Thursday, 2 April 2015

Day 18: Moab, Utah – Hiking Pamphlets and a drive along the river

We had a delightfully slow morning today.  It was a surprise to wake up and open the curtains and look outside as we had arrived in the dark the previous night.

The boys chilled and I worked.  From the campground you really do not see too much.  All we knew was that we were close to two national parks and one state park.  It felt rather overwhelming trying to figure out what to do so we took the advice of the lovely KOA camp ladies and drove to the Visitor Info center.

Americans know how to do interpretive centers well.  They have many helpful publications available for free and ranger staff who answer your questions as if you are the first person they have ever shared this information with.   They are patient and very, very informative.

The interpretive centers also often have a 12-15 minute movie that you can watch in a small theatre or room that provides a brief overview of the features of each park. We have become seasoned park video watchers!

Armed with information we drove back to camp for lunch.

This afternoon we took a drive east along the river for about 15 miles.  We were surrounded by towering red rock walls, needles, fins and formations of every shape imaginable.

It was a hot day and we were tired so this drive by site seeing was an excellent fit.  We stopped along the river at a sandy spot where the river rafts disembark and waded in the surprisingly cold water.

Back at camp the boys watched the laundry while playing ping-pong in the adjoining 60’s décor recreation room.


Spaghetti and BBQ chicken dinner and then some baseball for the boys.












Laundry time.













Day 17: Page, Arizona to Moab, Utah

273 miles / 440 kms

It was a treat to lay on my bed and watch the start of the sunrise over Lake Powell through the trailer window.  With 5 minutes to spare I shoved my feet into some crocs and walked around to take some sunrise pictures.

My internet signal was solid which allowed me to get caught up on the marking before packing up and getting the Gyspy Wagon ready for our drive to Moab.

Today is Palm Sunday.  It is strange not to be in church.  But, I guess we are doing the next best thing by touring the Antelope Slot Canyon.

I was not too sure about sitting in the back of an open pick-up as it swayed too and fro on the 20 minute drive to the slot canyon location but the boys sure enjoyed it.

Access to this narrow, striped canyon is controlled by the Navajo Indians in order to avoid graffiti and loss of life.  11 people were drowned during a flash flood here in the 90’s.

After our tour we set off to Kayenta.  A small junction where the local Burger King has a display of the Navajo Code Talkers that we read about on the RoadTrippers app.  Well, it was a display but not much to write home about.  Alex got his wish to each fast food so he was happy!

Leaving Kayenta we see more red rock plateaus jutting up from the dry earth.  This section of highway is just two lanes with absolutely no shoulder.  Would it be so bad to pave another two feet on each side?  Up and down the plateaus.  Red rocks rising out of the plains like tables and towers, then forest, then back to the red rock.


We arrive in Moab about 30 minutes after dark but quickly set up.  We will sleep well tonight and be surprised in the morning to see where we are!
Good morning, Lake Powell. 

An office with a view. 

Apple pie for breakfast. Life is good. 













Small town USA. A 'Mexican hat' is a tall needle
of a rock with a capstone on it. 

The scenery is changing again. 

Getting passed by truck after truck hauling jeeps.
Apparently there is a big Jeep rally in Moab while
we are there. 

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Day 16: Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona

134 miles /215 kms

An early 8 am start.  We could not resist one last stop along the Grand Canyon rim for a picture as we drove east past the Desert Watch tower. 

Arriving in Page, Arizona we see red rock formations everywhere.  But, first things first, a stop at Walmart for a major grocery stock up.

The Glen Canyon Dam holds back the waters of Lake Powell.  This would look impressive except that we have recently been to the much larger Hoover Dam.  So, we think this is a little bit like a mini-Hoover.

What a delight to see that our campsite is located in the Glen Canyon National Park overlooking Lake Powell which is rimed with many bare, light colored, mountains.  Below is a marina bursting with houseboats.

After getting ourselves situated and the air conditioning turned on we decide a swin in the lake is in order.  Hmm, because the lake level is so low it is a rather long walk down to the lake.

Micha and Dominic go under water, Alex wades, Mama takes pictures. 

The water was crisp but also very turbid for the first 10 meters which was not inviting at all.  Luckily our campsite comes with an access pass to the Lake Powell Resort pool.  Now this is my kind of swimming!

In the afternoon we drive a few miles back to town to locate the meeting point for our Antelope Slot Canyon tour the next day.  And, make sure that our clocks are set to the correct time zone.  The tours are all sold out so it was good to have booked our spots online a few weeks before we arrived.

Trip Advisor suggested a stop at Horseshoe Bend.  I thought it was a pull-out beside the highway.  No, not quite.  We parked and walked up a very hot and dusty red sand path.  We crested the hill after about 400 m to see. . .. . another 400 m down the hill.  Let us just say that Mama was getting roasted by the boys.  Oh yes, just step out of the car, eh, Mama?!

This was a stunning site to behold –a plateau of rolling red rock approaches a dramatic 300m (1,000 foot) drop.  No guard rails, no nothing!

Despite the scenery, we do not linger.  It was somewhat creepy - no guard rails, kids and parents holding toddlers standing far too close to the edge for my comfort.  I was just waiting for an accident to happen. No fun. 

Another last minute left turn into a scenic view point payed off.  This time we climbed down smooth, wind worn red rock to view the dam from the down stream side. We must have done well because as soon as we begin to climb back up to the truck a tour bus arrives. 

One last stop up stream of the dam to sit on a bench in the setting sun.  Then, it was back to camp to relax in the shade.  Dinner was a feast of BBQ steak, potato salad and grilled garlic bread.  Micah bought two bundles of wood to build a fire after we take many photos of the pink rocks in the setting sun.  I even went on the roof of the trailer to get a paranama shot. We see some large rabbits, many ant hills and hear a lone coyote off in the distance.  We sit by our first fire enjoying the moon, Jupiter, Venus and countless stars.

Good night, Page. Tomorrow we are off to see the Antelope Slot Canyons and make our way north east to Moab, Utah. 

We cannot resist one last look at the Grand Canyon. 





This is a scenic view point is near the end of the Grand Canyon on a small arm.
It is shockingly high up but they have great rails.  I like that. 

Mr. Thirsty is THIRSTY!

Another last minute left hand swerve off the highway at
scenic view point. 


Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona.
Crawl to edge, hold out phone, retreat. 

Sitting on our bench we look at Lake Powell behind
the dam in the setting sun. 





Day 15: Grand Canyon –Drive to Desert Watch Tower View Point

This morning we ventured north/east along the rim of the canyon by truck. The route is accessible to cars so we perfected our last minute left turn off the road into various viewpoints as we made our way towards the Desert Watch Tower.

At the Grand View pull-out we clambered down a ways to a particularly inviting outcropping to take some daring photos.

At the end of this 15 or so mile journey we finally arrive at our goal the Desert Watch Tower.  This is a large rest area with ample parking, restrooms, gift shop, picnic tables and small interpretive center in the base of the tower.

We planned ahead this time and had our lunch packed along. Yesterday we ended up forking out $20 USD for 4 ‘prepared’ sandwiches – the kind you may find in 7-11 with enough preservatives to add 10 years to your life.  Not making that mistake again.

This tower was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter who also designed Hermit’s Rest (remember that big stone fireplace from yesterday?).  Tourist are permitted to climb up the inside to peak out windows.  The interior walls are painted.  It also has a very interesting, almost woven beam, ceiling on the bottom floor.  We thought Grandpa would like that.

We cannot resist one last pull-out at the Tusayan Museum and Ruins on our way back to the campground in the early afternoon.  Only the sign was visible so we took a chance and turned off the road.  There was a short walk around the rock foundations of a former home and a small one room museum with artifacts that were interesting to see.

We saw signs on the road warning of mountain lions but alas we did not see one.

On this day my office environment goes up a few notches compared to working in  the McDonald’s parking lot.  I am happily situated at a picnic table outside the little grocery store.  As hot, tired tourists stop for something to eat it was interesting to observe the family dynamics.  Lots of bickering and complaining!

After a few hours the boys show up on their bike with Micha on their way back from the Grand Canyon interpretive centre.

Later, I head out myself to wander through the displays.  In the back 40 behind the campground is the resting ground for many, many elk.  Some stand, many lay and turn a lazy head as I bike slowly past.  No need for a stir.

We all sit outside in the late afternoon sun and watch a number of elk walking around the campground.  One had big horns, the other sniffed around a few hot BBQ’s, another lapped up water from a loose water hose on a trailer.  The boys entertained themselves playing baseball.  After dinner it is one last bike ride to the canyon rim to watch the sun set.


Good night, Grand Canyon, you are majestic.






The first men and boats to travel down the Colorado River
in the Grand Canyon.