'once in a lifetime' travelers)
I think there was a photo doing the rounds on facebook of a couple in wedding attire at the closed gates of Yosemite... that would be pretty awful too!I just wanted to point out, for those who are interested, there are also ensuite rooms available at a decent price at Bright Angel Lodge. They are rustic but charming.
Yavapai doesn't look like much from the outside, but the rooms look pretty swish
We only found the cafeteria on our last day there. We found it a cheap and ok for breakfast.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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The way they manage visitors to the South Rim has changed a fair bit in the 20 - 30 years.
We didn't even know about the shutdown until we got to Orlando. I know it was always on the cards; but I figured that I would just roll with whichever way they fell.
OMG!!! WHY????
Yes: why???? LOL!
Ahhhh! Good for you!!! I like it!
Jud
Sunset was great at that lookout. And I might like to plan; but when you're on the ground, I'm quite happy to roll with changes.
Thanks.
I'm with you PIO, I'll always take the scenic route if there's time. Why not see as much as you can on the way? Looks like it was worth the trouble too
So relieved to hear that the shutdown didn't affect you. It would be devastating to go all that way and find that you couldn't see half the things on your itinerary (especially for those 'once in a lifetime' travelers)
I just wanted to point out, for those who are interested, there are also ensuite rooms available at a decent price at Bright Angel Lodge. They are rustic but charming.
Yavapai doesn't look like much from the outside, but the rooms look pretty swish
We only found the cafeteria on our last day there. We found it a cheap and ok for breakfast.
Thanks Zanzibar. I'm always happy to stay at Bright Angel if there are rooms available. I quite liked the Yavapai East rooms. I understand the rooms in Yavapai West are a bit older and haven't been renovated.
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
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The accomodations look nice. I would certainly be happy for a couple of nights. That's how our road trips usually go, we never end up where we want to on time. Sometimes we don't even make reservations because we don't know where we'll end up.
It will be interesting to see how our May trip turns out.
The scenery that you saw was beautiful, all those places you stopped were very interesting!
It will be interesting to see how our May trip turns out.
The scenery that you saw was beautiful, all those places you stopped were very interesting!
skier_pete
DIsney-holics Anon
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Hey there - I finally had the time to catch up. I was so far behind after our trip I've been avoiding the new posts until I could catch up...
Seeing as my parents live in Arizona, some of that is familiar, while you did some things we've never done as well. (And honestly looks like you just had time to scrape the edge of the American Southwest, IMO southern Utah kicks Arizona's butt for spectacular scenery.)
It looks like you guys were having a wonderful trip, even with the lens flare (ups) and loose screws.
Pete
Seeing as my parents live in Arizona, some of that is familiar, while you did some things we've never done as well. (And honestly looks like you just had time to scrape the edge of the American Southwest, IMO southern Utah kicks Arizona's butt for spectacular scenery.)
It looks like you guys were having a wonderful trip, even with the lens flare (ups) and loose screws.
Pete
TMGosizk
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Caught up (again)!! 
I love, love, love the way you were able to capture the beautiful scenery throughout your stay in Sedona! Just gorgeous! And you were able to see so many neat and very interesting things! I've actually learned a lot about that area reading your report!
Really looking forward to reading about your stop at the Grand Canyon!!
I love, love, love the way you were able to capture the beautiful scenery throughout your stay in Sedona! Just gorgeous! And you were able to see so many neat and very interesting things! I've actually learned a lot about that area reading your report!
Really looking forward to reading about your stop at the Grand Canyon!!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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I'll definitely be following along your May trip.
I hope you make it back to the Grand Canyon some time. It's lovely!
Welcome back! Hope you had a good trip.
Your parents live in Arizona? WOW! I bet you get to see a fair bit of it.
Yes, they call Southern Utah "God's Country", don't they? It is beautiful. Flying into SLC and then driving to Zion, Bryce, Kodachrome, Escalante etc was one of the options that DH and I discussed. We've driven the Grand Circle once before and we had to be in SouthWest Colorado to meet family; which is why we didn't do the whole circle.
In the end, DS really wanted to go see the Grand Canyon; which is why we hit Phoenix instead.
Caught up (again)!!
I love, love, love the way you were able to capture the beautiful scenery throughout your stay in Sedona! Just gorgeous! And you were able to see so many neat and very interesting things! I've actually learned a lot about that area reading your report!
Really looking forward to reading about your stop at the Grand Canyon!!
YAY....all caught up again. Thanks! The Grand Canyon is coming up shortly.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Grand Canyon 21 September 2013
Early Morning Sunrise
I have long held the belief that the Grand Canyon is not a spot for late risers. With the kind of temperatures the canyon can command when the sun is high in the sky, I really believe that it's best seen at sunrise and at sunset.
Last night, DH and I decided we would set the alarm for 5 am and head out for a walk. When planning for this trip, I'd used AussieWendy's TR as a reference point and checked with her that the walk down the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah point would be something that DS could cope with. I'd ruled out Bright Angel Trail because so many people went down that one and I was looking for something a little more quiet and personal.
Sadly for me and after our walk along the West Fork Trail in Sedona, DS decided that he did NOT want to wake up that early nor did he want another walk. So, there was a little bit of discussion between DH and I last night about whether we should do the walk or not.
Naturally, I was ALWAYS going to be walking and was all for leaving DS alone in the hotel room. The question was whether DH would come along or not as hes a much more protective parent than me. Yes, I know. It's one of those flammable topics that runs rampant on the Dis but I figure that this is an individual thing and it depends on the parent and the child. Besides...it's after the fact now. So, when the alarm went off and I got up, I left DH to wrestle with his moral dilemma.
I'd like to think it's my scintillating company that swayed DH to come on this walk. Sadly, I know I came a poor second to Mother Nature.
We made our way to the Visitor Centre where we caught the Orange bus with about 30 other early risers. We travelled in subdued silence and everyone got off at the trail head.
The sun was just starting to touch the sky.
We started to head down the trail. That top part has a few relatively steep-ish switchbacks. The other walkers completely left us in their dust.
DH and I made a few stops for photographs on this part of the walk.
That September moon and I crossed paths a few times on this road trip.
Our target destination for this walk is Ooh Aah Point. It's about a mile walk from the trail head and it doesn't take long to walk down to here. For anyone contemplating it, just do it. From memory, it took us roughly 30 minutes to head down and we did it with multiple photo stops along the way. We hit Ooh Aah point as the sun was beautiful and golden on the mesas of the canyon.
Our cameras hit overdrive at this point and I figure the click-click-click must have been heard for miles!
The change in light intensity and colour in a matter of minutes was amazing!
The Aussie in us wanted to call out Cooooooeeee. But in the US, Yee Haw was more appropriate.
The scale of the Grand Canyon has to be seen to be understood. It is just such a long (277 miles), wide (18 miles), deep (over a mile) hole in the ground that no photograph can do it justice. But it didn't stop me from trying!
And as with everywhere else we had been on this trip, we found someone to kindly take a picture of us.
We looked down at Cedar Ridge and were severely tempted to keep going. It was another ¾ mile away from where we were and it didn't seem that far.
But we knew it takes twice as long to go up as it does to come down. And heading down to that point would add at least another 90 minutes to our walk and I think DH put his foot down at leaving DS alone for too much longer.
So with a final picture of our surroundings, it was time to make the climb back up.
(Continued in Next Post)
Early Morning Sunrise
I have long held the belief that the Grand Canyon is not a spot for late risers. With the kind of temperatures the canyon can command when the sun is high in the sky, I really believe that it's best seen at sunrise and at sunset.
Last night, DH and I decided we would set the alarm for 5 am and head out for a walk. When planning for this trip, I'd used AussieWendy's TR as a reference point and checked with her that the walk down the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah point would be something that DS could cope with. I'd ruled out Bright Angel Trail because so many people went down that one and I was looking for something a little more quiet and personal.
Sadly for me and after our walk along the West Fork Trail in Sedona, DS decided that he did NOT want to wake up that early nor did he want another walk. So, there was a little bit of discussion between DH and I last night about whether we should do the walk or not.
Naturally, I was ALWAYS going to be walking and was all for leaving DS alone in the hotel room. The question was whether DH would come along or not as hes a much more protective parent than me. Yes, I know. It's one of those flammable topics that runs rampant on the Dis but I figure that this is an individual thing and it depends on the parent and the child. Besides...it's after the fact now. So, when the alarm went off and I got up, I left DH to wrestle with his moral dilemma.
I'd like to think it's my scintillating company that swayed DH to come on this walk. Sadly, I know I came a poor second to Mother Nature.
We made our way to the Visitor Centre where we caught the Orange bus with about 30 other early risers. We travelled in subdued silence and everyone got off at the trail head.
The sun was just starting to touch the sky.
We started to head down the trail. That top part has a few relatively steep-ish switchbacks. The other walkers completely left us in their dust.
DH and I made a few stops for photographs on this part of the walk.
That September moon and I crossed paths a few times on this road trip.
Our target destination for this walk is Ooh Aah Point. It's about a mile walk from the trail head and it doesn't take long to walk down to here. For anyone contemplating it, just do it. From memory, it took us roughly 30 minutes to head down and we did it with multiple photo stops along the way. We hit Ooh Aah point as the sun was beautiful and golden on the mesas of the canyon.
Our cameras hit overdrive at this point and I figure the click-click-click must have been heard for miles!
The change in light intensity and colour in a matter of minutes was amazing!
The Aussie in us wanted to call out Cooooooeeee. But in the US, Yee Haw was more appropriate.
The scale of the Grand Canyon has to be seen to be understood. It is just such a long (277 miles), wide (18 miles), deep (over a mile) hole in the ground that no photograph can do it justice. But it didn't stop me from trying!
And as with everywhere else we had been on this trip, we found someone to kindly take a picture of us.
We looked down at Cedar Ridge and were severely tempted to keep going. It was another ¾ mile away from where we were and it didn't seem that far.
But we knew it takes twice as long to go up as it does to come down. And heading down to that point would add at least another 90 minutes to our walk and I think DH put his foot down at leaving DS alone for too much longer.
So with a final picture of our surroundings, it was time to make the climb back up.
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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- 108,006
(Continued from Previous Post)
Was the walk back up painful?
Let's just say that at points, my lungs felt like they were all shrivelled up.
I certainly wished I was light as a feather and capable of drifting up!
But the walk back up really wasn't too bad. Afterall, we had that view to keep us company.
The further up we climbed, the brighter the outlook became.
Until we only had the switchbacks to contemplate.
Okay. Lets just focus on the point of all this, shall we?
DH and I had finally gotten to reclaim a shared love of walking in the outdoors. And what better way to reclaim it than at the pinnacle walk that was the South Kaibab trail of the Grand Canyon?
I think we were both surprised at how much we had missed walking in beautiful countryside. Somewhere along here we decided we needed to do more of this.
It took us roughly 2 hours to head down the 1 mile distance and back up again. It certainly was clearly daylight when we got back to familiar vistas.
And in the light, we could see a few rock formations that we had missed on the way down. I was speculating that we could build a lift or hoist on these two boulders to pick the people up from down below.
I found the switchback at the top walking up about the hardest bit of this trail. But then.....I did make frequent stops.
However, it didn't feel like too much time had gone past before we did make it back to the top of the trail head.
This map might put our little trip down into perspective.
We walked along the red dotted line and I think we barely covered 10 of those red dashes. There was certainly a lot more walking to be had; if you wanted to spend 2 days walking down and up here.
Whilst we were waiting, we found the mule stables. The mules go down the Bright Angel trail and I guess these were the spares for the day.
The NPS runs these free shuttle buses along the rim of the canyon. I didn't grab a shot earlier because it was way too dark. But not so now.
(Continued in Next Post)
Was the walk back up painful?
Let's just say that at points, my lungs felt like they were all shrivelled up.
I certainly wished I was light as a feather and capable of drifting up!
But the walk back up really wasn't too bad. Afterall, we had that view to keep us company.
The further up we climbed, the brighter the outlook became.
Until we only had the switchbacks to contemplate.
Okay. Lets just focus on the point of all this, shall we?
DH and I had finally gotten to reclaim a shared love of walking in the outdoors. And what better way to reclaim it than at the pinnacle walk that was the South Kaibab trail of the Grand Canyon?
I think we were both surprised at how much we had missed walking in beautiful countryside. Somewhere along here we decided we needed to do more of this.
It took us roughly 2 hours to head down the 1 mile distance and back up again. It certainly was clearly daylight when we got back to familiar vistas.
And in the light, we could see a few rock formations that we had missed on the way down. I was speculating that we could build a lift or hoist on these two boulders to pick the people up from down below.
I found the switchback at the top walking up about the hardest bit of this trail. But then.....I did make frequent stops.
However, it didn't feel like too much time had gone past before we did make it back to the top of the trail head.
This map might put our little trip down into perspective.
We walked along the red dotted line and I think we barely covered 10 of those red dashes. There was certainly a lot more walking to be had; if you wanted to spend 2 days walking down and up here.
Whilst we were waiting, we found the mule stables. The mules go down the Bright Angel trail and I guess these were the spares for the day.
The NPS runs these free shuttle buses along the rim of the canyon. I didn't grab a shot earlier because it was way too dark. But not so now.
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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(Continued from Previous Post)
May I Walk in Beauty
May I walk in beauty
Beauty is ahead of me
Beauty is behind
Beauty walks beside me
Beauty is within
(Thanks to my DH for this picture)
Beauty is below
May I be surrounded all around
May I walk in beauty
(Continued in Next Post)
May I Walk in Beauty
May I walk in beauty
Beauty is ahead of me
Beauty is behind
Beauty walks beside me
Beauty is within
(Thanks to my DH for this picture)
Beauty is below
May I be surrounded all around
May I walk in beauty
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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- 108,006
(Continued from Previous Post)
Breakfast at Bright Angel Lodge
By the time we caught the bus back to the Visitor Centre, it was just after 8 am in the morning. We stopped off at the NPS office to try to pay for our park entry. Imagine our surprise when we were advised to pay on the way out. Oh well!
We made our way back to our room, and after waking DS, we got ready to head out for breakfast. After last night's cafeteria experience, we were all keen to enjoy a better calibre of food.
The décor of the restaurant is rustic. It's this kind of architecture that adds to the charm of this lodge.
We were seated just off the main dining room.
DS was happy this morning....
....he had ordered the French Toast.
It came with the appropriate trimmings.
DH ordered the breakfast burrito.
It might look a little messy but my Huevos Rancheros was pretty good. It just needed a little extra spice for my taste.
There were no complaints about the quality of food from any of us this morning.
(Continued in Next Post)
Breakfast at Bright Angel Lodge
By the time we caught the bus back to the Visitor Centre, it was just after 8 am in the morning. We stopped off at the NPS office to try to pay for our park entry. Imagine our surprise when we were advised to pay on the way out. Oh well!
We made our way back to our room, and after waking DS, we got ready to head out for breakfast. After last night's cafeteria experience, we were all keen to enjoy a better calibre of food.
The décor of the restaurant is rustic. It's this kind of architecture that adds to the charm of this lodge.
We were seated just off the main dining room.
DS was happy this morning....
....he had ordered the French Toast.
It came with the appropriate trimmings.
DH ordered the breakfast burrito.
It might look a little messy but my Huevos Rancheros was pretty good. It just needed a little extra spice for my taste.
There were no complaints about the quality of food from any of us this morning.
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
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- 108,006
(Continued from Previous Post)
A Look-See at Bright Angel Lodge
As we were right here, we decided to a little look around.
The Bright Angel Lodge is a hotel complex at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Designed by architect Mary Jane Colter, the lodge is a complex of cabins....
....around a central lodge building, directly on the edge of the canyon.
The restaurant was located in the central lodge. The lodge interior finishes included hand-adzed logs, adobe and local limestone.
There was a room off to the left corridor that contained historic relics of the Lodge. If you are in the area, make sure you stop in there for a look-see.
The complex is dotted with cabins. Some are on the inside....
.....others....
Others are blessed with a view!
I didn't have anything planned beyond enjoying the Canyon for this day and when I checked with the boys, they were happy to just stroll along the rim.
A Look-See at Bright Angel Lodge
As we were right here, we decided to a little look around.
The Bright Angel Lodge is a hotel complex at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Designed by architect Mary Jane Colter, the lodge is a complex of cabins....
....around a central lodge building, directly on the edge of the canyon.
The restaurant was located in the central lodge. The lodge interior finishes included hand-adzed logs, adobe and local limestone.
There was a room off to the left corridor that contained historic relics of the Lodge. If you are in the area, make sure you stop in there for a look-see.
The complex is dotted with cabins. Some are on the inside....
.....others....
Others are blessed with a view!
I didn't have anything planned beyond enjoying the Canyon for this day and when I checked with the boys, they were happy to just stroll along the rim.
skier_pete
DIsney-holics Anon
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2006
- Messages
- 13,057
My parents (mum and step-dad) moved to Arizona when they retired, so they've been out there for like 15 years. We've actually never made the trek to the grand canyon. We usually are staying around Phoenix, and that is much more than a day trip. I think we may consider it not our next trip there (scheduled for Christmas 2014) but the following one (tentative spring 2016).
Your comment on the Grand Canyon is spot on...I always tell people it's not my favorite because it's "too big for your brain to really grasp".
Ahhhh! Beautiful! With your first shot of the Canyon, my heart cried, "home"!
Ya shoulda made the kid go!
Look familiar? Down Kaibab, and up Bright Angel, 1971... I was amazed at those switchbacks!
And that beauty you shot as the light changed, Battleship Butte. And the trail goes across it: if you pixel peep jst a bit off the very center of this shot, you can see a mule train of riders on the trail! Gives you a wee bit of an idea of the scale of this magnificent place!
Jud
Ya shoulda made the kid go!
Look familiar? Down Kaibab, and up Bright Angel, 1971... I was amazed at those switchbacks!
And that beauty you shot as the light changed, Battleship Butte. And the trail goes across it: if you pixel peep jst a bit off the very center of this shot, you can see a mule train of riders on the trail! Gives you a wee bit of an idea of the scale of this magnificent place!
Jud
Pluto0809
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 25, 2012
- Messages
- 4,447
I was off the DIS for a bit while my Mom was here for Thanksgiving. I'm all caught up again and still really enjoying your TR. I'm a little ashamed to admit how much I'm learning about my own Country while reading. A few random thoughts from reading.
I loved the turquoise necklace, the color on it is beautiful.
My Mom and I did a similar train ride in Blue Ridge GA this last week. Totally different scenery but the train cars were similar. There was an open air car but considering it was very below freezing the night we went, we stayed inside for the whole trip.
I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a long time to get to the Grand Canyon. There are so many times when I wish I could take time to stop along the way rather than rushing from one place to another!
Beautiful pictures of the Grand Canyon. That's another place on my bucket list to get to someday.
I loved the turquoise necklace, the color on it is beautiful.
My Mom and I did a similar train ride in Blue Ridge GA this last week. Totally different scenery but the train cars were similar. There was an open air car but considering it was very below freezing the night we went, we stayed inside for the whole trip.
I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a long time to get to the Grand Canyon. There are so many times when I wish I could take time to stop along the way rather than rushing from one place to another!
Beautiful pictures of the Grand Canyon. That's another place on my bucket list to get to someday.
Fairy Floss
Mouseketeer
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- Jan 29, 2013
- Messages
- 333
Oh my!
So beautiful
Thanks for these posts (& gorgeous pics)!
I am enjoying your trip do much xx
So beautiful
Thanks for these posts (& gorgeous pics)!
I am enjoying your trip do much xx
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