Trip Report Keep your eyes on the road, hands upon the wheel–A South West RT-The End!Bonus Tracks

[franandaj]

Alison!!!! What amazing pictures. They are positively wonderful. I'm so glad you finally pulled out the manual and decided to reignite that photography spark.

Your private tour sounds like it was the way to go. It definitely seems like you and Fran got the best of the main valley and could come and go as you pleased. Looking forward to seeing how the night tour went.

Gouldings looks very interesting. And that jewellery you've gotten so far is lovely. I think I definitely prefer the contemporary style to the traditional. Not for any other reason than the contemporary fits in better with the fashion sense in Australia.

I can't wait to see the rest of your pictures.

Yeah. I know.
Act like a Grasshopper.

At this point, I still hadn't got the manual out of the camera bag. I was just using my skills of placement and such. The private tour was just perfect!

I really liked the contemporary jewelry too, it was hard to choose exactly which piece I liked so many. Goulding's was almost a highlight for us, the hotel and grounds had a lot of character and the food was good too!

Absolutely stunning pictures!!

Those roads through the valley look like something you would find on the moon only red! How cold was it that morning?


The Navajo taco and the Navajo burger looked so delicious! Yum!

I love your Kokopeli necklace and earrings. Beautiful!

Thank you! The road was really something else! I could do with one of those frybread sandwiches about now!

Thanks! I can't wait to wear the earrings and necklace!

Wow those roads had some trenches, so glad you had the tour I think your photography gene is kicking in gorgeous shots Really like the necklace & earrings you decided on too, lovely

yeah, that road left a lot to be desired! Just wait! The photos get even more interesting!

 

[franandaj]

After trying to nap for a while, I realized I hadn’t yet looked up the camera and the different settings.

Note: Photo babble ahead, skip to the pictures if that numbs your mind. So I got out the book and learned where the adjustments were for the lens opening and the shutter speed. I was a little disappointed that the largest opening for the lens was 4.0. I remember when I was in photo class, I preferred 1.8 or 2.0 as a lens opening. It took me a few days of shooting to really get the hang of the shutter speeds. They were displayed a little different on my camera from 30+ years ago.

It also took a while to dawn on me what the ISO represented. This is actually quite cool. In the past you put a roll of 1600 film in your camera if you were shooting in low light. You had to use up the whole roll before you could change to 100 or 200 speed film for daylight shooting. With the ISO feature you could set it on 12,800 ISO (a speed never seen with actual film, at least for novices) and take pictures in Pirates and then set it back on 100 and take pictures of the Mark Twain! Brilliant!

I was all set for my starlight photos of the monuments.

Since I couldn’t sleep, I decided it was time for me to go take some pictures of the lobby of the hotel. I guess I brought my computer along since I see it in the picture here.



This part of the lobby was for hotel guests only. This is looking from the windows back to the walkway to the rooms.



This is looking from that walkway out the windows over the Valley.



There were these indian warriors all encircling this fireplace.



More of the lobby for hotel guests.



As you can see the Visitors did not get nearly as comfortable a space.





This sign was all over in case stray Visitors made it past the first sign.







I didn’t really “get” this picture. So of course I had to take a picture of it!



A few more shots while my photos upload to Photobucket.





So I headed back to the room, it was about time to start making something to eat before our starlight tour. We were debating what to eat and how hungry we were after our large lunch when the house phone rang. It was the front desk, Clint was here to see us, and it was only 8:30.

I went down to the lobby to see what was up. He told me that he just got back from a tour that ended early.

There. were. no. stars.

The sky was so cloudy we wouldn’t be able to see anything. He suggested that we could try again for 3AM, but he wouldn’t know if it would clear up until he actually walked out the door and looked up at the sky. I told him that we would pass for tonight and I would talk to Fran and see what she wanted to do about rescheduling for the following night.

Back in the room, Fran and I decided that with our evening tour, it would just be too much for our last night in the Valley to fit in two tours. So we decided to just meet up with the gal at the visitor’s center and get a refund for our starlight tour.

I had the same dinner that night as the last, chicken and mac n cheese. Fran had a peanut butter and honey sandwich. We settled into bed and watched an episode of Castle on the TV before falling asleep.

 

[jedijill]

I love the jewelery! The kokopelli is one of my favorite designs and will be my next tattoo if I every decide to get a new one.

Your lunch looked really good! Fry bread is really good. We have a place in Denver that makes fry bread tacos (was actually on DDD!) that is really good.

Jill in CO

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pics of the View lobby area. Yes, it was weird to see all those signs that were welcoming and not welcoming at the same time.

So sorry that you didn't get to experience the Starlight Tour. What a shame. Maybe next time.

 

[pharmjenn]

Great pics of the View lobby area. Yes, it was weird to see all those signs that were welcoming and not welcoming at the same time.

We walked past all those signs, as non-guests, trying to get from the gift shop to the lobby entrance where we were supposed to meet Clint. Though we did not sit and stay, so I treated it like in the casinos, kids can walk through but not linger!

Sorry about the cloudy sky. I bet it would have been awesome. But the sky itself is so clear in Navajo country that you can see the stars from your balcony on a non cloudy night. I can imagine it would be pretty cool to see stars through one of those holes in the rock though!

 

[ACDSNY]

I'm enjoying the pics and I absolutely love your jewelry you bought. Sorry to hear the conditions were right for the starlight tour.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Caught up! You've been updating so fast it's been really hard to keep up! Beautiful scenery, and I think you got some marvelous sunset/sunrise photos. The petroglyphs are pretty cool too.

Looks like you've seen some amazing sights so far!

 

[franandaj]

I love the jewelery! The kokopelli is one of my favorite designs and will be my next tattoo if I every decide to get a new one.

Your lunch looked really good! Fry bread is really good. We have a place in Denver that makes fry bread tacos (was actually on DDD!) that is really good.

Jill in CO

I figure as a musician Kokopelli is a good figure for me. I also really liked the coloring of the necklace.

I wish we had a place nearby that served frybread.

Great pics of the View lobby area. Yes, it was weird to see all those signs that were welcoming and not welcoming at the same time.

So sorry that you didn't get to experience the Starlight Tour. What a shame. Maybe next time.

I was just glad that I was a guest and welcome in all the areas. I was definitely disappointed that we didn't get to see the stars. We need a do-over.

We walked past all those signs, as non-guests, trying to get from the gift shop to the lobby entrance where we were supposed to meet Clint. Though we did not sit and stay, so I treated it like in the casinos, kids can walk through but not linger!

Sorry about the cloudy sky. I bet it would have been awesome. But the sky itself is so clear in Navajo country that you can see the stars from your balcony on a non cloudy night. I can imagine it would be pretty cool to see stars through one of those holes in the rock though!

Yeah, The first night I was so tired I didn't even think to look. Now that we didn't get to go on the tour it makes me wonder where we would have gone and what interesting pictures I could have taken.

I'm enjoying the pics and I absolutely love your jewelry you bought. Sorry to hear the conditions were right for the starlight tour.

Thanks. I really want to find somewhere that I can wear it. Being back home pretty much means gardening, cleaning house and I still have to finish unloading the car. But it's been in the 90s since we got home.

Caught up! You've been updating so fast it's been really hard to keep up! Beautiful scenery, and I think you got some marvelous sunset/sunrise photos. The petroglyphs are pretty cool too.

Looks like you've seen some amazing sights so far!

Well that furious pace of updating is about to come to a halt. For some reason when we're home Fran doesn't like me to sit around uploading pictures and writing TRs! Especially when we're planning on moving in less than a month.

We did see lots of amazing sights. Im hoping to have this TR finished before I leave for WDW in two weeks, but I don't think that will be happening. Maybe I'll be wrapping it up in my downtime while Fran is napping on our WDW trip.

 

[Leshaface]

I don't get that picture either

Aw man, that really stinks that you weren't able to do the Starlight Tour I bet those photos would have been amazing.

OT - but what is that "Golden Spoon" on the bottom? I'm nosey

 

[franandaj]

I don't get that picture either

Aw man, that really stinks that you weren't able to do the Starlight Tour I bet those photos would have been amazing.

OT - but what is that "Golden Spoon" on the bottom? I'm nosey

I'm guessing no one else gets it either or someone would have said something so far.

I know. I even read the manual and would have been able to do long exposure shots. Clint had mentioned something about backlighting of the monuments with the starlight, it just makes me even more curious about what sorts of pictures I could have taken in that starlight.

The Golden Spoon is from a thread on the DVC - Mousecellaneous section. BirdsOfPreyDave started it to see how many people have eaten at what restaurants at WDW. He even created an "app" that generates your list (which includes F&W and F&G booths), once you click on "yes" or "no" for each restaurant his app generates the code for your post, counts the number of restaurants you've eaten at, and gives you your percentage. I can't wait to take the "quiz" again after my WDW trip. Here's a link to the thread. You don't have to be DVC to take the test, he just posted it in that section because he knows that DVC folks are likely to come back again and again.

DVC Foodie - Golden Spoon Thread

"Badges" are nothing new, I have one from when our AKL thread went to page 423, PIO has the Old Fogies Badge which is Mickey made of pancakes, eggs and bacon (due to Old Fogies love of blue plate specials for breakfasts). I took mine out of my siggie because it was weirding me out.

 

[rentayenta]

I swear I posted.

Love the jewelry too. The colors are fabulous.

I think the hotel signs are cool, guests this way, losers the other.

That fireplace is stunning.

The picture is of a bride and her bridesmaids getting married there. Just a goofy bridal pose. They look thirsty.

 

[Leshaface]

I'm guessing no one else gets it either or someone would have said something so far.

I know. I even read the manual and would have been able to do long exposure shots. Clint had mentioned something about backlighting of the monuments with the starlight, it just makes me even more curious about what sorts of pictures I could have taken in that starlight.

The Golden Spoon is from a thread on the DVC - Mousecellaneous section. BirdsOfPreyDave started it to see how many people have eaten at what restaurants at WDW. He even created an "app" that generates your list (which includes F&W and F&G booths), once you click on "yes" or "no" for each restaurant his app generates the code for your post, counts the number of restaurants you've eaten at, and gives you your percentage. I can't wait to take the "quiz" again after my WDW trip. Here's a link to the thread. You don't have to be DVC to take the test, he just posted it in that section because he knows that DVC folks are likely to come back again and again.

DVC Foodie - Golden Spoon Thread

"Badges" are nothing new, I have one from when our AKL thread went to page 423, PIO has the Old Fogies Badge which is Mickey made of pancakes, eggs and bacon (due to Old Fogies love of blue plate specials for breakfasts). I took mine out of my siggie because it was weirding me out.

I think one thing i'm afraid of doing when messing with my camera, is not being able to go back to the same setting I started off when. Then i'd be screwed! But I just need to sit down before our trip and really start playing with it and figuring it out.

I was wondering about the eggs and bacon! But that's a really cool app that he generated. I'm actually shocked your number isn't higher! I feel like you've been everywhere. Geez, if yours is 40, mine has got to be 10

 

[franandaj]

I swear I posted.

Love the jewelry too. The colors are fabulous.

I think the hotel signs are cool, guests this way, losers the other.

That fireplace is stunning.

The picture is of a bride and her bridesmaids getting married there. Just a goofy bridal pose. They look thirsty.

at the bolded!

I bet in wintertime when it's cold out that fireplace is really inviting to sit around, if you're a hotel guest.

It still seems like a weird picture for a bridal photo. I don't think I'd want to get married there, the bottom of my dress would get all dirty!

I think one thing i'm afraid of doing when messing with my camera, is not being able to go back to the same setting I started off when. Then i'd be screwed! But I just need to sit down before our trip and really start playing with it and figuring it out.

I was wondering about the eggs and bacon! But that's a really cool app that he generated. I'm actually shocked your number isn't higher! I feel like you've been everywhere. Geez, if yours is 40, mine has got to be 10

You're probably using the "Auto" feature of your camera. From the varying light settings that you use your camera in, I can't imagine you being able to take that variety of pictures with any other setting on the camera.

As far as the restaurants, I've eaten at almost 100, I think my number was something like 92 or 96, but there are over 200 restaurants when you count the seasonal booths. We haven't eaten at a lot of the CS restaurants, and we tend to go back to the places we like again and again. This trip I plan on trying at least half a dozen new places, more if I can squeeze them in. I can't wait to take the quiz after I get back. I hope I hit 50% on this trip!

 

[franandaj]

The next morning I was eager to test my new photo skills at taking sunrise pictures! I had no idea where to start with the settings on the camera so I just jumped in. This was my first picture, I think the shutter speed is a little too slow…



Unfortunately it was still rather hazy and cloudy, even with the right camera settings.











Sorry if it’s kinds of repetitive, I did choose only a few of the pictures that I took!









OK, the sun is actually out there, you can see it peeking through inbetween the monuments in this picture.



A little later in the morning, it was still so cloudy, I was able to capture this shot with the sun higher in the sky.



This was the only morning that we could afford the luxury of a hot breakfast. We had checked out the menu at Goulding’s the day before and decided it sounded like a plan. Around 10AM we made the drive across the street and ordered some plain and simple breakfast. Eggs over easy with bacon for me, sausage for her and then we traded a piece of breakfast meat.





One of my eggs was over hard and the other was over medium, but I only needed one egg anyways. The rest was fine and we were stuffed when we were done. For anyone curious about what this place looks like, it’s nothing fancy, but does the job.


We went down to the gift store after breakfast and looked around. They had a number of interesting things there, I think Fran even bought something with turquoise. We took one more look at the view.



After breakfast we went back to the Visitor’s Center to get our refund on the unused tour. Then we decided to head North and see what there was.

[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

We had already been South and would passing through there again the next day. So off we went to Mexican Hat. It was about a 30 minute drive and there was plenty to see along the way. But pretty much the same towering monolithic monuments we had been looking at for the past two days.







This must have been fun cutting the spot for this road.



Aha! Civilization!



I’d be a little wary of staying at this hotel perched on a cliff right there.



This is the San Juan River.



And a little taste of the town.



And then the town was behind us! Now call me clueless, but I didn’t realize this until today when I was writing this update. Once we got through town we saw this interesting rock formation. At first we saw it from the road.



Then, we actually drove off road to get this picture. I figured it was OK because I saw huge semi trucks driving on the same road and not getting stuck. So anyways, I googled “Mexican Hat” for a totally different reason, and it turns out that this rock structure is why the town is named Mexican Hat. DOH!



Then we drove back out the dirt road to the highway.



And back through town.



Sorry about the reflections in the winshield.





Here we are back at the bridge.



And the familiar sights of “home”.



There was a painting of this scene on the wall in our hotel room. I was pleased when we saw this and I recognized where the picture on the wall depicted.



We stopped at another little Indian Craft stand, but by this time, I pretty much had all the jewelry that I wanted.



What did we do with the rest of our afternoon? Stay Tuned!

 

[scottny]

YUM! In-n-Out burger. I have not had one in years. The only thing I miss from living in Los Angeles.
LOL. The horse is funny hanging out the window.
Pretty sun setting pic.
LOL about the $200 she put in.
The room looks nice.
The buffet looked good.
My favorites are blondies. I could eat them all.
Anything above what you put in is good when gambling is concerned.
That is one hot day.
I would use Waze but afraid of data charges. My doctor told me about it.
Um, I think I would prefer M7M’s. LOL.
They were nice looking cars.
The root beer float looks good. I miss soda. LOL. But I drank it so rarely so not a big deal.
The scenery on the drive was pretty.
WOW! That room was huge.
Nice photos out your window. Thank god it was diners and not someone’s room. LOL.
4 am? YIKES!!!
Nice sunrise pics.
Love the rock pic with the sunlight hitting it.
I would love to go on a photo tour through there.
That looked like an awesome tour and to have a private one would be great.
Loved how the lobby looked.
Too bad about the starlight tour. That would have been awesome if it happened.
I could drive around there all day taking pics.
I am all caught up. Sounds like a fun trip so far.

 

[franandaj]

Wow Scott! You were definitely behind!

The private tour was the way to go and you guys should do that if you go there. Vinny can walk ahead of you while you stay back at the monuments.

LOl!

I hope your life slows down a little so you can catch up on the DIS!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Love love love the morning pics. So glad you figured out the settings.
Breakfast at Gouldings looks like it was better value than at the View.

And isn't Mexican Hat......a one-hat town?


BTW - I was busy earlier in the week so I didn't comment on that picture. Is that the 3 Beauts/Buttes?? If not, I don't get it either.

 

[Leshaface]

I loved all your pics, but these two were my fav!

 

[franandaj]

Love love love the morning pics. So glad you figured out the settings.
Breakfast at Gouldings looks like it was better value than at the View.

And isn't Mexican Hat......a one-hat town?

BTW - I was busy earlier in the week so I didn't comment on that picture. Is that the 3 Beauts/Buttes?? If not, I don't get it either.

At the Bold! Cute, maybe you have something there! I just thought it was kind of weird. I guess as a bridesmaid sort of photo, but their expressions and everything made it funny. Perhaps the bride was an "artiste"

Breakfast at Gouldings was definitely a better value. Even if they made my eggs a little overcooked, it was $9.99 + tax etc, for that breakfast and from what I remembered of your TR that they wanted $26 for the buffet, we ate corn flakes most of the mornings. But since we had time this day, I thought it was worth it. Plus the sausage was really good. I'm glad we traded a piece of meat with each other!

I loved all your pics, but these two were my fav!

Thanks! I love the idea of "composing" the picture and using the manual setting you have a lot more options. This is how I remember taking pictures as a kid. When I get to Bryce you'll see a lot more of what I mean. That was a HUGE surprise!