We left Nevada early to get into Yosemite National Park for the first come first serve camp sites.
Driving through the mountains into the valleys was rough. Tight corners, ups and downs the whole way. The snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada didn't make me feel to great about camping that night. As we slowly made our way closer and closer to the park, only to find out that the first pass into it was closed. My guess was snow and ice but we didn't ask any questions. We figured we would keep heading north, either we would hit another pass on the east side of the park or head around the the west side.
All the passes were closed, we were all pretty bummed. Yosemite is one park that is very untouched by man, and one of the most beautiful. But that was just one closed park, we still have many more to hit up.
We continued up to Lake Tahoe, which had a ton of snow. People were digging cars and houses out of the deep snow, it was nuts. We left Mass in humid hot crappy weather, now we are in the mountains and its snowing.
We slowly but surely made our way out of the mountains on our way to San Fransisco. The drop in elevations was brutal on my ears, it was just intense. California traffic was a bit crazy, not as bad as Vegas, but pretty crazy. It was nice being out of the mountains and into the city. As we got closer to San Fransisco the traffic got heavier.
Moving on through the suburbs we decided to look for a camp ground to set up base camp and explore the city. Things didn't really fall into place though. The first camp ground we found was more then we wanted to pay to be cramped and drag our stuff down a trail. So we moved on. We figured we would head north up the 1 a little. The 1 it turns our is sharp switch backs, that people in BMWs just fly up. We continued pushing our trusty mini van up these hills for several miles. We finally found a camp ground and it ended up being full. We back tracked into the city to just look for a Walmart to pass out in, well the parking lot at least. Turns out, the San Fransisco area is very complicated and likes to hide it's Walmarts...
We found a Target after about 2 hours, but moved on deeper into the city for a possible hotel. All the hotels were either full or had ridiculous prices. We settled on trying to find the Walmart...again. We finally found it! We were so over tired everything was just funny to us. We were restless and I for one had no real interest in staying in a parking lot.
After much talking we decided to just skip past San Fransisco. At this point we saw the Golden Gate Bridge and just wanted to move on. Our rough destination, was somewhere up near the Redwoods. We made it about halfway there, before we crashed in a parking lot next to a Super 8.
Worst idea ever....
Mychildren Mybride- On Wings of Integrity
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The City of Sin, and the Valley of Death
Awaking refreshed and ready to hit the road we started making our way to Las Vegas finally. We stopped at the Hoover Dam, which some how my fear of heights overcame. It was huge, how they built it so fast is amazing. It may not look to impressive at first but think about man actually building this structure. It's over 4 football fields thick! The monument on the north end was pretty cool as well. It was a chart of the space and star locations. There was some audio commentary on the speakers explaining it but i didn't catch much of it. Something about aliens finding it and junk.
We finally hit Vegas, which by the way has the worst traffic I have ever seen and experienced in my life. We ended up parking in the some lot next to the Rio. The city was massive, we couldn't even cover it all. We hit up Ceaser's Palace, and The Belogio(sp?). I played some cheap slots and digital black jack and won a couple bucks.
The city had a lot to offer, plenty to look at but there was also a filth to it. When you leave the classy casinos and spill out into the strip, you run into things. Every 30ft they had what looked like newspaper holders ( you know the kind you slip change into for the paper) but they ended up just free nude mags. It didn't stop there though, along with those, every 30ft or so there were people handing our cards, and pamphlets for strip clubs and hookers. The vulgarity and the fact they handed them out to everyone blew my mind. It made me sick, these people pushing this industry so far.
After about 2 hours in Vegas, none of us wanted to really stay till night fall. We headed north again looking to find a place near Yosemite National Park, so we could get in early the next day. This took us into Death Valley, a place properly named. Other then a couple building that resembled an old spanish monastery, the place was desolate. We were running low on gas and daylight at this point. The visitors center look abandoned for a while and had broken glass all over. We found a camp ground but it didn't all that great. We had to decide whether to continue on north of the park and out that end, or the way we came. We ran into another group that came from the north warning us of rocky roads, and a long drive. That was enough to hear so we heading back out the way we came.
We headed north out of the park again trying to find a town to stay in. The first looked like it was stuck in the 1800's and was nearly empty. Then we stumbled upon a real town. After checking all the hotels because they had no camping available, we ended up at the Clown Hotel. It's a little creepy on the outside, but the rooms are fine and that is where i sit now. Thus the update is finally complete.
We head to Yosemite tomorrow, I pray the bears don't rip the van apart.
Chuck Ragan- For Broken Ears.
We finally hit Vegas, which by the way has the worst traffic I have ever seen and experienced in my life. We ended up parking in the some lot next to the Rio. The city was massive, we couldn't even cover it all. We hit up Ceaser's Palace, and The Belogio(sp?). I played some cheap slots and digital black jack and won a couple bucks.
The city had a lot to offer, plenty to look at but there was also a filth to it. When you leave the classy casinos and spill out into the strip, you run into things. Every 30ft they had what looked like newspaper holders ( you know the kind you slip change into for the paper) but they ended up just free nude mags. It didn't stop there though, along with those, every 30ft or so there were people handing our cards, and pamphlets for strip clubs and hookers. The vulgarity and the fact they handed them out to everyone blew my mind. It made me sick, these people pushing this industry so far.
After about 2 hours in Vegas, none of us wanted to really stay till night fall. We headed north again looking to find a place near Yosemite National Park, so we could get in early the next day. This took us into Death Valley, a place properly named. Other then a couple building that resembled an old spanish monastery, the place was desolate. We were running low on gas and daylight at this point. The visitors center look abandoned for a while and had broken glass all over. We found a camp ground but it didn't all that great. We had to decide whether to continue on north of the park and out that end, or the way we came. We ran into another group that came from the north warning us of rocky roads, and a long drive. That was enough to hear so we heading back out the way we came.
We headed north out of the park again trying to find a town to stay in. The first looked like it was stuck in the 1800's and was nearly empty. Then we stumbled upon a real town. After checking all the hotels because they had no camping available, we ended up at the Clown Hotel. It's a little creepy on the outside, but the rooms are fine and that is where i sit now. Thus the update is finally complete.
We head to Yosemite tomorrow, I pray the bears don't rip the van apart.
Chuck Ragan- For Broken Ears.
Tragedy on the road...
After a wonderful nights sleep we leave Sedona and make our way up to Nevada, to find a place outside Las Vegas. On our way we went to stop at a store to pick up some stuff for sandwiches. That's when I figured I left the food money in the car....I was wrong. Somewhere between the hotel in Sedona and where ever we were, I lost the food money, along with some of my own. We were out hundreds of dollars, and not even half way through our trip. I ripped through all my bags and gutted the van all to no avail. The hotel said they didn't find anything.
We started figuring out ways to pay for food and whether or not to cut the trip short. The simple solution in my mind was for me to cover the rest of the food on the trip, it was my fault and no one else should have to suffer for it. Luckily a call from my parents solved our problems temporarily.
I am so blessed to have a great family that truly loves me. They have always been there for me at every point in my life. They have helped me out and given more then I could possibly deserve and for that I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
With our problems at bay for the time being we continued on. We stopped in Kingman Arizona. I fairly larger town then we have seen on the trip. Our campsite on the other hand, was well, Palmeresque lol. Andrew ended up sleeping in the van to make sure no one took anything. It was our first warm night and we slept well for the most part, despite our site being 10 ft from a main road...
A Day to Remember- The plot to bomb the panhandle
We started figuring out ways to pay for food and whether or not to cut the trip short. The simple solution in my mind was for me to cover the rest of the food on the trip, it was my fault and no one else should have to suffer for it. Luckily a call from my parents solved our problems temporarily.
I am so blessed to have a great family that truly loves me. They have always been there for me at every point in my life. They have helped me out and given more then I could possibly deserve and for that I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
With our problems at bay for the time being we continued on. We stopped in Kingman Arizona. I fairly larger town then we have seen on the trip. Our campsite on the other hand, was well, Palmeresque lol. Andrew ended up sleeping in the van to make sure no one took anything. It was our first warm night and we slept well for the most part, despite our site being 10 ft from a main road...
A Day to Remember- The plot to bomb the panhandle
Arizona
We hit the road early after a night in Zion. We ventured in a little before we left for some last minute walks and pics. Jesse and I stumbled upon a random tunnel which was wicked sick.
We moved on to the Grand Canyon that morning. The roads around it changed around every bend, from desert sands to giant mountains and mesas. After much talk we decided to head to Desert View Point for one of the best looks of the canyon. It was a bit over crowded but a great view none the less. I will say though after seeing Zion, and Bryce, it didn't really stack up. I would suggest to anyone going on a trip like this to hit up the Grand Canyon first before other place like Zion.
After taking in the rays and the views of the Grand Canyon we made our way to Sedona, Arizona. The community was the cleanest place I've ever seen, no trash laying around anywhere. All the building had a cool natural color, sand red, or tan to blend in. Also I don't think I saw a single place over 3 stories high. We noticed though, that everything closed really early, like 6pm. Come to find out from a Wendy's employee that its a retirement community.
We grabbed a hotel on the strip and relaxed for the night in nice warm sheets. We had a great view of the mountains outside our window and got some well deserved shower time in.
We moved on to the Grand Canyon that morning. The roads around it changed around every bend, from desert sands to giant mountains and mesas. After much talk we decided to head to Desert View Point for one of the best looks of the canyon. It was a bit over crowded but a great view none the less. I will say though after seeing Zion, and Bryce, it didn't really stack up. I would suggest to anyone going on a trip like this to hit up the Grand Canyon first before other place like Zion.
After taking in the rays and the views of the Grand Canyon we made our way to Sedona, Arizona. The community was the cleanest place I've ever seen, no trash laying around anywhere. All the building had a cool natural color, sand red, or tan to blend in. Also I don't think I saw a single place over 3 stories high. We noticed though, that everything closed really early, like 6pm. Come to find out from a Wendy's employee that its a retirement community.
We grabbed a hotel on the strip and relaxed for the night in nice warm sheets. We had a great view of the mountains outside our window and got some well deserved shower time in.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The little things in life
After waking up in the middle of a valley covered in Utah we were ready to get going. The wind and cold in Otter Creek ruined my sleep. I ended up sleeping in the van for some quietness, which I did get, though it was still freezing.
After a very fast pack up we were off to Bryce Canyon. It was one of the most amazing places I've ever seen, even snow covered. There were some places which made me a bit uncomfortable, but I made it through.
We moved on to Zion National Park just south of Bryce. I found out the road was a bit more then I wanted to go through again so I took the afternoon to relax. The guys ended up driving into the park and climbing up Angels Landing, a trek i saw online and felt fine staying at the site for lol.
I took the day to just sit and catch up on my blogging and reading, partly due to the fact I stumbled upon a wireless network. It was a bit chilly because of the wind but in the sun it was much better.
They guys got back a couple hours later, that's when we met Craig Sigler. He was a lone biker just riding the area. He asked how we all knew each other, and we told him we grew up in the same church. Turns out, his son is a pastor at First Baptist Church outside San Fransisco( about 3,000 members). He was a wealth of knowledge in many areas like biking, guns, attractions across the US, and most enlightening for us, Christianity. We learned more that night around a small fire then we have in years. It was great just running into someone with a good head on their shoulders and get to know.
We stayed up pretty late then hit the hay, the cold hay once again. It wasn't as windy as the night before but just as cold.
311-Creatures
After a very fast pack up we were off to Bryce Canyon. It was one of the most amazing places I've ever seen, even snow covered. There were some places which made me a bit uncomfortable, but I made it through.
We moved on to Zion National Park just south of Bryce. I found out the road was a bit more then I wanted to go through again so I took the afternoon to relax. The guys ended up driving into the park and climbing up Angels Landing, a trek i saw online and felt fine staying at the site for lol.
I took the day to just sit and catch up on my blogging and reading, partly due to the fact I stumbled upon a wireless network. It was a bit chilly because of the wind but in the sun it was much better.
They guys got back a couple hours later, that's when we met Craig Sigler. He was a lone biker just riding the area. He asked how we all knew each other, and we told him we grew up in the same church. Turns out, his son is a pastor at First Baptist Church outside San Fransisco( about 3,000 members). He was a wealth of knowledge in many areas like biking, guns, attractions across the US, and most enlightening for us, Christianity. We learned more that night around a small fire then we have in years. It was great just running into someone with a good head on their shoulders and get to know.
We stayed up pretty late then hit the hay, the cold hay once again. It wasn't as windy as the night before but just as cold.
311-Creatures
Monday, May 24, 2010
My limit...
After a quick pack up in Colorado we were off again. Lack of sleep due to a cold and uncomfortable night only made the morning worse. We traveled to Mesa Verde, not far down the road, a place I picked out and immediately regretted. You see I have an EXTREME fear of heights which was really shown that morning...
The road up the mountain is very windy, with steep cliffs and edges to make me lay on the floor in a ball the whole way up. Now due to lack of sleep and fear of heights this drove me over the edge. Panic attacks started and my day was ruined. I can't put into words my fear of heights or what a panic attack is like, but it made me want to just go home. I was ready to hop a plane and just give up ( funny how and terrified of height, yet id fly a plane?)
After we left there we hit Utah. Not fully recovered my day continued to drag a bit, but i pulled through. Now, Utah is a beautiful state in some areas, don't get me wrong, but I will never come back here again! We would drive about a hundred miles and see not one town, not anything, its a barren land. The mountain start blending together and your spirits plummet.
It was freezing when we finally got to our camp site, in the middle of a windy valley with civilization for miles. We cooked out food and I kid you not ran to the heated bathrooms to eat it, that's how cold it was lol. I wanted to just leave, just hop on the closest plane and leave. I was sick of the heights, and fear, sick of the nothingness and just tired from not sleeping well for a couple nights.
For Today- The servants
The road up the mountain is very windy, with steep cliffs and edges to make me lay on the floor in a ball the whole way up. Now due to lack of sleep and fear of heights this drove me over the edge. Panic attacks started and my day was ruined. I can't put into words my fear of heights or what a panic attack is like, but it made me want to just go home. I was ready to hop a plane and just give up ( funny how and terrified of height, yet id fly a plane?)
After we left there we hit Utah. Not fully recovered my day continued to drag a bit, but i pulled through. Now, Utah is a beautiful state in some areas, don't get me wrong, but I will never come back here again! We would drive about a hundred miles and see not one town, not anything, its a barren land. The mountain start blending together and your spirits plummet.
It was freezing when we finally got to our camp site, in the middle of a windy valley with civilization for miles. We cooked out food and I kid you not ran to the heated bathrooms to eat it, that's how cold it was lol. I wanted to just leave, just hop on the closest plane and leave. I was sick of the heights, and fear, sick of the nothingness and just tired from not sleeping well for a couple nights.
For Today- The servants
Every corner brings new things.
Leaving Texas, we started making our way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The scenery went from vast farm fields, to desert canyons by merely driving over a hill. Sometimes it would go back to farm fields, then another corner and its giant mesas.
We made a stop for lunch in Albuquerque at the last route 66 diner around. I give it a 6/10 for the food and an 8/10 for keeping it old school in looks. But the city seems to be placed in the middle over nowhere because about 15 miles out of the city there is just nothing. The landscape was breathe taking at times, such giant cliff faces and deep valleys. The only way i could explain it is by giving an example in World of Warcraft lol, it looked just like the Barrens haha, with a little Mulgore as well.
We set up camp a couple miles into Colorado in a town called Durango. The town wasn't to big but lacked a lot of things nearly every western mass town has, a church, a mcdonalds, cvs... We set up camp in much cooler weather then what we had in New Mexico, but we didn't expect how cold it would get. After finally getting in our tent around 10pm, the temperature dropped a lot. It must have been around 30 degrees that night, something we didn't really pack for.
Chasing Victory- Wolves
We made a stop for lunch in Albuquerque at the last route 66 diner around. I give it a 6/10 for the food and an 8/10 for keeping it old school in looks. But the city seems to be placed in the middle over nowhere because about 15 miles out of the city there is just nothing. The landscape was breathe taking at times, such giant cliff faces and deep valleys. The only way i could explain it is by giving an example in World of Warcraft lol, it looked just like the Barrens haha, with a little Mulgore as well.
We set up camp a couple miles into Colorado in a town called Durango. The town wasn't to big but lacked a lot of things nearly every western mass town has, a church, a mcdonalds, cvs... We set up camp in much cooler weather then what we had in New Mexico, but we didn't expect how cold it would get. After finally getting in our tent around 10pm, the temperature dropped a lot. It must have been around 30 degrees that night, something we didn't really pack for.
Chasing Victory- Wolves
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)