Photos from the road, by laura

Our trip in photos, from Tucson to Sedona,

Slide Rock to the Grand Canyon,

and Zion to Las Vegas (of all places,)


I think that the Grand Canyon was my favorite of all our stops. It was the only time we stayed two nights camping in a row. We were able to settle a little bit, and visit the park two different times, and they were so different! The first night we got there, we caught the sunset and enjoyed a mellow stroll on the rim trail. The next morning, we got up REALLY early and hiked 3 miles down into the canyon. I was the voice of reason and kept us from going farther, although it was quite tempting...it was getting hot, and we weren't really that prepared. So the 3 miles down gave us a slightly different perspective, although in such a large place, it's amazing how little 3 miles seems! We left the canyon, and continued north, making it to Zion National Park in southern Utah. It was my first time in Utah. I highly recommend making it to Zion. It's beautiful! Talk about feeling small. And there are so many different opportunities there depending on what you want...intense hiking, mellow hiking, wading through water into the "narrows" of the canyon, climbing, ...almost anything! We went for the mellow hiking and wading through some water, and finished our evening off with sitting underneath hanging gardens. It was like it was raining! Water seeps out of the rocks, and gives life to so many plants, vines and flowers, just right on the rock. It's really amazing.
Vegas was a world in and of its own. I'm glad we went. It was interesting. I played 3 slot machines, and put an end to my gambling while I was ahead. The Elvis button was my big score! haha. $40 richer. Thank you Elvis. And thanks to college friend Mimi and her husband Matt for being so inviting and letting us crash at their house, chill with their dogs, and use their shower, after not bathing for 5 days. That was nice. :)
Our last stop was through Flagstaff. I was grateful for the opportunity to cool off after a hot few days in Vegas. We stopped in a local food joint, got some dinner, and a sweet camping tip from the owner. A 20 minute drive took us out of town and up to a lake. We saw a herd of elk, Jeff witnessed a huge shooting star, and we woke up to birds chirping from all sides. It almost sounded like Nome!