The Grandest of Canyons!

September 11-14, 2014 -  Days 105 to 107

Grand Canyon National Park

When one thinks of the magnificent national wonders of the world, one thinks of Grand Canyon National Park. In the northwestern reaches of Arizona, the Colorado River carved the grandest of canyons.  Measuring 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep, this canyon is a sight everyone must see.

 Norm had seen a glimpse of it 13 years ago on a trip with his daughters, and I just had to look over the edge for myself.

Norm and I perched out on a rock on the South Rim of  Grand Canyon National Park

After a rather long, 6 hour drive from Las Vegas, we arrived at the South Rim, at Grand Canyon Camper Village, just outside the park.

 The sites were bare bones, to be sure. Dirt mixed with gravel, open, and rather ugly compared to what we have been enjoying of late.  We got a “double wide” site which gave us a little elbow room, and made it bearable.  The choices, if you want full hook-up, are few – even for those of us that made reservations months in advance.

We set up, and then took off for the visitor’s center.  We were pretty tired, and it was dinner time, but we took the brief walk to the edge of the canyon and peered over.

At 6:45PM the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the canyon

 Oh, my!  The sun was setting, casting a rich glow on the sheer cliffs below.  For the past month we have been looking up at the cliffs - now we are looking down over them.  What a change!

We took a few dozen photos then headed back to make dinner and to get ready to hike very early in the morning.

I have always had a thing for Smoky the Bear!

 The South Kaibab Trail could only be accessed by shuttle bus, classified as a “difficult and hot” 3 mile round trip hike.  That does not sound like much, but we had to hike nearly 1300 feet down at a very steep angle.  Once you get down, you HAVE to come up!  In the blistering heat! There were signs everywhere cautioning the seriousness of dehydration and exhaustion.

We were one of the earlier hikers, and enjoyed the magnificent views around each of the switchbacks as we descended into the canyon. We went as far down as Cedar Point taking into account the trip back up was still to come.

After hiking about a mile straight down, the sign says it all

The size of the people in this photo gives you perspective.  What a large, wondrous world we live it

Such a beautiful day to paint!  

 We met a dozen or so hikers from a tour group that used to be called “Elder Hostel” that is now referred to as the more politically correct “Road Scholar “program.

 These “well-seasoned” folks were hiking 7 miles to the bottom of the canyon, ( where the temp is over 100 degrees ) staying overnight, and then hiking a grueling 10 miles up and out the following morning!  Good for them!






 Something I can aspire to. ( I could hike down, for sure, but would never make it out without several day’s rest first!) I learned that one couple was going to hike down to a lodge at the bottom, and the next day take a helicopter out!  I would have DEFINITELY wanted to do that, had I known about that option.

Going down wasn't so bad, but the trip up was a little tough!

I must say, I really underestimated the difficulty of this hike, and am ashamed to say I didn't carry enough water.  I was foolishly trying to save my knees by not carrying too much weight.   I made it , and was not all that tired, but it would have been easier if I was more hydrated.  Shame on me! Norm’s knee was a little sore, and he was a bit tired, but he did very well, once again, for an old guy!

With a drop to the bottom of the canyon about a mile down, don't you think
Norm might have warned me that the rock I was standing on was splitting?

We were dying for a shower, so we headed back to clean up and nap.  Upon waking, I had a yearning for an ice cream.  Norm would never object to that, so we headed out to find one.  Not that easy, I am shocked to say.  We finally found a soft serve and decided to try the “prickly pear sundae”, which was rather sweet, but hit the spot.

 We shopped around for the mandatory Christmas ornament, and by then it was time to get back and make dinner, and get a good night’s rest.


One thing about the Grand Canyon which was similar to the Grand Tetons, is that there really is only one magnificent “view”, but with a hundred vantage points in which to see it.   And just like in the Tetons, Norm and I set out to see every one of them!  Looking back over the hundreds of photos, they unfortunately all look pretty much the same. All 476 of them!

Today we took the shuttle bus to the west end of the South Rim.  It was so darn hot we didn't hike much, but jumped on and off the bus with many others doing the same thing.  Taking photo after photo, then going back at the end of the day- overwhelmed when Picassa shows “ downloading 1 of 250 photos”! How do you decide which to keep, and which to post on the blog?  I must say, the picture portion of blogging is by far the most time consuming for me.

Desert View Watchtower, East Entrance of the South Rim

After having our fill of the western end of the Canyon, we jumped in the car and headed to the East Entrance of the park, about 30 miles away.  All the brochures had a picture of the Desert View Watchtower, and we had a need to check it out, and climb up it.   What’s a few more stairs?

This 4 story, 70 foot tall structure was built in 1923, designed to resemble a watchtower of Ancient Pueblo People. There was a pretty large crowd there, so it was difficult to see out the windows and marvel at the view. I elbowed my way to a window to take a picture, but quickly got pushed out.

A scenic look-out accessible by car is always crowded.

At this point,although it was hard to imagine, we were getting pretty bored with the same old, yet magnificent, view. We wanted to get back, clean up and watch the IMAX movie on the Grand Canyon across the street from the RV park, which proved to be quite enjoyable.

After our few days here, we felt we saw and did all we were physically capable of doing here in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, so it was time to move on…..




After deleting hundreds of photos, I am left with a mere 288!  Looking back at them, they all look pretty much the same.  Beautiful.  But like they say, if you have seen one, you have seen them all.......

Las Vegas

Monday, September 8th, 2014 - Day 111

The morning we were to leave Zion I was, for some reason, anxious to get going.  I knew some rain was on the way, and had heard rumors that the interstate to LasVegas had some hair raising spots, so I felt the earlier we started the better. 

 By 9AM we were heading down the road. and I mean “down”.  We were amazed that a major interstate could be so steep with huge rock cliffs soaring up a measly few feet from the edge of the  road!

It’s one thing when you have the road to yourself and the speed limits are in the teens- quite another when you are sharing the road with semi-trucks and speeding twenty-something’s weaving in and out of traffic! Yikes!

The weather-alert radio came on, warning of a flash flood watch in the Vegas area.  The warning was to expire before we got there, so we were not too concerned.  It was not even raining!

Norm and I finally had an appointment to get the refrigerator properly fixed there in Las Vegas so we were heading there first.  

Internet photo of I-15 flash flood damage. We had just driven over this section of highway!
 Boy, we are sure glad we missed this!

The RV repair shop was a block away from our campground, so that worked out very well.  When we arrived about noontime, the fellow behind the desk said, “Did you just come down I-15 from Zion?”  “Why, yes” we replied. “Well, about an hour ago, that road was wiped out!  A flash flood washed out the road, and they are re-routing traffic hundreds of miles on a rough two lane road!"

Wow!  How lucky that we left when we did!  

We went to Las Vegas RV Resort to wait for the results of the repair. About 4 hours later, we learned that the repair facility discovered that the problem was the switch installed as part of the safety recall. The refrigerator was working perfectly, so it was just a defective switch. Therefore, we did not have to empty the refrigerator for a 24 hour test!  I was concerned about all our wonderful organic food.   It would have killed me to throw it out. Luck was still with us!

 The service people managed to get the factory to overnight the part so we could spend as little time here as possible.  Las Vegas was on my “bucket list” of things to see, but the 97 degree heat and the intense sun was not only killing me, but Norm was suffering as well.  People may argue that it is a “dry heat”, but I am sorry.  You put your head into a convection oven, it’s darn hot!!  I draw the line when you can’t touch the door handle of the car without receiving a 1^st degree burn! Florida may be the same, but that is why, for the past 3 years we have left it for cooler climes during the summer months.

Our first evening here we decided to try the number one rated buffet in the land of buffets - Las Vegas.  At $55.00 per person ( plus tax, tip and beverages ) the Bacchanal Restaurant inside Caesar’s Palace should be very special. 

I am sure the majority of my readers have been to Las Vegas, but those uninitiated, like myself, may also find it odd ( well, I am not so naïve that I was not surprised ) that they seem to always drag you through the smoke filled, noisy, crowded casinos to get you to the restaurants!  They do that with their museums as well.

Oh, the beautiful deserts!  We had to try them all!

After walking a couple of miles among the smoky rooms filled with slot machines, roulette tables and whatnot, we finally found this high-end buffet.  I love to “people-watch” so Las Vegas is certainly good for that!  I was so shocked at the variety of people in line!

There was a group of 8 in front of us that were really weird!  Purple hair, tattoos all over their bodies, and piercings that would have had to interfere with their eating!  One girl was either very drunk or high. Some diners were dressed in business casual, but most looked like they were going to Walmart.

The food here was out-of-this-world!  There must have been over 75 different varieties of culinary delights!  From fancy little gourmet hot-dogs,( I wonder why someone would pay that much and choose the hot dogs or pizza ) sushi, huge crab legs, giant shrimp cocktail to incredible soups, mussels, clams, etc not to mention a large assortment of interesting  concoctions in miniature casseroles.  Of course Norm and I had to sample many of the unbelievable desserts!

After dinner Norm and I waddled out of there marveling at the indoor mall at Caesar’s Palace.

The gorgeous painted ceilings were amazing!  It was hard to believe
this mall was inside a huge hotel!

It had been a long day, so we drove back to the RV (which was about a ½ hour drive).

It was unbearably hot so our choices here in Las Vegas were limited.  A drive to see Hoover Dam was decided, so we took our trusty picnic lunches and headed out.  We took the tour which was quite interesting, but Norm had already seen it, and I had seen other large dams, so I was not overwhelmed.

The water in Lake Meade, that feeds the dam, was extremely low

The huge turbines inside the damn that make the electricity.

I did notice that Las Vegas seems to be full of lecherous men!  The guide at the dam was extremely inappropriate to all the young ladies, making them feel very uncomfortable.  The men at the RV park were also “dirty old men”!  Norm said this is what Las Vegas is all about- sex and money!

Our last day was spent dropping off the RV to have the part installed, then driving downtown to get cheap tickets for a show.  There were so many to choose from!  Neither of us had seen Jersey Boy’s so we got tickets for that, then had to hustle over to the Paris Hotel to get our seat assignments. 

I had purchased discount tickets to the local “Hop on Hop off” tour buses through Travelzoo.com.  I know I read the small print to these tickets a million times before purchasing, but the ad was very misleading.  Nowhere did it say that the night tour ( which is what we purchased them for )was only available for 7PM.  Well, guess when the show started?  Yup!  So, that was wasted money!  I called Travelzoo and complained, but they would only give me a $10.00 off coupon.  I felt cheated.  Oh, well.  You gamble, you lose here in this gambling town! I gave them to the gate guards to hopefully find someone to utilize these expensive tickets!

We headed back to get the RV, to get a quick nap and a shower to then return for dinner and the show. 

The only photo I was allowed to keep on the camera
was this one taken from the lobby.  Which was fine. 

The show was terrific! Funny story - we were told not to take flash photo’s during the show, so I was surprised when an employee ran up to me, angry that I had taken a picture!  I checked and my flash was not raised, so I couldn't figure why she was so upset, demanding that I delete any and all photos I may have taken!  She stood over me to make sure they were all gone. “Copyright” or something she mumbled.  Jeez, the actors weren't famous or anything! I felt like such a criminal!   She had a fit when someone else took a picture of the sign after the show was over!  Photo police!   My pictures were terrible, so no great loss.  I just took a picture of the sign outside the door.
 

After the show we walked outside checking out the “must see spots”.  The crowds on the sidewalks were unbelievable. You could hardly make your way through the swarm of people. We watched a water show outside the Bellagio, then took a stroll inside to see the gardens (which was under construction) The Italian glass flower decorations on the ceiling of the lobby were really beautiful.  It was about 10pm, and we were starving so we decided to eat there at the Bellagio.  Of course the route was through their more glamorous casino.

We watched several "performances" of dancing water to music.
Extremely enjoyable, on a gorgeous night.

 These casinos were not what I expected.  There were no richly dressed woman, sipping martini’s while draped over the arms of hunky men wearing tuxedo’s and cowboy hats  at all!  Where are they?  Norm says they are in the back room, where the high stakes gambling occurs. I wonder how he knows that? Perhaps I really don't want to know.

I took a lot of patience to get this photo with the full
moon at precisely the right spot over the sign!

After having our fill of food, drink, flashing neon lights and hordes of people, we headed back- yearning for the quiet solitude of a walk through the woods where the cry of a solitary falcon overhead is all that is heard.  I must say we have gotten very spoiled over the last few months.

The next day we left Las Vegas to hopefully get some relief from the crowds and heat.

Zion National Park -

Now THIS is a TIGHT turn!

There are two roads into Zion; a longer yet easier drive, and the other, which is not for the RV'er with a lack of courage and driving skills, and who may have a touch of suicidal tendencies. Why? The roads are very steep and narrow, and a tunnel that is a mile long through a mountain to boot!  If one has a motorhome or trailer, they will need to close the road to opposing traffic, so you can be "escorted" through. For a fee, of course.

 Norman chose the very scenic, and scary short cut of course!( I am not sure what the drivers of this road actually see of the scenery due to their eyes needing to be on the road ).

  Because of our length, we also had to unhook the car from the vehicle. The corners were too sharp to accommodate the two.   I drove behind in the car, and took the video below from behind. ( I got in a lot of trouble from Norm for doing this ).

ZION NATIONAL PARK- as told by Norman

September 4th-8th, 2014  - Days 97 to 101

The state and national parks we have visited thus far in Canada and the USA have been true gems.  Granted, some have been more special than others.  In my mind Zion National Park is in a league of its own.  And I’m not alone on this matter – it claims to be the most widely visited national park in the country.  (It seems most of the larger national parks have a similar claim with a slight twist to the words they choose.)

  I had visited here for one day in 2010 with my two daughters as part of a two week visit to several national parks in Utah and Arizona.  We spent ½ a day hiking up a river bed and dealing with many obstacles along the way.  It has been a fond memory that I have held for over a decade.  Well – here I am again with several days to spend.  Oh boy!

A lovely view of the cliffs at .... campground just outside of Zion National Park

We arrived at our campground and were amazed at the beautiful surroundings.  The site was nice with electric, water, sewer and cable TV.  But the best part was the view – we were at the base of a huge multi-colored cliff.

As usual, our first order of business was to get to the Visitor’s Center to plan our activities for the next several days.  Zion is all about hiking, and rock climbing for the more adventurous.  The river bed walk (call “The Narrows”) is so famous it happens to grace the front cover of a National Park Guide that has served as our bible for planning this entire trip.

Apprehensive?  Do I look apprehensive? Doesn't everyone take a stroll in thigh-deep, rushing water walking 
among rocks as round as bowling balls?

 The primary concern with embarking up river is to be aware at all times of the possibility of sudden flooding with torrents of water moving downstream as a result of storms that could be happening 10 miles away.

  Alison has been a bit apprehensive about this hike primarily because of her concern for hiking several miles on slippery rocks in the water and the potential damage it could do to her ankles, and my knee.  But being the trooper she is, we agreed to head out early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

  Most of the trails are off of a single roadway and Zion has closed most of these roads to vehicular traffic, forcing you to use their very efficient bus system.  The first buses depart from the Visitors Center at 6am but we managed to hop on board at 6:30 – not too many people.

Everyday about 10-11AM, the busloads of people arrive

 After being dropped off at the appropriate spot, we had to hike about a mile just to reach the trailhead of the riverbed.

 It was a great day weather-wise and there were not very many people on the trail, so we marched up river very precariously, not knowing how dangerous this might be.

 We soon realized that the water was not that cold and that we were going to be spending the majority of the time walking over rocks with the water almost to our knees.


 We both had walking sticks for stability so we soon got accustomed to the swift current and the rocky bottom.  It turns out that the rocks were seldom slippery.

 The most amazing part of the hike were the twists and turns that the river took and all the while we were headed into a canyon with walls on each side of us reaching up several hundred feet.  Each bend in the river offered different hues on the canyon walls as the sun continued to rise.  We would round one corner of the river and were beckoned to continue on to the next.

The week prior to our visit there was a flash flood in the canyon, people were trapped overnight. Check out the debris that was rushing down river. I understand they had only 10 seconds to climb to safety.   

 After covering a couple of miles we decided to turn around and head back; we needed to pace ourselves for the next few days.  Plus there was a forecast of possible heavy rain mid-day.

We were shocked at the waves of people we now had to pass who had started later than us and how ill equipped many of them were.  Some were venturing up river bare foot and without any poles for support.  We got back a bit tired but without any aches and pains.

We found a field in an unlikely place.  These cows were
just too cute to not stop and take a photo!

The next day we decided to access another part of the park by car.  It is a remote area that not too many people visit because the trails from this road are very long and you are in the open sun all the way.


We had no intentions of hiking, but wanted to see what the park had to offer.  We spent the better part of the day poking around and talking with people along the way.  There were two couples travelling together that we had been bumping into every couple of days for the past week or so at various parks.  Surprisingly, we saw them again in these distant reaches of Zion.

What???? Are these folks following us to every remote place in every park?

A lovely view table-side at a Mexican Restaurant. 

We had dinner in a nice Mexican restaurant not far away and were able to get a seat in their courtyard with vistas of the mountains and the rising moon.


Alison’s ankles were a bit sore from the river hike so we decided that I would hike alone the next morning, which would also give her the time to do some much needed "house work".  After Alison dropped me off at the shuttle stop, she took off with her camera to try her hand at photographing the sunrise, and perhaps some animal life.

The objective was “Angel’s Landing” which our guidebook describes as the most memorable hike in the entire National Park system.  It’s classified as a strenuous hike being 5 ½ miles round trip and gaining almost 1500 feet of elevation.  That’s the easy part; the last ½ mile is a hair-raising trek along a knife-edged ridge with 500’ drop-offs on either side.  This section has a heavy chain to hang on to since the path is all of a foot wide at some points.

The last 1/2 mile of ascent to Angel's Landing.  Most people stop at this point.

 I caught the 7am bus and was surprised to find it was standing room only.  Turns out they had changed the starting time for buses effective today.  When we got to the trailhead about 20 people got off and started heading uphill.

 The first dozen or so were in such a rush to be in the lead.  I set a pretty good pace for myself and before too long there was nobody visible ahead or behind me.  The majority of the trail is a very steep ascent on a paved surface with 21 switchbacks; pretty boring and exhausting, but that’s the price you pay to get to the last ½ mile.  Then the fun begins.

Part of switch-back trail climbing Angel's Landing

This is the stopping point for many people and certainly for all who have any fear of heights.  The paved trail ended and the rest of the way was all about climbing up and over several large boulders of slick rock that had small indentations for handholds or footholds.  Along this section was also a very heavy chain about 3’ off the ground that was anchored into the rock.

In some places, this chain is the only thing keeping you from falling to your death. ( Several have )

The climb to Angel's Landing is not for the timid!  Note the chain you HAVE to hang on to!

Last ridge climb to the top

 You needed to grab on to this chain in sections to hoist yourself up steep sections or hang on to it with all of your might when the trail was a mere foot wide with steep drop-offs beside you.  Surprisingly I was not too intimidated by the challenges – of course I had the advantage of watching others ahead of me.

  I reached the summit and it was high fives with the group that preceded me.  The summit area could hold a maximum of 30 people if all were standing.  So with only a dozen or so it was comfortable and we all engaged in small talk.

The reward!  View down to where I began! 

After a 15 min break of catching my breath and taking a few pictures, it was time to descend.  This became a real challenge because there were now throngs of people coming up.  The general rule of thumb is that people climbing up give way to those going down.  That rule didn't seem to apply today and so it was a bit confusing to work your way along the chain since only one person can advance at a time.  As I worked my way back down the paved path, I was met with increasing throngs of people going up.  Boy was I glad to have arrived early.

 After making it to the bottom I found I was not exhausted so I decided to take an adjacent trail to some “emerald pools”.  I added another couple of miles of up and down and was unimpressed with the end objective but the added exercise felt good.  The crowds were getting bigger and the trail was less challenging so it was time to head home.

After telling Alison about my adventure she was disappointed that she didn't join me but recognized the potential hazards with her sore ankles, and was saving herself for other hikes in the very near future.

We have run into this bus a couple of times in the past few years, and finally was able to find out what this is.
This is an all-German traveling company that more than 20 people travel by day, sleep in at night.
Boy, that has to be crowded in there!

Then there are other types of "home on wheels".

Hold that pose!

I found these Big Horn Sheep a little after dawn, while Norm was hiking.

Norm might have been hiking " Angel's Landing" but I found my little "heaven on earth" driving around.

A brief rainbow over Zion National Park

Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon

A- Salt Lake City  B- Palisade State Park  C- Capitol Reef National Park  D- Kodachrome Basin National Park

Monday, September 1st, 2014 – Day 94

Norm had a decision to make.  Which road to take from here to Kodachrome Basin State Park 20 miles from Bryce Canyon?  Either the VERY mountainous Scenic Byway 12- which, by the way, is said to be the most beautiful drive in the country, (and that the drive itself is called an “adventure” in a car, not a motorhome) or the interstate which is longer but the grades are easier.

 14 percent grade in an RV can be an adventure!

Well, if you know Norm, it truly wasn't much of a brainer.The shorter, more scenic route of course!  He did not share my concerns about the mechanical capability of the motorhome. (I must admit I do worry about breaking down on a steep narrow road with no place to pull over ).

We headed up and over the mountain without a glitch!  The engine, in fact, was remarkably quiet, and the views were not at all disappointing!  Ahhh…. The little engine that could!  (Actually, it is the biggest engine Chevy made with a stupendous Alison 6 speed transmission.)

This road is an engineering feat that is 124 miles long and travels through some of the most diverse, remote and ruggedly beautiful landscapes in America.  We have not seen all, nor close to most of this country, but this was one incredible road!

We climbed, then descended down into the remains of ancient sea beds, and climbed again to one of the world’s highest alpine forests!  At the peak of Boulder Mountain we stopped and looked out over open sagebush flats leading to pink and russet turrets.  Our motorhome worked like a champ!  It climbed to 9640 feet and down again with the aplomb of a turbo diesel!

I can't take the credit for this photo of "The Hogback" on Scenic Byway 12. "Borrowed " from the internet.

At one point, we marveled over the internationally famous stretch of byway called “The Hogback”.  Here, the asphalt clings to a thin, razorback ridge of slick rock as the terrain terrifyingly drops to deep canyons and winding creeks on either side of us!  Since everyone was driving very slowly and carefully, it really wasn’t so frightening (unless you are terrified of heights or don’t have confidence in your driver).

As we turned off the road leading to the very popular Bryce Canyon, we drove about 10 miles east through the desert to a lesser known, gem called Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Very interesting road to Kodachrome State Park

This incredibly beautiful, full service campground is nestled among the sandstone spires and red-clay cliffs.  Our pull- through campsite was huge!  A large stone pad, graced by a lovely aluminum picnic table and fire pit. A few cedar trees afforded privacy if perhaps you needed any, but during our stay there was hardly a camper in sight!

Sandpipe in Kodachrome State Park

This State Park is called a photographer’s delight, because of the sandstone chimneys and unique petrified springs that created what are called “sand pipes”.  It was the contrasts of color in the landscape against the deep blue sky that prompted the National Geologic Society in 1949 to get consent with Kodak Film Corp. to name the park after its iconic film.  Kodochrome was designated a state park in 1963.

There are nearly 70 spires in the park ranging in height from 6 to 170 feet tall.  Their lives began 180 million years ago.  Another notable feature in the park is the 67 large columns of sedimentary rock that rise from the ground.  No one knows how they were formed, but there are several theories.
After setting camp we jumped into the car and headed to the visitor’s center at Bryce Canyon, which was about a 40 minute drive.

Lovely old home found alone a deserted stretch of road

We spoke with yet another Park Ranger and got the much needed maps and the details of the sights, scenic drives and overlooks within the park.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 – Day 95

Today we tour Bryce Canyon National Park!  Which, by the way, we learned is not really a “canyon” at all, but a spectacular collection of horseshoe shaped amphitheaters  carved from the Paunsaugnt Plateau due to erosion, not carved by water which I understand designates  a“ canyon “.

What makes Bryce special are its world famous concentration of colorful odd-shaped pinnacles and spires called “Hoodoos”.  These are formed primarily due to the freezing and thawing cycles within the fractures in the rock.

We had hiked down among the bases of these "Hoodoos".

Kindred spirits....

Because of the heat and the sun beating down into these “canyons”, we decided we better get out there very early.  We decided on the hike that would take us down (way down) into the base of the hoodoo’s around and back up (way up) to the top so we could look back down into them.  We were promised that the rising sun would cast a wonderful glow on the walls.

It was positively amazing hiking amongst this beauty in the early morning light

It was a lovely hike, down into the Bryce Amphitheater, although I found carrying a lot of water and extraneous stuff in my backpack made it quite heavy, therefore a little rough on my knee descending such a long, steep grade.  Going back up was tiring, but fine. Norm and I found it very interesting that the other early morning hikers all seem European.  I guess most Americans like to sleep in.

One of the many fabulous views from the various lookouts

Some people like to see the sights with a little less effort.....

After taking more than a hundred photos between us, we then headed to the car to proceed along the 18 mile scenic drive to take advantage of the 14 different viewpoints within the park.  We jumped out of the car every few miles to take more photos;  often walking a bit to a lookout, then scouting for just a little shade to have lunch.

These rock formations are called "Grottos".

After having our fill of Bryce Canyon National Park the next challenge was to find internet service, which we finally found in Red Lodge’s lobby.

After a lovely but tiring day, we headed back to Kodachrome Basin to the RV to have dinner and enjoy one of the only campfires we have had on this trip. (Generally not allowed in the RV campsites we are discovering).

Wednesday, Sept 3rd, 2014 – Day 96

We wanted to see what Kodachrome was like, and the only way we feel to do it is get dirt under your feet, (and prickly things into your socks).

We trudged along the basin floor choosing a 3 mile trail consisting mostly of red, fine sand that was lovely to look at, but this hot 3-6 inch deep surface was not an ideal medium to walk in!  We checked out the unique sedimentary pipe formations in the early morning light.

I wonder how these handprints were put on this side of this
rock?  We heard in the rain the sandstone walls get soft.

After our refreshing showers I took off to find internet and phone service about 20 miles away, while Norm stayed to relax so he could do another hike later (I can’t believe he can take the sun ) to see more of the park.

 We are having problems back at home with the landscapers not doing their job, everything is disgustingly overgrown ( my landscaper promised to get it done 3 weeks ago ) and an a report of a “geyser” shooting from our roof, a kind neighbor called me about!

 Thank goodness I discovered after a few calls it was merely from a sprinkler head.  I was able to arrange for it to be serviced.  I am afraid we overstayed our vacation.  Contractors are taking advantage of our absence.  I can’t tell you how much I hate being this unreachable during emergencies when many calls need to be made and received!

Norm took this picture from the highest point in his hike.  You can see the trail in the center of this picture.

Another view of a trail here in Kodachrome.

About 5pm, Norm took off to explore.  It was 97 degrees, so I knew it was much too hot for me to join him.  Trudging through that sand was not my idea of fun, plus I was too upset about the problems back home to have enjoyed it.

 Norm detailed where he was going, and what time to expect his return.

Rock formations in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
Isn't this Bob Hope?

Norm got back just a little after I was starting to get concerned excited about his hike which turned out to be much more strenuous, and therefore rewarding, then he had understood it to be.

Thank goodness I didn't know just how tough that hike was- I would have really worried about him out there with absolutely no one around in this heat!  He’s no spring chicken, but obviously in pretty good shape.

Some Mom's are very strict with their Potty Training!
It's not everyday you see this in a wooded Rest Stop!  How cute!