As I write, Brian and I are perched at the edge of the Grand Canyon, celebrating one month on the road! We’ve spent the last week with my family in Cottonwood, AZ and are entering Phase II of this journey feeling rejuvenated and inspired. I promise to post more frequently to avoid the saga that ensues…
Where our story last left off two weeks ago, we were in Yosemite basking in the sun and snow-free valley that inspired a legacy of national parks. We were fortunate enough to climb to Yosemite Point (alone!), stand amongst the giants in Mariposa Grove, and enjoy the company of young climbers at Camp 4. We even had our first visitor of the trip: Reid wandered the valley floor with us all weekend. A computer science engineer now based in the Bay Area, he joined us for nights around the campfire and naps in the meadow. Brian and Reid have been friends since high school, but I’m lucky to call that guy a close friend from college too.
The week ended with a spectacular Seahawks win against the Green Bay Packers. As the boys went hiking, I set up camp in the Curry Village pizza place for some football. (I can practically hear my father saying, “Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?!”) What can I say, I love the Hawks. I was proud to watch that game as the only Seattle fan in the restaurant. Brian and Reid joined at the half and we ended our time in Yosemite with a joyous comeback.
From Yosemite, we drove south and east over the Sierras. We had been camped at the birthplace of rock climbing for a week and felt that itch to climb a rock. Trad or sport climbing (the kind with ropes) is a bit beyond the scope of this trip, but with a crash pad we could at least work on our bouldering skills. A bunch of folks recommended Bishop, CA as a must-see on this journey and I’m so glad we took their advice. Bishop is like the Leavenworth of California, serving as a great launch point for outdoor climbing. I found used climbing shoes for $15 in town and we splurged on the crash pad: a thick, 3’ by 5’ landing mat placed at the base of boulders to avoid bruises and sprained ankles. With famous Schatz’s bakery items in hand, we drove into the hills to the famed Buttermilks for (attempted) bouldering. At this point I should mention that we couldn’t climb anything. Bishop has some world class bouldering and I can barely cling to the wall of a gym. Regardless, we spent hours in the sun attempting to get a foot hold with our big toe on a protruding piece of granite the size of a tic-tac.
Enter our second guest of the trip: Ranger KJ! We became close friends and roommates over the summer working together at North Cascades National Park. She drove from San Diego to join us at Bishop, and her arrival brought a sunset of epic proportions. We ate chili gnocchi (like chili mac but with homemade chili and Trader Joe’s gnocchi!) and listened to Harry Potter audiobook as the stars came out.
The next day we drove to Death Valley, which turned out to be a strangely bizarre and scenic park. First of all, it’s absolutely huge. Driving from one end to another would take hours. The mountains are on an unbelievable scale as they rise from the lowest point on the continent (282 feet below sea level) to over 11,000 feet. Included in the nearby Sierra range is Mt Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48. Highs and lows seem to be defining this trip so far. In Death Valley, there are no trees or variations in landscape to identify the scale of what surrounds you. The crumpled hills look like an easy scramble at midday, but loom massively over us at sunrise or sunset. The evaporation of lakes has left expansive salt beds and extra-terrestrial rocks as evidence. Not to mention the larger-than-life sand dunes that have accumulated at the base of the mountains from high wind. Watching the sunset from those dunes was certainly the highlight of visiting the hottest place on earth.
Excited to see my mom and extended family, we drove in one stretch from eastern Death Valley to Cottonwood in northern Arizona. This past week has been so special as I enjoyed the rare opportunity to see my mom with my Uncle Paul, Aunt Avis, and grandparents all in one place. This quirky, loving, arguing, and teasing family was a joy to share with Brian. This visit brought the luxuries of home, Seinfeld, and showers. Showers being my personal favorite. We played outdoors at the Indian Mound (unexcavated pueblo site), Red Rock State Park, and Montezuma’s Castle. My mom and I hiked in Sedona, Brian napped in the hammock, we played poker with my grandpa and uncle, and even drove down to Phoenix for some Super Bowl madness! We walked around Super Bowl Central to witness the mayhem until my mom’s flight back home. Brian and I spent 24 hours in Phoenix, thanks to my parents for the hotel and Avis for a fancy Mexican dinner in Scottsdale! I felt like a movie star putting mascara on for the first time all month. I am counting my blessings to have such generous, thoughtful people in my life.
I’m still feeling the sting from Super Bowl Sunday. We made a complete party of it though… Brian’s famous guacamole and 7-layer dip, pickle rounds, wings, skittles, key lime cheesecake, the works. We had at least three different bets going, including a 10x10 bet board, and I put together a Jeopardy game for the afternoon leading up to kick off. We had a blast all day, until the last play of the game. I needn’t say much more. I’m a proud 12 and can’t wait to cheer them on next season too!
Thank goodness we didn’t need to fly home to a devastated Seattle. With a blue bird sky, we drove north to the Grand Canyon and Brian saw this magnificent place for the first time. Hoping for a permit to camp inside the canyon, we can’t wait to be out there.
Where our story last left off two weeks ago, we were in Yosemite basking in the sun and snow-free valley that inspired a legacy of national parks. We were fortunate enough to climb to Yosemite Point (alone!), stand amongst the giants in Mariposa Grove, and enjoy the company of young climbers at Camp 4. We even had our first visitor of the trip: Reid wandered the valley floor with us all weekend. A computer science engineer now based in the Bay Area, he joined us for nights around the campfire and naps in the meadow. Brian and Reid have been friends since high school, but I’m lucky to call that guy a close friend from college too.
The week ended with a spectacular Seahawks win against the Green Bay Packers. As the boys went hiking, I set up camp in the Curry Village pizza place for some football. (I can practically hear my father saying, “Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?!”) What can I say, I love the Hawks. I was proud to watch that game as the only Seattle fan in the restaurant. Brian and Reid joined at the half and we ended our time in Yosemite with a joyous comeback.
From Yosemite, we drove south and east over the Sierras. We had been camped at the birthplace of rock climbing for a week and felt that itch to climb a rock. Trad or sport climbing (the kind with ropes) is a bit beyond the scope of this trip, but with a crash pad we could at least work on our bouldering skills. A bunch of folks recommended Bishop, CA as a must-see on this journey and I’m so glad we took their advice. Bishop is like the Leavenworth of California, serving as a great launch point for outdoor climbing. I found used climbing shoes for $15 in town and we splurged on the crash pad: a thick, 3’ by 5’ landing mat placed at the base of boulders to avoid bruises and sprained ankles. With famous Schatz’s bakery items in hand, we drove into the hills to the famed Buttermilks for (attempted) bouldering. At this point I should mention that we couldn’t climb anything. Bishop has some world class bouldering and I can barely cling to the wall of a gym. Regardless, we spent hours in the sun attempting to get a foot hold with our big toe on a protruding piece of granite the size of a tic-tac.
Enter our second guest of the trip: Ranger KJ! We became close friends and roommates over the summer working together at North Cascades National Park. She drove from San Diego to join us at Bishop, and her arrival brought a sunset of epic proportions. We ate chili gnocchi (like chili mac but with homemade chili and Trader Joe’s gnocchi!) and listened to Harry Potter audiobook as the stars came out.
The next day we drove to Death Valley, which turned out to be a strangely bizarre and scenic park. First of all, it’s absolutely huge. Driving from one end to another would take hours. The mountains are on an unbelievable scale as they rise from the lowest point on the continent (282 feet below sea level) to over 11,000 feet. Included in the nearby Sierra range is Mt Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48. Highs and lows seem to be defining this trip so far. In Death Valley, there are no trees or variations in landscape to identify the scale of what surrounds you. The crumpled hills look like an easy scramble at midday, but loom massively over us at sunrise or sunset. The evaporation of lakes has left expansive salt beds and extra-terrestrial rocks as evidence. Not to mention the larger-than-life sand dunes that have accumulated at the base of the mountains from high wind. Watching the sunset from those dunes was certainly the highlight of visiting the hottest place on earth.
Excited to see my mom and extended family, we drove in one stretch from eastern Death Valley to Cottonwood in northern Arizona. This past week has been so special as I enjoyed the rare opportunity to see my mom with my Uncle Paul, Aunt Avis, and grandparents all in one place. This quirky, loving, arguing, and teasing family was a joy to share with Brian. This visit brought the luxuries of home, Seinfeld, and showers. Showers being my personal favorite. We played outdoors at the Indian Mound (unexcavated pueblo site), Red Rock State Park, and Montezuma’s Castle. My mom and I hiked in Sedona, Brian napped in the hammock, we played poker with my grandpa and uncle, and even drove down to Phoenix for some Super Bowl madness! We walked around Super Bowl Central to witness the mayhem until my mom’s flight back home. Brian and I spent 24 hours in Phoenix, thanks to my parents for the hotel and Avis for a fancy Mexican dinner in Scottsdale! I felt like a movie star putting mascara on for the first time all month. I am counting my blessings to have such generous, thoughtful people in my life.
I’m still feeling the sting from Super Bowl Sunday. We made a complete party of it though… Brian’s famous guacamole and 7-layer dip, pickle rounds, wings, skittles, key lime cheesecake, the works. We had at least three different bets going, including a 10x10 bet board, and I put together a Jeopardy game for the afternoon leading up to kick off. We had a blast all day, until the last play of the game. I needn’t say much more. I’m a proud 12 and can’t wait to cheer them on next season too!
Thank goodness we didn’t need to fly home to a devastated Seattle. With a blue bird sky, we drove north to the Grand Canyon and Brian saw this magnificent place for the first time. Hoping for a permit to camp inside the canyon, we can’t wait to be out there.