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

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

12:32 a.m.—Crying baby. Move along. Nothing to see here.

4: 12 a.m.—Crying baby. Move along. Nothing to see here.

See? No…
Hear? That’s a different story.

Somewhere along the way, Sarah said, “Didn’t you know it’s National Whack Scotty With A Pillow Day?” So naturally, I promptly grab a pillow and whack Scotty with it. Hey, I’m all about upholding traditions.

I’ll mark that one down in my calendar.
Sounds like a whole lot more fun the National Barium Enema Day.

Our original plan was to ride all the way to the end and then work our way back, but the bus driver says they only make limited stops on the return trip at 3 overlooks.

Well that’s inconvenient…

Scotty would like you to know that he is jawsome.

A fairly self-evident assertion, but again, I’ll make note of it.

A tour bus for the disabled pulls into the overlook and a gentleman in a wheelchair is helped out. As he rolls away, we convince the bus driver to take a family picture here. We get ourselves arranged, and I think we’ve finally got it. This is the leader in the clubhouse for the Christmas card picture! We have everything:

All family smiling and facing the camera: check.

Photo composed so you can actually see where we are: check.

Spectacular scenery in background: check.

Dramatic drop-off behind us, giving the appearance of danger and adventure: check.

OK… what’s the catch?

Bus driver’s Red Bull can conspicuously displayed: check.

Now we’re talkin’.
I do believe we’ve got a winner here.

“Those mountains are about a hundred miles from here,” he says. “That’s about halfway to the Skywalk.”

The bit that impresses me here isn’t so much that this range is only about halfway to the Skywalk…
It’s that fact that you can easily see a range that is a hundred miles off in the distance.

We’ve reached Hermit’s Rest. We try to commemorate this achievement, but Drew is more interested in Sarah’s iPod than he is in posing for pictures.

He knows you’re gonn’a bring him back at some point so why not focus on the little details this time around.

Hermit’s Rest is another Mary Colter creation, meant to be an outpost for visitors to rest and enjoy the views. It resembles…well, nothing, really. It’s a very unique structure.

Looks almost haphazard.
I can see where one might think that it was thrown together by some hermit with no formal construction skills.
I wonder if that notion was part of the intent.

The kids are mostly interested in the items in the gift shop: Sarah is looking at retro postcards to decorate her room, Dave is looking at patches for his bookbag, and Scotty is looking at pins, similar to what you’d find at Disney parks.

Sound’s about right.

I’m looking at the price tags and hoping not to have an aneurysm.

And you haven’t even made it to Anaheim yet.
You better keep a check on that blood pressure (or consider mailing your wallet back to Delaware).

You’ll never believe this, but Dave needed a bathroom break here as well.

So did they have any patches that said something like:
“I took a dump on Hermit’s Rest”

Back on the bus, heading east. Our next stop is Pima Point. More spectacular views, yadda yadda yadda.

Jaded, you are…
And so quickly.


Or maybe a more apropos quote here might be from Harrison Schmitt:
“Ehhh… You seen one Earth, you've seen them all."

Meanwhile, someone runs into a bit of trouble. You just can’t take me anywhere.

Now, there’s a news flash

Here’s the view without idiots:

Aaaaawwww…
But the idiots make everything more interesting.

And with cuter people:

Well see, there’s where you made your mistake.
If you’d have taken me along for the ride, than by comparison even you would have fit nicely into the “cuter” citatory. And it would only have cost you another couple thousand dollars for the privilege.

We round a corner and are afforded views of the Grand Canyon Village and Bright Angel Trail, one of the main trails that leads hikers down to the bottom of the canyon, where you can spend the night at Phantom Ranch, near the shores of the Colorado. For Julie and me, this is a Bucket List item. Someday…

Do it before you can’t. I’m just sayin’…
There are already a number if things I cannot add to my list of must do’s.
Just more and more regrets piling up a-top one-n-other.

Remarkable indeed.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Seems redundant to keep saying "Wow" so "WOW" and WoW" or how about "woW" to just mix it up a bit

Just amazing!

 

[KatMark]

Drew woke you up again? I don't believe you. I think you are just repeating yourself.

Wow...specatular views, colors, etc.

Nice family pictures (I like the second one just a tad better...probably becasue the Red Bull's not in it ).

All I can keep saying is stunning.

 

[Leshaface]

I think you should just photoshop the Condor from your last update and place him over the can. Most epic photo ever!


This totally freaks my mind!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

A tour bus for the disabled pulls into the overlook and a gentleman in a wheelchair is helped out. As he rolls away, we convince the bus driver to take a family picture here. We get ourselves arranged, and I think we’ve finally got it. This is the leader in the clubhouse for the Christmas card picture! We have everything:

All family smiling and facing the camera: check.

Photo composed so you can actually see where we are: check.

Spectacular scenery in background: check.

Dramatic drop-off behind us, giving the appearance of danger and adventure: check.

Bus driver’s Red Bull can conspicuously displayed: check.

That's horrible that the driver ruined your photo like that. I was so outraged that I took it upon myself to make it Christmas Card Worthy©®™. You're welcome.

Also, I promise to keep more up to date on your trip report.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Did you ever see the little gem in the gift shop that was in the form of a book titled "Death in the Grand Canyon"? Because I have it. And let me tell you, after reading it, I'm convinced that if I even set one foot on a trail into the canyon I will immediately die a painful death. They don't joke around.

That being said, I was fortunate enough to hike a very small (as in, 200 feet in and then immediately back out) portion of the Bright Angel trail with the regional director for Xanterra (the company that owns the lodges in the national parks). He pointed out some petroglyphs in the rocks that we never would have seen on our own. I still wish we'd had more time, because I think our total time at the South Rim was 2 hours, and that included lunch.

I also wanted to let you know that you've officially become a "resource" for work! I had clients in the other day that wanted to know things to do in Hawaii, and I immediately went back and scanned your TR! So thanks for that!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Who needs an alarm clock when you have Drew with you? He was just making sure that you were up and at 'em early.

Sure, that must have been it. And he continues to make sure...Every. Single. Day.

Oh yeah, right, I'd really love to go on a piece of clear acrylic that dangled out over the Grand Canyon. Not! I've seen pictures of that thing and I say "no way, no how!" I couldn't even tolerate the glass walls in what used to be the Virgin MegaStore at DTD.

I'd try it. But then again, I'm an engineer. I feel like I'm doing my profession a disservice if I don't trust my brethren.

I like the potential Christmas card photo. If you could photoshop out the Red Bull can it'd be perfecto. I do think that you should work in the picture of you "falling" somewhere the card though. It's hilarious!

Glad you liked it! I used that for my profile picture on FB for a little while.

We'll work on photo-shopping that Red Bull can out of the way, because it is distracting.

The views from each of the stops are absolutely stunning and I think that's very appropriate that the Psalms verse is posted in that exact spot.

We were somewhat surprised that those were actually posted on government property. I think they're tasteful and appropriate here.

The clouds made for some very interesting pictures of the canyon.

It was pretty cool!

You're right you just can't even grasp the vastness of such a wonder. And I am another which will not be standing on the sheet of plexiglass over the canyon!

Just stick with the National Park. You can see plenty from the rim!

I'm sure that Julie's many skills include Photoshop and that can of Red Bull will be nothing to exclude. I even know how to get rid of it. Otherwise, it's a great picture.

We'll get right to work! It's almost time to get the cards printed.

Those shots that show the scope of the canyon with the zoom of the trail and the Grand Canyon Village were fairly amazing! You illustrated your point quite well. You just can't get the scope of it from pictures! We are going to have to plan a trip there!

I don't think the canyon ever gets old! Luckily it's a much easier trip for you two!

Beautiful photos. Love the play of the light and all the variations of the colors.

Thanks! It's easy for us, we just snap the shutter.

I for one would be on that sky walk the first chance I got. DH would be about a mike away, b/c he would freak out that I was on it.

We'll need photo documentation of this!

 

[cj9200]

Beautiful pics, well done sir.

Right after I walk over that bridge, I'll make sure to stand on a piece of plexiglass overlooking a 5,000 foot drop. Saw a video of it and no way am doing it.

 

[afwdwfan]

I can't think of a better way to start the day than a pillow fight. Please send a reminder next year, I don't want to miss national whack Scotty with a pillow day again!

I'm glad your rope drop strategy paid off. You're really getting some great pictures around the Grand Canyon. Even the one with the bus drivers Red Bull! But look at it this way, at least you know if you get on his bus, he won't fall asleep and send you plummeting to the canyon floor.

The bus driver talking about the distance to the mountains really is an interesting take on the size and scale of the Grand Canyon. Heck, that picture with the Colorado River down in the distance really makes you take a step back just to think about the size and scale of all of it. Hard to imagine how that little river could cut such a huge canyon out of all that rock!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

See? No…
Hear? That’s a different story.

Amazingly, the other kids slept through it for the most part. Don't ask me how.

I’ll mark that one down in my calendar.
Sounds like a whole lot more fun the National Barium Enema Day.

I'm busy that day. Celebrate without me.

Well that’s inconvenient…

Reason #547 why you need to be flexible on vacations.

A fairly self-evident assertion, but again, I’ll make note of it.

Jawsome? I don't want you guys making up words around me. I'm taking the stairs.

OK… what’s the catch?

Patience...

Now we’re talkin’.
I do believe we’ve got a winner here.

It could make for a good Red Bull advertisement.

The bit that impresses me here isn’t so much that this range is only about halfway to the Skywalk…
It’s that fact that you can easily see a range that is a hundred miles off in the distance.

I don't know about "easily". They were definitely more shadows than anything well-defined.

He knows you’re gonn’a bring him back at some point so why not focus on the little details this time around.

At the rate of our savings, it might be a long time before he gets back.

Looks almost haphazard.
I can see where one might think that it was thrown together by some hermit with no formal construction skills.
I wonder if that notion was part of the intent.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least.

And you haven’t even made it to Anaheim yet.
You better keep a check on that blood pressure (or consider mailing your wallet back to Delaware).

Spoken like a Disney gift shop veteran.

So did they have any patches that said something like:
“I took a dump on Hermit’s Rest”

Jaded, you are…
And so quickly.

I took poetic license. Figured you guys are getting bored by now.

Or maybe a more apropos quote here might be from Harrison Schmitt:
“Ehhh… You seen one Earth, you've seen them all."

My dad related this story to me a while back. This version is copied from the interwebs:

Years ago an old pioneer journeyed westward across the great plains until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He gawked at the sight before him—a vast chasm 1 mile deep, 18 miles across, and stretching out of sight. He gasped, “Something must have happened here!”

Now, there’s a news flash

Hey, I was proud of how this picture turned out.

Aaaaawwww…
But the idiots make everything more interesting.

In many ways!

Well see, there’s where you made your mistake.
If you’d have taken me along for the ride, than by comparison even you would have fit nicely into the “cuter” citatory. And it would only have cost you another couple thousand dollars for the privilege.

Nah, we just would have broken the camera lens together.

Do it before you can’t. I’m just sayin’…
There are already a number if things I cannot add to my list of must do’s.
Just more and more regrets piling up a-top one-n-other.

If I could finally get that promotion...

Remarkable indeed.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Seems redundant to keep saying "Wow" so "WOW" and WoW" or how about "woW" to just mix it up a bit

Just amazing!

Then let me just say Thanks! And thank you! And muchas gracias!

Drew woke you up again? I don't believe you. I think you are just repeating yourself.

Just because I'm repeating myself doesn't mean it isn't true!

Wow...specatular views, colors, etc.

Nice family pictures (I like the second one just a tad better...probably becasue the Red Bull's not in it ).

What about Barry's version?

All I can keep saying is stunning.

The views have already been provided for us...we just point the camera!

I think you should just photoshop the Condor from your last update and place him over the can. Most epic photo ever!

I like it! Totally awesome!

This totally freaks my mind!

It's one of my favorite gags!

 

[KatMark]

What about Barry's version?

He still comes on the DIS? I had no clue.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

He still comes on the DIS? I had no clue.

 

[that's nice]

Captain’s Log: Thursday, 24 July 2014.

12:32 a.m.—Crying baby. Move along. Nothing to see here.

4: 12 a.m.—Crying baby. Move along. Nothing to see here.

Only 2 times? Winner winner!!!!

6:28 a.m.—The day begins, as it must, with the kids having a pillow fight.

It's a little early for that... don't they know the International Pillow Fighting Association™ doesn't allow pillow fights before 6:30am?

Somewhere along the way, Sarah said, “Didn’t you know it’s National Whack Scotty With A Pillow Day?” So naturally, I promptly grab a pillow and whack Scotty with it. Hey, I’m all about upholding traditions.

What a good dad you are.

Love this! (Let me know if you are getting tired of me saying I love every one of your pictures)

Well, hello there.

I bet if you brought Drew to that Indian you posted a few updates back they would of given him the name: Night Owl

How could you be upset with Drew with a face like that?

Bus driver’s Red Bull can conspicuously displayed: check.

I'm sure that could be edited out. (I see Barry has been up to his old antics)

One more from this spot: a panoramic from Sarah.

She did a great job with that one!

“Just to give you an idea of the size of the Grand Canyon,” he begins. “Is everyone familiar with the Grand Canyon Skywalk?”

I take it you didn't make it to the skywalk... would you have jumped up and down on it to test its structural integrity?

9:30 a.m.—The kids, as usual, are racing ahead, wanting to lead the way on the hike.

At least this trail wan't next to the cliff.

Meanwhile, someone runs into a bit of trouble. You just can’t take me anywhere.

I was worried for a second, but then noticed your pinky finger was in a relaxed state. You have to work on that for next time.

11:00 a.m.—Still hiking. This seems like a good place to take a break. I’ll leave you with a remarkable spot we found. Even in the most desolate places, life seems to find a way.

Wow... SICK!

Coming Up Next: Sick of the Grand Canyon yet?

[/QUOTE]
Is this rhetorical question or do you really want us to answer it?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

That's horrible that the driver ruined your photo like that. I was so outraged that I took it upon myself to make it Christmas Card Worthy©®™. You're welcome.

It's perfect! I'll tell Julie we have the final version.

Also, I promise to keep more up to date on your trip report.

Ok, but "I was in Puerto Rico" still feels like a flimsy excuse.

Did you ever see the little gem in the gift shop that was in the form of a book titled "Death in the Grand Canyon"? Because I have it. And let me tell you, after reading it, I'm convinced that if I even set one foot on a trail into the canyon I will immediately die a painful death. They don't joke around.

I DID see that one in the gift shop! Didn't buy it, but I made sure to point it out to the kids.

That being said, I was fortunate enough to hike a very small (as in, 200 feet in and then immediately back out) portion of the Bright Angel trail with the regional director for Xanterra (the company that owns the lodges in the national parks). He pointed out some petroglyphs in the rocks that we never would have seen on our own. I still wish we'd had more time, because I think our total time at the South Rim was 2 hours, and that included lunch.

Sounds like you need a return trip! When Julie and I honeymooned there, we spent the better part of a day hiking down the Kaibab Trail and back. We covered a few miles and still didn't get anywhere near the bottom of the canyon.

I also wanted to let you know that you've officially become a "resource" for work! I had clients in the other day that wanted to know things to do in Hawaii, and I immediately went back and scanned your TR! So thanks for that!

So what's my commission?

Beautiful pics, well done sir.

Thanks! But I have to give Julie the credit.

Right after I walk over that bridge, I'll make sure to stand on a piece of plexiglass overlooking a 5,000 foot drop. Saw a video of it and no way am doing it.

You enjoyed Barry's pictures of his kids in the plexiglass window at the Sears Tower too, didn't you?

I can't think of a better way to start the day than a pillow fight. Please send a reminder next year, I don't want to miss national whack Scotty with a pillow day again!

Honestly, I think every day should be National Whack Scotty With A Pillow Day. Don't you?

I'm glad your rope drop strategy paid off. You're really getting some great pictures around the Grand Canyon. Even the one with the bus drivers Red Bull! But look at it this way, at least you know if you get on his bus, he won't fall asleep and send you plummeting to the canyon floor.

Now there's a positive spin on the situation. Unless he's taking those turns at 60 mph...

The bus driver talking about the distance to the mountains really is an interesting take on the size and scale of the Grand Canyon. Heck, that picture with the Colorado River down in the distance really makes you take a step back just to think about the size and scale of all of it. Hard to imagine how that little river could cut such a huge canyon out of all that rock!

Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes, really. Pressure and time. That, and a big #$%& poster.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Only 2 times? Winner winner!!!!

That's exactly what we said!

Not really.

It's a little early for that... don't they know the International Pillow Fighting Association™ doesn't allow pillow fights before 6:30am?

Eh, we were already up.

What a good dad you are.

I'm glad somebody recognizes that.

Love this! (Let me know if you are getting tired of me saying I love every one of your pictures)

Does anybody ever get tired of compliments?

I bet if you brought Drew to that Indian you posted a few updates back they would of given him the name: Night Owl

Love it! It would either be that or Pukes Again.

How could you be upset with Drew with a face like that?

Believe me, he already knows how to use those charms to maximum effect.

I'm sure that could be edited out. (I see Barry has been up to his old antics)

I still like the condor idea!

She did a great job with that one!

I take it you didn't make it to the skywalk... would you have jumped up and down on it to test its structural integrity?

No, I would have jumped up and down to freak out Julie and the kids. Anyway, it was too far away and too remote. It really is in the middle of nowhere.

At least this trail wan't next to the cliff.

Just a little further...

I was worried for a second, but then noticed your pinky finger was in a relaxed state. You have to work on that for next time.

This is hard work, faking dangerous situations.

Wow... SICK!

I'm still trying to figure out how it could have taken root.

Is this rhetorical question or do you really want us to answer it?

For you, it's rhetorical.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

He still comes on the DIS? I had no clue.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

He still comes on the DIS? I had no clue.

Sometimes. Randomly. Occasionally? You've met my kids. You know how busy they keep me. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

It's perfect! I'll tell Julie we have the final version.

Great.

Just in case she disagrees, you have my email address. FreezinRafiki's Ace Rendering Technology is always at your disposal for any of your Magic Kingdom Crane removal and New For The 2014 Holiday Season! RedBull can removal needs.

Ok, but "I was in Puerto Rico" still feels like a flimsy excuse.

Crap, I'll have to think of something else.

You enjoyed Barry's pictures of his kids in the plexiglass window at the Sears Tower too, didn't you?

You mean these?

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Love it! It would either be that or Pukes Again.

Pukeus ad Nauseam




It took a while for our young'en to grow out of that stage as well.
I'd say it was up until about the 18 month mark before he no longer felt the need to return about a third of each and every meal. Needing something to catch these offerings, for a good while there a bib was simply an integral part of every outfit we dressed him in.

 

[KatMark]

Sometimes. Randomly. Occasionally? You've met my kids. You know how busy they keep me. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm surprised you haven't come and given your nemesis grief on my TR for our mega meet up.