08/30/09 -
Driving all day from Montana and into Wyoming.
08/31/09 -
Today was a packed day! We drove into South Dakota and shortly after pulled off the highway to head south and drive through Deadwood. We didn’t stop and walk around, but driving down Main Street was neat, looking at the old saloon and hotel storefronts, etc. I really like the entire Black Hills area. There is something about the type of forest maybe, or the type of trees...I don’t know. We drove past Mount Rushmore but decided not to pay the $10 to walk up to the monument. I’ve been there before and Nothai wasn’t too excited about it. He thought the heads would be a lot bigger. Unfortunately the pictures we took were pretty bad too, with the sun directly behind the mountain. We wanted to get to Badlands too so we decided not to go look at the unfinished Crazy Horse monument. Honestly, I think we are both losing some patience for the roadtrip. We stopped more frequently in the beginning for dumb stuff and now we are sort of flying by some of the good stuff. I don’t mind this really because there are things I’d have liked to stop and do but since I didn’t, that means that I still need to take the South Dakota road trip with my sister!
Lastly, my check engine light came on while in Badlands so I called Neil to tell him what the car’s been doing. He said it could be the fuel injector and to try a bottle of cleaner next tank of gas, but likely it is spark plug or wire issues. The good news is that the car shouldn’t just die on me. When I stopped at a gas station I noticed that I have a headlight out now too!
On another note, I saw a turtle in the road today and didn't stop to move him to safety. This is important in some way to mention.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Yellowstone NP
08/28/09 -
Today was driving all day through Nevada, Utah, Idaho and into Yellowstone (Wyoming). We selected a campsite for the night that was about 25 miles into the park so that we could have the full day tomorrow in the park.
08/29/09 -
We drove along the west road that stops at all the geysers, Old Faithful, Mud Volcano, Sulphur Caldron, and the upper west area of Mammoth Hot Springs. We didn’t actually hike much other than getting out of the car and walking the half mile loop that takes you to whatever it is you are stopping for. So, we were able to see the highlights all in one day! I know we missed stuff, but it was a great trip. I’d love to spend more time here in the future an do more hiking. We headed out of the park going north and into Montana. Oh, and we saw a decent amount of wildlife. Although, we didn’t see any grizzlies or big horn sheep (sigh!).
Today was driving all day through Nevada, Utah, Idaho and into Yellowstone (Wyoming). We selected a campsite for the night that was about 25 miles into the park so that we could have the full day tomorrow in the park.
08/29/09 -
We drove along the west road that stops at all the geysers, Old Faithful, Mud Volcano, Sulphur Caldron, and the upper west area of Mammoth Hot Springs. We didn’t actually hike much other than getting out of the car and walking the half mile loop that takes you to whatever it is you are stopping for. So, we were able to see the highlights all in one day! I know we missed stuff, but it was a great trip. I’d love to spend more time here in the future an do more hiking. We headed out of the park going north and into Montana. Oh, and we saw a decent amount of wildlife. Although, we didn’t see any grizzlies or big horn sheep (sigh!).
Thursday, August 27, 2009
San Francisco!
While in SF, Nothai and I basically walked everywhere and did everything that was worth doing. Okay, that is an exaggeration, but I feel like we had a great experience of getting to know the city and area. We took the bus once to the ocean and stopped at Golden Gate park, otherwise we walked everywhere, which I think is the best way to get to know the area if you can. We walked the pier areas, including Fisherman's Warf, the financial district, Castro Street the park there, had lots of suggested yummy local food and beer. I wish I'd had longer to stay and was able to spend more time with senior Joseph, but the city grew on me and I could see myself returning soon, possibly on a more somewhat permanent level.
08/27/09 -
Went to breakfast with Joe to say goodbye (bagels & coffee), went to re-park my car and found that I had a parking ticket! We walked to the pier and took the ferry to Alcatraz. It was very good, and I recommend it. Included in the admission price is the ferry ride and an audio tour that tells the history and a few stories of attempted escapes. We walked back to the car and headed out, stopping at the Golden Gate bridge for some pictures, and hunkering down for the long night drive. I also noted that my car has started sort of shuddering when accelerating on a hill. I’m hoping this is a SF thing because of the crazy hills and will knock it off.
08/27/09 -
Went to breakfast with Joe to say goodbye (bagels & coffee), went to re-park my car and found that I had a parking ticket! We walked to the pier and took the ferry to Alcatraz. It was very good, and I recommend it. Included in the admission price is the ferry ride and an audio tour that tells the history and a few stories of attempted escapes. We walked back to the car and headed out, stopping at the Golden Gate bridge for some pictures, and hunkering down for the long night drive. I also noted that my car has started sort of shuddering when accelerating on a hill. I’m hoping this is a SF thing because of the crazy hills and will knock it off.
Monday, August 24, 2009
SF Arrival
We woke up at the rest area we stopped at outside of Yosemite (it was surprisingly COLD last night!) And headed into a nearby town, Lee Vining to do laundry and have an actual breakfast. After an omelet (yeah, old habits die hard!), hash browns and toast we hung out at a coffee shop for a few hours that had wireless and had some coffee. After the last week of gas station coffee, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, granola bars and fruit snacks, a real meal was too tempting and we caved within the confines of town. We checked e-mail real quick, updated what we could and got directions to Joe’s in San Francisco. We will drive through Yosemite one more time on the way to the west coast. I’m really excited to see Joe and hopefully fall in love with the city! I haven’t been with reception on my phone for more or less the last week, so my apologies!
We got to San Francisco around 6PM and it only took an hour of getting lost and finding parking to finally arrive at Joe's. I'm horrible at parallel parking, so that was another fun challenge of the evening that ended uneventfully. After celebratory greetings we headed around the corner to a delicious burrito place (I don't even care for Mexican much, but this was good!) and hung out chatting with another of his roommates. I'm so looking forward to a bed; again, its the little things.
Pictures are up - videos soon, precious!
We got to San Francisco around 6PM and it only took an hour of getting lost and finding parking to finally arrive at Joe's. I'm horrible at parallel parking, so that was another fun challenge of the evening that ended uneventfully. After celebratory greetings we headed around the corner to a delicious burrito place (I don't even care for Mexican much, but this was good!) and hung out chatting with another of his roommates. I'm so looking forward to a bed; again, its the little things.
Pictures are up - videos soon, precious!
Yosemite NP
08/21/09 -
We drove into Yosemite from the east and drove down Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows. We first hiked up Lembert Dome, which was a little difficult but entirely rewarding. The view was great. From there we hiked to Elizabeth Lake. At one point we deviated from the actual trail and found ourselves along a river and I took advantage of a pool of water along the way. Nothai didn’t, but we found another a bit down the path that he jumped in, along with a bunch of others. Elizabeth Lake was also beautiful. I got pretty sunburned today, although I put sun block on my face I thought I wouldn’t burn because I am already so tanned. Bad theory, clearly!
08/22/09 -
We started today driving into the north Hetch Hetchy area that is supposed to have several waterfalls. This is were we learned that the waterfalls that Yosemite is so known for generally only flow in the spring when snow is still melting and by June have usually run dry. On our visit, everything was dry. The falls were a bust, so we headed down to the Glacier Point area and hiked Taft point and Sentinal Dome. It started raining along the way, but the views here were amazing as well. This was a great way to see down into the Valley.
08/23/09 -
We headed to Mariposa Grove where we saw the giant sequoias. This was incredible - trees bigger than some houses! We were able to get a ranger lead tour so we got a lot of information about these interesting trees. We hiked further into the grove and got lots of great pictures. We decided to drive through the valley even though we were certain it would be bad. The main attraction of the valley is that is where all the waterfalls come down and join the river. The river was even almost all dried up. We headed out of Yosemite to the east again so we could do errands in the morning.
We drove into Yosemite from the east and drove down Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows. We first hiked up Lembert Dome, which was a little difficult but entirely rewarding. The view was great. From there we hiked to Elizabeth Lake. At one point we deviated from the actual trail and found ourselves along a river and I took advantage of a pool of water along the way. Nothai didn’t, but we found another a bit down the path that he jumped in, along with a bunch of others. Elizabeth Lake was also beautiful. I got pretty sunburned today, although I put sun block on my face I thought I wouldn’t burn because I am already so tanned. Bad theory, clearly!
08/22/09 -
We started today driving into the north Hetch Hetchy area that is supposed to have several waterfalls. This is were we learned that the waterfalls that Yosemite is so known for generally only flow in the spring when snow is still melting and by June have usually run dry. On our visit, everything was dry. The falls were a bust, so we headed down to the Glacier Point area and hiked Taft point and Sentinal Dome. It started raining along the way, but the views here were amazing as well. This was a great way to see down into the Valley.
08/23/09 -
We headed to Mariposa Grove where we saw the giant sequoias. This was incredible - trees bigger than some houses! We were able to get a ranger lead tour so we got a lot of information about these interesting trees. We hiked further into the grove and got lots of great pictures. We decided to drive through the valley even though we were certain it would be bad. The main attraction of the valley is that is where all the waterfalls come down and join the river. The river was even almost all dried up. We headed out of Yosemite to the east again so we could do errands in the morning.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Grand Canyon NP & Vegas Again!
9 PM Is there something about Las Vegas that keeps calling you back? I just washed off the dirt from my grubby body in my 4 Queens hotel room and am waiting for Nothai to finish his washing ritual so we can head down where I can see the Freemont Experience street lights through my window as I type. This wasn’t a part of the plan! Sure, maybe a drive through to show him the strip, but then there I was actually getting a bit excited to be back in a city I thought once would be enough.
1AM We don’t appreciate the small things nearly enough, like a comfy bed and a hot shower, or crappy Chinese food takeout at 11:30 PM when in our home town everything would be closed! I was in Vegas last a few months ago and so was my step father, Neil. I later found out that my friend Jeff had also been in town too. I sent Jeff a text message as Nothai and I headed for dinner and guess what! Jeff was here and we met for a drink - what a small funny great world!
Earlier -
We went and explored the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We went to all the viewpoints and went hiking a bit too. It was great weather and a beautiful day, although pretty hot and dry of course. A wildfire had started with lightening late July that was still burning a bit and the smoke is visible. There were a lot of elderly folks running around the easy views that got me thinking about the time and money I’m spending right now. Maybe I’m financing a lot with credit cards and putting myself back a bit, but I’m so glad I am. I don’t want to wait to see the world until I’m older and then can’t fully experience it the way I want. An couple in their late 50's or early 60's maybe asked us as we were returning from an outlook how far it was and how difficult. After explaining it was maybe a quarter mile and not too bad they opted to skip it because we were out of breath. Yeah, it is nearly 10,000 feet up! On the other hand, I want to look forward to physical vacations when I’m that age too! We were finished running around a lot earlier than expected. Honestly, that is one of the great parts about traveling with Nothai-we both waste little time and go for the heart of the experience.
We debated driving to the south rim as well just to be sure we didn’t miss anything good, but after talking to a local she said that the north was not only better, but the south is a bit disappointing after starting on the north not only with the views but also the south is so heavily visited you have to fight against the crowd too. The south rim would put us out several hundred miles, no thank you - we got it! We saw an advertisement on the way for a hotel right over the Nevada border for $24.99! After stopping at the information center I found a phone number for a hotel service that found a room at the 4 Queens for $25-DONE! Lastly, driving through the Arizona mountains was surprisingly beautiful! Nothai jokingly asked if we were back in Zion because the mountains were so huge!
1AM We don’t appreciate the small things nearly enough, like a comfy bed and a hot shower, or crappy Chinese food takeout at 11:30 PM when in our home town everything would be closed! I was in Vegas last a few months ago and so was my step father, Neil. I later found out that my friend Jeff had also been in town too. I sent Jeff a text message as Nothai and I headed for dinner and guess what! Jeff was here and we met for a drink - what a small funny great world!
Earlier -
We went and explored the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We went to all the viewpoints and went hiking a bit too. It was great weather and a beautiful day, although pretty hot and dry of course. A wildfire had started with lightening late July that was still burning a bit and the smoke is visible. There were a lot of elderly folks running around the easy views that got me thinking about the time and money I’m spending right now. Maybe I’m financing a lot with credit cards and putting myself back a bit, but I’m so glad I am. I don’t want to wait to see the world until I’m older and then can’t fully experience it the way I want. An couple in their late 50's or early 60's maybe asked us as we were returning from an outlook how far it was and how difficult. After explaining it was maybe a quarter mile and not too bad they opted to skip it because we were out of breath. Yeah, it is nearly 10,000 feet up! On the other hand, I want to look forward to physical vacations when I’m that age too! We were finished running around a lot earlier than expected. Honestly, that is one of the great parts about traveling with Nothai-we both waste little time and go for the heart of the experience.
We debated driving to the south rim as well just to be sure we didn’t miss anything good, but after talking to a local she said that the north was not only better, but the south is a bit disappointing after starting on the north not only with the views but also the south is so heavily visited you have to fight against the crowd too. The south rim would put us out several hundred miles, no thank you - we got it! We saw an advertisement on the way for a hotel right over the Nevada border for $24.99! After stopping at the information center I found a phone number for a hotel service that found a room at the 4 Queens for $25-DONE! Lastly, driving through the Arizona mountains was surprisingly beautiful! Nothai jokingly asked if we were back in Zion because the mountains were so huge!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bryce Canyon & Zion NP
Happy Birthday Brett!
Bryce Canyon & Zion - hiking in Bryce was much better than Zion, but understandable because going down into the canyon of giant rocks there isn’t much to see in the way of gorgeous landscapes. I have more to write about this, but later when I can update properly in a few days....
Bryce Canyon & Zion - hiking in Bryce was much better than Zion, but understandable because going down into the canyon of giant rocks there isn’t much to see in the way of gorgeous landscapes. I have more to write about this, but later when I can update properly in a few days....
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