Out West 2017! Grand Canyon Day 1

Next stop on our road trip is the Grand Canyon. Yes, it is amazing as everyone says it is.
We spent two days here and splurged a little and stayed on site. I wanted to make sure we had as much time as possible to get at the Canyon.

We drove up from Flagstaff that morning and it took about an hour and half to arrive. We had some time to hike a little before checking into our lodge Bright Angel Lodge.

We started with the South Kaibab Trail. It seemed like an easy day one hike to do. It was fall but still very warm in the sun. I wish I would have worn shorts and a t-shirt.

We hiked down to the recommended day hike stop, Cedar Ridge. There were bathrooms and some room to eat some snacks with a spectacular view.

This is also the trail where I lost a friend the previous year. In an unfortunate accident she fell below. I took a moment to remember her and her sparkle. Her name is also unfortunately in the book that chronicles all the canyon deaths.

Out West 2017! Get your kicks on route 66

One of my favorite Depeche Mode songs is their remake of the song Route 66.

Route 66 always symbolized an idyllic road trip. The song lists all these towns that you will see along the way. For my road trip out west, I had a chance to take route 66 along some of my route. I didn’t get to hit many towns listed in the song, and we left too late to really enjoy lots of daylight hours on the road, but it was still and interesting trip.

First there is a stop at the Lake Mead Recreational area to get a good look,

Then we stopped at an old time-y gas station. It had closed just before we arrived since it was already getting late. I snapped a couple pictures and got back on the road.

The rest of the drive to Flagstaff was dark and isolating. It reminded me a little of the latest season of Twin Peaks, kind of creepy. But we made it to Flagstaff safely for the night. We had a little time for local craft brews and pizza before calling it a night. We are heading to Grand Canyon the next day.

Out West 2017! Extraterrestrial Highway

During my road trip out west I had a couple days to hang with my aunt in Nevada. We had no set plans but somehow we ending up talking ourselves into taking a drive to go to see Area 51.
I drove and we really didn’t know where we were going so we sort of followed directions going north.

The scenery was other worldly. I felt like I was on another planet. It was a long drive but we finally see a sign so we know we are on the right track.

At this point our phones are useless. It is just miles and miles of roads. We look for Area 51 but all we see are dirt roads to “nowhere”. When we arrived back to my aunt’s house that night we discovered that one of those dirt roads was probably the way to Area 51. There is no signage.

We stop at a little alien town along the way, it could be creepy at night.

It was fall and the sun was starting to set early. Those roads were scary during the day so we decided to turn back to get to civilization before dark. It proved to be a very healing trip. My cousin (my aunt’s niece) passed away earlier in the year. One of her favorite recent trips was down this highway. We were able to think fondly of her as we passed the signs.

Out West 2017! Heading to Vegas

A big trip of the year is heading west for my birthday.
I started in Las Vegas to visit my aunt and ended in Colorado to visit my friends.
We had many stops along the way.

While in Vegas I got my fill of Babystacks Cafe with 2 separate visits. Needless to say it was very good but probably very unhealthy.

Lolo Rick’s Adobo Fried Rice

Red Velvet Panckes

Huevos Rancheros

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut

I took a vist down to Freemont street.

Not being a big gambler, we just chose to try an old fashioned vegas buffet. It was terrible but when in Rome (or Vegas).

Camping in Shawangunks (Day 2)

Minnewaska State Park

It has been a while since my last camping adventure.
I saw lightening bugs, something that reminds me of my childhood summers in Ohio. I got to see them anymore when I stopped visiting Ohio. It is too hot for them to be in Florida.
I also forgot how hard the ground could get.

Before going to sleep that night I made sure I drank a protein shake so I wouldn’t wake up in lactic acid pain.

I was smelly and sore but didn’t care, shower was not happening that night.

When I do something athletically strenuous I tend to have to urinate frequently. It was very uncomfortable to keep having to get up in the middle of the night and wander around in the pitch black to get to the toilets.

On my bathroom hikes I refused to look around in case something was lurking in the bushes – I didnt want to know.

The other downside is that I couldn’t sleep. First I was warm, then sore, and always uncomfortable and then cold. Brr was I cold.

I woke up early and took advatage of that shower. It wasn’t amazing but at least there was hot water.

Time to go hiking again? Maybe a swimming hole? I am so sore that I can’t imagine hiking again but you never know.

We pack up our stuff and head to Minnewaska State Park specifically Lake Minnewaska. Lake Minnewaska is a sky lake. A lake in the mountain top. It a few miles so we drive there. Luckily we get there early because the lot seems to be filling up. We park and fill our backpacks with what we need for the swimming hole.

We stop for a great view on the way.

We arrive at the swimming hole and no one is there. Turns out it doesn’t open for another 30 minutes.

I decide to change into my suit meanwhile and we go for a walk along the path around the lake. I walk for a little while and decide I need more rest before I start for the day. I go back to the beach area to setup to lay down. I read and nap while Carlos does laps around the lake. I decided against going in the water because I overhear someone comparing it to diaper water. Carlos does go in for a little bit after his run.

I finally muster up the energy to go see the views on the other side of the lake. I am glad I did, they were amazing.

Carlos mentioned a great waterfall view that he saw while running. Still sore from the day before I decide against it. We really must come back to this area, especially when I am in better physical shape. So much nature and fun!

Time to get some dinner and head back toward the city. Somehow we end up at Tuthilltown Distillery and Restaurant and ordering a local whiskey flight.

The distillery and restaurant are a nice little area to throw a wedding or a party.

Due to the visit to the restaurant being on the other side of park we took a different route back home. We started going further and further uphill. Are we going back into the mountains? We come across this stellar view and must stop and look.

The rest of the trip back was uneventful until the cluster that is called the George Washington Bridge. Our plan to come back later to avoid traffic was flawed and we sat there forever. We eventually made it home though.
After my recovery I starting dreaming of future trips upstate. I might be hooked on nature. Can’t wait to go back!