Just so you all know we are alive. We made it out. So tired. Blisters. Sore legs. Can't look at the canyon any more. More later after food, shower, beer and sleep. Maybe not in that order, who knows.
I smell like a mule. And we didn't ride mules.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Good morning, Grand Canyon
It snowed throughout the night and the wind began to really howl. It is about 24 degrees and all of the dry snow is blowing all around. Yeah, great day for a 9 mile hike. If only we were planning on skiing. That powder is amazing!!
Heading out in about an hour. Hope we don't freeze.
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Saturday, February 26, 2011
Paddy post
Oh yeah! The Floridian just got a crash course in how to drive in the snow. I drove with a great navigator the entire way, we drove, we prayed and Jesus heard our loud cry. We survived and it was pretty fun.
We made it to the canyon...I think
We drove up from Scottsdale after a quick breakfast with dad and the Ulrichs. Disregard my see thru shirt... Was not aware until after the photo was taken.
They headed off to play theTPC Scottsdale course and We drove north to Flagstaff via Sedona and the red rocks canyon. Amazing!
Duh...
It was really overcast and cold, but still amazing. As we got up in elevation the snow got thicker and thicker on the ground, very beautiful. It was the most snow P has seen...until later in the afternoon.
As we got into the greater park area the snow began to fall. By the time we got to the park it was coming down very hard. So much so that the girl at the front gate warned us that there was zero visibility and there are no refunds for lack of view, we powered through.
Our first stop was the backcountry office to get our passes. Usually you have to make reservations, not today, plenty of spots. The good thing was that no one looked at us like we were nuts for going in. Most opinions are that the canyon is it's most beautiful in the snow. It is quiet, peaceful, empty and the wild life pops out against all the snow. The weather forecast calls for about 4-8 inches overnight and then clearing in the morning. We bought some ice clamp ons for our boots since it will be slick.
Once we had tomorrow all set up we checked into our hotel, the Bright Angel Lodge right on the canyon edge. At least I think the canyon is there. She wasnt kidding when she said zero visibility.
Our room is basically a little cottage right on the rim and steps from the trailhead.
We went out to the lookout and realized that the only other people here are Japanese teenagers. We all know how awesome Japanese teenager tourists are. The photo below they are saying "we are Japanese!!!". Pretty amazing.
These are views into the canyon. I swear.
And someone thought it would be funny to throw snowballs at me while I was taking artsy pictures. At least he has good form.
This is what should be out this window..
El tovar porch. Would be a great spot for a post hike glass of wine, except all the snow and zero view.
Instead we are having wine here. Tovar Pinot Gris for me and grand canyon pilsner for P. By the way, el tovar is the historic lodge on the rim, right next to our lodge. We will be staying here after our hike.
Tomorrow we hike into the canyon and will be sleeping under the stars. We have already reserved our steak dinner at Phantom Ranch down there, hopefully the best steak we have ever consumed.
Wish us luck!! See you on Monday!
They headed off to play theTPC Scottsdale course and We drove north to Flagstaff via Sedona and the red rocks canyon. Amazing!
Duh...
It was really overcast and cold, but still amazing. As we got up in elevation the snow got thicker and thicker on the ground, very beautiful. It was the most snow P has seen...until later in the afternoon.
As we got into the greater park area the snow began to fall. By the time we got to the park it was coming down very hard. So much so that the girl at the front gate warned us that there was zero visibility and there are no refunds for lack of view, we powered through.
Our first stop was the backcountry office to get our passes. Usually you have to make reservations, not today, plenty of spots. The good thing was that no one looked at us like we were nuts for going in. Most opinions are that the canyon is it's most beautiful in the snow. It is quiet, peaceful, empty and the wild life pops out against all the snow. The weather forecast calls for about 4-8 inches overnight and then clearing in the morning. We bought some ice clamp ons for our boots since it will be slick.
Once we had tomorrow all set up we checked into our hotel, the Bright Angel Lodge right on the canyon edge. At least I think the canyon is there. She wasnt kidding when she said zero visibility.
Our room is basically a little cottage right on the rim and steps from the trailhead.
We went out to the lookout and realized that the only other people here are Japanese teenagers. We all know how awesome Japanese teenager tourists are. The photo below they are saying "we are Japanese!!!". Pretty amazing.
These are views into the canyon. I swear.
And someone thought it would be funny to throw snowballs at me while I was taking artsy pictures. At least he has good form.
This is what should be out this window..
El tovar porch. Would be a great spot for a post hike glass of wine, except all the snow and zero view.
Instead we are having wine here. Tovar Pinot Gris for me and grand canyon pilsner for P. By the way, el tovar is the historic lodge on the rim, right next to our lodge. We will be staying here after our hike.
Tomorrow we hike into the canyon and will be sleeping under the stars. We have already reserved our steak dinner at Phantom Ranch down there, hopefully the best steak we have ever consumed.
Wish us luck!! See you on Monday!
Correction
370 miles traveled yesterday. My bad.
Next stop...the Grand Canyon!!!
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Next stop...the Grand Canyon!!!
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Also...
I am declaring myself makeup free until Vegas. You were warned.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
On the road! Day 1
Miles traveled- 310
Sights seen-Mexico?
We made the most boring leg of the trip last night, San Diego to Scottsdale. We left after work and didn't get in until well after 1am.
Not much to report on that except there are a lot of areas on 8 in western Arizona that smell like the inside of a porta potty after a hot game day at a football stadium. Pretty disgusting.
P got really excited every time we could see the Mexican
Border, so that entertained us for a while. Otherwise it was dark and boring.
We made it to the hotel and got a power nap and are up bright and early to meet Dad and Harry in the lobby to say hi and have some breakfast before they head out to play some golf. Excited we were able to meet up with them on our randomly overlapping vacations!
Oh, one plus about traveling at night is that you do not realize how much the landscape changes. We woke up and pulled the curtains back and were like Bam! Welcome to Arizona! It was like we teleported here or something. Pretty amazing!
Ok, today the plan is the take off north right after breakfast, maybe swing through Sedona, and then head to the Canyon. No real plans for the afternoon besides standing at the edge and staring in awe. Maybe the scenic drive too. Also, the one must do is secure our back country permits so we can camp overnight tomorrow night. Praying that the weather will ensure some empty spots!
Sights seen-Mexico?
We made the most boring leg of the trip last night, San Diego to Scottsdale. We left after work and didn't get in until well after 1am.
Not much to report on that except there are a lot of areas on 8 in western Arizona that smell like the inside of a porta potty after a hot game day at a football stadium. Pretty disgusting.
P got really excited every time we could see the Mexican
Border, so that entertained us for a while. Otherwise it was dark and boring.
We made it to the hotel and got a power nap and are up bright and early to meet Dad and Harry in the lobby to say hi and have some breakfast before they head out to play some golf. Excited we were able to meet up with them on our randomly overlapping vacations!
Oh, one plus about traveling at night is that you do not realize how much the landscape changes. We woke up and pulled the curtains back and were like Bam! Welcome to Arizona! It was like we teleported here or something. Pretty amazing!
Ok, today the plan is the take off north right after breakfast, maybe swing through Sedona, and then head to the Canyon. No real plans for the afternoon besides standing at the edge and staring in awe. Maybe the scenic drive too. Also, the one must do is secure our back country permits so we can camp overnight tomorrow night. Praying that the weather will ensure some empty spots!
Friday, February 25, 2011
I can't control the weather
As much as I would like to, I cannot control the weather. Then why is it the only thing I am stressing about? Luckily I found a site that shows the weather inside the actual canyon and I feel a little better. It looks like it will rain/snow the morning we start our hike, but it will clear up and be a lot warmer than I had previously thought. Phew.
Shoes
The problem of ending the trip in Vegas is that I have to pack a very wide variety of stuff. If we were only hiking and camping my temptation would be to pack no makeup, maybe even no deodorant. But no, we have to look civilized come Friday. I think my shoes say it best.
P.s. Today is trip day!!!!!
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P.s. Today is trip day!!!!!
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Yeah, that is gluten free beer
Making some beer braised pulled pork to eat on the road!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Still nervous
All of my hopes that the evil Alaskan cold front that is bearing down on the south west would stall for a few days are fading away...
At least the rest of the week up in Utah is looking warmer...well, relatively warmer.
Luckily all the snow I am dreading is exactly what my sister was praying for. She is spending the weekend in Vail and I am pretty sure it is her fault I will be cold.
On a plus side, according to weather.com I will be a level 8 comfortable on Friday. Pretty excited about that.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
If you are from the south...
You can't have a road trip without some boiled peanuts!
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Ok, feeling a little better
Instead of freaking out about the cold weather, I decided to spend my morning google imaging "Zion National Park winter" and "Bryce Canyon National Park Winter" and came up with some pretty amazing images.
Maybe I should get some real work done. Nah.
Brrrr! It's cold out there (Must be some Torros in the atmosphere?)
Things like this are making me nervous:
In case you were wondering where this beautiful winter weather is going to be, it is the Grand Canyon. And we happen to be hiking into the canyon on...you guessed it...the coldest day of the week! That low of 3 degrees is pretty scary considering we will be sleeping outside. I am counting on the dramatic elevation change, the one that will fry my glutes and most likely make me lose my two big toe nails, to also create a very large temperature differential. Fingers crossed (and hopefully not stuck that way or frostbitten).
I suppose...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Supplies
We have been shopping at every outdoor adventure store in the greater San Diego area for all of our gear. I know we severely over shopped, but I still feel very unprepared. We justify it by saying that we still haven't spent as much as we would have if we bought two plane tickets to Hawaii... But I am not so sure that is true anymore.
Hiking boots, travel books, maps, new jacket, hiking pants (3 actually), thermal socks, long underwear, waterbottles, hand warmers...I hope we survive.
Hiking boots, travel books, maps, new jacket, hiking pants (3 actually), thermal socks, long underwear, waterbottles, hand warmers...I hope we survive.
The EPIC Southwest Adventure of 2011
I am starting a blog today because we are preparing to take our first EPIC road trip and my sister has requested a "blog of some sort" so that she can live vicariously through us. I am more than happy to oblige her on her request because I love to share photos and stories from all of my trips.
So, here is the background...Paddy and I have been married for 5 months and 17 days. For our half-aversary we decided we wanted to take a road trip as a kind of honeymoon to supplement our week in Ponte Vedra right after the wedding (as if that needs a supplement, but part of me felt the need for an adventurous trip in addition to the relaxing one). Knowing that we had to take full advantage of all the amazing nature that is near San Diego, we knew we had to make our trip a South Western adventure.
So, here is the background...Paddy and I have been married for 5 months and 17 days. For our half-aversary we decided we wanted to take a road trip as a kind of honeymoon to supplement our week in Ponte Vedra right after the wedding (as if that needs a supplement, but part of me felt the need for an adventurous trip in addition to the relaxing one). Knowing that we had to take full advantage of all the amazing nature that is near San Diego, we knew we had to make our trip a South Western adventure.
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