There are a lot of factors that determine the quality of our experiences. In some cases, it’s not fair to rate a location purely based on our overall enjoyment. Oft times, the way we approach a place determines how much fun we have. Big Bend was a “perfect storm” of National Park enjoyment.
Part of this is the Park itself does have a ton to offer. At it’s core, it’s an incredible specimen of desert (the Chihuahuan Desert), but it also has a river, mountains and… access to whole other country!
On top of that, WE OWNED this place. I feel like we left no stone unturned at Big Bend, and I for one, had no expectations for the National Park, and it blew me away.
We did two great hikes (Boquillas Canyon and Lost Mine). We got “rowed” across the border by a Mexican, and rode Donkey’s into Boquillas for lunch. We built a tree swing at the campsite. We watched a meteor shower. We floated the Rio Grande in a guided raft. We backcountry camped in the middle of nowhere in 23 degree temps! We saw a wild rattlesnake and tarantula. It was amazing!
This is one place that we probably don’t need to visit again, not because it’s not great, but because we kind of maxed out our first visit.
Arrival – Boquillas Canyon – Boquillas Mexico
Drive day is postcard day!
Kids had the idea to use their rope to make a tree swing at the campsite.
Non-descript campground, but we enjoyed the grassy area with trees behind.
Neighbors recently retired, had pet chickens!
First adventure, Canyon hike
Nice easy hike over the hill to the river and into a canyon
Pretty sweet to realize… that’s Mexico over there!
Approaching the canyon
Some great views down near the canyon
You could literally throw rocks into Mexico
Unique to Big Bend, donation stations on the trail. We saw this guys canoe on the other side of the river…
Beautiful Canyon
Kate and Nate… fellow travelers (with cats!)
Walking down to the river crossing… a bit anxious
Riding the International Ferry
We sprung for 2 donkeys!
Short 1 mile trip to town
Lunch! Tamales
Tacos
We bought Kat’s, and they gave us Kane’s
Town of Boquillas
Time to go back!
Chickens in Boquillas… tomorrows tacos
Bike ride – Lost Mine Trail
Day ended with a bike ride
Beautiful Day!
Mosquito Fish!
More Mexican “Honor System” Sales
Watching the meteor shower at the Hot Springs
Start of the Lost Mine Hike
Uh Oh!
MLB trying to catch brother/mother.
Nice self-guided nature tour.
Gorgeous views!
It got quite cold, so Kat borrowed my jacket.
Rafting Rio Grande – Tarantula – Backcountry Camping
Ready to Go!
Guides loading up the boats.
Typical view for the day
Side hike in Mexico… this house fell into a sinkhole!
I’d been looking forward to visiting my Aunt Joyce and her partner Beth since we left Kansas City for a few reasons. First, I don’t get to see Joyce very often. Second, Joyce and I both got the recessive “Yoxall Dry Humor” gene. Even though I don’t see her very often, I always feel comfortable, and I know there will be laughs. Third, Joyce and Beth play and sing amazingly together and I knew we’d hear some great music. Fourth, Joyce and Beth live on an an honest to goodness farm in New Mexico, and I just knew the kids would love visiting.
Originally I told Joyce to look for us in early/mid October. That was a bit ambitious, as we arrived on December 6th. This was less than idea for Beth as she was in the throws of her peak season for selling Bee’s Wax Candles, handmade soaps, ornaments etc. We arrived on Friday, and she had open houses Fri/Sat/Sun. Joyce assured us we were welcome anytime, and could assimilate. Assimilate we did! After the first night, I felt like we were one big family.
Friday night, we had agreed to go out for Tex-Mex, but when we arrived at SparrowHawk Farms, Joyce had enchiladas in the oven. We got reacquainted, and got to explore the house. It’s a really cozy adobe house, arranged as a series of connected hexagons. The front room was set up as the shop, and smelled amazing. The next room over was the work and inventory room. This is where the wax is filtered and prepared, where the candles etc are made, and where the products are organized on shelves for restocking the store. The next room over is the Kitchen, then from there, the rooms fork with the music (and pinpong) room, then Emily’s (Beth’s daughter) bedroom on one side, and the “winter family room” (with the wood stove), and a couple of other bedrooms on the other. It’s a very inviting, cozy, comfortable home.
Within 5 minutes of being there, Beth had the kids setup in the family room with crafts and games. She was born to entertain kids I think. The kids had the time of their lives. On Sunday as our visit was wrapping up, Kane suggested that we henceforth plan to visit Joyce and Beth “every year on spring break”! We had a nice dinner, visited for awhile, and returned to the RV. We had considered boon-docking at the farm, but the driveway is way too narrow. The RV park (and Horse Hotel) 10 miles south of them in Bernardo was great though and a good value.
On Saturday, we tried to stay out of Beth’s hair in the morning, so she could prepare for her open house, had breakfast at the RV, and went over at about 10:00. It was a pretty low-key day, we hung out with Joyce while Beth worked. We got to watch Joyce cook authentic red chile with pork and papas fritas for lunch. Kim helped out making carrot cake with honey. After the open house started, Joyce and Kim took turns hosting guests in the kitchen for mulled cider and carrot cake. As you might imagine, Beth and Joyce have some interesting friends/neighbors! I had a nice time chatting with some of them as well. Saturday night, we were able to convince them to go to Petes for Tex-Mex. I’m glad we followed them, as I’m not sure I could have found Pete’s on my own, but boy it was delicious. Everybody was pretty tired after dinner, so we turned in.
On Sunday, Kim was wanting to go to Whole Foods for vitamins and Trader Joes, so she headed north to Albuquerque to do some shopping. So she dropped us off at the farm and headed north for the afternoon. The kids and I hung out, they made some ornaments, I helped with a couple of computer issues, and also got to help with hosting guests during the open house. It was a great laid back day at the farm. I got a chance to get a tour of the garden from Beth, and a tour of the rest of the Farm from Joyce. There is a real appeal to me for the farm lifestyle there. If only I had the skill and expertise to do anything that they do!
Aunt Joyce in the Kitchen
Dinner was cooking when we arrived, we just explored the house and got reacquainted
Wax heaters, this is where Beth prepared the wax for candle and ornament making. The smell in here is amazing.
Tapers and the dipper, so cool to see how this stuff is made!
Homemade latex molds for ornaments.
Can in the coziest room in the house, the “winter family room” with the wood stove
When Beth was not working, she spent her free time entertaining the kids. She either really loves kids, or she’s really good at pretending to love kids!
Within minutes, puzzles and origami
Kane finally completed the puzzle that evidently had only been solved once before in 20 years?
Hatch Chilies, not just decorations, but ingredients.
Saturday lunch, Joyce made authentic red chile. We made such a mess pulling the peppers from the pod, we had to go outside.
Kat, painting her candle holder
mmmm, spicy, and salty!
Making wax ornaments
Impromptu guitar lesson from Joyce
Done!
Beth is a beekeeper, so Honey and Wax are key. Kane used his own money to buy himself some honeycomb.
Honeycomb. Their honey is the best, mildest honey ever.
Kim helped Saturday by making carrot cake. Of course, there was no sugar… only honey.
Kat, so proud to burn a candle in her holder
The drum kit was my huckleberry
Eventually, Joyce’s quilting operation was removed from the ping-pong table and we had a great time. No quilts were made this weekend.
Saturday night, we went to Pete’s Tex mex. It was pretty amazing, in downtown Belen.
I had green chile enchiladas, with the optional fried egg over medium.
Joyces stuffed Sopaipilla looked great too
Sunday morning, we got a tour of the farm. The tree behind the house (with abandoned treehouse) is amazing.
Sadly, empty Chicken coop. They had to give away their remaining chickens after 80% were killed by neighbors dogs and coons.
Sunday afternoon we went to the wild bird refuge to check out the sandhill cranes. We saw a cool Harrier (kind of hawk) flying low over the grass looking for dinner.
Cranes are cool birds.
The second area we went to, had hundreds of cranes blending in with the grass, they were so beautiful.
Love the way their legs hang down when they are landing
Last place allowed us to get pretty close to these guys
Kat, with Joyce’s dog, Flash. It was a love/hate relationship, mostly love.
So fun to visit these guys
Joyce feeding the dragon
Games with Joyce Sunday night
Showing off their creations.
Monday afternoon, Joyce came over for some jamming with Sasquatch.
Kat making desert, reindeer cookies
Beth came over for a low-key “RV” dinner of Korean Beef, then we played a few games of farkel. (Beth and Joyce taught us new rules that we love… and called it Fagiolo).
This picture does not do justice of how slick the roads were. It was getting scary!
Well, we had a plan(I like plans), but we had to throw them out the window when we hit snow and slick roads heading north toward Flagstaff, AZ. We were heading north then east to Petrified National Forest and over to New Mexico. Then we planned on going to Chaco Cultural National Historical Park the following day then down to Albuquerque to see Aunt Joyce. Well, the roads started getting slick heading north on I-17 and we did not think it was safe to keep going, so we turned around and decided we would head south to Tucson. I was disappointed that we would miss both parks, but the good news was we got to go to Saguaro National Park. Kane was begging to see a saguaro. He had only seen them in pictures. Well, his dreams came true right north of Phoenix. We started spotting our first saguaros. Our kids were SO Excited! We made it to Tucson mid afternoon, so the kids and I headed out to Saguaro National Park(west side). It was amazing to see saguaros as far as the eye could see!
Kat loved the Fishhook Barrel Cactus!Kids were amazed that more than 50 types of cacti grow there.We ended the day at In and Out for burgers and fries! Scott couldn’t wait to stop at one since we saw them in CA.
We stayed at LazyDays Campground in Tuscon. Guess what the kids could do there? Pick oranges, grapefruit and lemons from the trees! They had a blast picking fruit!!
Scott took the kids swimming in the pool while I did some Christmas shopping, then the kids and I headed to Saguaro National Park(east side).
Pool time! Kids didn’t mind the cool water.Santa Catalina Mts in the background
We love State Park Campgrounds! Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located in Cottonwood, Arizona(about 7 miles from Sedona). We arrived at our campsite late afternoon, so the kids and I went for a bike ride to scout out the park.
We biked around the campground.Our campsiteRoasting hot dogs over the fire.
The next day we went to Montezuma Castle National Monument. Montezuma Castle is a well preserved cliff dwelling of the Sinagua people. It is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the USA. It was built somewhere between 1100 AD to 1400AD. We attended a Ranger program that told us more about the history of the Sinagua and our kids completed their Jr. Ranger books about Montezuma.
Montezuma CastleKane working on his Jr. Ranger BadgeKim helping Kat with her Jr. Ranger book.Kids earned another Jr. Ranger Badge.
Then we headed to Sedona, AZ to see the red rocks and visit Red Rock State Park. We attended another Ranger Progam and learned alot about the plants, trees, rocks in the area and did a short hike.
Our last day, kids and I headed to Tuzigoot National Monument. Tuzigoot preserves a 2-3 story pueblo ruin built on a summit above the Verde River floodplain. This was also built by the Sinagua people sometime between 1100AD to 1400AD.
Tuzigoot on the summitInside Tuzigoot puebloKids checking out the remains of the pueblo.
In the afternoon, Scott took the kids fishing at the lake in our campground while I went grocery shopping and used book shopping at Goodwill. I cannot believe the great books I can find there for hardly anything! Unfortunately, no luck catching fish that day, but it was a beautiful day to be outside.
Dead Horse Ranch State ParkKane’s Jr. Ranger BadgesFishing
I was so excited to get an email from my friend, Laura Garret on Christmas telling me that she was in Tampa visiting family. She wanted to know if we could get together. We had planned on heading straight to the Everglades, but were thrilled to change our plans to see them. Laura’s daughter, Macy, is a good friend of Kats at Glenridge Elementary School. Laura and I were Girl Scout Leaders for our girl’s class last year.
Laura surprised us with tickets to go on a cruise to look for dolphins and go shell seeking at an island by the Gulf. Our kids were so excited at the chance to see a dolphin “in the wild.” Kids found some cool shells on the island and were hopeful that we would see a dolphin on the way back. Luck was on our side, we saw multiple bottlenose dolphins! We got a close up view, which thrilled the kids. Such a great idea! Thank you Laura!!
Kat got a Rainbow Loom for Christmas, but had not used it yet. Macy gave Kat a Rainbow Loom bracelet and then showed her how to make her own. So sweet! Now Kat is a Rainbow Loom making machine!! 🙂
Such a blessing to be able to see friends from home!
Kat is so happy to see Macy!
Ready to look for dolphins!
My sweet friend, Laura.Kids searching for shellsKane found something
Kane is pointing to the dolphins. Loved this pic of all of them looking at the dolphins!Bottlenose Dolphins
Well, it had not felt like Christmas to us all December. We started the month in Arizona, worked our way through New Mexico(awesome visit to Aunt Joyce), Texas(Big Bend NP fantastic), Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama then Florida. As we pulled into our RV park in Panama City Beach in the dark, I was so happy to see Christmas lights and decorations throughout the park and on the RVs(lots of snowbirds here). You could just feel the Christmas spirit!
December 23rd was a Christmas fest! From finding the last 3ft Christmas tree in town, to decorating the RV, making gingerbread houses, stringing popcorn and cranberries, making sugar cookies, white chocolate covered pretzels, white chocolate cranberry banana bread(Delicious!), pralines(Scott wanted to make these and they were awesome) and Christmas music playing, we got our quick fix of the holiday! We had so much to give thanks for this Christmas!! God has truly blessed us!!!
Kat’s popcorn and cranberries.Kane’s popcorn and cranberries
Time for Gingerbread Houses!They were the centerpiece on the front dash.Here’s Kats!
Sugar cookie time…He stirred those things for almost a hour!They were so tasty!
We were so happy that my parents decided to meet us for Christmas! It was so fun to have family with us!! Our kids miss their grandparents and so it was a gift to be able to see on set. This will be a Christmas to remember… Here are some things we did: played Farkel, read books, biked(Kane had Papa biking all over the RV Park), basketball(boys played TOM(my dads name) instead of PIG-Kanes idea), air hockey, fooseball, went to the beach on Christmas(that was a first for all of us-can’t find one of those in MO), Scott made a mouth watering Beef Tenderloin and Pork Butt on the Green Egg, shopping with Nana, fishing at the RV lake and ocean with Papa, date night with grandparents(which meant date night for Scott and I(dinner and Hunger Games-so fun! Thanks Mom and Dad!), American Girl Paperdolls with Nana, Apples to Apples, Settlers of Zarahemla for the adults… Such precious times!
Waiting for Nana and PapaKat and Nana
Love this pic of mom and Kat looking at tree and Kane showing Papa pictures from our journey.
Kat could not believe Santa knew she wanted a stuffed Owl!Kane was excited about his iPod Nano Santa brought him.Kat giving Scott his present she bought with her own money.
Kane loved the Hardy Boy books for Nana and Papa!Scott got a ukele for ChristmasKat and Nana dressing her new Samantha doll from Nana.
Boys playing a little “TOM”Air Hockey FunKane just beat Nana
Playing at the playground on ChristmasNana swinging too!
Our KidsLooking for shells and sea creaturesI can check the box of Christmas at the beach
Nana and Papa(Kim’s parents)
Shopping with NanaFishing at the RV Park lake with PapaNana took us out to lunch and I got a Caramel Latte-my favorite!Papa and KaneNana and KatScott’s first Pork ButtGot a whiting!Fishing with Papa
Cooking the fish the boys caught in the ocean from the pier.
Kim and I had seen the Grand Canyon many years ago, when we piggy-backed on a business trip, drove to Williams, and rode the train to the South Rim. And while I’ve used it many times as an example of “indescribability” (no matter how you try, the person you describe it to simply can’t imagine it until they see it themselves), we really didn’t “experience” the place at all. We stared at it from a couple of viewpoints, got back on the train and headed south.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure how this would be different, except for the fact that we would be camping this time, and I figured there would be some hiking that we might try. There was also the fact that we’d be there over Thanksgiving (our first major Holiday away from home). It turned out amazing.
We drove down from Arches NP in Arizona, and it was a really pleasant drive overall. I was sad that we didn’t really have time to stop to see Monument Valley. We saw the turnoff, but it was a long drive and we didn’t know now the weather would be near the canyon. Once we arrived at the Canyon, we were so excited, we stopped at the first viewpoint we came to… Desert View. The kids were so excited… Kane about the canyon, Kat about the snack bar and gift shop. It was a quick stop, then we drove to Trailer Village, and setup camp.
Some scenes from Desert View
Kids first view of the Canyon
So excited!
Our first full day at Grand Canyon happened to be Thanksgiving. We basically spent the day messing around… reading, playing video games, etc, until it was time to COOK. At around 10:30 or so we went into high gear…. I cooked a 9 lb turkey on the big Green Egg, Kim and Kat made Turkey Cupcakes for our neighbors and park rangers, and Kim also made a Cherry Pie, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Beans, and Croissant Rolls. I helped with the gravy at the end, and the meal was amazing! All the while, we were able to watch some football (the campground here has CABLE!), and play some football, and ride bikes etc.
Later that night, we drove to a view places to try a cell signal and call home. No luck with the cell, but Kim bought a calling card, and we were able to use a pay phone.
Putting our little butterball into the brine!
Out of the brine, on with the rub
Onions, Celery, and Chicken Broth in the drip pan
The Pie Lady in IN THE HOUSE
Score one for chatting up the park rangers. I had no Idea we had cable, until I asked our neighbor rangers about TV options. Yeah!
Stuffing!
Made these guys for rangers and neighbors.
Is it ready yet?
Let’s Eat it!
Table is ready
Stuffing is ready
Almost…
Yum, the turkey was sooo good, juicy, and just enough smoke
Love the pie!
The next day, was the day for Adventure! We started at the Visitor Center (where we always do), to get the Jr Ranger books, see the video, and make a plan for hikes etc. This Visitor center was a mess! It was new and beautiful, but nothing worked. The exhibits, the hike planning kiosks, and the video were all broken. The sign said the next video started in about 12 minutes, so we hung out and waited. At 5 minutes till, the doors opened and we jumped into the theatre for a great seat, followed by about 30 other folks (it was very busy because of the holiday). After about 5 minutes the lights came down, but the movie didn’t start. After about 5 more minutes, I went out to tell the ranger the movie was broken. He came in, looked at it, and said he had to reboot the system, and the next show would be in 30 minutes. Too much automation! It was like the Denver Airport when it first opened.
Anyway, we gave up on the video for that day, and jumped on the “orange line” bus to the Kaibab Trail Trailhead. At the trailhead, we ate our lunch, used the potty, and headed down the trail. Kane REALLY wanted to go to Skeleton Point, which was 3 miles out and > 2000 feet down. Kim was OK with going to OOH-AAH point, which is .9 miles out and 600 feet down. I was leaning toward meeting in the middle. Cedar Ridge which is 1.5 miles out and 1100 feet down.
The Kaibab trail is a really well established trail all the way down to the River. Which is good and bad. It’s a nice trail, but you have to share it with Mule trains. They use mules to a pack supplies down and people/trash back up. Proper etiquette requires hikes to stand to the uphill side of the trail and wait for the mules to pass.
We were surprised that portions of the trail near the rim were frosty and slippery in spots. About a 1/4 mile in, Kane had run ahead and he let us know that he found a really slippery spot. So of course, Kim decides to “side step” the spot, and fell. Her new walking stick flailing, knocked Kanes baseball cap down the hill, and almost poked his eye out. She also broke the screen on her (about 1 week old) camera. It was hilarious.
I was lagging behind Kane and Kim, helping Kat down… she was doing great, but was cold and scared of some of the drop-offs. At about 1/2 mile, Kim had stopped for some reason, and I took the opportunity to run ahead with Kane (leaving Kim with Kat). Kim wasn’t too keen on this and ran to catch up with me. We decided it was a good time to split up since Kane wanted to go further than Kim was willing. So, I got my snack/water from Kim, and ran to catch Kane who was way down the trail by now.
We picked up the pace and hoofed it quickly down to Ooh-Aah point. It was nice, but we didn’t stay long and headed on down toward Cedar Ridge. The path was steep, and pretty uneven in most areas. They have made crude stairs in some areas with railroad ties, but they are “cupped” by hiker footsteps and mule prints (and rain/snow). In spite of this, we made great time, but I started to get a little anxious about the trip back up by this point.
Meanwhile, Kim and Kat made it to Ooh-Ahh point, and went back up to the rim. Kim wanted more hiking. So, they worked on the Jr Ranger program, and hiked around the rim.
Back to Kane and I. We made it to Cedar Ridge, and still making really good time. Kane used the restroom, and since we were cruising, I told him we’d go down another 20 minutes. The trail really thinned out the further we got. We went long stretches and didn’t see anyone else going either way. After 20 minutes, we passed a guy, and asked him how far to Skeleton Point. He said about another 20 minutes. Kane looked at me with his “please, please grin”, I looked at my watch and said “OK, we may never be here again”. (my inside voice was telling me it was a mistake)
We got to Skeleton Point, and it was amazing. The Canyon looks really different from the middle, and the lighting was getting good too. I love the 4:00 hour in the wintertime desert! While we were there, a nice couple from New York got there too, and they took our picture for us. We checked out the river (you can finally see the river from there), took some photos, drank some water, ate the snacks, and headed back up toward the rim.
This hike was absolutely amazing, and the Canyon looked amazing, but the elevation gain, and hoofing it back to beat the sunset KICKED my BUTT! Kane started complaining just before Cedar Ridge that I was taking too many breaks. I understood, but I had to get him off my back. I reminded him that I weigh 3 times what he does, and that if something happened and I had a heart attack, to run up the hill, find someone with a cell phone and call 911. That shut him up for the rest of the hike.
We felt amazing back at the rim. We took a few photos, and went over the shuttle stop to catch the bus back to the visitor center (where the jeep was). We just missed the shuttle, and Kane started chirping about walking back instead (it was 2.5 miles). I agreed to walk back to the next shuttle stop, and try to catch the shuttle there. Walking on the flat rim trail was an amazing cool down, and seemed incredibly easy! We ended up walking the entire way back.. a total of about 9 miles. Kane was so so proud to do our longest hike, and our largest elevation gain (and I was too). What a great day, but it was 1/2 hour after dark when we got home.
Love this quote on the wall of the theatre. Everybody has to see it for themselves.
Busted Automated Movie… stuck at 30:00 after the reboot
Not happy with the exhibit
On the orange Line to Kaibab trailhead
Ready for Lunch at the Kaibab Trailhead
Pinon Jay near trailhead
Serious switch backs at the top of the trail. These suckers would “pain” me greatly on the way back up
None shall Pass!
Looking back up the trail. We back in the sun and feeling fine!
Starting to get a bit of a perspective for 3/400 feet down from rim
This is where most folks (including Kim and Kat) turn around. 600 feet down and almost 1 mile out.
Getting close to Cedar Ridge
Here, we are 1100 feet down, and 1.5 miles out
See the hawk?
Girls are on the way back up, we’re cruising down
Kane and I had walked out to the end of the Cedar Ridge point, and now headed back up to catch the trail on down toward Skeleton Point
These Yucca seed pods are pretty amazing.. we saw some 15 feet tall.
I’m a sucker for a bald tree, with smooth bark, and light/shadows. Actually I’m a sucker for trees.
Can see Skeleton Point out in the distance.
Yucca
Kim/Kat made it back to the top! Just as Kane and I are reaching Skeleton Point.
Made it to Skeleton Point. We chatted up 3 backpackers on their way down to camp at “Phantom Ranch” here.
Kane ran to scout the west side of the point. Glad he did, we could see the Colorado River from there
See the River? Someday, we’ll go back and float/camp that sucker
This is a different place from here
Thanks, folks from NYC for the help.
Horse coral near trailhead. Kat LOVES animals of all kinds.
The beginning of the death march back up to the rim
GIrls saw these mule deer on the rim trail
Got a pic of Kane, taking a pic
He finally came to grips with all of the breaks. He even carried my camera bag for 10 minutes.
Pretty typical switchback
Not sure what was going on here… I guess they wanted a shot of Kat in the air? Mission Accomplished!
Loved the lighting near the top
Feel the burn!… almost at the top
We DID it!
Getting dark, but we’re feeling good, and want to stretch this thing into our longest hike ever… 9 miles
We saw these guys on the Rim Trail… they scared Kane
Well, it was good for us we had such a great day on Friday. On Saturday, we went back to the Visitor Center to try again to see the video, rode the bus West to catch a ranger led program on California Condors, and got our Jr Ranger badges. The Canyon was completely fogged-in. We felt so bad for folks like us the last time who basically had one day planned at the canyon. There was no seeing any of it. What’s funny is it was a beautiful day at the campground before we left, and so I wore shorts. I must have looked like an idiot out there in the low 30’s, with my shorts on! The trees where great with a layer of frozen fog on there though!
We caught our NP sign photo on the way out, and all was right with the world…. on to the next adventure.
Non-Traditional Christmas decorating the Sunday after Thanksgiving!
We DID eventually see the video.. it was working this day
One of the old lodges on the South Rim
Trees and bushes looked cool, covered in ice
No Canyon Views today
9 foot wingspan, Colorado Condor model
The Swearing in of the Jr Rangers
Who had two thumbs and looks like an idiot wearing shorts in freezing weather? This guy!
After we left Dead Horse Point State Park, and left the 8 inches of snow behind, we drove to Moab Utah so that we could visit Arches National Park. I have to admit that I had a bit of “desert fatigue”, and I suggested to Kim that we skip Arches. I’m glad we didn’t!
This place is one of the most beautiful parks we saw. Especially just before sundown (around 4-5pm), with the sun hitting everyhing at extreme angles creating shadows and unexpected highlights.
The first day, we settled into a really nice RV park, we went out for lunch (an awesome pizza buffet). and headed over to the visitors center to get the lay of the land (and Jr Ranger books). This is another beautiful visitors center. The movie was top notch, and the exhibits really educational. I’ve never been more interested in Geology, it’s truly fascinating what can be learned by studying the rock layers.
After the VC, we decided to drive into the park and check out the “Windows” area, a well known grouping of arches not too far from the entrance. On the way, we stopped at “Balanced Rock”, whic is an amazing HooDoo in the park. We arrived at the Windows just near dusk, and got some great photos, climbing around the windows. Kane and Kat really had a blast climbing around and we all loved the sunset and shadows at Windows.
The next day, we did the most famous hike in Arches, “Delicate Arch”. It’s actually quite a hike up a long rock ledge, and they set up the trail really well, not allowing you to catch a glimpse of the arch until the very end. It’s a magnificant sight! A huge arch, at the edge of a cliff (actually between a cliff and a huge bowl shaped formation). Well worth the hike. On the way up there, we saw some petroglyphs, and an old homestead. It took nuts to live out here for sure.
The next morning, Kim and the Kids ran back up the the VC to get their badges, and we headed south to the Grand Canyon! Moab is a really nice (classy touristy) town, and the combination of Canyonlands, Arches, and Dead Horse Point State Parks makes this area a nice destination for a weeklong trip.
“Sorry Mustache” the kids made for each other. They can be so darn cute sometimes.
Very nice Visitor Center had rock samples from each layer.
The layers of rock in the area. It’s amazing what they know about the time periods when these were laid down.
Well, I made a mistake. I told Kim that I was getting tired of the same old thing… hiking in the desert. I was longing for trees, water, mountains, and I suppose some new and exciting activities like we experienced on the Oregon coast.
We woke up on drive day in Panquitch Utah (near Bryce), and there was an inch of snow on the ground. The roads reportedly were OK heading north to I-70 (our planned route). Getting ready was unique, in that for the first time I had to climb on top of the RV to scrape ice/snow off the slide toppers (rolling tarps that prevent debris from settling on the slides).
The road north to I-70, was tricky in spots, but not too bad. I-70, was a breeze, totally clean. We were 30 miles from our destination and feeling great. We went south toward Arches/Canyonlands 10 miles. Then we went West, up the slope of the plateau on Utah 313 toward Dead Horse State Park (our camping destination). We started up the windy hill, and immediately became surrounded by huge snowflakes. Wow, this was pretty and unexpected, thankfully we’re less than 20 miles from setting up camp. We got to the top of the hill and noticed it had been snowing for a bit, and there was an inch of fresh powder on the road. By this time, we were a bit concerned, but thankful that we were going uphill, and the road was straightening out. Kim said “well, you said you wanted some new experiences!”
5 more miles down the road, and now it’s a blizzard, we’ve got 2 inches on the road and no tracks to follow. I’m hoping hard that we’re heading in the right direction and the park is still open. There is no place to turn around, we have to press on. By the time we get to the park, there’s 3 inches on the ground, and it’s coming down fast. Finally, we reach the visitor center, and Kim goes in to check in. They acted like it was no big deal. We unhooked the jeep in the deserted parking lot at the visitor center. I followed Kim to our campsite, a pull through space on the loop of 21 campsites. Our spot was a semi-circular pull through, that kind of dips in the middle. When Kim pulled through the spot in the jeep, we had to put it in 4WD for her to be able to pull back up the other side! We got parked and setup with no incident. It was a wonderland!
By the next morning, we had 8 inches on the ground, and it was still snowing. We had a really nice time playing in the snow, messing around in the RV, playing games, doing school etc. I cleaned off the jeep and took Kane up to the visitors center to let them know that our electricity was off. The only folks at the center were the other campers, and they confirmed that their power was out too. The sign on the door said, they would be back “after the plow comes”.
Well our power was out most of the day Saturday, and then it finally came back on. We were in good shape, with plenty of Gas to run the generator, and LP to heat/cook with(we filled up both in Panquitch). It was a welcome “change” from our routine, and very energizing. Dead Horse State Park was wonderful, and the campground is amazing. Each site has a private covered patio with huge table, and some lockable storage.
We drove out to the end of Dead Horse Point, and it was complete fog! We could not see anything. The next day, we drove over to the Canyonlands NP, the kids got their Jr Ranger badges, and we did a couple of short hikes. We were able to see a bit more, but not too much.
The next morning, Kane and Kim got up early and drove back out to the point. This time they were able to see the canyon, it was spectacular. Kat and I went out after they got back, but it was fogged in already. Leaving this place, took an extra hour, for me to clean the snow off the top of the RV, but it was really peaceful up there looking out over the park.
I’d like to see Canyonlands again someday, I know there are tons of trails for hiking and Jeeping. It really is a huge and beautiful place!
Barely beat the sun going down, we finally made it to the Visitor Center at Dead Horse!
Got set up, and it’s beautiful!
View out our door Sat Morning. The mesquites seemed dreamlike, on account of that frosting.
Darn, power out Sat morning, we had to unplug and run the gene.
Our backyard that first night.
Getting ready to take the jeep up to the visitor center. O-cedar broom makes an OK snow shovel (at least once)
Kane cooking b-fast for us.
Kat getting ready for the big day coming
Kat was having fun hiding out in one of the trees in our campsite
Kids played all day, I played for an hour or two.
Try me!
Kane’s loving it!
It’s on!
Games and Hot Cocoa after playing in the snow… it’s the best!
We got all of these for NPs except for Death Valley!
We saw a bit of the canyon behind the visitor’s center, but not much
Jeep is lonely at the shutdown visistor’s center
Kids working together to build a fort
Kat, making a brick for the fort
Coming together nicely
Kim and I stayed in most of the day and watched the kids through the windshield. We listened to music and played some Yahtzee. It was amazing.
It was tall, but weak so…
I came out and helped them build a stronger one with a roof
Kids did this on their own
Canyon views were fogged in most of our time here, but we still had a great time
This is what park rangers do when the power is out
Power back on, up to VC to do our Jr Ranger programs
Love me some scale models.
So, I finally get the “geology degree”, it’s more than “rocks for jocks”!
Have to admit, I’m fascinated by the history on display in these rock layers.
Ravens are taking over the west. Oh and Stellar’s Jays. I think they’re smart as heck.
Hiking to the arch in Canyonlands Park.
1/2 mile hike up to the arch. Kane in the lead as per usual. He NEEDS to be the first to see stuff.
Kane found the arch
Had to stop at the arch, it’s right on the edge of a big cliff.
Found this little guy, and added to him
Kim got some good shots the morning we left.
Colorado River up stream from Grand Canyon.
They call this the Grand Canyon of Utah
Several movies shot here, including famous scene from Themla and Louise.
