TravelStream™ news feed for member life-in-a-yurt on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/life-in-a-yurt en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:13:51 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220286840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220286840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220286840/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:13:51 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States

Day 73 - Monday, September 1, 2008 - Labor Day - Zion NP to Grand Canyon NP

Stopped at a coffee shop with internet in Springdale. Saw 2 folks from the church service - again - weird. Checked e-mail and weather.

Drove on until Pipe Spring National Historic Site in Arizona. Had lunch then look around. Historical place. A place where a natural spring comes out. Homeland of the Paiute Indians. A tithing ranch for the Mormon Church. A hideout for wives and children of polygamous families. Lastly, a stop for travelers. Interesting history.

Finally, we made it to the Grand Canyon NP! Set-up camp then drove down to the Lodge and Visitor Center. Walked to the Rim! Yeah. It's huge! Awesome.


Day 74 - Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - Grand Canyon NP

Oops: I left my wallet at the gas station outside Pipe Spring NHS. We called them. Sure enough, they had it. Thank goodness. We had to drive back to pick it up, 1.5 hours.

After lunch we walked the Transept and Bridle Trails to and from the Lodge. Mailed off postcards.

We also stopped at the backcountry office and purchased a permit to camp at Cape Final tomorrow.


Day 75 - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - Grand Canyon NP

Started the day with the Uncle Jim Trail, a 5 mile loop with nice views of the canyon at the end. Then drove on to Point Imperial for lunch. Even more views of the canyon. Then we drove down to Cape Royal for more views. Pretty spectacular.

Lastly, we stopped at the Cape Final Trailhead around 3pm. Packed our bags and hike 2 miles to Cape Final and our campsite. Only one group can reserve the campsite each night. The hike was not strenuous and we arrived with plenty of time to spare before sunset. Put our stuff down and looked around. This is our first try at backpacking. We just brought the tarp and sleeping bags. Had a dehydrated meal for dinner - beef stew. Watched the sunset from the rocks then crawled into bed. We were a little nervous about bugs and animal without a tent, but they were not a problem. Michael got really nervous about sleeping at the cliff edge so we moved a little further away. Watched the stars come out. Tried to sleep but it was hard.


Day 76 - Thursday, September 4, 2008 - Grand Canyon NP

We made it through the night! Watched a beautiful sunrise from the rocks. Had to dig a bathroom hole. Packed up and walked back to the car. Had boiled eggs and cold bacon for breakfast in the car. Took showers when we got back to the campground. This is the longest we have gone without showers - one week.

Now we are on the front porch of the general store enjoying Wi-Fi and coffee.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220027520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220027520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220027520/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:13:18 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Zion National Park, Utah, United States

Day 70 - Friday, August 29, 2008 - Bryce Canyon NP to Zion NP

Today is the day we left Bryce Canyon NP for Zion NP. Before we left, we drove to the end of the park, hiked the Bristlecone Pine Trail and took in the morning scenery. We did see a few bristlecone pines, the longest living things in the world. The temp was 47 degrees when we woke up but quickly warmed to 60 degrees.

The drive to Zion NP was nice and fairly short. We came in the East entrance, saw Checkerboard Mesa - very cool - and went through the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. Amy got nervous while we were going through. The tunnel is over a mile in length.

Once we got to the campground we set-up camp and went to the Visitor Center. We rode the free, and mandatory, shuttle to the Natural History Museum and then to the Temple of Sinawava, and hike into the Narrows. The Virgin River felt good walking in because the weather was very hot - like Arches NP. Saw some people repelling down into the canyon - called canyoneering - its own sport. Talked to them on the shuttle bus later. Because it was so hot we had trouble falling asleep, but managed it somehow. Tomorrow is supposed to only by 100 degrees.


Day 71 - Saturday, August 30, 2008 - Zion NP

Started today with an interpretive bus tour with a Ranger. Interesting. Learned a little history of the park. Named Zion by Mormons who settled here. Zion means sanctuary.

Zion NP reminds us of Yosemite - a red Yosemite - only Zion is made of sandstone, not granite. Zion was cut by the Virgin River rather than glaciers. While carving the area - a landslide dammed the Virgin River creating a hug lake. Later the river cut thru the dam and the lake was released - but the sediment remains and there is a nice flat canyon bottom just like glacier-carved Yosemite.

After the bus ride we hiked to Weeping Rock and then UP to Echo Canyon where the Canyon narrows quite a bit - slot canyon. Would have like to walk farther but did not have lunch with us. Walked outside the park, to the market, for coffee and ice cream!

These Mormons were sent to southern Utah to grow cotton because cotton was hard to come by during the Civil War. The area is still called Utah's Dixie even though cotton did not grow very well in the area.


Day 72 - Sunday, August 31, 2008 - Zion NP

Sprinkled a little through the night - nice sleeping weather. Got up just in time for church at 8am. Sat in the steady rain for church. Good thing Michael brought the big umbrella. A nice couple from Atlanta, GA was the pastors. They have one more service for the summer then they head back to GA. Also, we met a guy whose sister lives in Rohnert Park. Small world.

After church we were going to make pancakes - but the rain kept coming down, so instead, we rode the shuttle to Springdale and had a wonderful breakfast buffet that lasted us until dinner.

It stopped raining so we hiked up to the Upper Emerald Pool - it was so crowded at the top! We did not stay long. We saw some folks from the church service on the way up. Then hiked down the Virgin River to the campground. Rested for the afternoon.


Day 73 - Monday, September 1, 2008 - Labor Day - Zion NP to Grand Canyon NP

Stopped at a coffee shop with internet in Springdale. Saw 2 folks from the church service - again - weird. Checked e-mail and weather.

Drove on until Pipe Spring National Historic Site in Arizona. Had lunch then look around. Historical place. A place where a natural spring comes out. Homeland of the Paiute Indians. A tithing ranch for the Mormon Church. A hideout for wives and children of polygamous families. Lastly, a stop for travelers. Interesting history.

Finally, we made it to the Grand Canyon NP! Set-up camp then drove down to the Lodge and Visitor Center. Walked to the Rim! Yeah. It's huge! Awesome.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1219768260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1219768260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1219768260/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:12:37 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States

Day 67 - Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - Depart Kodachrome SP for Bryce Canyon NP

Arrived at Bryce Canyon NP before lunch. Set-up camp, had lunch, and then walked to the Visitor Center. Rode the park shuttle to Sunset Point, and then walked back to the campground along the Rim Trail. Beautiful colors and shapes! Very interesting! Along the way, we stopped at the Bryce Canyon Lodge and made dinner reservations for Thursday night.

Back at camp, wrote postcards (lots, then walked back to the Visitor Center to put them in the mail. We also checked out the museum and park video this time.

After dinner, Taco Salad, we had s'mores and a campfire. Yeah! Our first s'mores of the trip. Delicious! Can't believe we waited to so long.


Day 68 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - Bryce Canyon NP

Today we hike down into the canyon. We hiked the Navajo/Peek-a-boo/Queens Garden Loop. About 2 miles from the campground round trip. Good hike. The last mile was the toughest - coming up out of the canyon, and it was getting warm too. We got back at 1:00pm. Time for resting at the campsite.

On the hike we walked through Wall Street - a narrow, steep walled gorge. Then we walked among hoodoos - pinnacles or odd shaped rocks left standing by the forces of erosion.

The park is named for Ebenezer and Mary Bryce, Mormons who settled in the area in the 1880's. In the evening we rode the park shuttle down to Bryce Point and walked the Rim Trail back.

Throughout our trip we completed the Rim Rail a few miles at a time.


Day 69 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Bryce Canyon NP

Today was the long hike, Fairyland Loop, at 8+ miles. Fairyland Loop was the best hike we did. The scenery was great and the trail was not very strenuous. Not sure when we left, but it was early, and we returned just before noon. Wow!

We sat around for part of the afternoon, and then did a load of laundry and took showers. We ate dinner at the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge. This trip is being considered a honeymoon for us since we did not have time for a long one when we got married. After dinner we walked back along the rim and went to bed early.


Day 70 - Friday, August 29, 2008 - Bryce Canyon NP to Zion NP

Today is the day we left Bryce Canyon NP for Zion NP. Before we left, we drove to the end of the park, hiked the Bristlecone Pine Trail and took in the morning scenery. We did see a few bristlecone pines, the longest living things in the world. The temp was 47 degrees when we woke up but quickly warmed to 60 degrees.

The drive to Zion NP was nice and fairly short. We came in the East entrance, saw Checkerboard Mesa - very cool - and went through the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. Amy got nervous while we were going through. The tunnel is over a mile in length.

Once we got to the campground we set-up camp and went to the Visitor Center. We rode the free, and mandatory, shuttle to the Natural History Museum and then to the Temple of Sinawava, and hike into the Narrows. The Virgin River felt good walking in because the weather was very hot - like Arches NP. Saw some people repelling down into the canyon - called canyoneering - its own sport. Talked to them on the shuttle bus later. Because it was so hot we had trouble falling asleep, but managed it somehow. Tomorrow is supposed to only by 100 degrees.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220286480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220286480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1220286480/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:11:50 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Kodachrome State Park, Utah, United States

Day 66 - Monday, August 25, 2008 - Departing Arches NP, Thru Capital Reef NP, Escalante-Grand Staircase NM on Scenic Highway 12 to Kodachrome State Park

Left Arches NP one day early because it was too hot.

Got up early with the sun. Packed up, while watching the sunrise and taking pictures. Drove to Delicate Arch area - this time we took the trail to the arch (3-mile roundtrip). We were planning to do this yesterday evening but the trailhead Parking lot was full. Beautiful at the top! The trail is great because it is designed to hide the arch until the last moment.

After the walk, we headed straight to Starbucks for some tasty coffee! Then we drove all day.

The highlight of the day was picking peaches at Capital Reef NP. They have historic orchards in the park - right next to the road. We stopped and picked a pound of peaches for $1. Might have picked more, but there were large thunder clouds in the sky. Michael used a picker - a claw on a stick basically - very cool. And the peaches were delicious!

We drove on Scenic Highway 12 - beautiful drive. Stopped several times for pictures. Ended the day at Kodachrome State Park. A very nice park with free showers! Hooray!

We also fed chukars and rabbits. They were feeding on something in a grassy campsite, and a park maintenance person gave us a bag of feed to throw to them. Neat.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1219422420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1219422420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1219422420/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:11:14 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Arches National Park, Utah, United States

Day 63 - Friday, August 22, 2008 - Mesa Verde NP to Arches NP, UT

Stopped at Spruce Tree Coffee Shop in Cortez again on the way out to check e-mail. Not sure when we will have a connection again. I did check the weather for Arches NP again, and the temp should be 100+ while we are there. Boo!

We arrived at Arches around 2pm after going to the grocery store in Moab. Stopped at the Visitor Center to look around and stay cool inside. Watched the park video on a big screen. Read about how the Arches were made, but still don't quite understand. Drove out to the campground at the very end of the park road. Quite a drive. Beautiful red rock as far as the eye can see. Set-up tent, had dinner, then went for a walk to Broken Arch. It's not broken - just has a crack right now.

When we check out e-mail this morning we learned from Mom that one of the Arches fell about 2 weeks ago. Luckily it fell about 4am and no one was hurt. We also learned that Mike's cousin, Noah, was caught in a flood at the Grand Canyon when an earthen dam broke. Thankfully he is home safe now.


Day 64 - Saturday, August 23, 2008 - Arches NP

Went to the 10am Ranger Walk at Window Arches. During the walk the Ranger talked about the plants and animals of this desert region - receiving only about 8.5 inches of precipitation per year. A lot of the info we already learned at Mesa Verde but we learned a few new things. The prickly pear cactus has its seeds inside the cactus and when part of the cactus is broken off, that piece will grow a new plant.

After the Ranger Walk we walked to Double Arch on a short trail. Met a nice couple traveling from Baton Rouge. They told us to eat at Mike Anderson's when we are there.

Then we headed back to the campsite for lunch. After lunch, we went for a walk into Devil's Garden, near the campground. It was so hot we only made it a little over one mile to the famous Landscape Arch - the longest in the park. We considered walking a little further to Wall Arch (recently fell) but decided it was too hot.

After dinner, saw the sunset from the park road. Very nice. Very western sunset with rocks in foreground. Then went to Ranger program about Spiders, Scorpions, and Snakes - Oh my!

One nice thing was the watermelon we bought was wonderful after a hot hike.


Day 65 - Sunday, August 24, 2008 - Arches NP

Went to 9am Fiery Furnace Ranger Walk. This walk was not free. $10 each or you can buy a permit for $4 and go in on your own. The Fiery Furnace is a mass of rocks and fins and is easy to get lost in. We felt safer going in with a Ranger. It was a nice walk - 3 hours - some places were very narrow and steep. Kind of tricky in a few places. The highlight was Surprise Arch, found by the Superintendent of the park. Nice. We also saw a pothole full of water.

After lunch at the campsite we rested in the shade. Thankfully our campsite has these huge rocks near it. We lay on a blanket and napped and read. We had to keep moving around the rocks as the sun moved. But it was better than walking in the heat like we did yesterday. Learned our lesson. Guess what? Michael got sunburn on his chest from laying in the shade without his shirt. Crazy!

In the evening, we drove to the Delicate Arch Area and hiked to the overlook for a few pictures. We learned today that Wall Arch was the one that fell. Maybe we should have walked on to it yesterday. Oh well.


Day 66 - Monday, August 25, 2008 - Departing Arches NP, Thru Capital Reef NP, Escalante-Grand Staircase NM on Scenic Highway 12 to Kodachrome State Park

Left Arches NP one day early because it was too hot.

Got up early with the sun. Packed up, while watching the sunrise and taking pictures. Drove to Delicate Arch area - this time we took the trail to the arch (3-mile roundtrip). We were planning to do this yesterday evening but the trailhead Parking lot was full. Beautiful at the top! The trail is great because it is designed to hide the arch until the last moment.

After the walk, we headed straight to Starbucks for some tasty coffee! Then we drove all day.

The highlight of the day was picking peaches at Capital Reef NP. They have historic orchards in the park - right next to the road. We stopped and picked a pound of peaches for $1. Might have picked more, but there were large thunder clouds in the sky. Michael used a picker - a claw on a stick basically - very cool. And the peaches were delicious!

We drove on Scenic Highway 12 - beautiful drive. Stopped several times for pictures. Ended the day at Kodachrome State Park. A very nice park with free showers! Hooray!

We also fed chukars and rabbits. They were feeding on something in a grassy campsite, and a park maintenance person gave us a bag of feed to throw to them. Neat.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218990300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218990300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218990300/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:10:26 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, United States

Day 58 - Sunday, August 17, 2008 - Leaving Durango, CO and Arriving at Mesa Verde National Park

Stopped at Wal-mart for groceries, propane, and ice. Then found a Methodist church. We stayed for the 11:00am service.

After church we rode on to Mesa Verde NP. Checked-in and set-up our tent. Then drove to the Visitor Center. Purchased tickets for tours the following days. You have to purchase tickets for the Ranger-guided tours of Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and _____. Next, we drove a little further to the Museum. After checking out the museum, we walked down to Spruce Tree House, a cliff dwelling you can tour on your own. There were Rangers stationed to answer questions and protect the site.

Mesa Verde NP was the first National Park set aside to preserve the work of man. Most other National Parks are set aside to protect natural beauty - God's creation. Mesa Verde NP is also a World Heritage site.

For dinner, we made green chili cheeseburgers. Not as good as Bobcat Bite, but still enjoyable.


Day 59 - Monday, August 18, 2008 - Mesa Verde NP

Today we toured two cliff dwellings; Cliff Palace (the largest cliff dwelling) and Balcony House.

Both tours were very interesting, and crowded. Before going on both tours, the Ranger has to warn everyone that we are at a high elevation and the trail in and out of the dwelling is steep. That made me nervous - but it was fine.

Te Balcony House tour was the most strenuous. To get out we had to climb through a small tunnel and up some very steep steps cut in the rock face. The Ranger led a very interesting tour, and he was from Michigan.

We learned a lot about the people once called Anasazi, now called Ancestral Puebloans, who lived on this mesa 1400 years ago. They lived on the mesa top first in pit houses, then above ground mason dwellings. Then, for some reason unknown to archeologists, the people built homes in the alcoves of the canyon walls. Then after less than 100 years, the people abandoned the area and moved. The Ancestral Puebloans are believed to have moved because of an extended drought, and are the ancestors of today's modern pueblo peoples.

The dwellings lay unused and unknown until some local cowboys saw one of the cliff dwelling while searching for stray cattle. Some of the cliff dwellings have been preserved fairly well because of the protection from the alcove.

After the tours, we drove back to the museum are and walked the Petroglyph Point Trail. The trail guide has an interpretation of some of the symbols that were interpreted by Hopi Indians.


Day 60 - Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - Mesa Verde NP

Started with the Long House tour on the less traveled Wetherill Mesa. The group was nicely small and the Ranger was very knowledgeable. After the tour we took the tram around to the other overlooks and mesa top building ruins.

After a picnic lunch, we walked down to Step House - self-guided with a Ranger posted. Cool site. You can still see the rock steps they used to enter and exit the site. Wow! It is an interesting site as well because there are remains of pit houses along with the above-ground structures.

On our way back we stopped at Park Point Overlook, the highest point in the park. The trail guide pointed out what we could see from all 4 directions: West = Sleeping Ute Mtns, North = San Juan Mtns, East = I forget, and South = Shiprock. We've been seeing Shiprock all along and wondered what it was, and it is actually in NM.

Back at camp we hung up the hammock a second time. Tonight we are planning to attend the Ranger program at 9pm and then another program at 10pm about the stars. Looking forward to them both.

The Ranger program was fun. Ranger Bruce is a 70 year old retired science teacher. He had lots of stories to tell. He told us about the fire in 2000 that several Rangers were stranded in. Scary. Thankfully they got out, but it was close.

His program was titled, "The Stones Speak and I am Silent," about how scientists can read the stones to find out, or at least speculate, about the past. After the program we went to the "Star Party." We were able to look through a telescope at Jupiter and its 4 moons. Wow!


Day 61 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - Mesa Verde NP

Today was another fun day. We started our day with a trip to Hovenweep National Monument. Hovenweep NM is composed of 6 units covering 20 miles. The main unit is Square Tower Complex, that's where the Visitor Center is. We drove through Cortez, CO and on a country road into Utah, about 40-50 miles. The drive through canyons and farms was scenic.

Hovenweep NM protects settlements of the Ancestral Puebloans. The settlements were built on canyon rims and the talus slopes. Most settlements were near a water source like a seep spring. The Ancestral Puebloans farmed for a living.

We hike a two mile loop at Square Tower Complex and were able to see the ruins of many structures. Some of the structures we could get very close to, and others were always at a distance. I enjoyed taking pictures nonetheless. No one knows exactly why the Ancestral Puebloans moved away; though we do know that they left during a period of drought. The buildings are similar to those at Mesa Verde NP; except that the canyons were very small in comparison, so there are no "cliff" houses.

On the walk back to the Visitor Center, we saw a collared lizard sunning on a rock, and I was able to take a few pictures. We have wanted to see a collared lizard since we saw a picture at Colorado NM. The Visitor Center was very nice, air-conditioned, and so we watched a 20-minute video.

We had also planned to spend some time in Cortez, CO when we were heading back. The route back to Cortez was different from the one we took to Hovenweep NM; this one went through Canyon of Ancients NM. The drive was nice. Cortez turned out to be a neat little place. We walked a little ways on Main Street and saw that most stores were closing or closed because it was after 5:00pm. The Cortez Cultural Center was open and we stopped. They had historical displays, artwork and jewelry for sale, and two very nice women running the store. We talked to them for a while, looked around, and received a Cortez Dining Guide. We were pretty hungry. Our choice came down to menu, price, and location. The Mainstreet Brewery won after our first choice was closed. The brewery was very nice and had a good selection of food. Amy had a pizza and I had an andouille sausage burrito - very tasty! You could also order it with a bratwurst instead of the sausage. After desert we were full and happy. Next stop, Mesa Verde NP.

The first thing we did after arriving in Cortez was to go to the Sprucetree Coffee Shop and Used Books. It took a little while to find, but was worth the effort. The coffee was good, and Amy browsed the used books, and we used the internet. We had hoped to find out that Southern Miss would be playing football at Home when we are down that way; unfortunately, they will not.


Day 62 - Thursday, August 21, 2008 - Mesa Verde NP - Dylan's Birthday - Two Month Anniversary of the Trip

Today was a good day. After breakfast we drove to the Far View Sites. These were mesa top dwellings not cliff dwellings. Finally remember to take the gnome with us. We saw a reservoir engineered and built by the Ancestral Puebloans to collect water for their crops and themselves. It was pretty amazing. Next, we drove back to the museum and Spruce Tree House. We did not read very thoroughly the last time we were at the museum. When we were at Spruce Tree House originally, we did not go in the Kiva and we wanted to do so; also, we heard there were petroglyphs of turkey track. The Ranger confirmed and showed us the turkey tracks and also showed us the human foot petroglyph and the hand print. It was neat to see new things the second time.

We next went to the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail and hiked to 3 overlooks. We saw Balcony House again, an un-named cliff dwelling, and Soda Canyon. It was an okay stop. On the way back to the campsite we stopped at Far View Terrace to call Dylan on his birthday. Reception was lousy and we could not connect. There were Native American artists demonstrating and selling their wares. Amy found a bracelet that she really liked. She agonized over it for a while and then I bought it for her. It's very pretty and she is happy.

We drove back to the campground, took showers, did laundry, and relaxed. Around 5:30pm we hiked the Point Lookout Trail and had very nice views. Dinner was chicken pot pie, but open-faces and very tasty. The Ranger Program was about the stars. The night sky was fabulous! We learned to find Scorpios in the sky!


Day 63 - Friday, August 22, 2008 - Mesa Verde NP to Arches NP, UT

Stopped at Spruce Tree Coffee Shop in Cortez again on the way out to check e-mail. Not sure when we will have a connection again. I did check the weather for Arches NP again, and the temp should be 100+ while we are there. Boo!

We arrived at Arches around 2pm after going to the grocery store in Moab. Stopped at the Visitor Center to look around and stay cool inside. Watched the park video on a big screen. Read about how the Arches were made, but still don't quite understand. Drove out to the campground at the very end of the park road. Quite a drive. Beautiful red rock as far as the eye can see. Set-up tent, had dinner, then went for a walk to Broken Arch. It's not broken - just has a crack right now.

When we check out e-mail this morning we learned from Mom that one of the Arches fell about 2 weeks ago. Luckily it fell about 4am and no one was hurt. We also learned that Mike's cousin, Noah, was caught in a flood at the Grand Canyon when an earthen dam broke. Thankfully he is home safe now.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218676020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218676020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218676020/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:09:29 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Durango, Colorado, United States

Day 54 - Leaving Santa Fe, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Bandelier NM, Los Alamos NL, Durango CO - August 13, 2008 - Wednesday

Packed up. Drove to the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Very interesting. We registered at the Visitor Center and were given a map of the pueblo. There were specific places we were allowed, and not allowed, to go. San Ildefonso is famous for their black-on-black pottery. We stopped in one pottery shop within a home. Small pieces of pottery for $80-$100. Wow. Very pretty, though. Walked on to the museum. We learned that a famous potter came from the pueblo - Maria Martinez. We stopped at her great granddaughter's shop on the way out of the pueblo. Her pieces were amazing, and $1000-$2000, and other family members had pieces too for close to $1000. It was very pretty but we hoped to find some more that is in our price range.

After San Ildefonso, we drove to Bandelier NM and hiked the Main Loop Trail. The trail took us along a cliff where the Ancestral Puebloans had built houses and carved caves as back rooms. It was pretty amazing. We went as far Alcove House and had to climb several ladders to reach the cave where people had lived. The ladders were very sturdy, but the climb still made you nervous. On the way back we got caught in the rain and were very wet by the time we made it back to the car. We dried off, changed, and went to the Visitor Center. We would have like to have spent more time, but we knew when we arrived that we were on a tight schedule today.

We next stopped at the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos. The science museum was free and focused on the Manhattan Project, what the Los Alamos National Laboratory used to do, and what it does today. It was all very interesting, and you could spend a few days reading and interacting with the exhibits.

From Los Alamos, we headed to Durango, CO where we are going to spend a few days resting.

Day 55 - Durango KOA Kabin - August 14, 2008 - Thursday

Day of Rest

We did laundry, took naps, wrote postcards, typed the journal and worked on photos. I also painted a few watercolor postcards (first ones).

A good day.


Day 57 - Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Durango, CO Farmers Market and Arts & Crafts Market

Mailed pottery to Florida along with a lot of postcards.

Walked around Durango today - cute historic town. Did not ride the historic train up the mountain, too expensive. Should have ridden the train in Alamosa - much better prices, but we did not find out about it until it was too late.

Went to the Farmers Market and Arts and Crafts Market. I purchased a tye-dye bag. We also got a free sample of Pinon soap. Then we went to Carver Brewing Co. for lunch. While waiting for our table, an older gentleman became faint and fell over. He hit his head on the floor. Everyone jumped up. He fell right in front of us. Whish I had been paying more attention. They thought he needed CPR but he seemed to be breathing fine. A doctor was eating lunch and came forward to help. She stayed with the man until the ambulance arrived. His wife was disappointed to go back to the hospital. She said he just had chemo and she was in the hospital too a few days ago. It shook me up quite a bit, and was a little hard to eat lunch after that. I hope he is okay.

At the brewery we tried a sampler tray of 11 beers. We definitely could have shared that with a few more people. The most interesting beers were the 2 dark beers. One tasted like coffee and the other like chocolate. Amazing. Might have to try more dark beers.


Day 58 - Sunday, August 17, 2008 - Leaving Durango, CO and Arriving at Mesa Verde National Park

Stopped at Wal-mart for groceries, propane, and ice. Then found a Methodist church. We stayed for the 11:00am service.

After church we rode on to Mesa Verde NP. Checked-in and set-up our tent. Then drove to the Visitor Center. Purchased tickets for tours the following days. You have to purchase tickets for the Ranger-guided tours of Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and _____. Next, we drove a little further to the Museum. After checking out the museum, we walked down to Spruce Tree House, a cliff dwelling you can tour on your own. There were Rangers stationed to answer questions and protect the site.

Mesa Verde NP was the first National Park set aside to preserve the work of man. Most other National Parks are set aside to protect natural beauty - God's creation. Mesa Verde NP is also a World Heritage site.

For dinner, we made green chili cheeseburgers. Not as good as Bobcat Bite, but still enjoyable.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218806580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218806580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218806580/tpod.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:07:37 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Aztec, New Mexico, United States

Day 56 - Aztec National Monument - August 15, 2008 - Friday

Drove to Aztec Ruins NM, about 30 minutes away. We drove past it on Wednesday on our way to Durango, but it was too late to stop. It was very interesting. It was mistakenly labeled as Aztec Ruins when it was discovered - and the name has struck. They are ruins of a pueblo people. Archeologists are not sure why the people left this area - some speculate drought.

Interesting multi-level homes surrounding the Kiva. You could walk thru some of the homes and inside the reconstructed Kiva. This is the only fully reconstructed Kiva.

Outside the Visitor Center was an artist couple from the Acoma Pueblo near Albuquerque demonstrating and selling their traditional hand-built pottery. We saw a lot of items that we thought were very beautiful, and ended up purchasing a large plate and small lizard seed pot. Very excited! Our first souvenir. Their prices were very reasonable. We are very excited! We hope to stop at the Acoma Pueblo when we go to Albuerquerque.


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San Ildefonso Pueble, New Mexico, United States

Day 54 - Leaving Santa Fe, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Bandelier NM, Los Alamos NL, Durango CO - August 13, 2008 - Wednesday

Packed up. Drove to the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Very interesting. We registered at the Visitor Center and were given a map of the pueblo. There were specific places we were allowed, and not allowed, to go. San Ildefonso is famous for their black-on-black pottery. We stopped in one pottery shop within a home. Small pieces of pottery for $80-$100. Wow. Very pretty, though. Walked on to the museum. We learned that a famous potter came from the pueblo - Maria Martinez. We stopped at her great granddaughter's shop on the way out of the pueblo. Her pieces were amazing, and $1000-$2000, and other family members had pieces too for close to $1000. It was very pretty but we hoped to find some more that is in our price range.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218211440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218211440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/life-in-a-yurt/1/1218211440/tpod.html Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:51:36 -0400 Adventure 2008-2009

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Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, United States

Day 49 - Leaving Breckenridge, Arriving Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO - August 8, 2008 - Friday

Sat around the hotel until about 10am. That was nice. Michael worked on pictures and I finished my book. It was nice to lay around for a few hours.

We then headed South to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Crossed the Continental Divide again at 11,000 feet, the highest pass yet that we've driven. It did not seem that high because we were already at 9,000 feet when we started.

Found a campsite, set-up, walked the 1 mile trail to the Visitor Center. Looked around, watched a video, waited the rain that suddenly started to stop. Ranger said there was a Tornado Warning in effect which was very strange for this area. After the rain ended we walked back to the campsite. After dinner we walked down to the dunes a bit.

Very interesting to see huge dunes of sand in Colorado at the base of a mountain range - Sangre de Christo Range, "Blood of Christ."


Day 50 - Great Sand Dunes NP - August 9, 2008 - Saturday

Got up early and on the dunes by 8:30am. We walked to the top of High Dune (650'). Then we walked on across the dune field to Star Dune (750'), the tallest dune in the US. Felt like walking across a desert. We did not get back until 3pm. We saw a Ferruginous Hawk while on top of Star Dune. We looked it u pin a book at the Visitor Center, and we think that is what we saw.

Lots of people brought their snowboards or snow sleds to ride on down the dunes.

It was a little easier to walk up the dunes because it had rained the day before. When we got back down, lots of people were playing in Medano Creek. 2 groups had set up volleyball nets in the creek. We walked to the little store and bough Klondike bars.


Day 51 - Great Sand Dunes NP, Zapata Falls, Alamoso CO - August 10, 2008 - Sunday

We walked to see if any worship services were posted on the amphitheater sign. Nope. So, we hiked up to the Dunes Overlook. Then walked down to the Dunes parking lot along Medano Creek to a Ranger Walk. On the walk, we learned about the difference b/w a National Monument and a National Park.

A NM has one main feature where a NP has many main features. A NM can be established by Presidential proclamation, and a NP can only be established by Congress. We have been wondering about this the whole trip. Glad to have it cleared up.

After lunch, we drove outside the park to Zapata Falls. Drove 3 miles up a bumpy dirt road, then hiked ½ mile to the creek, and then waded in the creek to the cave where Zapata Falls was. The water was very cold and we had to stand on rocks above the water every so often to let our feet warm back up. The falls are hidden inside a cave, very neat.

Next we drove to Alamosa, CO, a railroad town. We stopped at the "W" to replace our broken camp chairs. Also bought the cheapest gas yet, $3.76/gal. Then we stopped at the Visitor Center to find out more about the Sundays at Six free concert series we had read about. We found out where it is held and lots more. Went to the concert park - Cole Park - along the Rio Grande. Had dinner - walked around the park - nice park - threw the Frisbee - then enjoyed the concert. A guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion, and harmonica were used. Nice evening, nice day.


Day 52 - Leaving Great Sand Dunes NP, Taos NM, Santa Fe NM - August 11, 2008 - Monday

Stopped at the Visitor Center again to buy postcards and a patch. Stopped at the entrance sign for a picture with the gnome, then on our way.

Stopped in Taos, NM. Went to the library first to find out where the Visitor Center was. When to the visitor center and used the free internet to make some plans. Decided to stay for a couple of days in Santa Fe. The visitor center not only had information, but jewelry and art by local artists. Very cool. Might should have bough something. Very cool handmade clay vase.

We drove to the historical Taos plaza and looked around. Almost bough some coffee, but decided to wait. Went wine tasting instead, and bought a couple bottles.

Drove on to Santa Fe. Tried to eat dinner at the famous Bobcat Bite restaurant but they were closed. Found out that they are open Tuesday-Saturday. Guess we'll go tomorrow. Michael was disappointed.
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