Thanks for sharing, Ron. Good stuff. Keep 'em coming.
Great American Roadtrip 2015
- Thread starter Papalud
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What'd you buy, lanterns? (And, it looks like it cost JULIE $30.....nice play!)
Saw those on shark tank...super cool.
I have an earlier version of the same kind of tech, but mine inflates like a miniature pillow about 8"x12". Charges just fine sitting in my center console or cupholder.
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- #46
Get some cheap carabiners and hook them to anything. We kept one in RTT upstairs, one in the annex and one outside. We used them inside the caves, too. Clip it to your belt loop to light up around your feet and use a flashlight to look ahead.
Great shots, Ron. I am looking forward to more.
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- #48
Grand Canyon: Over breakfast we talked over the South Rim vs. North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I had been to the South Rim in college and the North Rim on the trip with the older boys 2 years ago, but Lindsay and the younger 2 had never seen either, so we made the call to do both. The South Rim gets about 85% of the visitors to the GC, as it's much more accessible. It's also about 1000 ft. lower in elevation, so it's hotter, too. The South Rim has some of the iconic Grand Canyon views, but to me it's like Disney World-touristy and over crowded.
We came in from Tuba City on the reservation towards the east entrance to the South Rim. The first overlooks into the canyon are still on reservation land, so the safety and upkeep are well below National Park standards. It's fun but a little nerve racking with small kids.
The good part is the reservation overlooks aren't nearly as crowded as the madhouse inside the park. The drive via 64 into the east entrance is a good one, and travels along side the canyon a good bit. There are some really tempting dirt tracks that you can see all along the edge of the canyon on indian land. To me it would be worth it to throw some $ to a guide that would lead you on some of these tracks. They look like a blast.
We came in from Tuba City on the reservation towards the east entrance to the South Rim. The first overlooks into the canyon are still on reservation land, so the safety and upkeep are well below National Park standards. It's fun but a little nerve racking with small kids.
The good part is the reservation overlooks aren't nearly as crowded as the madhouse inside the park. The drive via 64 into the east entrance is a good one, and travels along side the canyon a good bit. There are some really tempting dirt tracks that you can see all along the edge of the canyon on indian land. To me it would be worth it to throw some $ to a guide that would lead you on some of these tracks. They look like a blast.
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- #49
Once inside the entrance, it's full on tourist town. Buses, parking at every stop way past capacity, etc. It's about the worst time to be at the South Rim: 4th of July weekend. If you're going to come, my recommendation would be spring or fall, although I'd love to see it in winter. If you do want to beat the crowds in the summer, start walking. Even short hikes drop 90% of the tourists. People are lazy. Here's some more south rim shots:
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- #51
We got sick of the crowds pretty quick and hit the road for the North Rim. It's by far my favorite side of the canyon and the drive there is exceptional.
On the way, you hit Marble Canyon where there is a cool pedestrian bridge, the Navajo Bridge, where you can walk over the Colorado River. When the bridge was built in 1929, it was the first crossing between Utah and Arizona for 600 miles. Before that you had to take a river ferry across.
On the way, you hit Marble Canyon where there is a cool pedestrian bridge, the Navajo Bridge, where you can walk over the Colorado River. When the bridge was built in 1929, it was the first crossing between Utah and Arizona for 600 miles. Before that you had to take a river ferry across.
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- #52
Colorado river from the Navajo Bridge:
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- #53
Just up the road from Marble Canyon are the Rock Houses, what's left of a settlement from the 30's. The story goes that a woman broke down while traveling and liked the area so much she bought the land and built a house out of the stones. It's a fun place to climb around.
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This is the main house.
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- #55
The final approach towards the North Rim gains elevation quickly (to about 8000'). When the first visitors would come up this road, they would have to drive up backwards to keep the gravity fed fuel heading in the right direction. You head above the tree line and the geography takes on a very different look, as all of a sudden you are in the middle of large ponderosa pines and aspens. It was getting close to nightfall, so we camped at Jacob's Lake, about 30 miles from the entrance to the North Rim. The weather was cooler and got down to the mid 50's the first night. The boy's and I decided to sleep in the Eno's which was a great call.
We went to the North Rim once. I think we were the only visitors for most of the few hours we stayed.
The views are not the same but it is magnificent.
We did South Rim 3 spring breaks ago and it was a great time to visit.
I always get Navajo Flat bread by that bridge.
Really really top notch pictures Ron. This is great.
The views are not the same but it is magnificent.
We did South Rim 3 spring breaks ago and it was a great time to visit.
I always get Navajo Flat bread by that bridge.
Really really top notch pictures Ron. This is great.
I wish I had the mentality and patience to do a trip like this with my girls.
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- #58
Just start small and build up to it. You figure out what everyone is capable of and when not to push it. It's worth it.
EPIC trip...your a good Dad.
MORE MORE pics!!
MORE MORE pics!!
