Thursday, July 3, 2008
Stephen's Thoughts
Hey everyone, it's Stephen. Well I haven't done this blog thing before so here I go. So far the trip has been worth it. All the campsites have been amazing (at least I think so). The places we've been to have been amazing too. Mesa Verde was cool. It's hard to believe that people built villages into the side of canyon walls. Then comes the Grand Canyon. Well, lets just say that they got the name right on the money. Then Lake Powell was unbelievable. We learned how the Glen Canyon was built and how it fromed the lake. The boet ride was tons of fun too. Sitting out on the bow of the boat and going up and down and up and down and up and down was fun. And now we're at Zion National Park. We haven't done much besides go to the pool but I'm sure it'll be enjoyable too. The hardest part of the trip is having to leave the places we've been to. But then we just think "We're going somewhere else new and exciting." Well thats what I have to say about our trip. Keep checking the blog for new and exciting entries. See you lata!!
Missy, again!
Hey everyone in virginia we are in Zion river resort and it is hot.Today it is supose to be 107 degrees. yowww! Anyway we where at Lake Powell last and we rented a sped boat for the day and when you sit up on the bow it is really bouncy. Of course for those who know I am fair skinned and I got a sunburn on my shoulders and boy does it hurt. Hey Auntie Missy you your response that you gave me last time I wrote yes my answer is yes I would love to search through your quarters and find some that I need. Today we are goin to the pool and it is a small pool but it is not as crowded as smoketree and for those who go to smoketree you will not see me anymore next year because we are going to our old pool Evergreen. A shout out to all my friends back home HEY YA! to CLAIRE, SARA, EMILY Y., EMILY M.,LAUREN, and of course OWEN. Hope you do well in your new school owen. shout out from MELISSA MAGNUSON from ZIon river resort. SEE YA ALL REAL SOON.
Stepping back in time
Our first view of the Grand Canyon. We drove in the East Entrance and stopped at Desert View.
Stopped at Four Corners. Was part of the Navajo Nation, so had to pay $12 to drive in. Had a little picnic and then moved on. Many Indians there trying to sell their wares.
This is what sunrise at the Grand Canyon looks like!!
This was sunset at the canyon. The light really plays up all of the red colors at dusk!
Rainbow Bridge at Lake Powell.
We rented a motor boat for the day on Monday. We didn't realize that kids had never been out on a boat like that before. Melissa sat right up on the bow and took all of the bumps and turns her dad could give her. She had her hands up in the air and was whooping it up! The bigger the bumps, the better! Stephen was up there, too. But, being the cool 14 year old that he is, wasn't quite so demonstrative!! I think Rick really enjoyed being back at the helm of a boat. Our campground overlooked the lake and was full of little lizards, jack rabbits and road runners! This along with the tumble weeds gave a very western feeling to it all! Daytime highs were about 101! Nights got cooler, but had to use the air conditioning.
We left yesterday and headed to Zion. We came down thru the eastern entrance which brought us through the tunnels and swithbacks that are such a part of Zion. Coming thru all of that rock is unbelieveable. Again, if you are afraid of heights - cover your eyes. This trip is challenging me in many ways!!! We found our campground and headed to the pool! It was 103 yesterday! So much for thinking we would get away from the heat...supposed to be 107 today. But it did cool off nicely last night. Couldn't get the propane to work last night, so had cereal for dinner. Apparently, if it gets too hot, that can cause a vapor lock and no propane. Working fine this morning! We will go and explore the park today or tomorrow. I see some more pool time in our future.
No cell phone coverage here, too deep in the canyon. So, Happy Belated Birthday, Jackie!!
Monday, June 30, 2008
But, it is a dry heat!
Good morning from Lake Powell! We arrived yesterday afternoon after a couple of great days at the Grand Canyon.
We arrived at the Grand Canyon on Friday evening. Came in the East Entrance. These parks get ya! You think you are there and then you have another 27 miles to go till you destination. The drive was gorgeous. Parts of it were right at the rim. Others were thru the scrubby forest that is the typical site up there. Our campsite was right in the park. It was a quick walk or shuttle ride to any of the outlooks. Rick and I had been at the North Rim 19 years ago. Neither of us had ever been to the South Rim. It is much busier, but still gorgeous! The kids were amazed. When we were driving to the park, we drove past Little Colorado Canyon and they thought that was our destination. They couldn't imagine what they were in store for!
We woke the kids up at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to go down and watch the sun rise over the canyon. It was amazing how many people were doing the same thing! They decided it was well worth it. On our shuttle ride to El Tovar Hotel for breakfast - oldest in the park, we saw bull elk and mule deer out for their early morning munch. There had also been a chorus of coyote the night before at the campground. We did a little bit of hiking along the rim that day. In the evening we went to a Slide show and presentation - the 18th Annual Grand Canyon Star Party. Atronomers from all over the country were there. One gave a half hour talk and then they had about 75 telescopes set up in the parking lot. We got to see Saturn, Jupiter, star clusters, binary stars, etc. The Milky Way was just amazing up there away from all of the city lights. So, the kids got to see the sun rise and the sun set that day!
Then yesterday we left for the short ride to Lake Powell. I think Stephen is mesmerized by all of these canyons and rocks. He just sits out there and watches the sun play on the rocks! The lake is much lower than it was when we were here for our honeymoon. They have told us that it is a mile and 1/4 walk to Rainbow Bridge now. Before you got off the boat and it was right there. We are leaving early this morning to go up there. It was 101 degrees yesterday and supposed to be the same today. Want to get there before it is too bad. That way we can park in a canyon somewhere and enjoy the water during the worst heat of the day.
Kids got to experience coin operated showers for the first time yesterday! Pretty funny!
We have a change of itinerary. We have scrubbed Moab and are going to Bryce and Zion instead. Moab was a long drive and out in the middle of the desert and 110 degrees. Not sure we want to do that in a pop up. We were lucky enought to get a campground near Zion for the 3 nights over July 4, so will be there the nights of July 2, 3, 4.
Well, off to get the boat! Will try and do more pictures next time!
We arrived at the Grand Canyon on Friday evening. Came in the East Entrance. These parks get ya! You think you are there and then you have another 27 miles to go till you destination. The drive was gorgeous. Parts of it were right at the rim. Others were thru the scrubby forest that is the typical site up there. Our campsite was right in the park. It was a quick walk or shuttle ride to any of the outlooks. Rick and I had been at the North Rim 19 years ago. Neither of us had ever been to the South Rim. It is much busier, but still gorgeous! The kids were amazed. When we were driving to the park, we drove past Little Colorado Canyon and they thought that was our destination. They couldn't imagine what they were in store for!
We woke the kids up at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to go down and watch the sun rise over the canyon. It was amazing how many people were doing the same thing! They decided it was well worth it. On our shuttle ride to El Tovar Hotel for breakfast - oldest in the park, we saw bull elk and mule deer out for their early morning munch. There had also been a chorus of coyote the night before at the campground. We did a little bit of hiking along the rim that day. In the evening we went to a Slide show and presentation - the 18th Annual Grand Canyon Star Party. Atronomers from all over the country were there. One gave a half hour talk and then they had about 75 telescopes set up in the parking lot. We got to see Saturn, Jupiter, star clusters, binary stars, etc. The Milky Way was just amazing up there away from all of the city lights. So, the kids got to see the sun rise and the sun set that day!
Then yesterday we left for the short ride to Lake Powell. I think Stephen is mesmerized by all of these canyons and rocks. He just sits out there and watches the sun play on the rocks! The lake is much lower than it was when we were here for our honeymoon. They have told us that it is a mile and 1/4 walk to Rainbow Bridge now. Before you got off the boat and it was right there. We are leaving early this morning to go up there. It was 101 degrees yesterday and supposed to be the same today. Want to get there before it is too bad. That way we can park in a canyon somewhere and enjoy the water during the worst heat of the day.
Kids got to experience coin operated showers for the first time yesterday! Pretty funny!
We have a change of itinerary. We have scrubbed Moab and are going to Bryce and Zion instead. Moab was a long drive and out in the middle of the desert and 110 degrees. Not sure we want to do that in a pop up. We were lucky enought to get a campground near Zion for the 3 nights over July 4, so will be there the nights of July 2, 3, 4.
Well, off to get the boat! Will try and do more pictures next time!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Pictures at last!
The boys relaxing back at the campground after a long day on the road - Durango, CO.
Small findings that show us all the different kinds of beauty out there. This was a small cactus about 6 inches tall at one of our picnic spots in Mesa Verde.
Rick, Stephen and Melissa at "Cliff Palace" at Mesa Verde. Ruins are about 800 years old. Many theories as to why the Indians left, but no one knows for sure.
These are the ramps to the casinos along the Mississippi RIver in St. Louis. No gambling going on for a few days.
Missy Moo here!
HELLO PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA THIS IS MELISSA SPEAKING TO TELL YOU ABOUT OUR AWSOME TRIP SO FAR! YESTERDAY WE WENT TO MESA VERDE AND SAW CLIFF DWELINGS. IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF HIEGHTS DO NOT DO IT. I WAS SCARED AT FIRST BUT SOON GOT OVER IT AND SAW SOME WAY COOL STUFF LIKE A CORN COB THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN 800 YEARS. BECAUSE WE LIVE AT SEA LEVEL YOU MIGHT GET A LITTLE ALTITUDE SICKNESS. THAT IS HOW I WAS. TOMORROW WE LEAVE FOR THE GRAND CANYON STATE - ARIZONA. SARA AND OWEN LISTEN. I THINK THIS IS PRETTY COOL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL I AM COLLECTING STATE QUARTERS AND I HAVE DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, CONNETICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VIRGINIA, NEW YORK, TENNESSEE, LOUISIANA, ILLINOIS, ARKANSAS, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, OREGON, NOTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, WASHINGTON, WYOMING, IDAHO, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I HAVE ALL 50 STATES. THE HARDEST ONES TO FIND ARE GOING TO BE HAWAII AND ALASKA. SO I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE DOING WELL AND CLAIRE AND EMILY I WILL SEE YOU AT ORIENTATION.
I BID YOU ALL A WELL AND HAPPY SUMMER.
MELISSA MAGNUSON!!!
I BID YOU ALL A WELL AND HAPPY SUMMER.
MELISSA MAGNUSON!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Awesome beauty!
I guess we last posted in La Junta, CO. We left there and headed for our first camping spot. Coming into CO and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains was amazing! Once we were up in the mountains, we estimated that we could see at least 50 miles. The sky was a deep blue and NO junk in the atmosphere. We ended up having to pull off at a scenic lookout to cool the truck and camper brakes. While we were there, the clouds came in and the heavens opened up: wind, hail, sleet, rain and 30 degree drop in temp! The semi brakes were just steaming from the cold water as they went down the mountain!
Our campground is about 12 miles outside of Durango. Our site is right on the river and it flows quite quickly - wouldn't want to try and swim in it. The sound is great for sleeping. There is a ton of stuff to do in the campground, but we ventured out to Mesa Verde. Thanks to Randy and Erbie for the campground recommendation!
Mesa Verde is gorgeous, but not for the feint of heart! Melissa and I had some issues with the heights, roads, etc. But, we conquered! Once you enter the park, it is another 15 miles to the main Visitors Center and then another 5-6 to the guided tours. The road winds along the side of the mountains and goes up and down many times. Overall, at least 1000 foot change in elevation as you wind thru the park. Wasn't at all sure we were going to get Melissa to do the tour, but she finally agreed. Mostly because I wanted to go so badly! She gained a new confidence in herself and is very proud of her accomplishment. She was even the first down the Kiva at our next ruins.
So, now we are back at our campground and getting a fire going. Stephen did some of his "homework" and declared that the high schools must not realize that they have a life!! Tomorrow may be a day of rest for us since we have been on the go for the last 5. May venture into the town of Durango, but may wake up and decide that we need to go up yet another mountain and explore the silver mines!!
Days are warm and in the 80's, last night was down in the 40's. Had to turn on the heat for a few minutes this morning. If we rest tomorrow, will try and figure out how to post pictures!
Our campground is about 12 miles outside of Durango. Our site is right on the river and it flows quite quickly - wouldn't want to try and swim in it. The sound is great for sleeping. There is a ton of stuff to do in the campground, but we ventured out to Mesa Verde. Thanks to Randy and Erbie for the campground recommendation!
Mesa Verde is gorgeous, but not for the feint of heart! Melissa and I had some issues with the heights, roads, etc. But, we conquered! Once you enter the park, it is another 15 miles to the main Visitors Center and then another 5-6 to the guided tours. The road winds along the side of the mountains and goes up and down many times. Overall, at least 1000 foot change in elevation as you wind thru the park. Wasn't at all sure we were going to get Melissa to do the tour, but she finally agreed. Mostly because I wanted to go so badly! She gained a new confidence in herself and is very proud of her accomplishment. She was even the first down the Kiva at our next ruins.
So, now we are back at our campground and getting a fire going. Stephen did some of his "homework" and declared that the high schools must not realize that they have a life!! Tomorrow may be a day of rest for us since we have been on the go for the last 5. May venture into the town of Durango, but may wake up and decide that we need to go up yet another mountain and explore the silver mines!!
Days are warm and in the 80's, last night was down in the 40's. Had to turn on the heat for a few minutes this morning. If we rest tomorrow, will try and figure out how to post pictures!
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