Hard to believe 3 decades have passed since I became a father, but there you go. When I fould out he had the addit.ional days off, I was very excited to spend this day with him. Through a series of events, he totally dictated what we would do on this day. This was the only day, I had not made any hotel reservations, as the rest of the trip was on a timeline for various reasons. I left this day open as in Kanab we had a good central base to head off in several directions (Zion, Bryce, or the North Rim of the GC).
Kanab, UT at 7AM. We were up with the big tour bus at our hotel and beat it out of the parking lot. The hotel actually had a decent breakfast which we quickly scarfed down and hit the road.
We were so early back to the park the east gate was not manned so we drove right in. I have an annual pass we bought in Salt Lake last year and it was still good until October. It REALLY paid for itself this year! I have the NPS app on my phone and found out there is a ranger led bus ride that is free and FCFS. We directly headed there and got signed up for the 10AM one. We had time to kill, so we walked to the history museum about .75 miles away through this nice medow.
The tour was by bus and only about 20 people were on it. It did fill up and the standby ladies made the cut and were able to join. It made 5 stops working up the canyon toward where the Narrows start.
Here is our ranger talking about art. They have a resident artist program and she talked about the different pieces she liked that had been donated to the park and showed us the depicted scenes. Also, geology and history of the area.
If you squint real hard on the righthand peak there are people up there. It's and easy hike but you need a permit to it and there were none left for the day we were there. Have to go back!
Panorama of the same view. The road on either side was straight so this is about 180 degees of viewing.
Last stop of the tour and then the bus made a bee-line back to the visitor center. I unconciously framed the bus in this shot and only just noticed that a minute ago. I guess I have a bit of an eye for photos maybe....It was raining lightly at this point but a check of the radar showed it was pouring up at Bryce Canyon so we definitely made the right call the day before!
Upon leaving Zion and getting back on the road toward Kanab, we decided to stick with plan A and head to Flagstaff as JT really wanted to see Meteor Crater. I booked us a room easily and off we went. We had options for the drive but after talking to our ranger, we chose the northern route as it had more mountains vs. the pine forest. Pretty much US 89 south to Flagstaff.
I didn't realize it would take us past the Glen Canyon Dam. We of course had to stop for stamps in a our passports! Bonus round!.
Ouut front of the visitor center, real dinosaur footie prints. Therapods, forgot which type but thiey looked kinda like the nasty ones for Jurassic Park Movie.
Back side of the dam. They have had a wet winter, spring and summer and the water is up a bit from where it was but still waaaaaay down from where it was 20 years ago.
JT took over driving at the dam and we were just leaving Paige, AZ when I saw a sign and yelled, "Turn here!" He whipped the corner and I paid the city to park to see the famous Horshoe bend in the Colorado River at the top of the Grand Canyon. It was a 20 minute walk out but there was rain coming so we hoofed it in about 10.
It was definitely worth the stop! Score another bonus round (no stamps though). We hung out for a few minutes taking it all in with one eye on the impending rain.
I really liked this rock with the different layers. I walked toward it get a photo and that girl jumped up on it. With the rain coming, I didn't want to wait and took it anyway. Shot came out alright.
More layers out the car window heading south, We had just driven down off the top the plateau.
Birthday boy cruising down US 89. On this stretched he talked to his Mom, and my Aunt (JT and her share the birthday).
If you are a Tony Hillerman fan (author of fiction about Navajos) you'll understand. I had considered staying in a hotel in Tuba City, but found out I wouldn't find an open resturant on a Sunday.
Sunset Crater on the left and Mt. Humphreys on the right with a
lenticular cloud hanging out for good measure. Flagstaff was just on the other side of these volcanos
I found out this rare bit of trivia about the Eagles Song 'Take it Easy'. Apparently the Winslow girl in the flatbed ford was a
girl in Flagstaff in a Toyota pulling out of this particular hot dog stand....A bit less romantic, lol.
JT getting his kicks on Route 66! Off to bed early again, another full day tomorrow!
.
No comments:
Post a Comment