grand canyon national park

we got into the grand canyon last night (tuesday) about 7 and had some time to look around quick before we hit the hay. the first picture is of us in the back of the explorer. we hollowed out a spot to sleep because it was cold and rainy and some snow was on the ground also. cold. however, today has been great about 75* all day and mostly clear. we have sayed on the rim, no hiking down into the canyon at all. is has been a good and relaxing day for us. we rode the shuttles around to all the overlooks and took pictures.

gonna' write some thank you letters this afternoon to some people who have given to our trip in the last week or so and mail them off.

love all of you guys and we'll see you all again soon,

the three amigos

zion national park day 1

we rolled into zion about 2 in the afternoon yesterday (monday). we had just enough time to hike up to the emerald pools. the pictures are of the waterfalls into the emerald pools.

we had some extra excitement becuse the first lady was on the trail with us. we came up on a group of ladies and noticed that there we some body guards that we ahead of, in the middle, and behind the group. we spent the next half hour or so passing the group, stopping to take pictures, and getting passed by the group, and then passsing them again. it wasn't until after they had taken a different trail that someone told us that the first lady was in the group and that's why all the secret service was on the trail. the most important lady in the nation was brushing shoulders with us and we didn't even know it. i guess the scenery was more important at the time.

the other shots are of ellen at our campsite last night.

it's now 80ish and cloudy.

zion national park day 2

yesterday we spent the morning walking along and up the virgin river. the water was freezing but it felt good because it was 94*. after lunch we hiked up to angel's landing. at the top we were over 2,000 ft. in the air. pretty breathtaking. it was a five mile hike round trip and the last 1/2 mile had chains attached to the cliff so we would have somthing to hold on to. pretty scarry at times but a ton of fun. poor ellen didn't even know she was that high in the air.

it is just before lunch on tuesday now and we are going to head towards the grand canyon. tessa is at the zion laundry getting some things washed before we head out and i drove down the street to steal some wi-fi from the best western. we are all doing well and loving the weather.

78* and mostly cloudy

canyonlands national park

today was canyonlands national park. much more of a canyon than arches and most of the park is seen by hiking. we took a six mile hike through the needles and mesa canyons. it was pretty hot...85*...and the sun was baking the rocks again. the nice part of canyonlands is that not as many people were there...seems slightly less popular than arches.

it's 88* and not a cloud in the sky

arches national park

today, friday, we were at arches national park. we spent the day hiking in and around the arches...it was pretty awesome. if you'll notice i'm in the arch in the second picture. you can click on it and it will zoom in. it has been hot all day. especially when the sun has been baking down on the rocks all day. awesome regardless. we are driving outside of moab a couple miles tonight to find ourselves some more blm (bureau of land management) land where we can camp for free.

in town today we bought some groceries at the city market store and also picked up a sun hat for ellen. her cheeks are looking a little rosey even with the sunscreen. =)

we'll let you know the next time we have an internet connection and when we put up some more pictures.

tomorrow it's off to canyonlands national park...just a short jog off hwy 191 a couple miles down the road.

now 74 and fair.

black canyon national park

thursday, yesterday, we were at the black canyon in montrose, co. these are some shots at the park. it was literally breath taking. we came around the first bend and both tessa and i said "oh, my goodness" at almost the same time.

of course, pictures don't do it justice but it was incredible. hopefully you can catch some of the gargantuanness of the area.

at 5 or so in the afternoon we drove into the moab area in utah.

still 75 and fair

on the road in colorado

we are now in moab, ut and have stopped for an internet connection at a best western. feels kinda' funny sitting in their parkinglot and using their wi-fi. these are some pictures we took on the way to the black canyon in montrose, co.

we stopped by a river along the way to stretch our legs.

it's 75 and fair