Celebrating in Style

We tried to plan out where we would end up on our anniversary, but for some reason the itinerary always put us at a different location: Zion, Bryce, Las Vegas, etc. We were pleasantly surprised when we found ourselves driving into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on June 22nd. We were fully aware that the Lodge would be booked, probably with a 12 month waiting list, but we thought just being there on the edge of something so vast and awesome was celebratory. It only got better when we found out that they had one Frontier Cabin available due to a last minute cancellation! 

So we celebrated in style with a bottle of Grand Canyon Champaign, dried mangos, and turkey sandwiches, all enjoyed with a spectacular view. 

The following morning we hiked to the bottom of the canyon and back on the North Kaibab Trail. Ten grueling miles (5 straight down and 5 straight up), but incredible nonetheless.

Yesterday we felt like we just drove and drove and drove but it was absolutely wonderful. Our route took us along several of the scenic byways of southern Utah, which meant we had the roads all to ourselves while marveling at some of the most breathtaking views in the nation. 

After a very fun night with cousins in the southwestern corner of Colorado we spent the first half of our day at Mesa Verde. We had a terrible tour guide who talked at a snails pace and prefaced every speech with something like "Now I am going to tell you two important pieces of information...". It was hilarious. 

From Mesa Verde we drove back into Utah and up the Moki Dugway and Hwy 95 to Capitol Reef National Park. I also forgot to mention that we are almost finished with Steinbeck's East of Eden and we are completely hooked. If you haven't read it, please please do, and we would both recommend popping it in your cassette player while driving the backroads of the great west.

     

Enjoying a peaceful evening at the wind whistler campground. 

 

Our hike in the Needles portion of Canyonlands National Park

 

A brief stop at Natural Bridges National Monument. 

       

 

First Couple of Days

Just a couple of pics from the start of the trip. Aside from a broken tent (that adam rigged with a hefty stick), everything has gone smoothly so far. 

Packed Bags

Today was my last day in Missoula. I can't believe I am saying that, but i really did have my last Montana day for a long time. Adam will be coming back to pick up our things later in the summer but this is it for me. 

I will say that this final day was delightful. After enjoying breakfast and coffee and doing a quick search on craigslist for DC apartments, we headed downtown to the farmers market. We purchased some fresh salad and cucumbers for lunch and said some last minute goodbyes. The Saturday Market has become a ritual for us that we will miss dearly.

We also got some excellent (at least we think as much) book tapes that will be our soundtrack for the next five weeks on the road. East of Eden, The Holcroft Covenant, The River Why, and Red Storm Rising will hopefully keep us going through the deserts of southern Utah and the coast of California.

Lastly, after a rigorous afternoon of packing, we enjoyed a peaceful dinner on the front porch while watching neighbors stroll by and the sun go down. We are happier people for having lived in this place and only hope that life will lead us back here someday. 

For now, on to the next adventure...