Southwest Day 12

Starting yesterday we’ve been going on and off the historic Route 66.

Route 66, also called The Mother Road, was the first big road that went across the country (from Chicago to Los Angeles). Through the American West, it was very busy with all sorts of businesses like motels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
















Today, none are like they were in it’s golden age. But you can see some historic spots, that are really cool.

















My favorite ones were the Wigwan Motel and The Delgadillo’s Snow Cap. At Delgadillo's, I had a tasty cheeseburger and a strawberry shake, made in an old-fashion milk shaker. The place had fun signs everywhere and I liked it.
















I spent a big part of Route 66 taking photos, reading the many signs from Burma-Shave telling you not to speed and oops- counting bugs crash into the windows.

















Time to get them washed again.




My father had to leave for New York today, and on the way to taking him to get his flight in Las Vegas, we made a stop which he knew I would get excited as I am interested in architecture and how things are built: the massive Hoover Dam.






















The structure of the Dam is huge and actually when completed back in 1935, it was the largest concrete structure in the world. Because of its construction and history, the Hoover Dam is a busy site with tourists from all over the world.
















On the Colorado River, part of the dam is in Arizona, part in Nevada. We walked across the bridge, and walking, you go from one state to another.

















The picture above was taken as we left Hoover Dam. We then drove my father to the airport. As for my mother and I: we have four days in Vegas. Coming up!

Click here for more photos of March 24

Southwest Day 11

Good news: Today we arrived at the Petrified Forest National Park. We had not planned for it but my friend Sam’s mother had mentioned about it and when we looked into it, we got excited and decided to make the extra drive. We would like to thank her because the trip was totally worth it.













At Petrified Forest we got to see a majestic view of the Painted Desert. At different times of day the desert would be a different color depending on where the sun was shining. It was very nice.













After that we went on a walk with a ranger at Puerco Pueblo. He showed us the petroglyphs in a section of the park. It was cool to see the Native American art.




The horrible thing is that some people carved their names over some of the art. They drive me insane.



Someone in our group had a good eye for spotting things and on our walk, curled up on top of a tree, he showed us a porcupine:













We then headed towards the exit, but not before going to see the real petrified forest. It is so cool because to make the petrified wood a solution of volcanic ash and water must mix.
















Sometimes other minerals mix in and cause the rock to become another color i.e: when petrified wood is red it means that iron mixed into the solution.
















We started heading towards Las Vegas and made a quick stop in Winslow. In Winslow they have a very famous hotel called La Posada. Many famous people stayed there including Shirley Temple, Frank Sinatra, Albert Einstein, and many more. We quickly checked out the Frank Sinatra Suite and the Shirley Temple Room.

Later that day we arrived in Flagstaff and decided that we would spend the night there. We had dinner at a very good restraunt called El Charro. It had very good food and I would strongly suggest it specially to end a long day.
















Click here to view more photos of March 23

Southwest Day 10

It was windy freezing cold this morning so we decided to break camp instead of staying another day in Grand Canyon. I think it was the quickest time for breaking camp because now we had more experience.

Then we went to the cafeteria to drop off my mom (to organize work and the rest of our trip) and together with my father, I took a shuttle to the next hike. My dad and I were excited to do the last hike, Bright Angel Trail. This hike was a lot easier than South Kaibab. It’s views weren’t as expansive, but It was very nice. We saw a California Condor and a Peregrine Falcon.



As soon as my dad and I arrived back at the cafeteria, a snow storm began and we decided to hit the road. The beginning part of getting out of Grand Canyon was a bit slow because besides the snow, there was traffic too. Grand Canyon was crowded, especially when comparing it to the other parks we visited.

We changed plans altogether and decided to do something that was not in our schedule as you will see later…. and headed to Holbrook. This was a long drive on I-40.















On our way, a sand storm began and we enjoyed the sand hitting the side of the car. Everything around us was brown from the storm.

When we arrived at Holbrook we went to Butterfied Steak Co. restaurant. The steak was just what the doctor ordered and their place mats had the coolest map ever.

In the past day we have been through every type of weather imaginable. We had a snow storm, wind storm, desert/summer weather, spring weather, and winter weather. Now all I want to do is sleep and go on to tomorrow.

ps: storms are only recorded in my parents' video camera :( but that means you will get to see them later :)

Click here to view more photos of March 22

Southwest Day 9

This first morning of the Grand Canyon we had a grand breakfast. It was eggs, sausages, bread, cheese, OJ, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and cinnamon rolls. It did the job of filling us up for a few hours.

We made a stop at the Visitor’s Center and took a shuttle to South Kaibab Trail. This trail is very difficult and steep at times and can go all the way down to the river’s edge. All over the trail there were signs suggesting that you don’t go all the way to the river’s edge and back up in one day. Nevertheless, on the way back up we ran into a young man from Hawaii who had done it. I thought this was quite amazing because I only walked four miles and was already tired out.
















The hike had expansive views that allowed you to see the entire canyon. The views displayed a large amount of history and it was very interesting to look at the layers in the canyons once you knew how they were formed.































I recommend that people walk slowly into the canyon to save energy for the trip back up. I would also bring a bottle of water. We brought a two-litter bottle and shared among the three of us. South Kaibab Trail is not extremely crowded but almost always has somebody on it.

When I finished the trail, I felt like I had accomplished an amazing feat. It was a good feeling.
















The weather in the evening was bellow freezing but we had a campfire going and good sleeping bags to keep us warm (well some of us…. my mother had a harder time because she is from Brazil).

Click here to view more photos of March 21

Southwest Day 8

After a nice bowl of oatmeal at our campsite at Lee’s Ferry, my dad and I went fishing at Paria River (a tributary of the Colorado River), just below us. We learned a few techniques to attract trout from a fly-fisherman who was fishing near us, but our rod broke before they paid off.

















We broke camp and headed for Tuba City, Arizona - on the Navajo Reservation. We asked someone where to eat and they gave us directions to a swap meet there. It was great and there we got to enjoy the local culture. For lunch we had “fried bread”, roast muttin, ribs, and veggies.
















We walked from tent to tent and bought some local souvenirs; the pinon nuts were great. The place was very crowded with families walking around shopping. We made a couple of friends, including Ed Begay (click above for picture). Ed is an annoucer of Indian Pro Rodeo and was at the meet working as a DJ as well as selling cowboy hats.
















We also met a family who was selling pinon. When we said we were from New York, the woman thought we were from Texas. She thought New York was inside of Texas. Then she thought we lived in the same city as the president and her husband said “What kingdom are you from?”

We were supposed to now go to Monument Valley but worried about the amount of time we would have at Grand Canyon, so we headed there.
















During this time of the year, the North Rim of the park is still closed because of the weather. So we entered the park through the South Rim and went camping at Mather Campground. Together with my father, I helped build a nice fire, and hit the sack.

Click here to view more photos of March 20

Southwest Day 7

We woke up and had a pretty dull morning but eventually got to hike Angels Landing! To get to Angels Landing, we needed to hike up a canyon for two miles which took two hours.



The mountains had many holes, perfect for hiding inside or resting from the sun.
















At the base of the Angels Landing trail, we still had half a mile to go. My dad suggested we head back, for he was afraid we wouldn’t be able to do it, but I persisted.





















Half way between two peaks, there was a section that was two feet wide with cliffs on either side and no chains to hang on to. It was very scary. I finally agreed to go back but not before having hiked 1,400 feet up and having an amazing bird’s eye view of a California condor.

ps: and we DID see two California condors!

















Another two hours to go down. Easier but you feel like stopping more often to admire the view.
















It was then time to say goodbye to Zion. We took the scenic Route 89 and passed by the Vermillion Cliffs. While my parents took pictures I had a break to skateboard which was fantastic. Actually I was having so much fun that we stayed out for a while.



It was getting late and there was nothing but the desert around us. Luckily we found a turn off to a camping ground called Lee’s Ferry. One look at it and we decided to pitch our tent.

It was the best camp: the floor was good, the view was of the Paria River (right by where it meets the Colorado River), the campfire was warm and vibrant.

PS: Jesse Pasca, thank you very much for the tip on Angels Landing. It was the best!

Click here to view more photos of March 19

Southwest Day 6

In Zion, we are staying at a very nice hotel called Desert Pearl Inn.















The hotel is surrounded by mountains so wherever you look, there is a fantastic view.































We arrived here in the early evening of yesterday and decided to stay put. The kitchen is well equipped, so my mother made us a nice warm dinner: Thai rice, dahl and snap peas. The reception desk offered us a list of films that we could borrow and we chose The Magnificent Seven. This film suited the trip because it is a classic old west; it had a great story and very good actors. I strongly suggest it.

This morning we hung around the hotel. We had a lot of catching up to do with work, and the room in the hotel was so big and beautiful that we actually enjoyed staying in. There is also a patio with a view of a river that goes through the property.













I wrote on my journal and the blog, as well as answered questions people had posted. My mother had to download pictures from the camera, update the blog and organize videotapes. My father did the laundry, filmed around the hotel, cleaned and organized all film and tape equipment. Yes, we worked a lot.

When my father and I were done, we went down to the river and looked for worms to use as bait for fishing but no luck there.

We then went out and got take-out lunch from a funny dinner called Blondie’s. They had a lot of signs making fun of fishermen and hunters. Some of my favorites were: “Gone Fishing, be back for Deer Season.” “God must love stupid people because he makes a lot of them.”

With a late start, we only had time to do a couple of short hikes.

















On a scenic drive on the way we got to see a couple of bighorn sheeps, and right by where we parked our car to Riverside Walk, deers and wild turkey.




Riverside Walk was disappointingly easy but worthwhile. The high point of the walk was seeing a blue herring from up close catching and eating a fish. We stood on the edge of the river watching it for a very long time, and the bird didn't seem to mind our company.
















Riverside Walk followed the river up to the Virgin River Narrows. From there on you needed a dry suite and poles to continue the walk in the water. We were not equipped but I didn’t want to do it anyway because water now is really cold, it only warms up in the summer.





















Our second hike was to a place called Weeping Rock, which was a bit more advanced. It is called Weeping Rock because it is a giant Rock that literally cries, I mean, water pours down this great rock and it is not a waterfall. I took advantage of the water coming down and took a "shower".

















Another night at Desert Pearl Inn.

ps: at the hotel my mother was very excited to have a shower available after three days without one while camping. But nobody else seemed to care.

Click here to view more photos of March 18

Southwest Day 5

Morning at Racetrack: we had the best oatmeal breakfast ever, made from granola. My mother cooked it in our small camping stove and her kitchen was where we parked our car, with the view of the Racetrack right in front of us.
















I walked ahead with my father and saw the famous paths of the rocks on the Racetrack Playa. Yes, somehow rocks here move mysteriously!





















The floor is made of polygon-shaped dried mud and this is how it looks:



On the drive back we made a few stops to look at the cacti and flowers that were blooming. And the only thing that made us feel better about leaving Death Valley was that we had a lot more to look forward to.

This is me near the cactus with my Body Glove rash guard. Body Glove rules!

















Yesterday I got a cold, which is very annoying. Considering we were in the desert, a cold doesn't seem to make much sense, but it gets cold at night! The temperature in Death Valley is crazy. Yesterday it was 91ºF during the day, 35ºF during the evening.

On the way out, we drove by Rhyolite, a typical ghost town like you see in the movies. It was cool except for some of the buildings that were renovated.
















Our next stop: Zion National Park.

To get to Zion from Death Valley, we went through four states in just a few hours: California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. The radio was on during all of the trip, it was a great satellite station called Classic Vinyl and it played a lot of my favorite music.




Click here to view more photos of March 17

Southwest Day 4

In the morning at Furnace Creek Campground, I hung out and wrote in my journal. This is something I do in every trip I take.
















Because earlier today I was learning some boy scout camping techniques with my father, I wrote about that:





















We then headed to the north of Death Valley, making a quick stop at Scotty's Castle (very boring). We were not sure if we should do a backcountry road trip or not, and the woman at Scott's Castle Visitor Center said don't do it. She discouraged us saying how the road was bad and how people get stuck with flat tires all the time. My parents then held back on our goal to go to Race Track but I insisted on doing it. We had to. It looked beautiful in the pictures and our friend Anne had spoken amazing things about it.

I won.

Ubehebe Crater was on the way and that was just the beginning of our adventure! The crater was caused by magma hitting water and steam blowing off the top of the mountain. It was huge. And very very windy when you stood on top of it.



The road to the Racetrack was bumpy and we were afraid of flats and flying rocks from the tires. But it was not as bad as the woman made it sound and the view was something really wild. Every few miles, the landscape changed. Our favorite part was a section with mountains filled with cacti (plural for cactus).
















That night we camped at the Racetrack on a place that was quite remote and had only a couple of other tents, each respecting privacy and space between each other. We had to withstand the aches from sleeping in a rocky floor, but the sky was bright with stars and the fire was homemade (without matches!).

Click here to view more photos of March 16

Southwest Day 3

orning iew from our campground

Early in the morning we headed to what we thought was Badwater but actually was a stretch called Devil's Golf Course. From far it looked like it was a lake. I walked ahead of my parents for a long while to test the ground and bring back the news: what a sight! Is this what they call a mirage?! Part of the Death Valley salt pan, salt had formed into pinnacles which mixed with dirt and water. It was a worthwhile stop to see these from up-close and we were all alone while exploring.

At the visitor's center, we found out that you can walk almost everywhere in the park of Death Valley. Because of the weather, things change in such a degree, that we have little effect in its natural habitat. Still, one needs to respect and we were given a map with directions of areas which you need to leave alone, for example, places where plants in extinction live. It is great though how much one can step upon, touch and enjoy.

We then drove to Salt Creek Nature Trail, a spring-fed Salt Creek full of pupfish and beautiful clear freezing water.

Then it was time to go to the Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells.

They were HUGE. I decided to walk ahead and ended up doing a solo hike up the highest dune in the park. From there you could see so much. It was also very hot and I was dying for water once I came down.

After a horrible lunch (we couldn't find any good bread for our sandwiches), we went to Golden Canyon. The hike was amazing and I went to the top of a narrow, steep canyon and enjoyed the view across the valley.

Badwater was a dream come true. The salt flats spread out to about 200 square miles and I got to see some awesome chunks of salt laid out on the flat ground. Fact: Badwater is the lowest point in North America, 282 feet bellow sea level. Sweet.

This night we "upgraded" our stay to Furnace Creek Campground, which is like an oasis in the desert. We slept under evergreen trees, on a bed of needles.

Click here to view more photos of March 15.

Southwest Day 2

Yesterday we took a small, 50-person-jet, and made a stop-over in DC. We hung around the airport and ate churros. Soon, we boarded our plane and left to Las Vegas. Once in Vegas we checked out the most crowded airport ever, and I was surprised to find out that in the airport they had slot machines!













Then we rented a car and headed to our hotel, going to sleep right away. It was late.

Today we headed to Bass Pro, a huge outdoor adventure shop with many activities and a fishing tank. We bought some camping gear for Death Valley. We needed to get sleeping bags, a primus stove, etc.. It made more sense to get these in Las Vegas so we wouldn’t have to carry as much with us on the plane, especially because of the charge for extra luggage.

Once getting geared up we drove to Trader Joe’s. We like going there and for camping, we found that they had easy to cook, cheap, delicious, and healthy food. Like ready-made brown rice that comes in a package that you only need to boil.

Death Valley, a two and a half hour drive.

On the way we stopped so my parents could stretch their legs and I - skateboard!

Yeah, now we don't need to photoshop any more pictures, for we are here.

Our first stop was Zabriskie Point and we were there just at the right time of the day. The sun was low and was shinning on the mountains. You could see their beautiful shapes and shadows, and it all looked like a painting.

Eventually we arrived at the center of Furnace Creek. The camping ground was full so we stayed at an “overflow” campground, which was pretty good considering we didn’t need a reservation. We pitched our tent and had rice and beans for dinner.

Click here to view more photos of March 14.