Grand Canyon

Tags

Arizona, Grand Canyon, Lilos Westside Cafe, National Park, Route 66, Williams

9 April 2017 – Grand Canyon, AZ

We woke up on Route 66 in Seligman and went to breakfast at Lilo’s Westside Cafe.  The kids shared two stacks of enormous pancakes, Sherrie enjoyed Texas-sized french toast, and I had a chili omelet filled with jalapenos.

Grand Canyon South Rim Panorama

 

Lucas, Aurelia, and Giluliana build a rock cairn in Grand Canyon

From breakfast, we drove 1.5 hours into Grand Canyon National Park and the South Rim.  We parked outside the Market and after a quick restroom break walked the short distance to the canyon rim trail which is an easy paved walk with great views.  All along the route, there were samples of rock and descriptions of the geology.  The canyon allows one to see 4.5M years into the history of the Earth.  The uplifted strata, limestone, sandstone, and granite were visible and the kids enjoyed being able to touch and see the rock up-close.

 

We walked the 1.5 miles to Bright Angel Lodge.  The views were spectacular but still, we couldn’t see to the bottom of the canyon and decided to hop on the bus taking us further into the canyon with better views of the Colorado river.

Family photo at Grand Canyon

 

 

A short wait for the bus and a 20-minute bus ride to Mojave point was worth it.  Based on the suggestion of a park employee you can see the Colorado river snaking it way through the canyon (and apparently on quiet days hear the rapids below).  We took the bus back to Bright Angel Lodge but instead of waiting for the shuttle to the Market we decided to walk back from there.  The kids were not doing well – hungry and tired of walking.  They obviously need to get their hiking endurance back!

We got back to the car and enjoyed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  However, after sandwiches, they were still hungry.  So, we stopped at Williams, AZ and Station 66 Italian Bistro.  Interestingly, the kids didn’t seem that hungry….

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Yosemite – Mist Trail

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california, half dome, Hiking, National Park, squirrel, Vernal Falls, waterfall, Yosemite

16 June 2016 – Yesterday we were up on the rim looking down 4000 ft to the valley floor.  Today we were hiking in the Yosemite valley floor looking 4000 ft up.  We took the highly rated Mist Trail which leads to 3 waterfalls.  However, we only had time (and energy) to reach the first set at Vernal Falls.

Lucas attempts to start a fire bybrubbing a rock on a stick before our hike

1.5 miles of 10 degree incline gaining 1000 ft is quite a challenge for little legs. Plus, we aren’t in full hiking shape this year.  After yesterday’s climb, I mistakenly thought the hike would be easier than it was.  I recorded 300 flights of stairs on my fitness tracker.
The park was not overly crowded but even on light days the valley floor can be overwhelmed.  We found parking to be something of a challenge but luckily only had to search for about 10 minutes.  However, it put us about .75 miles from the trailhead.

The kids found some granite boulders to climb along the path

The trail itself is paved and follows the path of the river which keeps it cool – but also increases the mosquito population as it nears evening. The trail is also really busy.  Too busy for our taste, but still – its Yosemite, so one cannot complain too much. 

The kids had a bit of a rough go on the incline given a lack of sleep and the strenuous hike the previous day up the Panorama trail, especially Aurelia.  But we managed.  The primary portion of the trail ends at the Vernal Falls bridge, where you see the lower falls directly below you.  However, to see the more spectacular upper falls you have to go, that’s right, higher 🙂

Fat squirrel on the trail

Lower Vernal Falls and the Yosemite Valley

We continued to the upper falls which were astounding – water falling from a straight-edged cliff making it look like a curtain.  The trail ends and one point and continues as a steep stairway cut into the granite along the river canyon.  You feel both the mist of the spray as well as the vibration of the falling water.  We went only a quarter way up the steps and  turned around to head back down.  It was just too much for the kids – and too much of a risk with them so tired.

We returned to our car at about 6:15.  The sun was going down and the 70 degree weather was more like 55 – so we put on our jackets and enjoyed dinner al fresco beneath half dome amongst the majesty of Yosemite.

Dinner beneath half dome

On the way out of Yosemite, the park decided to give us one more treat – a beautiful view of half dome during the sunset.

Half Dome as the sun falls behind the rim of the valley

Yosemite – Glacier Point and Panorama Trail

Tags

california, glacier point, half dome, Hiking, National Park, panorama trail, United States, wildflowers, Yosemite

15 June 2016 – Our first stop of the day was Mark Twain’s Cabin – it was on the way and we noticed the sign.  Not the original cabin, a recreation from the 1920’s on “Jackass Hill” where Twain stayed for little over 1 year.  It was there he wrote his famous short story about a jumping frog in Calavaras country.  

We jumped out for a quick look and then continued on our way.  The kids took note because we’ve been listening to the short story and visited Angels Camp the day before.  It is a great gem of Americana and certainly a famous location for American literature.

Mark Twain Cabin – a reproduction in the same area he stayed for a year

We reached Yosemite at 12 noon.  Not a short drive from anywhere.  It was another 90 minutes (with lunch break) to Glacier point.  It is about .25 miles from the parking area to the lookout.  Luckily we found a parking space, others had another mile walk from a secondary parking lot. 

From the point is the best view of the valley – over 8000 feet above sea level and 4000 feet above the valley floor.  The view is outstanding.

Welcome to Yosemite

You can see all of the major Yosemite sites: El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite river, and Yosemite falls.  The point is really crowded but the view is amazing and worth it.  Even better is the Panorama trail head which begins at Glacier point.

Family at Glacier Point – Half Dome in the background

From the trail the views are just as awesome but less crowded, a lot less crowded.  The hike goes over 8 miles to the valley floor 4000 feet below.  However, the hike is great at any distance and you can turn around at any point.  We went about 1.5 miles and then took a long rest to look over the valley before the calf-burning hike back up.  It took us a total of 3 hours and approximately 3 miles round trip.  We took a 10 minute rest and snack break half way through.

A rest and a snack on the panorama trail

Hiking on the Panorama Trail

While June is a bit early we did catch some wildflowers beginning to bloom

The kids had a great time, they always love hiking.  Giuliana slept in the kid carrier most of the way 🙂 The views were better than promised with both Half Dome and 3 waterfalls illuminated by the sun.  One of the most stunning views I’ve enjoyed on a hike.  Well worth it. It feels like the greatest cathedral in the universe.

Family on the Panorama trail – half dome in the background, Giuliana sleeping on Sergio’s back

Half Dome and Waterfalls – the neverending view from the Panorama trail

Redwood National Park

Tags

beach, california, Forest, National Park, pacific ocean, Redwood National Park

12 June 2016 – Today we visited a location we’ve always wanted to visit, Redwood National Park.  Home of the largest trees in the world.  It is a park 50 miles. long along the Pacific coast.

On our way from Grants Pass we couldn’t help ourselves but to stop and picnic at the beach.  The kids put on their sandles and had an opportunity to play in the sand – unfortunately nothing interesting in the tide pools.

Tide Pools

Pacific Coast Panorama

Thirty more minutes and we were in the midst of the giant Redwood trees.  Having only a few hours we chose the Trillium Falls trail.  It is a beautiful 2.8 mile loop through the forest, along streams, a small waterfall, skunk cabbage, banana slugs, and of course trees bigger than you imagine.

Redwood Tree Canopy

Aurelia standing next to half a fallen redwood trunk

The forest was cool with dappled sun filtering through the canopy.  We had several opportunities to walk over, under, and through the kings of this forest.  Some were so large it was easy to imagine a whole family camping comfortably within a single hollow trunk.  It was hard to keep your eyes on the path with such a cathedral ceiling above you.

Family selfie inside a Redwood tree trunk

Hiking Trillium Falls

Trillium Falls

While we didn’t see much in terms of fauna (only banana slugs and Elk – hoping for a glimpse of the giant pacific salamander) the flora was amazing: Redwood trees, pine, aspen, red huckleberry, blackberry, coastal man root, iris, beautiful nursury logs, an amazing a variety of fern, moss, and lichens.  We saw the remnants of trillium, but too late for blooms.  There were also fragile white flowering vines called coastal manroot which had tendrils hanging along the path.

Coastal Manroot

Fern

Banana Slug

Wild Iris

The park is also home to a several large herds of Roosevelt Elk.  Coming back from the hike we saw a herd close up with several small calves with their spots.  We were only 30 feet away from several of them.

Elk herd grazing off Trillium Falls Trail within Redwood NP

Driving south we also spotted another herd lounging in the lawn of an RV park, so we stopped to admire this herd as well.

Herd of Redwood NP elk grazing in an RV park

From Redwood we drove to Redding, CA for  an overnight before heading East into the mountains.

Settling in for a trip from Redwood to Redding

Crater Lake

Tags

Crater Lake, National Park, Northwest, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, United States

11 June 2016 – We spent most of the day driving south from Portland towards California.  Having never seen Crater Lake and having the opportunity we decided to stop by.

The park opened not too long ago and tall snow banks were all around. All of the trails still closed.  However, having the opportunity to see the lake was enough.

The lake was beautiful – an unimaginable blue.  Clear enough to see the lake bottom contours from hundreds of feet above while standing on the rim.

Wizard Island was dusted in snow but the evergreens still gave it a green and brown hue.

Crater Lake from the East Rim

We spent about 90 minutes on the lake rim walking around the snow-cleared walkway and the visitors center.

Crater Lake and Wizard Island from Visitors Center

A 2 hour more drive south took us to Jacksonville, OR outside Medford for German cuisine before retiring to Grants Pass.

Mt. Rainer Naches Loop Trail

Tags

Berry Picking, Cascades, Hiking, Huckleberries, Lake Tipsoo, Mt Rainier National Park, Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, National Park, Pacific Northwest, Washington

17 July 2015 – Naches Loop Trail.  What a wonderful hike.  The mountain flowers were blooming in the meadows.  The song birds were at full pitch.  The huckleberries were ripe.  The views could not have been more stunning.

We started early to ensure we had a full day on the trail.  From our house it takes about 2.5 hours to get deep into Mt. Rainier National Park where some of the best hiking in the world lies.  We had previously visited Lake Tipsoo but had not done the loop trail – which was the goal of the day.  Our previous visit in 2011 to Tipsoo focused on the flowers and the mountain views.

Isabella, Sherrie, and Lucas at Lake Tispoo in 2011

Isabella, Sergio, and Lucas at Lake Tipsoo in 2011

Lucas, Sergio, Aurelia, and Isabella at Lake Tipsoo in 2015

After a quick lunch of sandwiches, strawberries, and juice boxes we started on the trail which begins on along the Pacific Crest Trail before splitting off to the South.  The trail is very well maintained and circles around Naches Peak with beautiful views of the valleys, Lake Douglas, and surrounding mountains.

Lucas and Aurelia Heading Up Naches Loop Trail

Lake Douglas and valley

After Lake Douglas the huckleberries go thick – and ripe!  We couldn’t help ourselves and spent at least an hour picking and eating 🙂 Thanks to berry bags we keep in Isabella’s backpack we brought many home for ice cream toppings.

Isabella, Aurelia, and Lucas pick huckleberries along the Naches Loop Trail

Ripe huckleberries along the Naches Loop Trail

Hucklberry picking stains the hands!

Of course, the mountain views were spectacular – Mt. Rainier was close and Mt. Baker in the distance.  It was a wonderful hike

Mt. Baker as seen from the Naches Loop Trail

Mt. Rainier from Naches Loop Trail

Sergio, Lucas, Isabella, Sherrie, and Giuliana on the Naches Loop Trail with Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier Panorama

Mt. Rainier and mountain meadow