DUDE, the Grand Canyon totally rocks!

There's a lot to say about the 2.5 days we spent in an around the Grand Canyon.  First, it was much cooler and wetter than we expected.  We are told that August is monsoon season -- a claim which appears to hold water.  Fortunately, we placed our tent on high ground and averted a damp wake-up call on our first full day.

That first day we proceeded directly to the Bright Angel Transportation Desk where we were pleasantly surprised to find that due to a number of cancellations there were several cabins available at Phantom Ranch.  Visitors to the canyon are CONSTANTLY warned that hiking down to the river at the bottom of the canyon and back on the same day is not a good idea (it's an intense 17mi round trip), so getting a place to stay at Phantom is a requirement.

With our accommodation secured we hoofed it down the picturesque 7mi South Kaibab trail in 3:21.  We felt pretty good about that since the estimate is something like 6 hours.  However, we must acknowledge the huge boost we got from the cool weather.

Phantom ranch itself was better than expected.  We had a private cabin with air conditioning and were served a delicious meal of stew and cornbread.  We attended a ranger talk on the geology of the canyon (Pre-cambrain to present) and learned that DUDE stands for {Deposition, Uplift, Down cutting and Erosion}.  Alas, we didn't stay long -- the next morning we headed out at 5:30am to beat the heat.

The return hike up Bright Angel Trail was staggering in more was than one.  The 10mi hike was certainly the most challenging single hike either Aubry or I have ever attempted (and this after completing the second-most challenging the day before).  We hiked quickly but also took regular breaks downing 2+ liters of water each.  At the mark of 4:51 we reached the south rim completing the round trip in just under 24 hours.  The feeling in one's legs is not dissimilar from completing a marathon.

Since I doubt anyone is still reading at this point.  Here be thar photos:

Sunset at the big ditch.

Aubry shows off her good side.

Starbucks(R) iced coffees to launch us into the big hike

Aubry poses near a warning sign as usual

Cheaters on the trail (we hate these guys)  :P

Ooooh, what now?

Those 360 degree views ... thankfully we brought the wide angle lens

Aubry lunches near some rocks

Where are we going again?

Oh, right.

YOOOU

Our cabin in the woods.

Many mule deer can be seen at the bottom.

It's wide, it's fast, it's muddy, ... it's the Colorado.

Made it!

Yuppers!

Some of the best dam photos I've ever taken

On the way from Vegas to the Grand Canyon it's obligatory to stop by the Hoover Dam.  I've been here a few times and as recently as a couple of years ago. Until now, crossing over the dam has been the best way to cross the Colorado river / lake Meade for points west in Arizona.  It turns out that with the completion of the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge (see below) not only is that not the best route anymore, it's not even an option -- once you drive across the dam the road is closed.

The great thing about the change is that it really cuts down on traffic on the dam which has been a big issue since they started doing vehicle inspections in 2001.  These days you can drive right up to the dam, park, and take your time with photos or whatnot.  Pretty great experience.

Leaving Las Vegas

We spent three nights in Vegas and recklessly gambled away six dollars.  Mandalay Bay was as nice as I remembered, but we were impressed by some of the new hotels including Aria (we explored most of the hotels on the strip yesterday).  Cirque du Soleil's "O" at Bellagio was pretty spectacular, but next time we'll have to go in a different direction and catch Penn & Teller.

As a last hurrah we checked out Fremont street.  We didn't take many, but here are a few photos.  On to the Grand Canyon!

Darth Vader and a show girl waiting to cross the street

Zion Photo Dump

It's a few days late, but here is a post from Zion National Park. We were having too much fun in Vegas to post this sooner! Zion was amazing, and as you can see we had trouble narrowing down which photos to share. Enjoy!

Six people have died hiking Angel's Landing!

Scenery on the way up to Angel's landing.

There were a couple miles of switchbacks going straight up the side of the canyon for about 1400 feet.

View down into the canyon.

To get to the landing you have to hike the narrow ridge in the background.

Chilling at the top!

Still waiting on those angels...

360 degree views from the top of the ridge.

Living on the edge!

The highest point on top of Angels Landing.

Water falling into the lower Emerald Pools.

Angel's Landing is an exhausting hike!

Day two hike into Hidden Canyon.

Part of the trail is unmaintained and involves climbing over rocks.

Spotted a garter snake looking for food.

The three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

All About Mormons

Going through Salt Lake City we made the obligatory stop at the famous Mormon Temple located right downtown.  Good thing Trey Parker and Matt Stone helped us out with what to expect.

The tabernacle

Large pipe organ

In front of the main temple

How you become a Latter-day saint

Entrance to the Joseph Smith Center

At the Genealogy center

With Joseph Smith

Inside the Joseph Smith Center lobby

The temple as viewed from floor 10 of the Joseph Smith Center

Across the street in the convention center