Yoga Poses on the Grand Canyon Rim

"Of all the parks, I'd say sitting on the veranda at the Grand Canyon was the most relaxed way of either enjoying solitude or striking up a conversation. And then there's the view." - Carolv (Fodor's Forum)

When I originally planned to go to the Grand Canyon, I wanted to take a few days and backpack Havasu Canyon, an area in the west of the park on the South Rim side, on Havasupai (name meaning "People of the green-blue waters") land. It's known for being an oasis in the midst of the desert with amazing waterfalls. Sadly, there was a massive flood over the winter and the trails are still closed, and the pools have not recovered yet to their namestake blue-green glory. So I headed to the South Rim, with all it's crowded tourist glory (and this was in the "off" season!). Nevertheless, I had an enjoyable stay camping at the campground and utulizing the shuttle system to navigate to the Rim trails. The canyon . . words don't seem to do justice. To say that it's massive, grand, deep, large . . . they are too mundane to describe it. The colors were neat to see, imagining the various layers of geologic past that created them. It's amazing that the sheer force of water carved all of that. I definitly enjoyed sitting on the edge, taking photos, and looking down into the depths. I really enjoyed birding along the rim - seeing mountain bluebirds and even a California condor (just a glimpse as it flew overhead, but amazing!).

One of the most humerous moments was watching a japanese tourist, who very loudly counted to three in japanese before taking any photo - and she took about a million every ten seconds. Not only that, but I head a clopping noise on the rocks and looked at her footwear - she was wearing three inch white heels, while walking on the rocks along the rim of the canyon! Incredible.

Capt. James Cook's Adventurous Spirit May Be Contagious

No luck with photo or blog uploads from Flagstaff; my bohemoth of a computer wasn't vibing with their wireless for some reason, and I was too tired to argue.

Headed out of the hotel in Amarillo, and visited a lutheran church in the area for Easter Sunday service. It was nice, very traditional. From there, I hit the road and headed west along Route 40, which replaces the infamous Route 66. If you ever have to drive this route - have a friend. It's very dull, not much too look at through west Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. And most of the "rest stops" are closed (and the gas stations as well), boarded up and bankrupt, sad reminders of the heyday of Route 66.

Arriving in Flagstaff, I was sooo excited to get out of the car, I was fairly (or literally) jumping around at the hostel. The guy at the desk was rather amused. If you happen to stay in Flagstaff, I strongly recommend the downtown hostel. There are two, run by the same business - I stayed in the renovated hotel (the other one is renadated motel, and usually more lively . . ie. party crowd). I loved the hotel's charm, the kitchen and rooms were nice, ample parking in the back, and free (abet meager) breakfast in the morning - bring your own eggs and bacon to supplement and it'd be a feast though! Picked up a good book in their book exchange which I am now reading - about the life and adventures of Capt. James Cook.

Flagstaff, AZ is suprisingly similar to Jackson, WY. A cute, slightly hippy, outdoors town. I loved exploring the downtown, and after learning about the hostel's long(er) term work-exchange program (you work at the hostel in exchange for free lodging there), this may be a destination for a few months anyways after I finish in WA this fall. It'd be fun to come back to the area and get to explore more, hike, backpack, and work on my rock climbing skills which have been sorely neglected since my Sweet Briar days.

I visited the observatory where Pluto was discovered, then headed north to the Grand Canyon!

National Parks should have Recycle Bins

Heading south and west just a bit, the first stop was just south of Nashville, TN.  I stayed with the Kerri's family, a good friend of mine from Sweet Briar.  Sadly, Kerri was not there - she is serving as a missionary this year in Columbia.  Please keep her safety and ministry in your prayers!  I had a few wrong turns once darkness fell, but eventually made my way to her house (hint: drive until you think you're in the middle of nowhere, then drive some more).  

 The next morning I headed into Arkansas, and stayed the night in Hot Springs, AR - the childhood home of President Bill Clinton.  So I went around town and took the touristy photos of his home, favorite movie theatre, burger joint, etc.  I also went and took pictures of the large hotel in downtown - where the Pres. had his senior prom.  Coincidentally, there was a prom going on!  It was neat to see the current fashions (well high school fashions).   I also checked out "Bathhouse Row", which was made famous in the 1800s-1900s as a health retreat.  The town was named for its natural hot springs, which unfortunately have been funneled through pipes to the bathhouses for centuries now . . no natural hot springs bathing here.   I camped in Hot Springs National Park, nice spot near a river, but sadly there were no recycle bins at the campsite!  

Next morning, I headed on - cross the border into Oklahoma!  Lots of cows, wind turbines, fields, and more cows.  Then crossed into Texas, where some ominous weather was waiting - lots of lightning.  Made a call to the campsite where I was supposed to stay - Palo Duro Canyon State Park (the second largest canyon in the USA); and they were having flood warnings.  So I ended up in a hotel in Amarillo, TX . . . complete with hot tub & pool, shower, internet, king bed, and breakfast . . . it was a rough trade.  Actually given the city noises, I think I would have preferred the tent.  But oh well, it gave me a chance to update the blog.  I'll upload photos from the hostel in Flagstaff, AZ.  

Day One . . . still home!

Well . . I'm not on the road today as originally planned . . I'm still home in Virginia.  Packing and last minute errands, plus the desire to get a good night's sleep proved to be too much to accomplish on the last day, so I just made another "last day"!  

Hitting the road early Thursday morning, still Nashville bound. 

 

Another day, Another adventure

Another day, another adventure.  Please pardon the mess while this blog is in the process of being transferred from the "Trail Journals" site, to here.  

So Wednesday I begin another cross-country journey, westbound this time!   The final destination will be Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington.  I have been blessed with a great opportunity - an internship with the University of Washington's Center for Conservation Biology.  I'll be working under doctoral candidate Katherine Ayers, assisting in marine research on the southern resident killer whales - ORCAS!  Needless to say, I'm pretty excited.  Unfortunately, the position is unpaid and does not provide housing.  However, I found that a friend of mine from Alaska, Vanessa, just got a position on the island as a wildlife rehabber - so she graciously volunteered to be the house finder and located a great place for us on the island.  I'm heading up before the field season to secure a part-time waitressing job to pay the bills.  Another slight setback - we found out that part of the funding did not come through for the project, so it will likely start later in the summer than originally planned.  So I'm in the process of emailing other researchers in the area to see if they are in need of some free and willing labor.  But I have faith that everything will work out.  Plus, I've been told it's incredibly beautiful.  And today, it's snowing in Washington state!  YAY!

Here's the Itinerary for the trip (subject to travel whims):  

April 8:  Depart Yorktown, VA and drive to Nashville, TN.  Spend the night with the Faust family in Franklin, TN.  

April 9: Drive to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.  Camp & visit bathhouses.

April 10:  Drive to Canyon, TX.  Camp at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. 

April 11:  Drive to Flagstaff, AZ.  Stay at Grand Canyon Hostel.  

April 12:  Explore Sedona/Flagstaff.  Drive to the south rim Grand Canyon.  Camp.

April 13:  Grand Canyon exploring.  

April 14:  Drive to Las Vegas, NV.  Stay with Tasha Purcell (SBC '04).  

April 15 - 16:  Explore Las Vegas - Hot springs, hiking, petroglyphs, red rock canyon, climbing.

April 17:  Drive to Monterey, CA.  Meet Lindsey and Erika enroute for lunch.  Stay with Nikki and Shannon Dinsmore.  

April 18:  Play day in Monterey!

April 19:  Drive to Humbolt Redwoods State Park (Ave. of the Giants); Weott, CA.  Camp.

April 20:  Drive to Newport, OR. Camp.

April 21:  Drive to Seattle area, WA.  

April 22:  Drive to Anacortes, WA.  Catch ferry to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island!

Thoughts on Goodbyes

So it's amazingly sunny and beautiful today, a rare gorgeous day this summer since it's been pretty cold and rainy.  On days like this I cannot possibly imagine leaving Alaska.  It's truly a place like no other.  I had a great time at a bonfire with friends last night - yummy smores made with Reeses!  And plans for some more fun in the midnight sun tonight.  

I love being close to the mountains and the ocean, even when I don't get out in them as much as I'd like; I like having them there - being able to look at them and appreciate them daily.  Walking into work and being stopped in my tracks by the beauty - what an amazing creation God has made!  I love going out fishing and then spending the evening at a fish fry with friends.  And living in a small town - although it can be tedious to have everyone in your business, it's fun to go to the grocery store or post office and say hello to ten people.  

It's heartbreaking to think of leaving . . and my mind keeps wanting to postpone it.  But I really think that grad school is the route to go to get into the fieldwork I really want to be doing and have the desire and passion for.  Also, if God pulls some strings and potentially opens a door at Duke University . . I kinda feel I should take it.  I guess the good way to look at this is, it's not goodbye, just see you later.  (hopefully soon)

Temperate Forest Woes

It's raining.  For those who know me, not usually a huge deterrent, but in this case, it means really high meltwater in the steams.  My weekend pans were dampened (literally) by weather and unavailability of the forest service cabin. I booked it for another weekend and will hope for calmer streams and nicer weather.  The recent rain has turned our streams into blueish-grey turbulent rivers.  So I 'm going to try and hike the Harding Icefield trail on Monday if it's clear skies.  Living around here you get spoiled - no point in hiking the whole way up and being unable to see the icefield due to clouds.  

My own little cabin is clouded in today.  I can barely see the tops of the treeline nearby.  I know there are large snowcapped mountains in my view too, but you'd never be able to tell without prior experience - the fog is too thick to even show the shadowy outlines of the mountains.  

The other day, I was a few minutes late for work (unfortunately becoming more frequent due to my horrid sleep habits), but this day I had a good excuse - There was a momma and baby moose in the middle of my neighborhood road who seemed pretty contentment to just stay there, regardless of the cars.  Only in Alaska are moose and bears valid excuses for tardiness.  Unfortunately being exhausted is not.  I have sleep issues anyways, but having picked up another job, waitressing at the bistro, is taking it toll - although it's incredibly fun, some days more fun than the aquarium - mainly due to the abundance of smiles from coworkers at the bistro - I'm tired.  It is helping add to the gas fund for the trip south though.  And I bought my first piece of roadtrip gear today - a hard shelled box for the top of my car!  I'll pick it up at REI in Anchorage in two weeks along with a roof rack.  Fun stuff!  No timeline or departure date set yet, so keep checking back.  

Here's a few more photos of my kids.  From left to right:  Rhinoceros auklets, Red-legged kittiwake, and Common murre.  (All in the aviary habitat).