Views From the South West

June 25 - Slot Canyons at Wire Pass with three of my co-workers at the hostel. It has been wonderful hanging out with them. Although 30 years younger than myself, they have the same joy and passion for being outside hiking and enjoying nature. The slots are 8 miles down a dirt road so luckily I was a passenger and saved my car for the next adventure.

This is an eight foot drop I had to climb down.
Well I slipped just a bit, but no injuries.

There is a cartwheel photo, but I'm saving it for later.

June 27 - Bryce Canyon, since I'm writing this after seeing the major 4 National Parks in this area I must say it is my favorite. The Hoodoo land-forms are enormous, unique and breathtaking. Each bend it the 8 mile Fairy Land Trail made me feel as if I was in a fairy tale. Some of the formations looked like castles. I will hopefully head back out to hike another section before leaving in July.

June 28 - Zion by car, I will be hiking here next week, just went to get the lay of the land. I did not like driving through the 1 mile tunnel, thought I was going to faint. Someone else will drive next time. The crowds are crazy, so a 7:00 am arrival is a necessity. After driving through I stopped for ice-cream at Virgin Trading Post in Virgin, Utah, where all 600 residents must own a gun by law. Then checked out Pipe Spring National Monument.

Waiting to go into the scary tunnel.

Replica of the Pipe Springs Settlement

June 29 - Grand Canyon North Rim, trees and a different view from this side. Took in the 1/2 mile walk out to Angel Point to get a glimpse of the canyon.  I'm sure your could look out over the canyon a million times and always be in awe. Enjoyed the hike out to Uncle Jim Point a wonderful view at 8336 ft. We spent time taking photos from various vantage points as the only four hikers on the trail it was fabulous. We were joined shortly by a ranger from the Desert Rim and she hiked with us as we finished the loop and headed back to the trail head. She was great, explaining different plants, animals and trees along the way. We even so a coyote.

After the hike we set out to have a fabulous lunch at Jacob's Lake and also spent time talking with the rangers at Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center learning about trails and dispersed camping.

Rock at Uncle Jim Point.

Santa Fe to Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon

HOT, HOT, and more HOT! The drive from Santa Fe to Flagstaff took place partially in the Petrified Forest National Park. Totally a great place to see logs that have turned into rock. Simply amazing. I was able to walk a bit, but even the 3/4 mile loop had me feeling breathless.

I was exhausted when I arrived at the Grand Canyon Hostel in Flagstaff, but relieved to know I would be there for a couple of nights. After relaxing for a bit and letting the temperature drop, I took a walk around the city. Great downtown and walking distance to REI, Wholefoods and a variety of restaurants and bars. I could have done without the panhandlers, but what are you going to do.

Talked with one of the local vandwellers. Nice guy who works
at the local pizza parlor and lives in the parking lot.

Rode my bike on the greenway along Route 66

My initial thought was just to hang out in downtown, but then over a glass of wine and a slice of pizza some of the other lodgers at the hostel said that I should check out Sliding Rock and Sedona. The drive down 89-A past the construction was amazing with cliff views and winding roads. Sedona is a nice scenic town, but for me Sliding Rock was the highlight of the day.

View from the bridge

Weeeeeeeeee

I left Flagstaff at 7:15 am on Friday to head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive took me through the Coconino National Forest, where I could see a glimpse of snow capped Humphreys Peak. 

After figuring out where to park I took a short walk along a paved path among small evergreens, then BOOM! there it was right in front of me the Grand Canyon. Truly amazing. I wish I was a better more poetic writer. Oh well at least a picture is worth a thousand words.

I thought was going the wrong way.

Nope

That is a great big smile on my face.

After this photo, I took a mile and a half walk along the Rim trail towards the Bright Angel Trail. I walked down the steep trail amazed at the views. I new I wanted to see more of the park so I headed back up after an hour. It of course took twice as long to get back up. Luckily I hopped on the shuttle back to my car. To drive out to the East end of the park. Along the drive I almost rammed into the back of a parked car. Idiot didn't pull over to take a photo of the elk, but I did.

Then it was on to the Watchtower with at least 6 more scenic vista stops along the way. After the tower it was on to Kanab. 

Gaining Momentum

Today was absolutely fabulous! A recap of the last three days first and then I'll tell you about today.

After leaving Birmingham with a tummy full of coffee and a great nights sleep, I was off to Little Rock, AR to stay with Katie at her Airbnb room. The drive 418 miles, which included some extra driving to Target to purchase a new camera. I stopped along the Nazchez Place National Parkway in Tupelo. What a great road, similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The history of our country is amazing when you can actually step foot where the action happens. From a book not so much.

Katie's place was wonderful, I was a little bit concerned when I first arrived, since the neighborhood itself did not look all that shipshape. However once I walked into Katie's, I was pleasantly surprised. Katie works from home as a purse maker who sells her goods on Esty and she has a huge sewing room. My room was well decorated and the bed was super comfortable. Katie had chocolates and water by my bedside table. In the morning the coffee pot was just waiting for me.

Pooh enjoying his stay at Katie's

Little Rock to Oklahoma City a mere 378 miles, that's with a stop at Hot Springs National Park. The down town of Hot Springs, AR is wonderful. Definitely a place to return to. I spent about three hours hiking the trails and taking in the view of the bathhouses. The trails are nice quite steep in areas but I did not venture on any long trails. As I finished up Goat Rock Trail it began to rain and continued as I drove to Oklahoma City.

Cartwheel taken at Hot Springs National Park.

A hot spring if you look closely you might see the steam.

One of the original bathhouses

Matt's place, my Airbnb in Oklahoma City was not my best lodging, but it all worked out. Basically you get what you pay for. I did have fun exploring the Mexican Market and bought some pan dulce which made for a great breakfast with my coffee purchased at the local 7/11.

How many of you have eaten cactus?

Pooh on his futon :)

Did you know it is 550 miles from Oklahoma City to Santa Fe? What a long drive. I did break it up by stopping along Route 66. Enjoyed a variety of road side attractions and always love the look on peoples face when I ask them to take my picture and then after they say yes add that I'm going to do a cartwheel.

Oklahoma cartwheel at the National RT 66 museum.

Lucille's Gas station built in 1929 Hydro, OK

Arrived in Santa Fe and pulled into my hostel at Luna and Nova's and have had an entire house to myself for two days. A typical NM styled home with chickens to boot out back. A great find. So back to today June 20, 2017. 

I spent the day exploring Bandelier National Park which sits about 35 miles north of Santa Fe. The trails were like nothing I am accustomed to. Pueblo's, red rock canyons, dry scrub brush and a sky that goes forever. After spending several hours exploring the main park I went over to the White Rock lookout and was able to see a spectacular view of the Rio Grande, then it was on to Tsankawi prehistoric site, part of Bandelier, but about 10 miles away. This part of the park is not visited as much. There are limited trail markers, it was like being on top of the earth. The rain fell just enough to take away the heat. Luckily not thunder, as that is means for returning immediately to your car. I want to say more, but some things you can't explain. You just need to do it. I am fortunate to be able to.

The Rio Grande from White Rock Lookout

Taken by a volunteer ranger at
Bandelier.

She was so close I could have touched her.
 It made my heart pound

One of many pueblos I had an
opportunity to explore

Rain clouds

Maybe your wondering if I went to downtown Santa Fe or maybe not. Well I did and it is a wonderful artistic center of restaurants, museums and shops. Perfect if you like that kind of thing. I spent a couple of hours exploring the architecture and shops, but the true beauty of the area are the natural ones.

Cathedral Basilica

Outdoor art exhibit

Chesnee to Birmingham

Getting on the road to Birmingham, AL by way of Helen, GA. Well my camera seems to have broken and I will have to use my cell phone for now, total bummer. The drive to Helen was filled with the typical small town feel, farm stands and all.

A dried out gourd made into artwork.

Spent a couple of hours in Helen, stopping in the ever ending fudge and candy stores. Hey who doesn't love a free sample. The village was touristy, but is in a great area for hiking, tubing and other adventures. I may have even found the "deflate gate" ball. I checked out about a mile of the Unico/Helen since I was short on time. I checked out the library and took a breather with a magazine.

Always my sanctuary.

Another time perhaps.

 If your in Helen and your on your way to Birmingham, then You need to stop at Babyland to check out the Cabbage Patch hospital. It is amazing that the original Cabbage Patch dolls are now worth $15000.00 too bad I gave mine away.

No words.

I arrived at my Birmingham Airbnb quite exhausted after driving 378 miles. I was happy to have have a comfortable bed in an older style four-plex with charm and all the comforts of home. Airbnb's lend themselves to finding pockets of cities you may never visit. My hosts arrived after me and were welcoming. Two 4th year med students with a lovable dog. We didn't visit long, but I was able to find an answer to my coffee question. Yes, and when I woke in the morning a full pot was waiting. You got to love it!

Change of Plans

Day one for my summer 2017 journey was suppose to begin July 16, however I began to feel overwhelmed about driving over 9 hours through three major cities on my first day. With the flexibility of loved ones, I left today July 15th. I am currently in Chesnee, SC after a nice visit with Olivia and Bronco in Charlotte. I had a chance to see her van as she now calls home at least part-time and we enjoyed my favorite indulgence ice-cream at a new local shop.

I wanted to take in at least one site on my short driving day, and lucky for me the National Park of the Battle of Cowpen is just down the road. Although quite hot I enjoyed the 1 mile stroll around this Revolutionary War field. The park visitor center had a movie about the battle, which I of course knew nothing about.

First National Park Stamp of my adventure.

My Airbnb is as advertised comfortable, quite neighborhood just outside of Spartansburg, SC. My hosts left the door unlocked for me and I was able to settle right in. Walked to the local grocery for dinner provisions and then went back to the house to plan tomorrows adventure. Helen, GA for a scenic stop and trail walk then on to Birmingham.

Pooh is getting comfy for the evening.