Bikram Bonding to Bryce Canyon

North Campground, Bryce Canyon National Park

We had a date with a VW service repair in St. George early this morning to replace the a/c compressor. While we weren't looking forward to the hour drive (in the wrong direction), we were treated to an amazing sunrise. What a great way to pull out of the campground in Zion.

 

 

 

The repair would take about 4 hours so we decided to explore the area on our bikes. As luck would have it there is a series of connecting bike paths near the VW Dealer. So we spent the morning biking along the Virgin River. Pretty fun way to pass the time actually.

 

 

We finally got back on the road at high noon and headed for Bryce Canyon. It was quite warm but we were feeling relieved to have a fully functioning a/c and a car that wouldn't over-heat. Well....about 30 miles down the road the a/c kicked off and the engine began over-heating. We called the VW dealer, but the service dept. had gone home for the day.

 

 

So....Mr. Ned aka McGuyver, said "This will be uncomfortable, but let's turn our heater on full blast to help cool the engine.". Yep, it worked like a charm. The engine immediately cooled off and we headed for Bryce in 90 degree weather with the heater running full blast. I like to think of it as our Bikram spiritual bonding moment.

Along the 3 hour drive to Bryce we saw some great rock formations and Cowboys riding with their little doggie along the road.

 

We met up with Gary and Linda at the campsite in Bryce, hopped on our bikes and headed for the Visitor Center. After watching the film about the park, we took a shuttle to the farthest point in the park to see the first hoodoo amphitheater.

 

 

 

 

 

Bryce Point,

 

 

 

 

 

We then headed to Inspiration Point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the gang walking along the Rim Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise or Sunset Point...I kept getting them mixed up, doesn't matter...here's my peeps hanging with the hoodoos.

 

 

Linda taking in the sights.

 

 

 

We had a really great time goofing around walking from Sunset Point to the Lodge, and then back to the Visitor's Center. By the time we got "home" we were more than ready for dinner. While Ned was grilling the burgers, I was busy tasting the wine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another great meal together. You can never go wrong with burgers and salad.

We made another late night ice cream run and then spent way too long drinking and telling stories. Tomorrow we head for the Grand Canyon North Rim. We'll figure out Winnie's woes as we get closer to civilization. I'm thinking Santa Fe or Albuquerque - days from now. Pray for cooler weather.

 

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The Zen of Zion

Watchman Campground, Zion National Park

We owned Zion today. From early morning til late at night we biked, hiked, explored and dined. This is our 5th time here and it's still one of our top three National Parks. It was so fun to re-explore Zion thru the eyes of a first timer.

 

 

Knowing we had a big day ahead of us we dined at Camp Chez Gary and Linda. On the menu was fresh eggs, toast with homemade jam and coffee. Yes, Linda is still wearing her Jammies, pretty cute!

 

 

 

Mid morning we biked the Pa'rus Trail. There were quite a lot of flowers still in bloom. The Virgin River was flowing pretty strongly so it made for great visuals and background noise.

After the ride we shuttled to the Natural History Museum to learn a little more about the park.

 

We took 4 separate hikes today. Here's the gang at the Weeping Wall.

 

 

 

 

Here we are on the Riverwalk at the start of the Narrows. We couldn't walk upstream due to flash flood warnings. It was blue skies and 90 degrees so go figure. In reality the water was rushing pretty strongly and was pretty darn cold too.

 

 

 

 

Linda and I stopped to soak our feet in the water. This water was freezing! (Note my feet aren't actually IN the water at this point).

I love Linda's reaction as she waded into the Virgin River. She got a little more feet cooling than she had bargained for.

 

 

We also walked the Grotto Trail and did the Emerald Pools

We got back to the Lodge, exhausted, sweaty and hungry, just in time for our dinner reservations.

 

 

 

By the time we biked back to our campsite we had about 15 minutes to throw our shower stuff in backpacks and bike out of the park to a local outfitter that provides showers to campers. Whew, made it just in time. Love this picture of the gang, late at night, dripping wet and exhausted, but clean, well fed and quite content.

A good time was had by all.

 

 

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Death Valley vs. Winnie

Watchman Campground, Zion National Park

The sun peaked over the mountain range at 5:30 and shone brightly down on Winnie. We were up at 5:31. That Death Valley sun, no matter the time, is just scorching hot.

 

 

 

We had a leisurely breakfast then headed up to the pool at Furnace Creek Resort at 7:30. It's a warm spring water fed pool. The water felt really soft and so luxurious. We got in a mile swim then just goofed off playing around in the water. Here's Linda looking like a movie star in her sun-glasses, Ned looking cooled off, and me looking like a drowned rat.

Feeling quite refreshed we ventured up to Zabriskie Point to get another perspective on Death Valley. The juxtaposition of the sand formations next to the valley were stunning.

 

 

 

Here's a pic of Ned and I at Zabriskie Point.

(Note, we are looking quite refreshed).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a 4.5 hour drive to Zion National Park. We decided to mix things up and have the girls drive in Winnie and the boys in "Cruise America.". Linda's famous last words as she hopped in were, "I'll go with you as long as you have air conditioning," which we thought was hilarious at the time. Well, a short time later, Winnie's air conditioning went out...kaput, zilch, nada. We didn't have cell service so while the boys motored along in comfort we were sweltering in 105 degree weather. At one point the car was hotter inside than out. Oy.

 

We finally connected with the guys and told them of our troubles. Ned was smart enough to call ahead to a dealer in St. George, Utah. The dealer was able to fit us in at the end of the day. Yep...Winnie needs a new compressor. Soonest it can be delivered is on Saturday. Luckily, we are staying in Zion until Saturday so we can make this work.

Back on the road in time to enter Zion as the sun was setting.

 

 

 

We decided to make dinner a collection of our finest leftovers. It was delicious! Must have been the wine...and company.

 

We were hoping to catch the bus up to the lodge, but we missed the bus. Oh well, it was great to do a walk-about, stock up on some provisions, and polish off an ice cream container or two:)

Love our camping spots for the night.

As I write this blog late at night, I'm appreciating the sound of the Virgin River nearby and especially the cool breeze.

Looking forward to exploring Zion tomorrow with Gary and Linda.

 

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Into the Furnace

Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley National Park

Loved waking up this morning, taking an early morning run, and then jumping in the hot tub at our campsite. If you look into the distance you can get a glimpse of Gary and Ned soaking in the early morning.

 

 

Gary and Linda also had a hot tub at their campsite. Here's Gary soaking away...after soaking with us. I think Gary likes these hot springs.

I loved the quaintness of Benton Hot Springs.

 

 

 

Our first stop of the day was Bishop, at Schat's Bakery. Didn't buy anything, but I did my fair share of sampling.

In Lone Pine, we decided to visit the Museum of Film History. Hundreds of movies have been filmed in Lone Pine. Everything from Westerns to Space and Alien Movies. We had a blast watching the movie and touring the exhibits.

 

 

 

Here's Linda singing along with the Gene Autrey.

 

 

Death Valley was our next destination. Poor Winnie overheated going up one of the grades, but we used the opportunity to have an imprompu late lunch, picnic style, on the side of the road. After a half an hour, all was good and we tootled-along once again.

 

 

 

We've been to Death Valley on several trips, but its beauty never ceases to amaze me.

 

 

 

 

 

We finally made it to the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center and Campground. It was 104 degrees!

Death Valley is the hottest spot in North America and has kept the world record of 134 degrees. It's also the driest and lowest place in North America.

 

We're camped at Furnace Creek Campground.

 

 

 

It's hot, but nothing a little cold beer can't cure.

Ned's grilled up chicken for dinner along with corn on the cob and salad.

 

After dinner it hit a balmy 95, so we decided to do a bike ride to the Borax Works.

We poked around the Borax Works for awhile enjoying the evening sun turning the mountains brilliant shades of orange.

 

 

One of the cool things about camping at Furnace Creek in Death Valley is that for $5 you can swim in the resort pool and take advantage of the showers! Wahoo. At 8:30 we headed to the pool and swam until around 10. It felt amazing! By the time we left the temperature was down to about 88. We hung our bathing suits on our bike handles. Bet you by the time we wake up tomorrow morning there are going to be bone dry. Ha! What an awesome day with Gary and Linda.

 

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Experiencing the Eastern Sierras

Benton Hot Springs, CA

The Eastern Sierras were in top form today. We didn't take for granted the spectacular weather with the snowy mountain tops against the blue skies. This is one of my favorite photos of our drive over Monitor Pass and down highway 395.

 

 

We stopped in Bridgeport for a picnic lunch. The highlight was watching about 100 school kids playing jump rope and other assorted organized games. Made me want to jump in.

Love this view of Mono Lake from the vista point. It was so still and the lake was like a mirror.

 

 

Ned and I did the boardwalk around the northern shore of Mono Lake. Loved seeing the tufas. We even heard the underground springs gurgling underneath one of the tufa formations.

Another view of the boardwalk on the North Side of Mono Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda and Gary met up with us at Lee Vining. It was So fun to see their rig coming up the hill and knowing we have two weeks of adventures together.

We had a scrumptious meal at Whoa Nelli Deli, yes a gourmet restaurant in a gas station. Draft beers on tap, wild buffalo meatloaf for the boys and fish tacos and Asian salad for Linda and me. Yum!

 

 

 

 

We decided to take a early evening hike around the southern area of Mono Lake. You can really get close to the water's edge and walk through huge tufa formations.

 

 

It was so fun to experience the light this time of the day.

 

 

 

Here's Linda and I, along the hike - "tu-fa the price of one." yuk, yuk.

As we drove into the dessert and over another mountain pass the light was amazing! Loved the cloud formations.

 

 

 

 

 

Our campsite tonight is at Benton Hot Springs. Every campsite, there are only ten of them, has its own hot tub! They each have spectacular views of the dessert. Gonna sign off now so we can spend the evening soaking in the tub with some adult libations.

 

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