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

[Cinderella's Fella]

If I recall correctly, it was 12 days total. July 19 - 30.

Thank you Sir. Jodi and I are planning a trip like this for next year and just wanted to get an idea of how long it would take. Of course we'll sleep better and not have to deal with kids...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Ain't that the truth. Reminds me of a quote from The Middle:

Mom: "Why did we have kids again?"
Dad: "I think it was for tax purposes."

Now that is just entirely too cool! I’ve gots to get me out there.

It's a very different world from the east coast, that's for sure.

I’d be driving up that way to dope slap you if you didn’t.

Well, I'd hate to inconvenience you like that.

Especially considering the name means “To turn red” or “blushing”
We’ve chained up a mighty beast there.

It's hard to see in the pictures, but by the time we got to the Grand Canyon the water appeared brown. So it was picking up a lot of sediment in a short distance somewhere along the way.

I just got the broken-image symbol thingy here.

You do the Hokie Pokie?

Sometimes juggling all of these kids feels like it.

Here? Already? Cool!
Oh wait, where’s “here”?


That's here!
Holly ****… that’s freekin’ awesome!

(I ain’t a kid anymore, and everyone already thinks I’m an idiot…
so I don't have to act reserved.)

Funny how you start off by reacting honestly, then become self-conscious and cover it up, and then reach a point where you don't care what other people think anymore and react honestly again. Anyway, your reaction is the correct one.

Who’s work also inspired much of the place represented by your own avatar.

I figured I'd mention the fireplace there at some point as well.

“Look! Road kill!“
“Out of my way…”
“I saw it first!”

"Let's take selfies with it!"

Actually, I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to clime all over that tower.
Regardless of the drive time.
Like most everything else in your pictures here, that’s just plain awesome.

It's certainly a unique structure, and doesn't look out of place at all on the edge of the canyon.

Oh, and the Condors flying over the canyon…
Mesmerizing stuff there.

It's really amazing to watch them soar. Mesmerizing is a good word for it.

A bit of back story on that one might be good.
Makes me think of the costumed folks prowling Times Square these days

Unfortunately, I have no idea what the back story is. He was there, took a few pictures with people, and left.

Priorities Man!

Besides, you’ve done your job here. They’re all going to be compelled to come back.
They’re going to want their kids see this too. And on that trip…
They’ll be of the right age to really take in and appreciate it.
And their kids will look at it and say: “Cool, I guess…”
And then you get to laugh at them

It’s all part of the circle of life.
(or some other cliché)

Sounds about right to me!

It is essential that an author understands their intended audience.
Or is it the other way around?

Works either way I suppose.

Seems to me these particular items appeal to the worst in all of us.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Good thing you had paper towels. How was the smell for the rest of the drive?

We had some wipes and cleaners too. Remember, we are trained professionals.

So, ummm, let the people walk across the old bridge that was built in the 20's? Seems safe.

Given my profession, it seems wrong for me not to trust the people that built it.

Oh, that's it? I was expecting to see this:

Too bad, then we might not have had to eat PB&J for lunch.

Water is probably not moving all too quickly. Low water level, stagnant water, hot temps=algae paradise.

Could be! But like I said, it was brown with sediment in the Grand Canyon.

Hope this doesn't foreshadow any upcoming updates.

I think we're safe...for now.

Look at how happy that baby is!

Little punk.

Wow! Look at those views! Even with the haze/smoke it looks amazing!

I promise it will get even better!

The art is really cool. Was there anyone there explaining what the drawings meant?

Not that I could see. Art is all up to interpretation, anyway. For all I know, we were looking at some Native American graffiti.

Did you go over and strike up a conversation with him?

No. I mean, what would I say?

At least they look happy.

Beats the alternative.

Good to know. Makes plenty of sense.

Agreed.

Walking down is faster than walking up.. OK. Got it.

Seems like common sense.

So let me get this straight, if I get a horrible sunburn, put my jean shorts on backwards, and drink too many chocolate milks I'll vomit all over the trail?

See what I mean? Art is up to interpretation.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

lovely update...

The first time I saw the Grand Canyon I was 16... I was so not impressed, which is why now that I am many years over 16 that I will go back and take my DH who has never seen it. I know we will appreciate it much more now. The kids will look back and remember these times, I promise I do!

I think I definitely appreciated it more as an adult. We need that perspective and maturity, I guess. That maturity is also what prompts me to laugh at drawings of people vomiting.

The pictures of the kids in the tree are really nice and I was wondering where Drew was, he will look back and feel left out, I think you should get those photoshop skills from page one and get Drew in that picture.

Poor Drew. Stuck in the stroller the whole time. And we really can't call them "photoshop skills", can we?

The haze is there but it does not take away too much, it is still lovely.

Can't wait to see it all.

Coming up soon! When I have a free moment.

Thank you Sir. Jodi and I are planning a trip like this for next year and just wanted to get an idea of how long it would take. Of course we'll sleep better and not have to deal with kids...

Thanks for rubbing it in.

Keep in mind we're only on Day 5 of this trip and have a good bit of ground still to cover. Bryce and Zion are so convenient to each other, that helped quite a bit.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I just got the broken-image symbol thingy here.

Well that stinks…
OK, the image is just about any scene taken from an Egyptian tomb.
The caption goes like this:

“THE INTERNET

A bit like ancient Egypt…
People writing on walls and worshiping cats.”

 

[that's nice]

No. I mean, what would I say?

HOW!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

HOW!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Well that stinks…
OK, the image is just about any scene taken from an Egyptian tomb.
The caption goes like this:

“THE INTERNET

A bit like ancient Egypt…
People writing on walls and worshiping cats.”

I guess we haven't come very far after all.

HOW!

I guess you got me there.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Ahhhh, I hate that the kids didn't have a bigger reaction to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. They were probably holding back because, like you said, they've caught on to you trying to capture them on video before. I've always said that I wanted to see the Grand Canyon but I'm afraid that I'd be kinda like your kids or the mother in the scene from "The Guilt Trip". In case you didn't see it: The mother and son stand there gazing at the canyon and they ooh and ahh for a second and then look at each other and say "How long are we supposed to stand here? Let's leave. Nobody will know." (or something very similar to that). Having said that, we did go to Mesa Verde Park and it was magnificent and I was awestruck so I'm sure that I would be with the Grand Canyon too.

The "twin" bridges look dang scary to me! As I said before, you are a much braver person than I am. I'd be sittin' in the car waiting on ya'll.

 

[that's nice]

Mark, I was just wondering how long was this trip?

Wondering how many more updates there will be to this TR?

Thank you Sir. Jodi and I are planning a trip like this for next year and just wanted to get an idea of how long it would take. Of course we'll sleep better and not have to deal with kids...

Ouch. I mean really Randall? Really?


Sounds like a fun trip. Take me with you!!!! (well, then you'd have one kid to deal with)

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Ouch. I mean really Randall? Really?

Well, Mark did stab me in the back with a royal knife over in the DDC thread...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Ahhhh, I hate that the kids didn't have a bigger reaction to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. They were probably holding back because, like you said, they've caught on to you trying to capture them on video before.

Don't worry, there's another underwhelming moment coming up later.

I've always said that I wanted to see the Grand Canyon but I'm afraid that I'd be kinda like your kids or the mother in the scene from "The Guilt Trip". In case you didn't see it: The mother and son stand there gazing at the canyon and they ooh and ahh for a second and then look at each other and say "How long are we supposed to stand here? Let's leave. Nobody will know." (or something very similar to that).

The thing is, I can certainly see some people having that reaction. "Ok, I've seen it, and it looks pretty much the same from the other viewpoints too, so how long do I need to stare at it?"

Personally, I love the beauty and scope of it and can't get enough. It's a place that can lead to contemplation, if you're into that sort of thing and aren't distracted by the vomiting pictures.

Having said that, we did go to Mesa Verde Park and it was magnificent and I was awestruck so I'm sure that I would be with the Grand Canyon too.

The "twin" bridges look dang scary to me! As I said before, you are a much braver person than I am. I'd be sittin' in the car waiting on ya'll.

Does anybody here trust engineers? Anyone? Bueller?

Wondering how many more updates there will be to this TR?

That must be it. It's the TR version of "Are we there yet?"

Ouch. I mean really Randall? Really?

Brutal, man. Just brutal.

Sounds like a fun trip. Take me with you!!!! (well, then you'd have one kid to deal with)

Promise me you'll keep asking "are we there yet?" from the back seat.

Well, Mark did stab me in the back with a royal knife over in the DDC thread...

Maybe a little. If it makes you feel any better, I was hoping the Orioles would win, too.

By the way, if you want to stay inside Grand Canyon National Park, I'd look into making a reservation now. They book up pretty quickly. Julie and I were fortunate enough to stay there inside a cabin a couple of times--our front door was about 50 ft. from the rim. Pretty cool.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Not sure we are going to Grand Canyon. Plan is to fly into Denver and out of Salt Lake. Plan to see Mount Rushmore, Little Big Horn, Yellowstone ect.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Not sure we are going to Grand Canyon. Plan is to fly into Denver and out of Salt Lake. Plan to see Mount Rushmore, Little Big Horn, Yellowstone ect.

I recommend the same for Yellowstone/Grand Teton lodging. Very competitive!

Just out of curiosity...when are you looking at Yellowstone? PM if you'd prefer.

 

[jedijill]

I recommend the same for Yellowstone/Grand Teton lodging. Very competitive!

Just out of curiosity...when are you looking at Yellowstone? PM if you'd prefer.

Come say hi to me in Denver! You can hit Rocky Mountain National Park on the way to Yellowstone.

Jill in CO

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh I trust the engineers, it's my two left feet self that I don't trust. I can trip over a speck of dust. Factor that in with my fear of heights and me no likey bridges.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Come say hi to me in Denver! You can hit Rocky Mountain National Park on the way to Yellowstone.

Jill in CO

We would love to! Right now, I have no idea what we will be able to afford to do next summer. These last couple of vacations have eaten into the savings quite a bit. But hope springs eternal, and I do have a reservation at the Old Faithful Inn...just in case.

Oh I trust the engineers, it's my two left feet self that I don't trust. I can trip over a speck of dust. Factor that in with my fear of heights and me no likey bridges.

Don't feel bad. Julie stayed right in the center the whole time. She let me lean over the edge for the pictures.

 

[franandaj]

Don't feel bad. Julie stayed right in the center the whole time. She let me lean over the edge for the pictures.

That would be me! I could barely take pictures from the Bryce Overlook!

 

[cj9200]

Captain’s Log: 23 July 2014.

12:15 p.m.—Ok. We cleaned up the mess as best we could. And someone’s going to be sitting on paper towels for the rest of the day. This parenting stuff is a glamorous business, I tell ya.

PB&J has been consumed, so let’s check out the bridge. The original Navajo Bridge was completed in 1928. Rather than regurgitate the stats for you, here’s the dedication plaque:

The original bridge is now a pedestrian bridge, while a newer structure was built to handle vehicular traffic on Rt. 89A. The new bridge was built to match the original span over the Colorado River. Here you can see the twin arches: new bridge on the left, old one on the right.

Yea, like I am going to walk over that. Bridges = DEATH!

Too bad for the haze but the pictures still look good. The ones of the kids in the trees are keepers. Not necessarily the kids but the pictures at least.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

I recommend the same for Yellowstone/Grand Teton lodging. Very competitive!

Just out of curiosity...when are you looking at Yellowstone? PM if you'd prefer.

Why, what have you heard?