Thursday, April 12, 2012

Desert Escape

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Zion Canyon, Zion National Park, UT
It has been almost a week since we escaped civilization, and how we loved our journey to the Wild Wild West. We left San Diego early Saturday morning, March 30, 2012, for a desert get-away to Page, Arizona. The drive to Page from San Diego was 9 hours (without stop), but we divided the long drive by stopping by at Zion National Park.
At Zion, we took a short uphill hike to Zion Canyon Overlook. More about Zion Canyon Overlook hike in later post.

 Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah
After Zion National Park, we drove directly to Page for 2 nights stay. The next day, we took a boat tour of Lake Powell and to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, again, more about the Rainbow Bridge  in later post.  
 Lake Powell, Page, AZ
On our 3rd day, still at Page, we did another short warm-up hike to Horseshoe Bend
 Horseshoe Bend, Page, AZ
We had been to Horseshoe Bend several times, but it was always inspiring to see this place. There were a lot of wildflowers in Horseshoe Bend trail. I will share more about the wildflowers and other finds at Horseshoe Bend and Page  later. Notice that all pictures here have "me" in them, well, because this post is more of itinerary summary of our desert get-away.  
Wupatki National Monument, Flagstaff, AZ 
After Horseshoe Bend, we continued our drive to Grand Canyon National Park but we stopped at Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater National Monument in Flagstaff, Arizona. After lunch in Flagstaff, we proceeded directly to Grand Canyon National Park, where we stayed for 2 nights. 
 Cedar Ridge, South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The next day, we woke up early to catch the earliest Hiker's Express Bus that regularly leaves Bright Angels Lodge at 6:00 am. About 6:45 am, we started our hike down the Grand Canyon via the South Kaibab Trail. Again, more of our one day Grand Canyon Hike from the Rim (South Kaibab trailhead) down to the river then back up via Bright Angels Trail later. 
 Inner Grand Canyon Gorge and The Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The National Park advises against doing a strenuous hike in one day such as this, however, applying for backpacking permit takes a long wait. If you know your limits and physical fitness level, this hike is very enjoyable even if done fast paced in one day, filled with ohhs and ahhs in every turn. It was such pure joy and happiness down the river and seeing the deepest layer of rocks of the Grand Canyon. The next day, though our legs may be tired from the 17 mile hike, 5000 ft descent/ascent, but definitely, we still had the energy to enjoy the Grand Canyon from the rim.
Sunrise as Seen a Few Steps from our Room
On our last day, while checking out at El Tovar Hotel, the front desk asked me, "are you planning to see more of the Grand Canyon before you leave the park?" I replied, "Maybe, but I plan to go shopping for Grand canyon shirts and hoodies to remind me of our beautiful Grand Canyon hike down to the river yesterday!" And the front desk clerk replied, "Oh my! and you're back up now! You have not only seen the Grand Canyon but you really experienced it! You definitely have seen more than what 90+ % of tourists had seen in this park! You deserve to go shopping, enjoy!"
Facing South Kaibab Trail from Mather Point, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
And I did enjoy my Grand Canyon shopping. For photo opps, before leaving the park, I wore the shirt above that says " I made it down and back up again!" And a hoodie that says, "HIKE, move your feet and your soul will follow" - Grand Canyon National Park.
My New GC Hoodie
"Hike....move your feet and your soul will follow"-- I find this so true, the beauty and grandeur of nature I find in hiking always bring a nourishment to my soul. I hope to continue to stay healthy and active so I can hike and move my feet where my soul will follow. 

Wishing everyone a blessed Holy Week and a happy Easter. 

~Betchai~

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21 comments:

  1. "Move your feet.....and your soul will follow"

    Then I am definitely a person with soul.

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  2. You are back! This is a real treat for your Spring Break! Perfect weather too! Your photos make me want to schedule horseshoe bend!

    I definitely move my feet!

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  3. Breathtaking place to be. Are there anyone else who joined you guys when you were there?

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  4. wonderwoman is back!!!! you know how much I missed yah :-) I was sure though that you will return with so many wonderful things to share with us...I love that first photo of you wearing PINK....and that one with your shadow...and of course the ones where you are wearing my ultimate favorite color..though of course I love them all...I can hardly wait to read on rainbow bridge and the rest of your adventure...that GC hoodie says it perfectly...following your walk through photographs with my soul and feeling the simply not so simple Joys of Life...

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  5. Your exploring trips have me longed for a youthful time, with health, and no physical limitations. Gorgeous photos of the earth, Betchai!

    Happy Easter to you and Khai!

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  6. Wow Betchai, you hiked from rim to river and back in one day! Your pictures are beautiful, my favorite is Horseshoe Bend. Wishing you a Happy Easter!

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  7. What an amazing trip! You really packed a lot of great sights and adventures into a short time. Congratulations on your Rim to River to Rim hike!

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  8. this is a great hike (which i have done earlier in my life) - wonderful pictures

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  9. What a wonderful adventure! Sounds like you got some neat souvenirs that will follow you back home.

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  10. Grand Canyon! I wrote this on my bucket list. Your wonderful photos enticed me more that I must accomplish this in this lifetime. Thanks a lot for this inspiration.

    Have a blessed Sunday, my friend!

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  11. Happy easter miss beth? Were you able to meet Marichu in arizona?
    wow, 9 hr drive is insane (at least for me) but the stop overs seems nice.

    Grand Canyon is a must see. (LOL, it seems all of the places you visit is a must see for me)

    :-)

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  12. wow what an adventure you have there! :D must be an eye-opener there

    Latest: How Hot can You Take?

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  13. they are beautiful, life is beautiful.

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  14. Betchai, you so inspire me with your journeys. I would love to visit many of these spots but since I can't now, I can travel there through you. Gorgeous photos my friend. Hope you had a wonderful Easter.

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  15. and i continue to pray that you and Khai stay healthy and active to be able to explore more of earth wonders and share your hikes with ohhhhs and ahhhhs in every turn. i do have too many ohhhhs and ahhhhs everytime i virtually hike with you. time for me to move my feet where my soul will follow. :)

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  16. What beautiful desert images. I hope you had a happy Easter.

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  17. I hope you had a great Easter, and a good break at the desert! Magnificent photos as always..

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  18. what a beautiful and inspiring post! great to have you in the pics too:-) I simply love the motto about walking:-)))
    happy new week!

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  19. Happy Easter Wednesday Miss Beth! Amazing escapade you had there... I envy your stamina... :D

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  20. This is the next place I want to explore ! I will come back and revisit this post once we made our plans !!!

    Awesome photos like always !!!

    Aligaga

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  21. Hello, it has been a while since I've visited your blog.

    It's a refreshing change, seeing a lot of you in the middle of the landscape. But not close enough to memorize your face though, hehe. I think it's better when you are in them.

    That's a far place! 9 hours away! I presume you're not tired when you went hiking. You got the clerk impressed too! :)

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!