After a night in Moab we visited the Arches NP and headed off to Capital Reef NP and planned to take the scenic routes 24/12 the next day to get to Bryce and Zion. We traveled over Boulder Mountain at 9600 feet and lots of snow. The biggest aspect of the scenic route was following the Grand Staircase - Escalante NM. Incredible changes in elevations and colors and shapes.
We finally stated to slow it down and spent time hiking. From northern New Mexico, the days had been cold and windy. We had realized that we needed to acclimatize to the elevations, but once in Zion we started hiking again.
The land along the Virgin River was rich with windflowers and spring coming out.
On to Grand Canyon, with a happy stop along the road where a gentleman pointed out to me the release point in Northern Arizona for the Condors and shared where to see them on the cliffs above the Colorado River on the Navajo Bridge.
What a thrill! After this first sighting, I did get to see two more in flight over the Canyon.
Now, we really had some hiking ahead of us as well. We were camped on the south rim since the north rim was closed, and this side was 10 degrees warmer. The Rim Trail was first. Two things happened on this 8 mile feast of vistas of the Canyon.
Latona got too close to a limb and her lightweight shorts bit the dust.
And after this was the funny flagging she did with her "tissue". We stopped for a lunch and she wanted. To blow her nose. What a laugh we had!
The day before we left the Grand Canyon, we combined more of the Rim Trail and a hike 1.8 miles down off the rim from the South Kaibab Trailhead. It was a wonderful and scary trail walking along the very edge of the mile deep canyon.
As always, Tone found hearts everywhere...
Now, we are in Cottonwood, Arizona at Dead Horse Ranch SP, near Sedona and doing errands, hiking new trails and finding local birds. I finally feel like I am caught up with myself.
I did want to share a few things of general information. The van is doing very well. Still 23-24 mpg. Got some dust in the brakes and it squeaked for a few days but is fine now. The coach batteries allow us to watch our DVDs when we are not hooked up to electricity or when we can not get TV at night. It becomes a more comfortable home each day. We travel around 300 miles on a travel day, and try to stop for four or five days when possible. We eat lots of fresh food, mostly fish and shrimp and some chicken, and fruits and vegetables. And we do a lot of camping without electricity and showers, and the big shout is always "thank God for baby wipes." Five baby wipes equals one shower.
Love and hugs from the road.
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