Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Today's blog was going to be called "A Scientist and a Historian", but that was before we got caught in our second thunderstorm. A fairly extensive forest fire in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has created landslides that come across several roads during heavy rains. We were lucky to drive to Walhalla Canyon today, because the road was closed yesterday, and I assume, based on the current rainfall, closed again. But back to the beginning...

The day started at Oscar's cafe with some killer iced coffee and French toast battered in Frosted Flakes. I kid you not. They were grrrrrreat! 😉 An especially amazing turn of events after I mistook the hotel mouthwash for shower gel. 😳  

After breakfast we headed to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We've both been to the other side (though not together!). Even being prepared for its vastness, it's breathtaking. 

We both have our breaking points with altitude. Thelma found her's at 12,000 at Yosemite. Louise found her's at 10,000 feet at Haleakala. New info today: at 8,000 feet Louise just cries. So when we stepped out of the car, L burst in to tears. And every other stop afterwards...  It's really so amazing. This is what National Parks are all about: natural wonders that take your breath away time and time again. 

As I said before, the original title was "A Scientist and a Historian". Or possibly: A Surveyor and Her Sidekick. One of us soaks in all the geology and seeks to always know her position on Earth. The other one solidifies herself in historical references, basking in the footsteps of the likes of Teddy Roosevelt. 

Honestly, what a gift these parks are, and thank goodness for the foresight of the people who sought to protect them so long ago. 

Besides the Canyon itself, we got a good look at the Fuller Fire aftermath: scorched land, erosion, and probably the most telling: a really dirty, weary NPS fire team. 

So, a full day! We're now driving into the lightning, dodging cows, mule deer, and singing to our duets playlists.

'Til tomorrow! 😘

Forty Degrees & Four States

We are happily ensconced in our hotel room in Springdale, after a somewhat harrowing drive from Mesquite. It's a little stormy tonight! Massive lightening on all sides, and a fair amount of rain. I don't think you can really see the amount of water coming down the street, but it was pretty awesome. And as such, tomorrow doesn't seem like a good day for hiking in a river. ;) Thelma (or is it Louise?) is figuring out our grand plan for tomorrow. Kolob Canyon? Grand Canyon? Bryce Canyon? Looking like it's going to be a canyon! Ha!

We left this morning from Portland, where I don't know exactly what the weather was, but I'm guessing somewhere in the high 60s. When we left Vegas this afternoon, it was HOT!!!!

Heading north out of Vegas, with Willie Nelson blaring, we headed for Valley of the Fire State Park (NV).  I believe it is called that because of the red tones on the rocks, but it might as well have been for the heat factor. Once you get the car cooled down, it's easy to forget that the earth is basically on fire! HOT!!!  

Valley of the Fire is a nice compilation of the best that is up ahead (and two states over) in Utah. There are arches, and hoodoos, beehives and other geographical wonders I can't remember.  ;) What's amazing, as with all geo-wonders, is how they just seem to pop up out of nowhere.

The park brochure was lacking in specificity, and there was no cell service, so you can make what you'd like out of our photos.  Much of it felt like Cars, the movie, or the "Gorignak" scene from Galaxy Quest.  That makes us sound like Chevy Chase travelers or something... But one must make connections!

The colors, the red rock against the brilliant blue sky, were what made this spectacular, but the black and white photos captured the starkness of the area, and somehow captured the heat a little better. 

On the way out of the park, there are these adorable "cabins" built by the CCC in the 30s.  Not only were they fun to explore, but it was a great chance to break in my new hiking boots.  

And then it was off through Arizona to our final destination here in Utah.  After the thunderstorms, it's settled at a nice 65 degrees, making us very happy, and our temperature gauges very confused.  We lost an hour somewhere across the state line, so it is night here. Other stuff happened: the social experiment of the rental-car tram, Albus Potter, a study in polka-dots, changing clothes in a parking lot, dinner with Peggy Sue, etc....but one (or two!), must sleep.  G'Night!!!

Summer edition of T & L!!!

Guess what happens tomorrow?  Well, it's a Tuesday during the election cycle, so shouldn't there be another convention on? :) Ha! I drank ALL of both of the red and the blue cool aide and need some detox. So... it's time for a summer edition of Thelma & Louise!  Woohoo!!! Several years ago (before we started blogging), we spent a Spring Break exploring Bryce, Arches & Zion. Ever since we have wanted to go back and do the Narrows hike at Zion (the water was too high in early spring).  So here we go!!

Today, in preparation, I am doing laundry, packing, removing kitty #2 from the suitcase, putting back the items that kitty #1 unpacked (hair ties, socks, pencils), "encouraging" kitty #2 not to chew on my new backpack and looking forward to several FF (feline free) days. The new development today is that they both want to be near me, AND play with each other. Insert wide-eyed emoji.  I'm barely alive.

The other thing I'm doing is making a new playlist. We are flying in to Vegas, so there's a road trip too!!! A National Park AND a road trip? Pinch me!!!  Of course it will include our favorites: Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" and Indigo Girls' "Get Out the Map". But then, since we're driving out of Vegas, I'm going to have to include a little Elvis, and I'm thinking about throwing in some Helen Reddy as a nod to current events.

As always, I have more to say, but I have to go defend my new hiking boots from kitty #2.  Aren't they cute? The boots, people...

Smarter at Sealevel?

I'm looking for research, opinions, or anecdotal evidence about whether a person's IQ might be lower at higher elevations. Specifically this person's... The year we went to Haleakala we found out I can barely walk a straight line at 10,000 feet. Today at 6,000 feet the Spanish language had me in fits. The word "puerco" was exceedingly hilarious. Still is. Can't type it without giggling. At one point I shouted that we were at map stop "numero nino". 😳 So close... Needless to say, there was a lot of random hilarity.

 

Today we went to Petrified Forest National Park which was an unexpected gem. We expected a petrified forest, but we saw so much more. Each stop in the park held something new. Of course the geology was really shining with lots of colors and layers on display. 

Also in the park is a section of Route 66 that NPS has preserved. The original highway crosses in to the park and was the main way that people saw the petrified forest at the turn of the century. 

Across the Puerco River we saw Puerco Pueblo. I kid you not...puerco, puerco, puerco. I did not see one pig today. Or a javalina for that matter.  One more elevation note: I've picked up a significant speech impediment today. Maybe that's why it's so funny.  

This ancient village was easy to imagine as a bustling community. Only a portion is excavated-they estimate that there are over 100 rooms all together. The petroglyphs were amazing too. 

There was one that we couldn't capture with the camera, but it was a sun symbol that was situated in front of another rock such that the sun hits it only in the middle of the day on the Summer Solstice. 

And then the show stopper: Crystal Forest. 

Although not as hot as the rest of the week, it was still extremely difficult to imagine this area as the tropical forest it once was. The landscape truly sparkled. 

And now we head "home" to Phoenix. Long day, but well worth it. We're listening to my iTunes in alphabetical order. It's a real blend: Enya comes after Elton John and before Garth Brooks. We're already in the Is-yeah for Indigo Girls!!

G'Night Travelers!

Shopping, Sandpaper & Sunburns

I only mention the sunburn because I have an amusing one. I am super vigilant with sunscreen because I burn so easily. I missed a spot. 😩 On the front of my right shoulder I have a small sunburn in the shape of West Virginia. Probably wouldn't have chosen that one...

We spent the middle of the week just chillin'! There's an outlet mall near our hotel that we may have visited several times, and we found another mall close by. What can I say? We're shoppers!

We also spent a day by the pool.

What's not to love about pool side? Actually, I will tell you. This:

Cute? Noooo. This bird has just taken over the top spot of Most Annoying Bird. It's an extensive list...

The rest of our down time was spent hydrating. I've consumed more Gatorade this week than an entire Final Four team (see how relevant I can be? 😉). Also we found a new drink: Mule. Sounds delicious, right? Organic, even. Ha! The one at our hotel is called the Gila River Mule and has lime, ginger agave, ginger beer and tequila. We also had a version at Ling & Louie's (best Chinese food ever!). 

Well, I must go. Time to dip ones self in lotion. My skin is like sandpaper, my lips cracked... Oh, and my hair is straight!  

Vacation on!

Saguaros, Shopping & Sandpaper

It's not really Spring Break until we're driving down a dirt road that is of, at best, questionable quality. And so, Spring Break officially started on Monday at Saguaro National Park. 

We know, inherently, that national parks are created to protect a natural wonder. And still, every time, we are amazed. This wonder was a forest of saguaro cactus. Sure, you've seen a cactus before, but how about acres of them? Cactus, as you well know, are desert creatures, so we planned to see them on the day that they would be happiest. It was mid 90s all day, which for girls from the coast is HOT!!! 

While trying to remain hydrated, we learned quite a bit about these desert giants. By the time they "sprout" arms, they are around 70 years old. Giants like the one below can be around 200 years old! 

The bulk of the park can be seen from a a nice driving loop. One of us drove, one of us interacted with the cactus. Really, they are quite amusing. Or offensive, depending on which way their arms are pointing... Regardless, belly laughs we're had by all, and lots of Beeker impersonations. 

We also took a short hike to see some petroglyphs. It was a very short hike, but we were dripping by the end, and my Gatorade ran out...game over. 

This little blogger is beat-shopping and sandpaper tomorrow!!