Okay so for the past two nights we have been staying in the middle of nowhere. That explains the lack of updating. By that I mean at least 30 minutes to anything. No phone signal. No internet. No tv. About 50-75 deer along the road each night. Last night brought true meaning to the words "like a deer caught in the headlights". We were driving. A deer ran out in the road and then kept zig zagging like he didn't know where to go. It was so funny. I just sat there and waited for him to make a decision. By the way, yes I decided it was a male deer that had such intelligence. Ha ha. Once we left Sedona we drove up towards the Grand Canyon and stayed also in the middle of nowhere in Cameron. That place was the Cameron Trading Post. It was about 30 minutes outside the Grand Canyon on Route 89. On day 9 (I think. They are all starting to run together at this point), we checked out of our hotel again and drove to the Grand Canyon. By the way one bellman marked us down for 9 bags. We have a system going on how they all go in the car. I typically pack the trunk and Jenn packs the back seat. My two large suitcases and her small suitcase go in the trunk along with my computer. Then the cooler, my souvenir bag, my other bag, her large suitcase and everything else goes in the back seat. We prefer to pack it ourselves since we have this down so good and everything fits.
We arrived at the Grand Canyon and the day started off pretty nice. Then the one ranger basically scared us not into doing the hike we wanted to. They were calling for severe thunderstorms with golf ball size hail. He said that it's not good to be around ledges or trees in the storms. He said if you are hiking and you see lightning you have to get back as soon as possible. He never said the reasoning. We learned that at Bryce Canyon. The thunderstorm came. We were so lucky to be able to stay dry. Once it cleared up we went part way down the Bright Angel Trail. I mean a very small way, because it started raining again. Once we left the Grand Canyon we drove North on 89 to Page, Arizona.
In Page, we stayed at the Best Western Arizonainn. Of course they put two Best Westerns beside eachother. Of course we went to the wrong one even though the one next door actually said Arizonainn. By the way, at all these National Parks, its mostly either retirees or foreigners. The foreigners are rather annoying I must say. I try to keep in mind they probably think the same thing when we are in their country. Though I have so much to see in our country, I haven't grasped the concept of traveling out of the country yet. Someday I would like to.
I am tired and we are getting up earlty, so I will continue when I can. lots to update.
Today's highlights were: Big Horn Sheep and a Tarantula. Apparently it's mating season for the tarantula.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Day 8 - Sedona, Hot Air Balloon Ride, and Cameron
Our ride for the Hot Air Balloon picked us up at 5:15am this morning. We booked it with Red Rock Balloons. They have a perfect safety record and have been flying for over 20 years. We drove out to some launch site. First let me just say they were not able to go the past two days due to rain. We had PERFECT Weather. It was so smoothe, you wouldn't even think you were in a hot air balloon. I heard some guy actually say that you can sit and read a book, and you wouldn't even have noticed we moved. The balloons were divided into 4 compartments. 3 people were in each compartment. It really didn't even seem like we went anywhere. We went around the red rocks of Sedona. Sedona is absolutely beautiful!!! I would go back in a second. And I would stay at the Sky Ranch Lodge again, if nothing else but for the great views!!! I thought when we landed, our balloon was going to tip over. It didn't.
After everything was packed up, we went to another area where we had mimosas and muffins. The nice thing was they kept refilling us. They even said we could decide how much champagne was in the glass. So I picked a lot less juice and more champagne. The juice was orange, mango, and I wanna say tangerine juice. It was delicious.
Once we got dropped back off at the hotel, I laid down and took a nap. When I woke up I went and walked around a bit. Then I got in the hot tub for a little. The pool was a bit cold and we had to check out anyway, so I didn't get in.
We checked out with our 9 bags and went into town again to walk around and shop for gifts and get lunch. I felt so happy and relaxed there. I just felt lazy like I didn't really want to do anything, but enjoy just being there.
Sedona is supposed to be a very spiritual place, with vortexes in different areas. I would have liked to get a reading there just to see what they would say, but since I am unemployed now ha ha I decided not to spend my money on that.
After leaving Sedona we drove up 89 to our next hotel - Cameron Trading Post. I love this hotel!!! It's like a reddish/brown stone buildings in the middle of nowhere. There is a nice restaurant that is affordable inside. There is also the biggest gift shop I ever saw in this place. It's all decorated like Indians, even in the rooms. It's just a really neat place. The view out our back is the little Colorado River Gorge or something like that. I will update with more once I remember. They keys are a little unique too. they are a card with a bunch of holes in them.
After everything was packed up, we went to another area where we had mimosas and muffins. The nice thing was they kept refilling us. They even said we could decide how much champagne was in the glass. So I picked a lot less juice and more champagne. The juice was orange, mango, and I wanna say tangerine juice. It was delicious.
Once we got dropped back off at the hotel, I laid down and took a nap. When I woke up I went and walked around a bit. Then I got in the hot tub for a little. The pool was a bit cold and we had to check out anyway, so I didn't get in.
We checked out with our 9 bags and went into town again to walk around and shop for gifts and get lunch. I felt so happy and relaxed there. I just felt lazy like I didn't really want to do anything, but enjoy just being there.
Sedona is supposed to be a very spiritual place, with vortexes in different areas. I would have liked to get a reading there just to see what they would say, but since I am unemployed now ha ha I decided not to spend my money on that.
After leaving Sedona we drove up 89 to our next hotel - Cameron Trading Post. I love this hotel!!! It's like a reddish/brown stone buildings in the middle of nowhere. There is a nice restaurant that is affordable inside. There is also the biggest gift shop I ever saw in this place. It's all decorated like Indians, even in the rooms. It's just a really neat place. The view out our back is the little Colorado River Gorge or something like that. I will update with more once I remember. They keys are a little unique too. they are a card with a bunch of holes in them.
Day 7 - Hoover Dam and Sedona
On Day 7, we would be driving 5 hours. We left Las Vegas around 10:30am (I think) and headed straight for the Hoover Dam. We walked on the new Memorial Bridge and then walked across the Hoover Dam (the road). It was neat to go see, but I guess I didn't really get the whole thing about why it's so big to go there. I am glad I got to stop by, but probably wouldn't do it again. It took a lot longer than we thought there.
Then we continued on to Sedona and finally arrived shortly after the sun went down. We stayed at the Sky Ranch Lodge. It was up on Airport Road overlooking all of Sedona. I can't say enough how much I loved Sedona. The hotel was like little buildings with about 6 rooms in each building. Right before arriving at our hotel, there is a scenic overlook where everyone comes to watch the sunset. It literally is about 50 yards from the hotel.
The little town of Sedonda is so pretty!!! We drove back into town for dinnger and then back to the hotel to go to sleep so we would be ready for our hot air balloon ride.
So Day 7 was actually a long day of driving with a stop at the Hoover Dam and arriving in Sedona.
Then we continued on to Sedona and finally arrived shortly after the sun went down. We stayed at the Sky Ranch Lodge. It was up on Airport Road overlooking all of Sedona. I can't say enough how much I loved Sedona. The hotel was like little buildings with about 6 rooms in each building. Right before arriving at our hotel, there is a scenic overlook where everyone comes to watch the sunset. It literally is about 50 yards from the hotel.
The little town of Sedonda is so pretty!!! We drove back into town for dinnger and then back to the hotel to go to sleep so we would be ready for our hot air balloon ride.
So Day 7 was actually a long day of driving with a stop at the Hoover Dam and arriving in Sedona.
Day 6 - Las Vegas
We checked out of the Shilo Inn in Oakhurst and headed for Las Vegas. After driving for 7 hours over 415 miles, we finally arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30pm. I must say that maybe it would be better for me to go back another time to appreciate it. Neither one of us had ever been there. We had no idea where to begin. We didn't know where to go to eat.
I was told that if you play the slot machines, you will get free drinks. I went thru my money too fast for them to even get me a drink, so that didn't work out so well. We walked up and down the strip and checked out the fountains at the Bellagio. That was probably the best part of Last Vegas. After two beers, and $40 less than I started with, we went back to the hotel. Needless to say Las Vegas, unfortunately, will not be in my top 10 of this trip.
I am hoping to go back with Crystal, Cheryl, Ryan, Rochelle, Garret, Michelle, and everyone else from work sometime for a much better time. And I better win money the next time!!!!
I was told that if you play the slot machines, you will get free drinks. I went thru my money too fast for them to even get me a drink, so that didn't work out so well. We walked up and down the strip and checked out the fountains at the Bellagio. That was probably the best part of Last Vegas. After two beers, and $40 less than I started with, we went back to the hotel. Needless to say Las Vegas, unfortunately, will not be in my top 10 of this trip.
I am hoping to go back with Crystal, Cheryl, Ryan, Rochelle, Garret, Michelle, and everyone else from work sometime for a much better time. And I better win money the next time!!!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Day 5 - Yosemite National Park
I don't think I have ever driven on so many windy roads in my whole life until this trip. I don't understand how the speed limit can be 55 mph when I can only go 35mph, because the turns are every 50 yards and some are more than 90 degree angles.
I may have forgotten to mention how awesome the GPS is. In San Francisco, it rerouted us around a ton of traffic and saved us a good 30-45 minutes. Today it took us from Tahoe to Yosemite on some scenic route. It was a very pretty drive. We entered the park thru the eastern side ( I will update later with exact location). Right outside the park, the gas price was $4.99 per gallon. The lady at the park area, said that the gas was cheaper inside the park.
I had no idae how HUGE that park is!! So we got gas inside the park for a whole $4.51 per gallon. nevertheless it was cheaper than outside the park.
We stopped at a few scenic places along the way and took pictures. Then we hiked the short hike out to Bridalvail Falls. Yosemite is absolutely the prettiest and best place we have seen so far. I am guessing that I may be saying that about other things too in the next few days.
We saw a mule deer, some kind of blue bird. We hiked out to Vernal Falls.
Then we drove to Mariposa Grove and saw the huge Sequoia's and the Giant Grizzley. I can'y say enough how pretty Yosemite was.
We left out Rte 41 in the Southern end and drove to our hotel, the Shilo Inn and Suites in Oakhurst.
This hotel actually has real keys. And the weirdest thing ever, it has a phone right beside the toilet in the bathroom. I had to take a picture.
Once we checked in, we went to dinner at Sweetwater Steakhouse and Saloon, less than 1/4 a mile away. It was slow getting waited on, but that's because they were understaffted.. I ordered the prime rib, salad, and garlic mash potatos. The food was delicious.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Vegas!!! Hoping my luck gets a little better.
I may have forgotten to mention how awesome the GPS is. In San Francisco, it rerouted us around a ton of traffic and saved us a good 30-45 minutes. Today it took us from Tahoe to Yosemite on some scenic route. It was a very pretty drive. We entered the park thru the eastern side ( I will update later with exact location). Right outside the park, the gas price was $4.99 per gallon. The lady at the park area, said that the gas was cheaper inside the park.
I had no idae how HUGE that park is!! So we got gas inside the park for a whole $4.51 per gallon. nevertheless it was cheaper than outside the park.
We stopped at a few scenic places along the way and took pictures. Then we hiked the short hike out to Bridalvail Falls. Yosemite is absolutely the prettiest and best place we have seen so far. I am guessing that I may be saying that about other things too in the next few days.
We saw a mule deer, some kind of blue bird. We hiked out to Vernal Falls.
Then we drove to Mariposa Grove and saw the huge Sequoia's and the Giant Grizzley. I can'y say enough how pretty Yosemite was.
We left out Rte 41 in the Southern end and drove to our hotel, the Shilo Inn and Suites in Oakhurst.
This hotel actually has real keys. And the weirdest thing ever, it has a phone right beside the toilet in the bathroom. I had to take a picture.
Once we checked in, we went to dinner at Sweetwater Steakhouse and Saloon, less than 1/4 a mile away. It was slow getting waited on, but that's because they were understaffted.. I ordered the prime rib, salad, and garlic mash potatos. The food was delicious.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Vegas!!! Hoping my luck gets a little better.
Day 4 - Lake Tahoe
We checked out of our hotel in Roseville on the 6th and headed for Lake Tahoe. We had to fill gas up for the 3rd time. Luckily, gas was only $3.69 per gallon. The low Temp in Tahoe was 37 degrees, while the high was 80.
We had lunch at The Beacon, which was right on the lake. I had a chicken caesar salad and a Miller Lite. We decided to go on a sailing cruise on the lake. So we went back and checked into the hotel.
We stayed at the Horizon Casino and Resort on the southern end of the lake. We both agreed that this hotel was the worst one we stayed in so far. However we were comparing this to Hyatt's and Marriott's, so maybe it really wasn't that bad.
We stopped for pictures along the drive to Tahoe City. We stopped at Emerald Bay like my uncle suggested. Unfortunately the gondala at Heavenly stopped running as of Labor Day. In Tahoe at least, it seems a lot of things shut down around Labor Day for the season.
The sailing was supposed be a sunset sail around the lake from 5-7pm. It included drink, and appetizers. The appetizers consisted of crackers, cheese, and dips. Though the Jalapeno and artichoke dip was great, I think we expected a little more from the appetizers. It was still beautiful to be on a large sailboat on the lake.
Since we didn't get to eat much on the lake, we were hungry by the time the cruise was done. We went to a place called Sunnyside Restaurant. My Uncle and his girlfriend recommended it. We saw more of a sunset there. It was also right on the water. We weren't too terribly hungry so we each just ordered an appetizer and a glass of wine.
Once dinner was over, we went back to the hotel. I decided to waste $20 and try to gamble. I didn't care for any of the slot machines in our hotel. I figure that's practice for when I win my millions in Vegas!!!!
We had lunch at The Beacon, which was right on the lake. I had a chicken caesar salad and a Miller Lite. We decided to go on a sailing cruise on the lake. So we went back and checked into the hotel.
We stayed at the Horizon Casino and Resort on the southern end of the lake. We both agreed that this hotel was the worst one we stayed in so far. However we were comparing this to Hyatt's and Marriott's, so maybe it really wasn't that bad.
We stopped for pictures along the drive to Tahoe City. We stopped at Emerald Bay like my uncle suggested. Unfortunately the gondala at Heavenly stopped running as of Labor Day. In Tahoe at least, it seems a lot of things shut down around Labor Day for the season.
The sailing was supposed be a sunset sail around the lake from 5-7pm. It included drink, and appetizers. The appetizers consisted of crackers, cheese, and dips. Though the Jalapeno and artichoke dip was great, I think we expected a little more from the appetizers. It was still beautiful to be on a large sailboat on the lake.
Since we didn't get to eat much on the lake, we were hungry by the time the cruise was done. We went to a place called Sunnyside Restaurant. My Uncle and his girlfriend recommended it. We saw more of a sunset there. It was also right on the water. We weren't too terribly hungry so we each just ordered an appetizer and a glass of wine.
Once dinner was over, we went back to the hotel. I decided to waste $20 and try to gamble. I didn't care for any of the slot machines in our hotel. I figure that's practice for when I win my millions in Vegas!!!!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 3 - White Water Rafting and Visiting Uncle Tom
Today was awesome!!!!!! I must say so far Sonoma / Napa Valley and today are by far the most awesome things so far we have done!!!. We woke up and had the continental breakfast before checking out of the hotel today. I made waffels!!! Their breakfast was great. We are hoping to do this as much as possible.
We had to drive to the next hotel to at least drop our stuff off before going to the white water rafting place. They said if you leave stuff in your car, it could get broken into. After my rental was broken into about a week ago, I didn't want to take any chances.
We arrived at Hyatt Place in Roseville, CA. They let us check in to our room at 10:30am!! The hotel is so far the best we stayed in yet. There is a whole sectional as soon as you walk in the room. It kind of makes you feel like home.
Once we checked in, we left for the white water rafting area. We stopped at the American River Pizza Place for some salad and pizza.
We arrrived at the Tributary White Water Rafting place shortly after 12:30pm. We were supposed to be there by 1pm. Of course, we waited until about 1:40pm for 5 people to come. Once we got on the river, it started off a little slow. Eventually it picked up to class 3 rapids. We had so much fun. Though as cold as the water was, at least we managed to stay in the boat. Temps got up to almost 90 degrees, which was awesome and a nice change from San Francisco.
Once that was over, we came back, showered, changed, and met my uncle and his girlfriend and her son at BJ's Brewery and Restaurant. There were so many things on the menu I didn't know where to begin. They all looked delicious!!! It was so great to see my Uncle Tom and meet his girlfriend and her son. They gave us lots of ideas for thinks to see and places to go in Tahoe. I made sure we got pictures. Then he gave me the two boxes I sent to him once we left.
He may go to Tahoe with us tomorrow. Not sure yet on that one. I am just happy to have gotten to spend some time with him.
We had to drive to the next hotel to at least drop our stuff off before going to the white water rafting place. They said if you leave stuff in your car, it could get broken into. After my rental was broken into about a week ago, I didn't want to take any chances.
We arrived at Hyatt Place in Roseville, CA. They let us check in to our room at 10:30am!! The hotel is so far the best we stayed in yet. There is a whole sectional as soon as you walk in the room. It kind of makes you feel like home.
Once we checked in, we left for the white water rafting area. We stopped at the American River Pizza Place for some salad and pizza.
We arrrived at the Tributary White Water Rafting place shortly after 12:30pm. We were supposed to be there by 1pm. Of course, we waited until about 1:40pm for 5 people to come. Once we got on the river, it started off a little slow. Eventually it picked up to class 3 rapids. We had so much fun. Though as cold as the water was, at least we managed to stay in the boat. Temps got up to almost 90 degrees, which was awesome and a nice change from San Francisco.
Once that was over, we came back, showered, changed, and met my uncle and his girlfriend and her son at BJ's Brewery and Restaurant. There were so many things on the menu I didn't know where to begin. They all looked delicious!!! It was so great to see my Uncle Tom and meet his girlfriend and her son. They gave us lots of ideas for thinks to see and places to go in Tahoe. I made sure we got pictures. Then he gave me the two boxes I sent to him once we left.
He may go to Tahoe with us tomorrow. Not sure yet on that one. I am just happy to have gotten to spend some time with him.
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