Sunday, September 12, 2010 Steve and I were trying to figure out which hike we should do today. There was the main Kaibab trail that goes down into the canyon but we heard it was hot, crowded and it's the trail the mules take down (therefore, also know as the "Poopy Trail"). Or we could do the Widforss Trail which was described as a long hike that skirts the edge of the Transept, then cuts through forest to Widforss Point. We chose to do this. For the first 2 1/2 miles we were hiking along the edge with wonderful views of the canyon. Plus there were numbered stops that corresponded to the brochure telling us what we were seeing. (I always like reading and learning about where I am.)






The next 2 1/2 miles was through a forest, with critters and wild flowers.






We ended up at Widforss Point, for a nice rest of nuts and dried fruit. The trail then returns back the same way. Some of the critters we saw along the way was the elusive silver ghost squirrel (that only lives on the North Rim) a woodpecker (actually pecking and throwing bark our way), lizards and horny toads. We only saw 5 couples on the entire 10 mile hike. It was a great hike, but we were tired when we finished. The good news for us was that we were camping at the Grand Canyon campgrounds that had hot showers (you had to pay) and laundry facilities!! That night our bodies and our clothes were clean. (It's the little things in life.)
Our camping spot wasn't exactly level, but after the hike, cleaning up, dinner and going to the Ranger's talk about cougars we slept very soundly.

Saturday, September 11, 2010 While we were having dinner last night, Ila told us we had to go to Antelope Canyon. He said that it was a slot canyon, on Navajo land, that is well known for the beautiful pictures taken in it. He said to be sure and be there between 11 and 1, when the light is the best. We were heading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and when we looked at the map, realized we'd be going right by the area. So, this morning, we got up bright and early for us (8:00) had breakfast and left the Navajo National Park by 9:00. There are at least three different areas that you can go to in the canyon; we wanted to go to the "Corkscrew". This was actually the canyon that 12 people had died in a flash flood several years ago. But the skies were clear and we eventually got to the right spot and we were there at the right time.


Oh, my gosh, it is amazing.






























From here we headed to the Grand Canyon. I had never been to the North Rim, and it is beautiful. I love having the overlooks and to be among pine trees. When we first got to the Rim we took a small hike to Angel's Point. As we were walking back a woman asks, "Jane?" It turns out it was Diane Farr from Utah. She was there with her husband and 5 other couples to celebrate her birthday. I bring this up just to remind you that it is a small world, and you never know when or where you'll run into someone you know!

Tonight, we actually stayed in a hotel, The Grand Canyon Lodge. Camping in the Beast has been great, but there isn't a shower and everywhere we camped, there wasn't a shower. One can only do so much with sponge baths, and the worst for wear was definitely my hair. I was thrilled to actually wash it!

Around 6:00 pm we walked down to the main lodge to see the sunset. And it was lovely.




It was nice to sleep in a bed, but I missed the Beast.

Friday, September 10: After driving the north rim of Canyon de Chelly we decided to spend the night at Navajo National Monument. This is a small, but beautiful park. We found a campsite with a overlooking the valley.





There were a couple of short hikes from the visitors center. One hike went down a small canyon and when we looked up to the cliff edge, we realized the buzzards were watching...






While we were down in this canyon, a young man came bounding along. As we talked with him we learned that he was from Italy, traveling the three Americas for a year on a Vespa! He had already traveled for three months, starting out in New York, headed to Alaska, had been to the Burning Man in Nevada, and eventually would up at the tip of South America. All on a Vespa! I thought we were roughing it in the Beast.




That night we had Ilario Lavarra (what a great name) over for dinner and wine...










and had the prettiest sunset of our trip.

Wednesday, September 8
Tuesday night it had sprinkled and Wednesday morning we woke up to a wonderful thunder storm, then rain storm! We were well protected in our cozy home in the Beast. That morning, after the rain had stopped, we packed up and did another hike in the Needles before leaving the area: Big Spring and Squaw Canyon. Some of the cairns had been washed away from the storms in Big Spring, so it made for an interesting hike trying to figure out the right way. Big Spring ends at a big wall that you are able to scramble up and goes into Squaw Canyon. Big Spring was an interesting canyon to hike in, but Squaw Canyon wasn't my favorite.


We left the Needles and drove to Gooseneck State Park that night. It's a very small park, but right on the edge of the San Juan, overlooking the Gooseneck section. The wind did blow that evening and night, but we were safe and protected in the Beast. It's fun to think that in the spring we'll be rafting down this part of the river!



Thursday, September 9
Gee, can you tell where our next stop was?? Monument Valley.
We actually drove only about 2 miles into the Valley. It was a very rutted, dusty road and we probably missed some fabulous view, but we turned around and left.




We moved on to Canyon de Chelly. This is a picture of the White House ruin, the only ruin in the canyon that you can hike down to without a guide.






It is a beautiful canyon with amazing ruins. We did the South Rim drive Thursday afternoon and the North Rim on Friday. We decided not to go into the canyon with a guide. We had heard from a friend and a stranger that the views were better from the rim.







One of the strangest conversations we eavesdropped on was a women who said to her friends "This is SO much better then the Grand Canyon." Now, Steve and I both agree Canyon de Chelly and Canyon de Muerto are lovely, but so much better then the Grand Canyon?? I'd love to know the rest of that story...

Monday, September 6, 2010
We're now headed to the Needles region of Canyonlands National Park. The first thing you see turning in is Newspaper Rock, an amazing petroglyph panel.






We got a camp spot in the Needles region. What a beautiful area.








We decided to test the Beast a little...

and ourselves.






We did four "roadside" hikes that gave us a taste of the canyon that afternoon.


Tuesday, September 7: Did a great hike today: The Needles, Chesler Park and the Joint.






















Thought about taking the Beast up Elephant Hill, then thought not.












Instead, went back to camp for a beautiful sunset and dinner & a glass of wine.

Sunday, September 5
Second day, after seeing more petroglyphs, we thought we'd take a "short cut" out of Nine Mile Canyon up Dry Creek Canyon. Needless to say, it wasn't a short cut, but it was beautiful drive straight up for 18 miles to an elevation of 10,131 feet and then straight down for 6 miles.









Spent the night at Potash outside of Moab that night.

Saturday, September 4
Well, we've back for awhile, so I thought it might be time to actually write something about our fabulous trip. As you all may know we started out on Saturday, September 4, first stop: Nine Mile Canyon. I have wanted to go up this canyon for awhile, but have felt a more urgent need to see it before the oil rigs ruin the petroglyphs.



It is worth a trip! It's always an interesting exercise of the imagination to try and figure out what some of the drawings mean and why did they take all the trouble to carve the picture into rock.






Anyway, that night was our first "boondocking" night with the Beast. We just pulled off on the side of a dirt road up Cottonwood Canyon and had the whole canyon to ourselves. We popped the top and camp was set up. Oh, camping in the Beast is nice!