Trip Report The Dry Heat Expedition (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Disneyland)--UPDATE 6/12 (KSC and DTD)

[ProudMommyof2]

Wow! Just gorgeous! The conundrum of the school schedule and what that does to travel plans. I, too, am married to a teacher, so I cant even look forward to it ending soon

 

[Dugette]

Looks like another beautiful park! Too bad it was so hot, though. Glad you still got to enjoy some amazing views.

 

[Flossbolna]

When I saw this I immediately thought that it looked like Carsland. I guess that's the wrong way around...

I would have been the one not parking on the shoulder and instead paying 10$, too. But I understand how frustrating this is.

Sorry that the shuttle system was so annoying. But I guess with the summer crowds otherwise it would be bumper to bumper traffic that came to a standstill. That would not be pleasant either.

I totally get your frustration about friendly strangers' photographic skills. If I want someone to take my party's picture at a spot I usually try to observe other people for a bit and pick out someone who seemed to take care when taking pictures of how to frame it. Of course, sometimes people just offer out of the blue and you can't really say no - and especially can't decline in order to then ask someone else while they are still around. But why would you expect more from strangers than from WDW photo pass photographers. Those tend to cut off the spires of the castle regularly as well....

 

[MEK]

Zion looks seriously amazing. As usual, you got fabulous pictures! Those tunnels - wow!

Sorry the overwhelming heat made it hard to do as much hiking as you would have liked. And I'm sure being limited to the shuttle system was sort of a bummer.

I'm anxious to see what's up your sleeve next.

Oh - and great group shot. I'm pretty sure that everyone was smiling. At the very least, no one is frowning.

 

[franandaj]

Great photos! We had that same problem with the temperature change from Bryce to Zion, it's amazing how much the elevation change affects the temperature. You didn't really post many pictures of the whole switchback process and drive.

Parking was like that when we were there too, the only reason we found a spot in the lot was because of Fran's Handicapped plaque. The tram service started the day before we got there, I'm glad we didn't attempt it. With disability issues it would have been a nightmare. We decided that we could come back during a time of the year when we could drive it. But then again we live a little closer than you.

Poor Scotty that he got so tired and couldn't go on, but nice of you to take one for the team. You two are great parents. I take it on the photo that the other tourist took, they also turned the lens to adjust so that it could be in closer too!

It was hot the day that we were there, so I can't imagine what it was like in the middle of July! Good thing that you were able to take a break after all that.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

12:23 a.m.—Guess who’s awake?

Dave had to pee?

No free breakfast at Ruby’s, so we’ve had to dig into our precious supplies of Pop Tarts and donuts. The breakfast of champions.

I thought that was cold pizza and warm beer?

So, when you visit Zion, don’t make the same mistake I did!

It's kind of hard to tell by the picture, but is Sarah wearing war paint?

Bad news: it’s geared toward very little kids. The program is on the level of, “Can you say the word, ‘prey’?” The kids are rolling their eyes already.

"Hola! I'm Dora, and this is my friend the mouse. And this is my other friend the hawk. Oh No! That didn't end well for the mouse! Adios!"

1:15 p.m.—The program is still going, but I return and let Julie wander. This proves to be a good decision, as she returns several minutes later with ice-cream sandwiches for everyone and a smoothie for herself. This also proves once again that she is a better person than me. But you knew that.

2:54 p.m.—Meanwhile, after much grunting and straining, Baby Drew poops. Thanks, kid. Now I have to change you on a rock.

After frying an egg on said rock?

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

12:23 a.m.—Guess who’s awake?
3:07 a.m.—You’ve gotta be kidding me.
6:23 a.m.—Bleh.

8:00 a.m.—We’re still in the room, taking things slow this morning. I think the periodic interruptions of sleep are starting to catch up with us.

We have a bad habit of doing that when traveling.
It generally does not bode well…

Pop Tarts and donuts. The breakfast of champions.

Nope… that would be a bag of pork rinds and a shotguned beer.

Zion National Park was founded in 1919, and has typically been one of the most popular national parks in America. The park receives close to 3 million visitors each year, most of which typically arrive during (you guessed it!) summer.

Dang school calendar

Some of you may be wondering what Baby Drew thought of all this.

“fbbbt… Where’s mommy! Oh look… toes”

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is one of the most spectacular drives I’ve ever seen. We wind our way down through valleys as red rock formations rise higher and higher all around us. The whole landscape is breathtaking, and there’s a sense of adventure with each tunnel we approach on the drive.

Sounds like something Marlin Perkins would say.
Followed by something like: “While I stay safely hidden in the observation blind, Jim will attempt to wrestle the mountain lion.”


(yah, I’m dating myself here)

Finally, we reach the entrance to the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel, a 1.1-mile tunnel carved through the mountain that will connect us to the main park. It’s here where we get our first taste of the popularity of Zion.

You’ve driven I-4 during peak season… you can handle this.

So…we wait. As you can probably guess, I’m praying that Dave’s bladder will hold out.

An empty Gatorade bottle will solve the problem.
But then again, how would you be able to distinguish it from the rest of the stash.

After emerging from the tunnel, we are greeting with the full glory of the Valley of Zion National Park before us. If I were quicker on my feet, I would have cued up some sort of dramatic entrance music on the iPod to blast away when we exited the tunnel.

‘He rode a blazing saddle…
He wore a shining star…”

We head out of the park we just entered and take the first left, bypassing ample shoulder space on the main road and following a sign to “Zion Overflow Parking”. It’s a parking lot next to several shops and a movie theater. There’s a very small sign at the entrance informing me that the fee for parking here is $10 for the day, and could I please pay in the shop next door? Violators will be towed.

Yah, the Park Pass won’t help on that one

It’s hot here in the valley. Blazing hot. Boiling lava-melt-off-your-skin-hot. And the buses are not air-conditioned. But they do have the windows propped open. So we have that going for us, which is nice.

A little bit of heat exhaustion and one could enter an altered state of reality, where they may just receive total consciousness.


Or unconsciousness as the case may be.

Bad news: it’s geared toward very little kids. The program is on the level of, “Can you say the word, ‘prey’?” The kids are rolling their eyes already.

Good news: I can abandon them to the program and wander through the air-conditioned lobby of the Lodge.

Way to take one for the team there.

The program is still going, but I return and let Julie wander. This proves to be a good decision, as she returns several minutes later with ice-cream sandwiches for everyone and a smoothie for herself. This also proves once again that she is a better person than me. But you knew that.

Yes, yes we did.

We all pile back onto the shuttle to ride further into the canyon. A recorded narration plays as we ride along, making me hope to hear something like, “Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas”, but no such luck.

¡Maldita!

We’ve ridden the bus all the way back to the very last stop, the Temple of Sinawa. After another pit stop, we begin a hike during the hottest part of the day. Because we are idiots.

You weren’t the only folks on the bus.
Don’t mean you aren’t idiots, but still…

So, we make the executive decision that I’ll take one for the team and stay with Scotty and Drew while Julie continues on with Sarah and David.

And the pictures show that it was a bit of a sacrifice you your part there.

See that bag of Sarah’s? Yes, it’s made of duct tape. And yes, she made it herself.

Excellent!
More proof that Sara is a keeper
And that duct tape is really all one needs to rule the world.

Also, Scotty decides he really does want to go on now. I tell him it’s too late. I don’t mean to be harsh, but I figure the others are already on their way back by now. And I also want to teach him that when you quit on something, you miss out.

I’m with you on this one.
Choice made, consequence accepted.

But don’t worry. We’re not finished with Zion yet. We just need a break.

Zion at night…
Should be just as awe inspiring.

 

[glennbo123]

Looks awesome Cap'n.

I thought that I was watching "Cars" for the first part of the update...the scenery looks so similar.

 

[mickeystoontown]

As soon as I saw the picture that you took from Drew's viewpoint, I thought "No wonder he face planted." Poor thing doesn't get to see anything good from his "way down there" perspective.

Those tunnels and "windows" are amazing! We drive through some tunnels in the Smokey Mountain National Park but they aren't anything as cool as that. I hate that it was so hot that you couldn't enjoy the hike more and that the bus didn't afford much of a view of the park.

**Edited to add: I forgot to comment on Sarah's bag. She did a great job! I remember when Lacey was in middle and high school and all of the kids were making stuff with duct tape. Lacey had duct tape covered flip flops. One guy even had a jacket made out of it.

 

[afwdwfan]

Well, I’m not getting any more sleep. How do the kids sleep through that racket, anyway?

Clearly it isn't a big deal if they can sleep vertically, standing on their heads.

It’s pretty amazing to think workers blasted and dug their way through over a mile of rock so many years ago. Even more impressive, at several points along the tunnel, they carved windows through the rock wall to give drivers a glimpse of the wonders waiting for them in the valley below

I'm sure that was a highlight for a civil engineering nerd. Heck, I think the work and effort that went into it was pretty frickin' cool too.

If I were quicker on my feet, I would have cued up some sort of dramatic entrance music on the iPod to blast away when we exited the tunnel. Maybe next time.

You're forgiven. Lack of sleep makes it understandable.

Oh, and Dave has to go to the bathroom. I’m just thankful we made it through the tunnel.

How much do they charge to use the restroom in the tourist trap store area?

It’s hot here in the valley. Blazing hot. Boiling lava-melt-off-your-skin-hot. And the buses are not air-conditioned.

Well, I guess water logged Dave's looking like the smart one of the group now...

Good news: I can abandon them to the program and wander through the air-conditioned lobby of the Lodge.

Best news all day.

The program is still going, but I return and let Julie wander. This proves to be a good decision, as she returns several minutes later with ice-cream sandwiches for everyone and a smoothie for herself. This also proves once again that she is a better person than me. But you knew that.

The fact that the Budget Committee approved ice cream sandwiches in a National Park proves how hot it was that day.

See that bag of Sarah’s? Yes, it’s made of duct tape. And yes, she made it herself.

Ok, not only does she have a never ending supply of cool T-shirts, but she is also making her own bags out of duct tape???

Mark, you're doing a good job with this one.

Walking down the river leads to a section of the canyon called The Narrows, which looks like one of the best hikes ever. You have to check with the rangers in the morning for the weather forecast and permission to go, but if there are no potential flash floods, you can get into parts of the canyon that look like this.

Scotty, suck it up! You're going to hike in the river and you're going to like it!!!

Also, Scotty decides he really does want to go on now. I tell him it’s too late. I don’t mean to be harsh, but I figure the others are already on their way back by now. And I also want to teach him that when you quit on something, you miss out.

You snooze, you lose, buddy. Is that too mean?

One of those learning moments in life...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Those two pictures! They remind me of the bit where all the characters meet when they're out of their games in Wreck it Ralph if that makes any sense words me no use good

I gotcha. I think I'd have to watch the movie again!

And don't worry. Mark no function coffee well without.

Wow! Just gorgeous! The conundrum of the school schedule and what that does to travel plans. I, too, am married to a teacher, so I cant even look forward to it ending soon

Yeah, I hear ya. I really hate being forced to travel during the summer along with everyone else. If I had my druthers, I'd vacation in September and October all the time. They're wonderful months for traveling.

Looks like another beautiful park! Too bad it was so hot, though. Glad you still got to enjoy some amazing views.

Like I said, I think Zion is really a hiker's park. We'll see in a couple of chapters how that really helps with the scenery.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

When I saw this I immediately thought that it looked like Carsland. I guess that's the wrong way around...

Amazing how the National Park Imagineers got it so right!

I would have been the one not parking on the shoulder and instead paying 10$, too. But I understand how frustrating this is.

Sometimes it's no fun being a rule-follower.

Sorry that the shuttle system was so annoying. But I guess with the summer crowds otherwise it would be bumper to bumper traffic that came to a standstill. That would not be pleasant either.

That's definitely true, and would not be pleasant at all. I understand why the system is in place. I do think it makes it harder to see the park, though. I'm sure it's better in the off-season.

I totally get your frustration about friendly strangers' photographic skills. If I want someone to take my party's picture at a spot I usually try to observe other people for a bit and pick out someone who seemed to take care when taking pictures of how to frame it. Of course, sometimes people just offer out of the blue and you can't really say no - and especially can't decline in order to then ask someone else while they are still around. But why would you expect more from strangers than from WDW photo pass photographers. Those tend to cut off the spires of the castle regularly as well....

I usually try to give some simple instruction, like, "try and get as much of the mountain in the background as you can--we don't need to be in the center." I still get varying results, depending on whether they actually listen. Anyway, we just keep trying, figuring we'll end up with a few really good ones after enough tries. I like to call it out here more as a running gag for humor.

Zion looks seriously amazing. As usual, you got fabulous pictures! Those tunnels - wow!

Thanks! It really is a beautiful area.

Sorry the overwhelming heat made it hard to do as much hiking as you would have liked. And I'm sure being limited to the shuttle system was sort of a bummer.

But it is a dry heat.

I'm anxious to see what's up your sleeve next.

Taking a break!

Oh - and great group shot. I'm pretty sure that everyone was smiling. At the very least, no one is frowning.

That's definitely a win! Especially with 6 people.

Great photos! We had that same problem with the temperature change from Bryce to Zion, it's amazing how much the elevation change affects the temperature. You didn't really post many pictures of the whole switchback process and drive.

Well, I was driving. Blame the lady in the shotgun seat for the lack of pictures.

Parking was like that when we were there too, the only reason we found a spot in the lot was because of Fran's Handicapped plaque. The tram service started the day before we got there, I'm glad we didn't attempt it. With disability issues it would have been a nightmare. We decided that we could come back during a time of the year when we could drive it. But then again we live a little closer than you.

It probably would have been worse than the Disney buses! I am definitely jealous that you could visit again in the off-season.

Poor Scotty that he got so tired and couldn't go on, but nice of you to take one for the team. You two are great parents.

Thanks for saying that....in this case, it's hard to say what the right thing to do is.

I take it on the photo that the other tourist took, they also turned the lens to adjust so that it could be in closer too!

Probably! I seem to remember the lady starting to frame it, and then actually tilting down before she took the picture. I guess we needed more of the path?

It was hot the day that we were there, so I can't imagine what it was like in the middle of July! Good thing that you were able to take a break after all that.

It really was like an oven. That was probably the most unbearably hot day of the trip. You can only do so much in that kind of heat.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Dave had to pee?

Good guess!

I thought that was cold pizza and warm beer?

I think there's more than one acceptable answer here.

Story of my life...

It's kind of hard to tell by the picture, but is Sarah wearing war paint?

Looks like she's ready for gameday. I think maybe her sunglasses are shifted down?

"Hola! I'm Dora, and this is my friend the mouse. And this is my other friend the hawk. Oh No! That didn't end well for the mouse! Adios!"

After frying an egg on said rock?

I think the diaper was messy enough, without having to introduce other materials.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We have a bad habit of doing that when traveling.
It generally does not bode well…

We've already proven that the Rope Drop strategy is best. But sleep deprivation makes it hard to stick with it.

Nope… that would be a bag of pork rinds and a shotguned beer.

Apparently there are all sorts of regional recipes for this.

Dang school calendar

“fbbbt… Where’s mommy! Oh look… toes”

They look yummy!

Sounds like something Marlin Perkins would say.
Followed by something like: “While I stay safely hidden in the observation blind, Jim will attempt to wrestle the mountain lion.”


(yah, I’m dating myself here)

I have to admit, this one stumped me.

You’ve driven I-4 during peak season… you can handle this.

I've driven the D.C. Beltway and NJ Turnpike. Everything else is child's play.

An empty Gatorade bottle will solve the problem.
But then again, how would you be able to distinguish it from the rest of the stash.

‘He rode a blazing saddle…
He wore a shining star…”

Sure, that would have been the first choice.

Yah, the Park Pass won’t help on that one

There is a shuttle in town as well, but we felt like we'd already lost a good part of the day and didn't want to take more time waiting for that bus.

A little bit of heat exhaustion and one could enter an altered state of reality, where they may just receive total consciousness.

Or unconsciousness as the case may be.

We didn't even have to wait for our deathbed!

Way to take one for the team there.

Yes, yes we did.

Kinda stating the obvious there.

¡Maldita!

Careful there! This is a family board.

You weren’t the only folks on the bus.
Don’t mean you aren’t idiots, but still…

I guess we were in good company.

And the pictures show that it was a bit of a sacrifice you your part there.

I would like to have seen the end. Actually, I really would have liked to have seen the Narrows, but that wasn't going to happen with the baby.

Excellent!
More proof that Sara is a keeper
And that duct tape is really all one needs to rule the world.

She has quite the collection of duct tape crafts.

I’m with you on this one.
Choice made, consequence accepted.

Whew. I was hoping I didn't screw it up.

Zion at night…
Should be just as awe inspiring.

Well, you may not exactly be seeing it at night. But don't worry, we'll have a treat for you in a couple of chapters.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Looks awesome Cap'n.

I thought that I was watching "Cars" for the first part of the update...the scenery looks so similar.

I'm pretty sure the creators of Zion used the movie for their inspiration.

As soon as I saw the picture that you took from Drew's viewpoint, I thought "No wonder he face planted." Poor thing doesn't get to see anything good from his "way down there" perspective.

It's just as well. He'd just try and eat all the rocks anyway.

Those tunnels and "windows" are amazing! We drive through some tunnels in the Smokey Mountain National Park but they aren't anything as cool as that. I hate that it was so hot that you couldn't enjoy the hike more and that the bus didn't afford much of a view of the park.

Well, we tried to prepare for the heat, but you can only push yourself so far in those conditions. I was glad we still got to take the trail and see what we could. And there's more to come.

We still have to visit Great Smoky Mountain N.P. It's on the list!

**Edited to add: I forgot to comment on Sarah's bag. She did a great job! I remember when Lacey was in middle and high school and all of the kids were making stuff with duct tape. Lacey had duct tape covered flip flops. One guy even had a jacket made out of it.

Nice! She has also made flip flops, pencil holders, and wallets.

Clearly it isn't a big deal if they can sleep vertically, standing on their heads.

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised!

I'm sure that was a highlight for a civil engineering nerd. Heck, I think the work and effort that went into it was pretty frickin' cool too.

That's what gets me--the sheer amount of effort and work it took.

You're forgiven. Lack of sleep makes it understandable.

I'm too old for this @#$%.

How much do they charge to use the restroom in the tourist trap store area?

Amazingly, we escaped without further damage to the wallet.

Well, I guess water logged Dave's looking like the smart one of the group now...

Hydration is important!

Best news all day.

The fact that the Budget Committee approved ice cream sandwiches in a National Park proves how hot it was that day.

You can say that again! The Committee never approves anything!

Ok, not only does she have a never ending supply of cool T-shirts, but she is also making her own bags out of duct tape???

Mark, you're doing a good job with this one.

Why thank you, sir. I was hoping someone would notice her t-shirt. That one cracks us up.

Scotty, suck it up! You're going to hike in the river and you're going to like it!!!

One of those learning moments in life...

I sure hope so. We can't be giving up on things just because they're hard.

 

[Leshaface]

Awesome photos! Really like the one looking back towards the cave you drove out of looking at the window.

I've decided that our car will most definitely NOT endure this type of vacation. Half our vents our blowing out hot air right now I guess we'll need a good vehicle to make it on this type of trip.

The link you posted to that photo blog were amazing! That would be so much fun to see.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

I have to admit, this one stumped me.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

In California where I once lived, it was on Sunday evenings right before the Muppet Show. Which was on right before Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color! It was the best night of television!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Apparently there are all sorts of regional recipes for this.

To be sure

That particular one hails from an 80’s film actually.
One of Rob Reiner’s I do believe

I have to admit, this one stumped me.

Figured that’d be the case…
You had to be a kid of the 60s and 70s for that to make any sense.

Every Sunday night without fail, everyone in our house would stop what they were doing and gather ‘round the television (a massive black and white console model that was near as long as the couch) and watch “Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom” followed immediately by “The Wonderful World of Disney” (which is likely why I remember it so vividly). I mean, it’s just what you did back then. That first show there was hosted by a zoologist named Marlin Perkins who generally worked with a rather younger naturalist named Jim Fowler. If you were to watch a few episodes, you’d see what I was on about but I wouldn’t be puttin' much effort into it.

Careful there! This is a family board.

Lo siento por eso jefe…

We still have to visit Great Smoky Mountain N.P. It's on the list!

That‘d bring you toward my neck of the woods. Heck our young’en goes to school smack in the middle of the park. Well, in the Nantahala National Forest to be exact, but they boarder one and other and are part of the same whole. The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses just a couple miles north of the campus even. Go in the fall if you can find a way to swing it.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

In California where I once lived, it was on Sunday evenings right before the Muppet Show. Which was on right before Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color! It was the best night of television!

See...
It's an old guy thing

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

See...
It's an old guy thing