Kolob Canyon and Provo

At the Northeast Corner of Zion is a spectacular drive through Kolob Canyon. The canyon rises dramatically overhead,resembling floating rugged mountains. At the top of the vista we encountered 2 more VW Vanagons!

Bryce and Zion, Utah 6/27/2011-6/28-2011

The Junior Ranger book was fun and insightful. It included taking time to sit alone to think about the Canyons, write poems in Haiku (5-7-5) and Cinquain forms (I had NEVER heard of this kind of poem, but Kendall had! Here's to 5th Grade English!!)

Cinquain
Topic
2 adjectives
3 verbs
How it makes you feel

Bobby at Bryce...same view 30 years ago on the 1981 trip!

Clair and Kendall at Bryce Point Overlook. Looking down into Bryce Canyon and the evolution of that wearing out of the earth leaving the fragments of red, liquid stone.

Beautiful formations at Bryce Canyon at Paria Point

Andrew (12), Jordan (17), Alexander (19) and Kendall (11) at Bryce Point

The view from Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon. It looks so much like "Silly Sand." It is hard to believe it has eroded from wind, rain and freeze-thaw cycles to result in this type of formation. Looking down into the Canyon, people are the size of ants down on the trails.

JJ squeezin her momma Mugsy at Bryce!!

Bryce Canyon (Haiku)

Shifting sandstone rocks
Balancing spires of stone
Molten waxy forms

What an incredible drive into Zion!! In 1981, Margaret (aka Mugsy) was just getting her drivers license and drove the original Vanagon on this road into Zion. She remembers the switchbacks but not much else...probably because she was white-knuckling it driving in. Actually, I am quite surprised Grandpa gave up the wheel on that one!

There is the Green Chili Relleno headed down into Zion Canyon. There is a natural "Amphitheater" up ahead of the truck on the left which is carved out by the wind.

Zion Canyon (Haiku)

Towering canyon
Overhead looms high above
Red stone, white rimmed peaks

Rubio at the campsite in Zion. Directly across from the camper and over a small ridge is The Virgin River. It was quite cold but very refreshing after a warm, dry day in Bryce and Zion. Hmmm...The closest showers are in the next town! Washing our hair in the river was a delicious dip. Just across the river is a "town" complete with shops, smoothies and movies. We purchased floaty rings so "the kids" (including Bobby and Eric) tubed down the river! What fun - the first taste of white water! (kindof a "white trickle")

(Cinquain)

Vistas
Majestic, Glorious
Rising, Falling, Soaring
My soul is uplifted

Andrew thinks his new shades from Alex are sooooo cool!!!

How do we cook.....Let me count the ways...

Caught at his favorite store looking for ammo!

more Bryce...with "The Boys"

and a hammer of course, "Thor's Hammer!"

Grandpa white-knuckling the drive into Zion...only because he's remembering Mugsy drove it in '81!

Who's winning here? It's Alexander and Kendall vs Andrew and Jordan playing Badminton at Zion.

More from the North Rim

Here is our caravan! Rubio and The Green Chili Relleno -(sounds like a band name!)  - the pop-up is behind the truck - Here we have Alexander, Grammy, Grandpa, Mugsy, Eric and Jordan.

Such beautiful Babes! Kendall (11) and Jordan (17)

The overlook at Cape Royal - 275 degree view from this spectacular pinnacle!

Jordan and Andrew with The Angel's Window in the background to the bottom right. We walked from this viewpoint actually out to the point behind them on top of The Angel's Window. Whew! Very windy! Made us all a little nervous up there!

What ARE we all looking at?

I dunno but I bet THEY know!! Look like a coupla smart teenagers to me!

This is one cool candelabra tree!

Snack time, I am sure!" say Kendall and Andrew

...on a nice stroll on the path to the Lodge...

Heading out from Phoenix and Grand Canyon North Rim 6/24/11-6/26/11

Andrew and Bobby with color-coded bags

Ready to leave Phoenix..Grand Canyon or Bust!!

Vermillion Cliffs heading up to The Grand Canyon

Sunset at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Kendall overlooking the Grand Canyon

The view from our Ranger-Led Nature Hike with Bill Searles. We got to know Bill from several talks and he swore in JJ, Kendall, Andrew and Clair as Junior Rangers. We all pledged the pledge to continue to learn about the Canyon and wear our badges proudly!

Kendall, Andrew and CeeCee - Sunset at the North Rim  from our campground

Grand Canyon North Rim

"Grand Canyon or Bust!" we all cried with a cheer....
"Our day of departure is finally here!"

So loaded all down with our colorful bags
And lanterns and stoves - all the food we could snag,

We've named Eric's truck the "Green Chili Relleno"
Because it is STUFFED to the brim - here we go!

We headed to 8,000 feet altitude
and poor little Rubio is "The Engine That Could."

He huffed and he puffed past Vermillion (red) Cliffs
Sometimes hoping that Eric would give us a lift.

But make it we did with the engine intact
And were treated with views that were GORGEOUS at that!

The Grand Canyon, North Rim is secluded and calm.
The views so spectacular, the breezes so warm.

We hiked on the rim on The Bright Angel Trail,
Watch out! Watch your step! There are no guard rails!

Three nights and three days with spectacular meals,
A Dutch Oven Pizza that would rival Emil's.

The stars from the Lodge were all fascinating
With telescopes we could even see Saturn's fine rings.

No mules did we ride but we hiked like a pack
All the way we walked out to Cape Royal and back.

There is no way to describe this incredible Canyon
Except take a breath at a vista, so awesome.

Getting Ready!

       The original 1981Vanagon-4! Bobby, Grammy (Sally), Grandpa (Bob, Sr.) Margaret (Mugsy)

                Grammy and her "Boys" :)

KB xo JJ 

Summer Reading!

Andrew and food - 5days for 10 hungry campers.

Bob and Clair - with the vanagon :)

Here's Rubio! (aka the name of the McCracken VW 1985 Manual Vanagon Camper - All waxed and shiny...getting ready to get packed to the gills...almost ready to go :) Thirty years ago, 1981 - 4 McCrackens in another vanagon made this trip - Just think...no cell phones, no computers, no advanced registration at campsites, no Costco...but there WERE S'MORES!...Some things never change.

Twas the night before leaving....

Twas the night before leaving and in our cute camper
Was all we would need for 5 weeks with no hamper.

The duffels were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of buffalo danced in their heads.

The food was all packed, quite enough for a crowd
With hopes that the bears wouldn't think us too loud!

With Grandpa and Grammy, Uncle Eric and Mugs,
Cousins Alex and JJ and room for the bugs...

Add Bobby and CC, Andrew, Kendall - that's all!
We'll be rockin' those National Parks - what a ball!