Page, AZ-Page Lake Powell Campground

June 30-July 7, 2019

Everyone asked me before we left, “Why are you going to Arizona? It's so hot this time of year!” Well they were very right and we knew it would be, but since we can only travel on weekends and we can only get so far, it was a great place to stop that we had never been before.

(At the local convenience store)

It was probably the same temperature in Texas (A.K.A HOT), but that temp is tough to get outside and hike in.  Also, our RV's single A/C couldn't keep up because we were sitting in the direct sun all the while the power was cycling due to low voltage. But we survived and were able to visit some of the best known sites.

Our first outing was to just go check out Lake Powell. The kids (who are still reluctant to go anywhere) had a fabulous time. They liked that they could crawl all over the rocks and there was so much to explore. We even had to go back the next evening so that they could do it again.

The next evening, was a short hike to the Hanging Gardens.

(the view along our hike)

Then we visited Horseshoe Bend (twice actually). The first time, we went in the evening after Greg was done working but when we got to the lookout, we realized that we couldn't see anything. The sun was shining directly in our faces! So the next day, we rushed out during Greg's lunch break to see it once again.

Most people hike Antelope Canyon when they come and everyone told us to hike the lower canyon but since we failed to plan ahead during a holiday week (and it was actually July 4th), all of the guided hikes were sold out. So instead, we hiked Antelope Canyon X, a less known canyon. I really don't know how it compares to the others but it was very pretty. Our group was fairly small and I'm so glad because that gave us plenty of time to look around and get the pictures we wanted.

(the "X" in Antelope Canyon X)

The guide did an awesome demonstration of how the canyons were formed using just some sand from the Navajo Sandstone and a bottle of water. It was so cool!

He also played a couple of songs for us which sounded great in the canyon.

(skip ahead to 0:20)

So weird to think all this beauty lies below a crack that looks like this from the surface:

(This is Antelope Canyon actually but you get the idea)

That evening we watched the sunset from Wahweap Point and later climbed up the rocks on the land adjacent to our campground to watch the fireworks.

(the view from above on the rocks adjacent to the campground)

The next day, we stopped at the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center. We did not get there early enough for a tour, so we just looked around at some of the displays.

Then, we took off on another hike to the Toadstool Hoodoos. I love seeing these and find them so interesting. Canyons are an obvious display of water erosion but the effects of wind and water to create hoodoos just really help it sink in for me.

(The kids and Greg tried to climb up here.  No one made it)

Our last day began with a swim in Lake Powell. We found a great little spot while out exploring one day, so we gathered our gear and headed back. The kids enjoyed it so much. They jumped from the rocks and snorkeled around to see what they could find.

And last but certainly not least, was a hike through the Cathedral Wash in Marble Canyon. It was so fun, well except for the fact that we started out a little late and that had us climbing up out of the canyon as it turned slap dark! That made Greg and Jordan really nervous.

But it was so pretty to see the way the water had shaped it and to see all the different layers and compositions of the walls.

There were also some fun little “holes” that Jordan and I imagined that she could use for a dollhouse.

The hike had some mud pits that we had to navigate around and required changing levels and that made it even more fun. We reached the river in 1 hour and 2 minutes and because dark was quickly approaching we booked it back, around all of the obstacles, under the flight of many bats, in 38 minutes! Such a fun way to end our time in Page!

(the river is just below the center.  We had to view it from afar race back)

Heading to Arizona 2019

June 28-30, 2019

After spending three and a half months in Austin, we set out once again. Our first destination was Page, AZ. It took us three days to get there and along the way, we made a couple of fun stops worth mentioning.

The first was to Stand(ing) on the Corner in Winslow, AZ. It was a very brief stop and the kids just could not understand why we were there! Haha

The second was the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ. This motel was a source of inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in the movie, Cars by Pixar. We did not stay there or even go inside, but it was still very fun to see!

Groveland, California-Yosemite Lakes RV Resort

May 28-June 2, 2018

We spent this week in Yosemite at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort. Yosemite tops many people's favorites list and I am soon to find out why.

It was a LONG journey getting to the park down some narrow country roads. At one point, we came to a “Road Closed Ahead” sign and thought we were for sure in trouble because there was absolutely no place to turn around. There had not been a warning sign when we turned onto the road! Fortunately, there was no construction. Maybe it was because it was Memorial Day but whatever the reason, we were so relieved.

But we made it (after dark) and were ready for the days ahead! But before heading into the park, we had to say hello to our friends, the Royal family and hear about their RV adventure into Mexico. We have run into this family a few other times and it is always fun to catch up with them. This time they were on their way out and so they were able to give us a few recommendations.

Here are some of the highlights from each day:

Day 1 was a hike to Merced Grove to see a couple of sequoia trees

then a stop to take in some of the beautiful scenery along the main road through the park

Day 2 we hiked to Mirror Lake and took a rafting ride down the river.  The views of the waterfalls from the boat were awesome.

(One of the islands we were able to stop at during our rafting ride)

At Mirror Lake the kids waded in the water (lots of people swimming) and had so much fun.  The lake itself is mostly dry but there is still the creek

(See the reflection?)

Day 3 we actually left the park and went to Calaveras Big Tree State Park and hiked the self-guided trails in both the North and South Groves.  Both were very awesome and the South had some enormous sequoias.  It is so sad to read the stories of what happened to these ginormous trees.  Many were stripped of their bark so that they could be reconstructed elsewhere in the US as a spectacle.  

(This is a sugar pine cone.  The sequoia cones are actually quite small)

(Walking through a sequoia)

 We hiked the 5-mile trail to the Agassiz tree and it was so worth it.   

(The Palace Hotel tree was big)

(But the Agassiz tree was even bigger!)

Day 4 (back in Yosemite) we hiked up the Mist trail to Vernal Falls and then to Nevada Falls and then came back down the John Muir trail.  Took us 5.5 hours and it was NOT easy.  It was over 7 miles with a 1900 ft elevation gain.  But it was beautiful.  

(the trek up to Vervnal Falls)

(Vernal Falls)

(Nevada Falls on our way up)

(Top of Nevada Falls)

(View of Nevada Falls on the way down)

Day 5 We drove through the Tuolomne Meadows out to Mono Lake. Mono Lake was very cool with its Tufa formations.  It is a saltwater lake that is 2.5 time saltier than the sea.  It does not have any fish but it is certainly not dead.  The limestone "Tufa formations" grow only underwater as a result of calcium rich springs meeting carbonate water.  The chemical reaction produces calcium carbonate or limestone.  The reason we are able to see the formations is because in 1941 they began diverting water from the lake to nearby towns.  After years of fighting this, the diversions were stopped and restoration is in progress. But as you can see, the volume is significantly lower.

And the Meadows were absolutely gorgeous.  We did a short hike to Soda Springs.  

On our way to the Meadows, we did a hike to May Lake.  It was only 1.1 miles each way but had a pretty good elevation gain.  The lake was so pretty.  There was snow on the ground and the lake was still covered in ice.

  
We enjoyed our time in Yosemite very much.  This is definitely on my favorite's list!