Those 70ish Girls

We stopped for gas and look who I ran into..At least we’re on the right side of the fence.

************************

It might appear as though Kip and I are trying to surround the Grand Canyon. Last year we went to the Southern Rim, and last week we spent a day on the Northern side. Today we went to the Grand Canyon West where the dreaded Skywalk is located.

We loaded the doggies in the Jeep and made the hour and a half trip. The drive was different from the others so far. We saw flat land with sagebrush, then a virtual forest of Joshua trees before getting into the mountainous area closer to the Canyon. The first place we came to had helicopter rides and all kinds of busses and shuttles. It was also where you purchased your tickets. A security officer told us where we could board the dogs for the day, so we got our tickets and drove over to a place called The Hualapai Ranch. It’s a cute little staged western town. They have a general store, mercantile, root beer saloon, a telegraph office, and a place you can rent horses to ride. A very nice cowboy met us at the barn where they take care of the pooches.

Kip under the noose, me with the skeleton horseman, a team of horses, and the barn where they board the dogs. The other side also has a row of western stores.

**********************

Next, we went by shuttle to Eagle Point, which is the location of the Skywalk that protrudes over the 4000 foot deep canyon. As we walked over to see what it was all about, I was alarmed to see people walking dangerously close to the edge of another part of the Canyon. There were no barriers at all. One slip or a fainting spell would mean lights out. I would never take a child to this viewpoint.

I snapped the first picture of a guy I thought was standing dangerously close to the edge. Now that I look at the pic Kip took of me, I was standing pretty close too..Yikes! The bottom is a far away picture of the Skywalk. I’ll have a better one, when I can go online and get the one they took of us.

****************

We got in a short line to walk out onto the horseshoe-shaped glass bottom bridge. It costs $16.00 if you want to have your picture taken while we you’re out there. You can’t take cameras, purses or anything loose with you, because they don’t want people dropping things over the side. They provide a free locker to store your stuff and cotton booties to wear over your shoes so you don’t scratch the glass floor. Kip and I got our picture taken because certain people won’t believe I went out there without proof. I wasn’t that afraid, because after I sneaked a peek, I didn’t look down through the glass floor again. We have to go online in a couple of days to pick out our picture.

The ticket price included lunch that we could have at any of the three viewpoints. We ate at the Skyway at the Skywalk. It was past our lunchtime and we were hungry. We got our sandwich and chips and ate at a table in a covered area outside. Although windy at times, it was another sunny but reasonably cool day.

Kip was in a hurry for lunch and forgot to take his booties off.

********************

After lunch, we got on another shuttle that took us to the third viewpoint which is called Guano Point. It offers a highpoint hike. When you reach the top there is a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Kip climbed up there and said it was great! I stayed down below and took his picture. Before he climbed up there, I asked him if he thought he should give me the keys to the car just in case. He laughed.. I guess he thought I was kidding.

I took this picture of Kip at the top of Guano Point. Kip took the top right photo looking down from the top. The cute little couple on the bottom right asked Kip to take pictures of them. They were also at the top.

***********************

This all took us about three hours, but you can take as long as you want. There are shuttles running every five minutes. We took one back to the ranch, picked up our pooches and drove back to Boulder City.

It was another great day on the road. Tomorrow we head for Southern California for some family time.

We had to catch up with ourselves today, so we decided to wait until tomorrow to go to the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon. Hoover Dam was scary enough for me. There is something about heights that messes with my equilibrium. If I look down from way up there, I feel like I’m going to fall, way down there.

Here’s how our day went. We took the dogs for a long walk like we do every morning. Then we found a barbershop and Kip got a haircut. From there we went to Walmart to get some supplies. We didn’t spend nearly as much money as we did the day before when we stopped at Walmart in St. George, Utah. Right before we got there, the driver’s side shade fell down, so Kip pulled into the Walmart parking lot to fix it. While he was doing that, I went into the store to buy a few things we needed.

I was only in the store for a little while, but by the time I got back out to the motor home, Kip had talked to a guy who saw him fixing the shade and one thing led to another. The guy ended up crawling under the RV and decided we needed new shocks. Kip said the guy’s men could do it now. I said, “Now?” Kip said, “Yes, now.” So we doubled back a few exits to a Chevron Truck Stop where the guy’s workers were. We didn’t even have to get out. They put the shocks on while we ate lunch. By the time we finished eating, they were done and we were on our way. Kip said he already knew we needed new shocks, but he couldn’t get the RV into the shop before we left. It does make you wonder though doesn’t it? How much business does that guy get by hanging out in the Walmart parking lot?

When we left, Kip asked me if I had noticed the sign that said campers would be towed. I guess our group of 31 wouldn’t have been welcome there. Then I noticed the shade wasn’t fixed. He said “Oh yeah, I needed you to help me hold it.”It’s fixed now.

Back to today. When we got back from running errands, we drove the 12 miles to see Hoover Dam. We tow my jeep behind the RV to drive on our side trips. Once again the weather was beautiful. We were surprised at the number of people there on a Thursday in October. The dam was pretty impressive. It’s quite an engineering feat. Lake Mead is beautiful too, although the water level is really low from lack of rain.

We managed to spend the whole afternoon walking and looking at everything. We walked up the stairs and across the arched bridge that spans the Colorado River and links Arizona and Nevada. It is named The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Mike O’Callaghan was a Governor of Nevada, and Pat Tillman was the football player who left his career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the United States Army. He was in Special Forces and was later killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.

The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge..Me on the walkway across it.

Tomorrow we go to the Skywalk that extends 70 feet out and 4000 feet above the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Kip wants to walk out on it. I’ll have to take a look, but I doubt I will be doing that.

Yes of course I remember Hoover. He invented the vacuum cleaner during his Reign.

 

 

 

I thought you might like to see some pics of the Hitch-N-Post in Kanab, Utah where we stayed the previous 4 days. I’ve included a few photos of our home away from home. It’s 15 years old, but it has been very well cared for.

We left Kanab Wedesday morning and drove to Boulder City, NV. Today we’re going to see Hoover Dam and possibly drive to the West side of the Grand Canyon. Kip wants to walk out on the Skywalk, which is a U shaped structure that protrudes 70 feet over and 4000 feet above the Colorado River. I’m selfless. I’m just that kind of person. I volunteered to stay behind with the dogs. 

The puppy dogs and the kitty are such good travelers. They get a lot of exercise and so do we. They get more nap time than we do though.

We spent a fun day driving through Zion National Park, which is about 40 miles from where we’re staying in Kanab, UT. We went to the Pink Coral Sands State Park too, but it was just miles and miles of pink sand. There isn’t much to see or do there unless you have an ATV. That was okay, because we had to make some time to do our laundry tonight anyway.

We have stiff necks from looking up for three days, but it was impressive to say the least. We didn’t have time to see all the things we wanted to in this little berg called Kanab, but hopefully, there will be a next time. If you ever decide to vacation in Southern Utah, this seems to be a great time of year to do it, and if you’re bringing your RV, Ron and Linda at The Hitch-N-Post are terrific people and their park is super nice.

I picked out the best of the photos we took at Zion. We loved it for it’s beauty, but we also enjoyed the 2 mile paved path that was dog friendly, and it followed a pretty mountain stream.

Coming out of a mile long tunnel.

We washed the yellow sweatshirts today!

Tomorrow we head for Nevada. It will probably take us two days to get to Hoover Dam.

************************************

Cousin Val, (Lav for short), sent this picture. She and Ken took a road trip to Portland, Oregon to see their daughter and son-in-law. They stopped in Eugene at a fish market to eat and ran into this handsome guy. I prefer cowboys.

 

 

 

It’s Monday morning at the Brick House. Murdo Girl is in the Oblong Office enjoying the peace and quiet. Life is good. Being Next Pres hasn’t been easy, but things appear to be calming down and coming together. She stands to stretch her legs before continuing to work on her “State of the Murdo Address.” Yes, The Brick House is the people’s house and Murdo Girl intends to make the Murdoites proud. The rest of the nation will stand up and take notice! Oh.. some might say it’s but a pipe dream, but Murdo Girl knows one thing for sure. If Washington ran like Murdo runs, there would be order in the streets again. Never mind that other than Otis, the only lawbreakers in Murdo have been members of her Cabinet. Two are currently in the Jones County Jail.

A noise outside interrupts Murdo Girl’s ruminating. What? Is that a bus pulling up out front? Who is that getting off? It’s Yram.

Within a couple of minutes Yram has made her way to the Oblong Office.

Murdo Girl: Has it been two days already? I can’t believe it’s been two days already. So you’re out of jail? How did you happen to get on that bus?

Yram: Yes Next Pres. They let me out of The Big House and I took a bus to The Brick House. You know when you’ve done your time, they give you $2.00 and a one way bus ticket. Thankfully, my clothes still fit me or I would have had to wear standard issue clothes. I’m not sure what they look like, but they sound pretty drab.

Murdo Girl: You weren’t in The Big House Yram. You were in the Jones County Jail. I’m going to have a talk with Barney about the bus rides and money. That comes out of my jailhouse budget.

Yram: Does that mean I’ll have to give the $2.00 back? I’m totally rehabbed MG. From now on I’m doing things by the book. No cutting corners. There is one little problem though..when you’re a crack up interviewer like I am, sometimes you have to teeter on the edge, push the envelope a little, ruffle a few feathers.

Murdo Girl: You’ve got that part down. Where is Jerry? He must be out of jail too. Did you two get all of your apology letters written?

Yram: Gee, I don’t know MG. When those doors slammed behind me, I never looked back. Hey..I just figured something out. That’s why they call it the slammer! I will say there’s nothing like that first breath of fresh air once you’re on the outside.

It could be that Jerry joined up with the other prisoners and rioted. Some of them took their tin coffee cups and ran ’em across the bars of their cells, which made a big racket. Deputy Fife was getting all twitterpated.

Murdo Girl: Yram, there were 3 prisoners..you, Jerry, and Otis. I have to get back to writing my speech. I want copies of all the letters of apology on my desk by noon tomorrow. I don’t care who writes them. We must implore all those who have a restraining order against you to drop them, and it won’t be easy. Your job is on the line Yram.

Yram: Okey Dokey Next Pres. I’ll get right on it. Right after I see who’s hanging out in the employee lounge.

Murdo Girl: I swear that Lav and Yram share a brain. Speaking of Lav..I haven’t seen her the last couple of days. It isn’t like her to not to be lurking around. (Murdo girl is talking to herself.)

Meanwhile things appear to be a little tense in the employee lounge. Lav is sitting in the far corner nursing a mocha latte. Everyone seems to be blatantly staring at her.

Lav: Why don’t you draw a picture it’ll last longer.

Sherri the Photographic drawer: I am. Could you move your chair a little to the right? The lighting is better.

DM: This is going to change the way the whole world looks at you Lav.

PICO: You no longer fit the image of a Next Vice Pres.

A I: You want me to fly ya somewhere Lav? Maybe you should get out of town for awhile.

Treason: Since I’m Press Secretary, I should make sure we get out ahead of the local news on this. The Murdo Coyote will have a field day. It could be fun!

TC: Just lay it on me Treason and I’ll town cry it! 

Carol the singer: It reminds me of that song, I did it My Waaay. Maybe it’s because that’s the only song I know.

About that time, Yram walks in.

Yram: Yikes!

Meanwhile,  Jerry is in the Oblong Office talking to Next Pres Murdo Girl.

Jerry: I thought you might want to take a look at one or two of the letters Yram and I wrote in preparation of her apology tour. She has to deliver them in person right? There are 6 restraining orders, that we know of. She got rid of the house arrest with time served.

Murdo Girl: Pick one and read it to me Jerry.

Dear Mr. Lindquist,

I’m really sorry that I crashed your party, ate all of your wedding cake, and drank all of that really good punch. I just wasn’t myself that night. I didn’t really refuse to leave, and for the record it was Lav’s big idea to sit in the red convertible and watch the burning of the M all night. I only recall being asked to leave twice, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t think you meant it. 

So how about it Mr. Lindquist? Drop that dumb old restraining order, or at least drop it down to 250 ft instead of 500. I can’t even see that far. Mr. Applebee is going to kick around the idea if dropping it to 300 ft instead of 500. I still won’t be able to attend any football games, but life is all about compromise.

Yours very truly,

Yram Sicnarf

P.S. Your Philip’s 66 party was a real gas.. (Get it? gasoline station/gas.)

Coming up…Why is everyone staring at Lav? Will Yram’s apology tour get her closer to her goal..(of 250 ft)? Will the Queen quit scowling? Is she posing as a Green Beret? These people are wearing me out!

 

 

 

 

I don’t know where to start. I’m speechless. How can I show you just a few of the dozens of pictures we took today?

This small town of Kanab, Utah is central to so many unbelievable geological wonders. It’s not just a stop along the way. It is a stand alone destination vacation. After spending two full days visiting the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and taking the drive along Highway 12 to Escalante, we have barely scratched the surface of things to do and see here. We’re only staying one more day, but this is definitely a place we hope to come back to in the future.

This is our day in pictures

The RV Park host and hostess recommended the Houston Trails End Cafe for breakfast. I had a vegetable omelet, hash browns and sourdough toast. The picture shows what was left after I had eaten my fill. It was so delicious, I just couldn’t leave it there, so I asked for a “to go” container and we drove my omelet around in the car until it turned gross enough for me to throw it away. Kip’s pancakes, thick applewood smoked bacon, and eggs were also good and more than he could eat. The cowboy picture was taken at the Cafe. Just to be clear.. I’m still collecting water tower pictures not statues of cowboys.

The pictures we took at all the scenic overlooks in Bryce Canyon National Park, and our drive to Escalante will tell their own story. 

 

Pretty amazing. Don’t you agree?

We found a meadow where the dogs could run their little hearts out.

Going home after a fun day. The weather was perfect!

Look out the windows kids! You’re not even paying attention!

 

Tomorrow we’re going to Zion National Park, and also The little Hollywood Museum here in Kanab.

My first thought when I wake up in the morning is “Yeah..I’m still in the motor home!”

 

 

On Saturday morning, before we left the Walmart parking lot, I called at least ten RV parks hoping to find a spot reasonably close to the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon. When I was close to giving up, the voice on the other end said, “Let me look, but I think I can help you.” I couldn’t believe my ears when she came back on the line and said the words I thought I would never hear again. “Yes, we have one spot open and I think it’s just what you need.” She was right. We enjoyed a pretty drive and arrived in Kanab, Utah about 4:00 that afternoon. Our next surprise, was that Kanab boasts of being in the heart of the parks. It’s close to so many things  to see, we’ve decided to stay four nights here. Today, was the Grand Canyon.

 

I made Kip back up on a narrow, winding road so I could get a picture of this Aspen tree. I think the white trunk with the fall leaves made for a pretty contrast with the surrounding trees and the blue sky.

Below are the pictures I took with Kip in them.

Here are the ONLY pictures he took of me.

When we got back to the RV park, Kip handed me his cell phone and said to look at the pictures he took. He thought I might like to use some of them. They were pretty good until I got to these two. I said, “These are terrible.. and they’re in front of a dumpster!” He’s still laughing..says he doesn’t remember taking them. This is the last time I’ll wear twinsie sweatshirts with him!

Sammie watching for cars while I took a picture…Sammie and Patti all tuckered out. No, the cat didn’t go.

It really was a fun day. We went to the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon last year and it was spectacular. The Northern side is less commercialized, and for all you hikers, there are tons of hiking trails to explore.

Tomorrow we’re going to Bryce Canyon and Zion State Park. I will tell you all about the personality of the town of Kanab in another post.

Have a great day!

We got a pretty early start yesterday morning and drove to Monument Valley in Arizona. Once we got out of New Mexico and into Arizona, the landscape changed from barren desert and sagebrush to towering, beautiful, sandstone buttes. All made by wind and water.

Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park on the border of Northeastern Arizona and Southern Utah. It was the setting for many of director John Ford’s Western Movies. The first was in 1939. The name of the movie was Stagecoach and of course it starred John Wayne.

The drive to Monument Valley…from New Mexico to Arizona, gradually got awesome. Please note the water tower in the 1st photo.

Monument Valley..You will probably see lots of pictures of the same background…one of me and one of Kip. The dogs will be in both.

Kip is really looking forward to our home for the night. We are staying at a beautiful RV Park located on the shores of Lake Powell.

*******************************

Later that same day

I was unable to make a reservation at the beautiful RV park on the shores of Lake Powell. We didn’t have cell service all day and I forgot it was the week-end. That’s the danger of not knowing  when you’re going to get somewhere.

It’s called Boondoggling 101..or..You Never know Who You’ll Run Into At Walmart.

We called everywhere within a 50 mile radius, but there was no room at the inn. I suggested we go to the Walmart we had seen on the way into Page. We needed a few things, and we could stop and figure out what to do. We noticed there were several very nice RV’s in the parking lot. Then we noticed they had their levelers down and the slide-outs were out. We found a pretty good spot and set up. We have a generator, and a fresh water tank, so we were good to go and feeling very grateful.  There was no cable TV, but you never can find everything you want at Walmart. I’m kidding of course. I will never say a bad thing about Walmart again. This morning we counted 31 other RV’s who had camped out in the parking lot.

We found a spot this morning and made a reservation for two nights. We’re on our way there now. The plan is to set up and take the Jeep to the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon tomorrow. We might see Zion National Park on Monday.

I hope all is well with all of you!

 

It’s the end of the fifth day of our odyssey, and we’re having fun. We’ve had to tweak things here and there and every day surprises happen. I will say this, if it weren’t for GPS, no one would ever see us again. Today, I had a Good Sam’s GPS, a tablet, an Internet hotspot, my phone, and of all things, an Atlas in my lap. In spite of all these navigators, I still got us on the wrong road. I’m convinced it was the map that confused me.

I have however, done my usual great job of finding us the nicest RV parks. On two occasions, I got us the last spot with the full hook-ups we need. Taos was especially fun and the drive up into the mountains and back down was spectacular.

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge just outside of Taos. A gigantic crack in the earth, caused by volcanic activity. It is a long way to the bottom.

These pictures were taken at Taos Pueblo, which is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. Native Americans still live in the community of adobe houses and stores.

The picture on the top left is a Church built in 1619. The Church was destroyed twice. The first was the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The second time was in 1847 when an uprising against US occupancy was led by Native and Hispanic forces. Governor Charles Bent was murdered. The US Calvery was sent for retribution. The people hid in the Church thinking they would be safe there. It was bombed by canons and over 100 local Pueblo men, women and children were killed. They never rebuilt the church. Instead they buried them all where they died.

The other photo is of Kip in the Courtyard of the San Geronimo Church built in 1850. It is a Catholic Church that still serves for Sunday mass.

The little adobe houses all have horno structures outside. They’re used for baking and heating. You can’t see it very well, but Kip is standing by one. We ate the best apricot pie I’ve ever put in my mouth. It was like a fried pie in shape, but it was baked by a cedar fire in a horno. The crust was light and flaky. We also bought some homemade choke cherry jelly.

The Red Willow Creek serves as the main source of water for the community.

Most of this I know because Kip told me. We all went on the guided tour, but Sammie and I had to excuse ourselves because she wouldn’t stop crying. We got bored waiting so we practiced taking selfies.

These were taken in the town square. The merchants sell everything from beautiful Indian jewelry, to sculptures, to T-shirts. There are several art galleries there as well. Kip and I settled for a Taos T-shirt. I wanted the doll, but I couldn’t afford even one of the feathers on her head. The bronze is called Lincoln’s Union. The figures on each side have women’s faces, but the bottoms depict a Union and a Confederate soldier.

The beautiful drive I was telling you about. We have had great weather. It’s been warm enough during the day, and cool at night.

We’re now in Farmington, New Mexico. Tomorrow we head for Arizona. We’re on our way to the North side of the Grand Canyon. I’m worried Sammie will cry again. Maybe we’ll be the only ones there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s actually the beginning of day 4, and we’re in beautiful Taos, NM. We decided to bypass Santa Fe, (since we were there last year), and spend more time here and the Grand Canyon. We’ve covered 752 miles without much sightseeing, so we’re really looking forward to today. I’ll blog about it tomorrow with pictures.

We stayed in Santa Rosa, NM Monday night and the drive to Taos was mostly uphill. The fall colors were beautiful.

We’ve had a couple of RV issues, but nothing serious. We love our home away from home.

You know the definition of camping is don’t you?

“It’s when you spend a lot of money to go live like a homeless person.”

Kip is vacuuming and Interrupting my train of thought, so I’ll have more on the travels of “See Ya” later!