Tag: Hiking

Lake Powell – There’s a song in there somewhere

admin August 27, 2018 Cookie Jar Butte, Hiking, Jet skis, Labyrinth Canyon, Lake Powell, Milky Way, National Monument, Panorama, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Scenery, Sunset, Wake Boarding, Wine Comments are off 3647 Views

For the past several summers my husband, Jerry, and I have vacationed in Lake Havasu, Arizona with our best friends, Dave and Karen. But, in 2016 we were all invited to be part of a group embarking on a week-long houseboat trip at Lake Powell. Our group of eight included my husband and I, Dave and Karen, Ray and Vera (the couple with the houseboat timeshare), their young adult son, Clayton, and Jill, the mother-in-law of Dave and Karen’s son. Oddly enough, the only people who knew everyone on the trip, were Dave and Karen. The rest of us were meeting each other for the first time.

A panoramic shot of red rock landscape and Lake Powell in Utah

Coming together:

We all first came together in Page, Arizona, from different parts of the country. Dave and Karen are from Pasadena, California but had flown to Denver to make the drive out with us. Ray, Vera and Clayton drove from Sacramento, California. And Jill flew down from Portland, Oregon.

The plan:

As you can imagine, getting eight people organized and in sync might be a challenge. But, there was a plan! Ray and Vera have been doing these Lake Powell trips for several years already and have a checklist. It explains everything, from what to do in an emergency, to what everyone’s duties and responsibilities would be during the trip. “Uncle” Ray was our Captain and called all the shots where running the boat was concerned. His first mate, Vera, kept everyone in line as far as keeping our quarters in “ship-shape”.

Sharing is caring:

One of the main things we all shared in was the grocery shopping, meal prep and clean up. Each couple, or person, was to plan and prepare dinner for at least one of the nights aboard. I actually loved this because the only thing better than cooking for friends, is sitting back and letting them cook for me! During the six nights on board we had quite the variety of cuisine; grilled salmon, tri-tip, spicy grilled chicken, steak salad, Jamaican chicken, and turkey tacos; it was pretty gourmet. Of course our drink selection always complimented our dinner menu. Margaritas, fruity rum drinks, beer and of course wine.

Our fellow traveler, Jill, actually owns Methven Family Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon and managed to bring along a case of her various wines. Whether you are a “wine snob” or someone who just appreciates a nice bottle of wine, you have to check these out!

Two red and one blu jet ski perched on the top deck of a houseboat at Lake Powell Another responsibility was helping moor the houseboat. Apparently, digging the holes to sink the anchors in, is a lot of work! Between that, a ski boat, and three personal watercraft, there was a lot of cooperation and coordination needed.

Exploring Lake Powell:

As I mentioned before, Ray and Vera have been coming to Lake Powell for several years. Therefore, they know a lot of great places to see and explore. This was fortunate for us because it was our first time there. At 254 square miles it is much larger than the 30 square miles we were used to at Lake Havasu!

Cookie Jar Butte:

On our first day at the lake we went out and found a spot to “park” for the week and got settled in. After all the work was done we hopped in the ski boat and our tour guide, Ray, took us to Cookie Jar Butte. This particular landmark is a big pillar looking rock formation with a small ball-like knob on top which from a distance resembles a cookie jar. We spent the better part of the afternoon hiking up and exploring the area. Afterward we headed back in to prepare and enjoy the first of our group dinners together.

Labyrinth Canyon:

Day two was probably my personal favorite of all the sites we saw. We took the ski boat and a couple of jet skis and headed for Labyrinth Canyon. The lake was down by 17 feet and made hiking through this narrow maze of sculpted canyons possible. I wasn’t the only one utterly fascinated by how the water had carved these beautiful walls of red rock.

After our hike we found a nice beach area to explore and have lunch. Meanwhile, some of our crew had fun zipping around the glassy lake on jet skis before we had to head back to the houseboat. They really got a kick out of the narrow canyons where the water was so smooth it felt like they were flying through the air. This illusion was caused by the reflection of the sky and the canyon walls in the water. They dubbed these the “flying canyons”.

That evening, while waiting for dinner, we broke out the acoustic guitars, cajon, and harmonica to perform some tunes. It was then that we accidentally came up with an idea for an original song. As you might have guessed already, the title of the song is “There’s a Song In There Somewhere”. We spent the next few days coming up with lyrics inspired by the experiences we were having during the trip.

Background:

Just a little back-story; Ray and Vera have a tradition of coming up with a catch phrase for each of their trips to Lake Powell. It’s something that ends up getting repeated throughout the week. It may start out unintentionally but ends up being used with reckless abandon. This trip was no different. “There’s a song in there somewhere” quickly became our go-to saying about everything that happened during our week together.

Lake Hazards:

Day three was quite the adventure. We started out by taking the boat and jet skis out for more exploring. This time we went to a huge natural amphitheater. It was so big that our boat was dwarfed by it. After hiking around there for a while we headed back out on the lake. Not long afterward we came across a good-sized boat stuck on a rock. It was teetering there like a seesaw but unable to move off. The rock itself was a couple of feet under water, just enough to not be visible from the surface.

The Rescue:

As we approached the boat we saw there were 3 people aboard. The two men and one woman had been out there for over 24 hours waiting for help. Naturally, we decided we were going to be the ones to get these folks out of this desperate situation.

We first tried lifting the boat off the rock by hand. When that didn’t work, we tried putting big tubes underneath the hull and inflating them to bring it higher on the water. After almost two hours of trying everything we could think of we finally hooked a rope to the front of their boat and literally twisted it off the rock by pulling it with ours. Once free from the rock we had them follow us back to camp to make sure they were going to be alright.

That evening, while everyone was winding down at the campfire after dinner, Vera and I set up our cameras and took photos of the Milky Way. This was actually my first attempt at night photography and I was very grateful that Vera was there to give me some of her pro tips.

Rainbow Bridge:

We began day four by going to Dangling Rope marina before moving on to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. This is a spectacular arch nestled in at the base of Navajo Mountain and held sacred by the Native Americans in that area. The monument itself is about a one mile hike from the boat dock depending on the level of the lake. We, however, continued on past Rainbow Bridge to hike another mile or so to an area with gigantic overhanging cliffs.

After arriving back at the houseboat, Ray, Clayton, Jerry, and Karen decided they wanted to do some wake boarding before dinner. It was a great day for it as the water was fairly calm and smooth. Clayton showed off his skill at catching air while Ray just cruised along like it was the easiest thing in the world. Jerry and Karen, though less experienced, did great too.

Cruisin’:

On day five we went exploring once again. It was fun to just cruise around looking for new points of interest. We managed to squeeze down some super narrow canyons barely wide enough for the boat to get through. Luckily we found a place wide enough to turn around.

Afterwards, we found a beach to park at and hiked around that area. There were some cool rock formations we were able to climb up to get some great panoramic photos. I loved one of the pics I took so much that I had it blown up into a five foot wide piece of art for my wall at home.

As we headed back to the houseboat we encountered an incredibly brilliant sunset. The sky was “on fire” and became fuel for another line in the song we were still writing.

We ended the night off with dinner, drinks and a hilarious round of Cards Against Humanity.

Antelope Point Marina:

On our sixth day at the lake we went to Antelope Point Marina. We enjoyed lunch and a cocktail and then walked up and down the docks ogling the massive houseboats that were moored there. That evening Dave entertained us by reading a story he had been busy writing. It recounted a story that “Uncle” Ray had told him some time before about some crazy encounters he had had during one of his trips to Lake Powell. We all listened and laughed hysterically at the shenanigans that were reported in the story as we drank some wine and wound down the final day of our trip.

Click any photo to start slideshow

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Corsica – France’s best kept secret

admin August 6, 2018 Corsica, Europe, France, Hiking, Island, Mediterranean, Rain, Scenery, Vineyards, Wine Comments are off 2796 Views

Corsica is a small island just Southeast of the French mainland in the Mediterranean sea. To tell you the truth, I didn’t know it existed until recently. Therefore, it was not on my radar as a place to visit.

A panoramic view water surrounded by rocky landscape in Corsica, France — Le Calanques De Piana, Corse, France

Planning our trip:

We came to learn about Corsica through the in-laws of our best friends daughter; a french couple, Serge and Karen R., who had recently moved to Los Angeles from Paris.

We were currently in the process of planning a trip to Europe with our friends, Dave and Karen L., to celebrate our 30th Anniversaries. We figured that since we were married the same year and we’ve been friends almost the entire time, it would be fun to see Europe together.

When Serge and Karen R., said they were going to be in France for a wedding at the same time and offered to show us around and be our “tour guides”, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. At this point, we agreed to let them take over and plan our entire 16-day itinerary. After all, It’s not every day you get to vacation with cool people who speak the language and know their way around. The trip took us from the end of April through the middle of May.

Getting to Corsica:

After arriving in France with Dave and Karen and spending our first couple days in Paris, we took the train to Marseille. At this point, Serge and Karen R. picked us up in a rental van and we drove to Nice to board the ferry to Corsica. From here, we would all spend an entire week driving around the tiny island, literally.

Bastia to Porto Vecchio:

We arrived in Bastia the first night, had dinner, and stayed the night at Hotel La Corniche. The small hotel is situated high up with beautiful views of the surrounding hillside and a glimpse of the Mediterranean sea. The next day we took a walk in the rain to take in a bit more of the immediate scenery. After lunch we headed down the eastern coast to our Air B&B near Porto Vecchio. As was expected for spring weather it was cool and rainy during most of our three days there. Even so, we did some hiking and managed a day trip to Bonifacio on the southern coast to see the citadel, Old Town, and surrounding area.

Porto Vecchio to Serriera:

On the second half of our week-long visit we drove up the western coast to our Air B&B in Serriera. We made several stops along the narrow, winding, cliff side road for photos of wildflowers and the incredible Les Calanques de Piana. Les Calanques are the red rock cliffs along the coast high above the sea.

While in Serriera we took a day to visit the small village of Evisa which is situated in the mountains and surrounded by the Aitone forest. During our drive we were surprised and delighted to come across herds of goats and pigs roaming around and grazing along the mountainous roadside without a care. Definitely one of my favorite moments during our stay!

The following day we drove to Marine de Porto for a tour of Genoise Tower and later on went for an amazing hike around Les Calanques de Piana where we got some breathtaking views of the rocky Mediterranean coastline.

Serriera to Bastia:

As we left Serriera to embark on the last two days of our stay in Corsica we stopped in L’ile Rousse for gelato and shopping on our way to Barbaggio. Here, we stayed at a cute bed and breakfast among the vineyards. The little house that my husband, Jerry, and I stayed in was adorable with it’s grass covered roof!

The following day we drove to Patrimonio to check out the old church we had driven by earlier and then went for a long walk through the countryside. We just had to immerse ourselves in the vineyards before leaving. The next day we drove back to Bastia where we once again boarded the ferry. From here, we headed to Italy and the second half of our vacation in Florence and Venice!

Tips on travel to Corsica:

Overall, Corsica is a beautiful island with a lot of beautiful scenery to take in. Don’t miss seeing the birthplace, and now museum, of Napoleon Bonaparte located in Ajaccio, or the Citadel in Bonafacio that I mentioned before.

There is a multitude of activities to explore such as hiking, swimming, snorkeling, rock climbing, and of course shopping.

Unlike Paris, I think we would have been a bit “lost” without having someone who spoke French with us. It would be helpful to know some basics before going.

Check out my blog: Europe – Helpful tips for first-time travelers for more information regarding currency exchange, phone coverage, and power.

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Craters of the Moon – A Volcanic Wonderland

admin July 30, 2018August 5, 2018 Camping, Caves, Craters, Dark Sky, Hiking, Idaho, Landscape, Lava, Lava bed, National Monument, Pets, Preserve, Scenery, Trails, Wheelchair accessible Comments are off 3402 Views

Ok, not craters of the moon but a National Monument and Preserve in Idaho where there are hundreds of square miles of lava fields more than 2000 years old.

Spontaneous Travel:

My husband and I traveled to Idaho Falls, Idaho recently and spontaneously decided to check out this wildly intriguing landmark full of “craters” just 90 miles west. Since I love photography, and this park was recently designated an International Dark Sky Park, I wanted to attempt a picture of the Milky Way, despite it being a bit cloudy and having a lot of smoke in the air from wildfires. We bought an air mattress so we could camp in the back of our van rather than finding a hotel 20 miles away in the town of Arco. Conveniently, right inside the entrance to the preserve there was a 42 site campground with 3 restroom buildings. They were complete with sinks and flushing toilets. And all for only $15 per night. Yay! With that and the $20 entrance fee to the park we were all in for $35.

The Golden Hour:

We arrived at Craters of the Moon just before sunset. So, after getting settled in to our spot we took off walking to find some nice shots of the landscape during the “golden hour”. I am still amazed at how stark, yet full of life, it is. There’s a variety of grasses, flowers, trees and shrubs scattered throughout the volcanic landscape making for a very surreal scene. Later that evening as the sky got darker, and the clouds miraculously cleared, we headed back out to attempt that shot of the Milky Way. We managed to get a couple but there was still a lot of smoke in the air and it wasn’t as good as we had hoped for. Better luck next time I guess.

Craters of the Moon:

The next morning we took a drive through the park and stopped at all the different lookout and scenic trail spots. It’s not a large preserve and we were able to see most everything in less than one day. We really enjoyed Devil’s Orchard; a beautiful, half mile, wheelchair accessible, paved loop perfect for anyone who is unable to hike. We then climbed the .5 miles up Inferno Cone to see the spectacular panoramic views. This hike is only a little steep, with a vertical incline of 164 feet, and totally worth it! However, I’m a little sad we didn’t have time to make it to the caves this trip (which you need a special, but free, permit to explore by the way). I understand they’re pretty cool.

Traveling with pets:

Since this was a spur of the moment trip we weren’t prepared for a lot of hiking let alone spelunking. The other problem was that we had our dogs with us. Although they are allowed in the campground area they are not allowed on the trails. And we didn’t want to leave them locked in the van with the engine running and the air conditioning on for more than a few minutes at a time. Remember to keep your furry friends in mind when planning your trip. They’re a joy to have along but a burden when trying to sightsee places that are not pet friendly.

We’ve been to a few National Parks and Monuments but so far Craters of the Moon has the most unexpected sights; it’s so very different and beautifully kept. I hope you get a chance to see it soon.

Onward…

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Bryce Canyon, Utah – A home for Hoodoo’s

admin July 23, 2018August 5, 2018 ATVs, Bike Path, Boston Brick & Stone, Bristlecone Pines, Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon Lodge, Canyon, Chimney restoration, Cycling, Dark, Dixie National Forest, Hiking, Hoodoos, Masonry, Milky Way, National Park, Photography, Red Canyon, Stars, Trails, Utah, Wildlife 1 Comment 4601 Views

We recently took our second trip to Bryce Canyon for another look at this amazing landscape full of Hoodoos. Those are the pillar shaped rocks jutting up out of the ground, in case you were wondering. We had first visited in 2017 because our best friends who own Boston Brick and Stone, a masonry company out of Pasadena, California, were there doing what they do best; historic chimney restoration on the cabins at Bryce Canyon Lodge. What a perfect setting to spend a bit of free time with friends!

Bryce Canyon Hiking:

While in Bryce for three days we had the opportunity to hike a couple of trails through the canyon. We did Peek a Boo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. Although a bit steep, they were fairly easy to maneuver and completely wore us out by the end. The trails have varying lengths and additional trails to take off on. Be sure to bring a park map along so you can pick where and how much you want to do. While the distances aren’t very long, the hiking time will vary depending on your mobility. And how much you time you spend taking photos (like me). If you’re there in the summer the heat can take it’s toll on you as well. Check out my other tips below in the “What to pack” section.

Trail Rides:

Something else you can do here is take a trail ride. We didn’t do it ourselves but were passed going into the canyon by several who did. I think this is a great option for people who can’t or don’t want to hike. This might also be a more fun way to get around for families with kids who would otherwise be bored by just “walking” in the hot sun. Personally, I prefer the slow route so I can stop and take in the scenery. Not to mention, I find it hard to take photos while being jostled around on the back of a horse!

Cycling:

On the day between hikes we took a leisurely one way bike ride on the approximately 10 miles of paved bike path from Bryce Canyon Lodge to the visitors center at Red Canyon. Here, we had another friend pick us up in our van and bring us back to the resort. Just a little cheating to save time for other activities! The path runs through some forested areas and along the highway leading in and out of the park as well as through areas of brush. If you don’t have a bike with you there are several places in Bryce where you can rent them. It’s just another great way to see the sights that can’t be seen from the road driving by in your car.

Red Canyon:

Speaking of Red Canyon, we took the opportunity to hike there on our return trip this year and were more than impressed by it’s beauty. The trails are shorter than Bryce Canyon and much easier to maneuver, meaning less steep, and the scenery is very serene, relaxing, and picture perfect. You won’t believe this landscape. It looks and feels like you’re walking through a painting. The variation in color between the red and tan rocks and the green of the trees against the blue sky is amazing! A definite must-see.

ATV tours:

Another fun thing we did differently this year was to rent a four seat ATV from Bryce ATV Rentals and explored the dusty trails of Coyote Hollow Loop and part of Badger Creek Loop in Dixie National Forest. The trip took us four hours with photo stops and a stop for lunch. Along the way you can stop to see some ancient Bristlecone Pines and Tropic Reservoir. As far as other sights go it’s possible to see antelope, deer, elk, and other wildlife. And if you’re not familiar with ATV’s then you’ll want to be prepared to get dirty. We left with a small cooler full of water and snacks and returned with dust in every nook & cranny you could think of. So much so that when we returned to the rental place we were greeted with a leaf blower!

Night photography:

At night it gets so dark in the park that when the skies are clear you can’t make out the constellations because so many stars are visible. It’s perfect for getting shots of the Milky Way! Everywhere I go I look for opportunities to do night, and or long exposure, photos because it brings an entirely different point of view to a scene. On this night I managed to get a pretty good shot with some distant ambient light from nearby towns. I could have stayed out for hours but it was getting chilly and we had a long drive back to Denver the next morning. ~sad face~

What to pack:

If you’re planning on hiking, comfy lightweight clothes and hiking boots or other sturdy shoes are best. I’ve seen people trodding down in flip-flops and wondered how far they might make it. Hiking poles may be helpful when climbing the hills as well. The terrain is up and down and can be pretty steep, especially when going into and coming out of the canyon. As always, be sure to take plenty of water and wear sunscreen. You may even want to stash some snacks in your backpack if you plan to be out for a while. And don’t forget your camera! There are a lot of beautiful shots to be had out there.

Where to stay and eat in Bryce Canyon:

Bryce Canyon Lodge offers a number of choices if you want to be right there within walking distance of the rim of the canyon.There are several hotels and motels outside the park that are closer to restaurants and shops, and if you prefer there are also several campgrounds nearby.

Enjoy!