You saw a very pretty part of the country Stunt. I have lived in
Phoenix for 32 years now and have seen many of the sites you mentioned.
I'm never disappointed when going out in the desert or up into the
mountains.
Dave
In a message dated 4/27/2006 9:01:49 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
One of
my favorite vacations.
Thought I'd share it with anyone looking for a
little amusement. The map links allow for zooming etc, hope somebody enjoys
it.
Started in Wichita, across the flatlands of KS into Denver, watching
the mts slowly rise up across the horizon. It was just a little over 2wks
before Memorial Day weekend, and all the Parks had free camping untill then.
First night, stayed with friends of friends then headed straight South
along the Eastern Rockies to Meteor Crater up through the Painted Desert and
Petrified Forest to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, stayed overnight at a
Glen Lake along the lllooooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggg ride through the
forest. Wondefull spot, Day 3 started by using coleman stove to make instant
coffee and breakfast after sleeping in the van. then after a little quality
time breaking open geodes, back on rd... 10mi to North Rim sign was a welcome
sight, drove past campground straight to the rim.... AWESOME SIGHT! Made a
reservation for a cabin (3 days till one opened) went to campground, ate
lunch, set-up camp, went back to lodge to take some pics as we watched the sun
go down.
Our evening ended cuddled up, relaxing after all the power
driving and 20th century styled rushing around, in front of a nice
fire.
The rest of our time on the North rim was well spent taking pics
while ignoring safety rails, driving ftom one scenic spot to another, the
evenings were very relaxed and we stayed until our night in the cabin brought
a smile to my ex-wife, who desperately wanted a bath. It was to be her last
until we returned to Wichita.
Woke up early to catch the sunrise from the
observation deck in the old North Rim Lodge, the view is still etched into my
memory. Slowly the dark gray canyon below switched to colors, shifting
as the sun slowly rose out of the East until it brought full color to the
different strata layers.
Back on Hwy 89, (the only road in/out of the
North Rim) we stopped on the suspension bridge over the canyon cutting river a
mile below our feet. In just 2 wks the traffic would have prevented us from
enjoying that moment. I use to have great timing. Turned off onto Hwy 160
through the Navajo Reservation, and picked up a local "guide" who gave us the
grand tour as we gave him a lift home. Spent the night in the 4 Corners
visitors parking area and drank my morning coffee in 4 different States....
Only spot like it in the USA. At that time, I was unaware that in just about
5.5 years later, I'd be living 40mi S.E. of it, but not knowing, we headed for
Mesa Verde NP via shiprock, over to Durango, where we headed N on Hwy 550
through the center of the Rockies full of breath taking views, but not a road
for those with a fear of heights. All the switchbacks (some 10-15mph posted
limits) and winding road, w/o guard rails, caused my ex to seek refuge in the
back of our Chevy Van. We had pulled off in one of the many scenic
restways (just a sm parking area) and I waded into an ice cold stream where I
took a drink of delicious water. I decided I'd fill our 5gal water cooler from
it and we made some sandwiches while acclimating to the 10,000' alt. A car
pulled up, and here in the middle of no-where, 2 guys from Chicago joined us
and they offered a "smoke" to celebrate the odds. At 10,000' "Columbian Gold"
produced a real Rocky My High. (remember, it WAS the 70's).
We stayed on
550 untill Hwy 55 took us East to 24. Next stop Estes NP where we camped for
several nights and took in the wildlife. Then onto Boulder where I climbed all
the way to the top. While in Boulder I tried Tofu, for my once and only
"no-taste experience". It was my only bad exp during our "Great 76 escape"
Road Trip. Sadly, it was time to drive that longggggggggggg road
across the flatlands back to Wichita. I decided to drive it at night...
The link shows some great mountain road shots when zoomed
in.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
iamstuntman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Apr 26, 2006 6:45 PM
Subject: My trip out west
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
My Windows Live
Local Scratch Pad
http://local.live.com/?v=2&sp=yp.135898806~yp.113088798~aN.36.703660_-108.193359_Lived%20here%20winter%2082_~aN.36.124565_-111.181641_Begin%20return%20route_Heading%20for%20Rockies~aN.37.418163_-107.803345_Entered%20Rockies_Best%20Rout%20in%20Co~aN.40.366297_-105.722980_Stayed%20in%20Estes%20NP_Took%20550%20to%2050%20to%2024%20then%20hwy%20and%20up%20through%20Bolder.~aN.36.197923_-112.052661_Stayed-76_Night%20in%20cabin%20at%20the%20North%20Rim%2c%20nts%20in%20c.g.%20%26%20glen%20lake%20~aN.36.713155_-112.216029_Entered%20North%20Rim_Via%20P.F.%20%26%20M.C.%20after%20trav%20from%20Wichita~aN.37.564310_-97.296124_Home%2072-76
Lived here winter 82 United States Government National Park
Service -
Petrified Forest National Park; Rainbow Forest; Entrance Station
6618
Petrified Forest Rd, Holbrook, AZ 86025 Meteor Crater 140 N Winslow
Ave,
Winslow, AZ 86047 Begin return route Heading for Rockies Entered
Rockies
Best Rout in Co Stayed in Estes NP Took 550 to 50 to 24 then hwy
and up
through Bolder. Stayed-76 Night in cabin at the North Rim, nts in
c.g. &
glen lake Entered North Rim Via P.F. & M.C. after trav from
Wichita Home
72-76
|
