Van Cronicles #4: Fin, the Grand Canyon and that which abides.

As our van travels came to pass, I had the opportunity to hike down into a marvelous hole: the Grand Canyon.            
Photos do little to capture the majesty of this place on the planet.

Halfway down the S. Kaibab trail I met three older gents from Iowa.  They were very impressed with my solo hiking and became ecstatic when they discovered I went to Grinnell.  They took my photo and when I reached the bottom offered me a cigar and a scotch.   Drinking scotch from a red plastic cup is divine at the bottom of an ancient canyon.

I took two days.  One to hike down. One then out.  On my way up, it was astonishing to see the bottom of the canyon from this perspective and realize I'd earlier in the day I'd started down there.

Squirrels are a real menace in the canyon.  There are signs that warn you to not feed them, and to keep your food / backpacks up high.  Apparently they are aggressive and will bite you.  The helpful signage has images of hands that have been attacked by rodent teeth. This squirrel I believe was tailing me for a long while.  I also saw an abundance of lizards, deer, a red fox and a California condor on my hike.  The canyon is a lush ecosystem.

The sun rising in the canyon. 

Nearing the last stretch of my hike.  I was beyond elated at the end of this trek, so were my feet and calfs.

I've since hopped out of the van and into a VW, traveling east to spend time with family and friends in Kansas City on the way.   Here is eastern Colorado.

The remains of fall foliage at Lake Tapawingo, my beloved childhood stomping grounds.

A bird villa near the Landes' house. I've always wanted to have a tea party here, or at least read some Lewis Carroll nearby.

My Pop's house, where creative chaos abides in lures, rocks, honey comb and dehydrated turtles.

Van Cronicles #3: UTAH!

The American southwest is so austerely lovely, Utah seems to be the northern gateway to deep desert paths, eco-systems, ancient culture, and big sky day through night. Tremendous exploration has been afoot.  So much so that I've found myself taking less photos and being more in awe of my surroundings. 

Lichen, such bright and vivid life in the desert.   I am just drawn to fungi. Here are some various kinds I saw in Utah.
 Grand Staircase Escalante-National Monument.

Capital Reef National Park ~ Utah

Nearing Butch Cassidy's hideout in Capital Reef

View from below of Ponderosa Pine,  after a long day back packing in "the Box"

Bryce Canyon

When pulled over at Bryce Canyon, several tourists took photos of the Van, so I did too!  It is a wonder!!  And yes seven mammals have been living and roaming the west in it's cabin! Josh has been sharing our travels via the van too in his blog octopusincorporated.wordpress.com, which is a fine blog indeed!

Slot canyon in Escalante.  Talk about pondering the course of water.

Van Travels, Cronicle #2: Canada, Montana and Idaho. Woah.

Time on the road seems to idle, speed and generally move about in a warped manner.  Since last I blogged we've been following warm weather which has led us through Vancouver Island, BC, across the southernmost part of the Canada, then back to the U.S. thru Montana and now we're enjoying the loveliness and warmth of a friend's home in Pocatello, ID before heading to Utah.  What a majestic planet we live on.  

Coastal view of Ucluelet, BC.  Tiffany and I saw a black bear lolling about the basalt here.  Can you find the bear?

View from Toffino, BC.  A surfing mecca.

Heading East through Canada thru the northern Cascades we passed thru an odd eco-tone, a climate where it was quite arid and hot.  Here's a view from above of  Osoyoos, BC.

We ended up at Manning Provincial Park, the terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail in Canada.  I thought how odd it would be to find myself her in  a few years after hiking 1,500 miles. Luna and I hiked to Derek Falls. Amazing.

On our way east we had breakfast overlooking the park.  Here I've captured a wild-photo-snapping creature at the summit.

We stopped in Missoula, MT after heading back stateside.  I have to say it has been my favorite community to pass through.  Friendly down to earth folks who like the outdoors and good food.  We started our walk about in town at a bakery, where I enjoyed a nice piece of cherry pie and a cup of coffee in honor of David Lynch.

We camped and hiked in the Bitterroot National Forest near Crazy Creek.  Here Stella is instructing me on a novel way to walk Nala, the wonder dog.

Pines near Medicine Rock, Bitterroot Natl. Forest. 

Self photo sitting shotgun in the "ARRGH" Headed south into Idaho. 

Mt. Morah, the tallest peak in Idaho. 

The neapolitan pack ready for a walk about. 

Big sky and big peak country as we neared Craters of the Moon Natl.  Monument.

Sunset at our campsite at Craters of the Moon. 

Lava tube opening, Indian Cave.  The Shoshone would migrate thru the lava flows and seek shelter in this cave. Stella and I rock scrambled and sought snacks here.

Abundance of colorful lichen on the ancient lava flows.

The garden abundance that greeted us when we arrived in Pocatello, ID.

Van Travels, Cronicle # 1: The Pacific Northwest

Two weeks into my nomadic adventure via the Sprinter Van, otherwise known as the"ARRRGH", and words can't really capture the wonder and whimsy of the passage.  Hopefully these pictures will.  Tiffany, Josh, Stella, myself and our three dogs have been on the road now for two weeks, encountering ourselves and our natures in the midst of the pacific northwest's incredible loveliness. Thank goodness for good snacks, great companionship and the opportunity to soak along the way.

Our departure! Onward to Mary's Peak to say farewell to Corvallis. 

Sunset on Mary's Peak

Stella and Tiff, trying to keep warm.  Our first evening was our coldest yet.

Good-bye Corvallis!

Hello Olympic Peninsula! 

HOH!  Snag balancing at Olympic National Park, Hoh park.

Whidbey Island, WA

Cascade Lake, Moran State Park, Orcas Island, WA.  A lake for lovers.   

View from Mt. Constitution,  of Mt. Adams at Moran State Park, Orcas Island.  Image stolen from Josh.  Tiff and I hiked up here too.  I forgot my camera.  On our hike the fog burned off and we were able to see panoramic views of the sound, Orcas and surrounding Islands.  Apparently on really clear days you can see a great deal of the Cascade range down into Oregon. 

Foggy Morning at Doe Bay Resort, Orcas Island, WA.  So far it has been my favorite camping locale.  The resort has a sauna, hot tubs and showers that overlook the bay. Rustic and beautiful.

Stella and I found red jellyfish on the shore at Doe Bay!

Doe Bay Resort also serves amazing farm to table food! What a treat! 

Onward to San Juan Island, WA.  Luna and I hiked out to Lime Kiln State Park. 

Lime Kiln, home to the largest collection of old and enormous madrone groves
I have ever seen on my pacific northwest wanderings.

And Orca! On my way meandering back to the trail a pod of Killer Whales swiftly cruised the waters just off the cliffs.   What a moving experience to see these large, fierce, graceful and endangered creatures so closely.  Magical! 

And then they were gone! Amazing!  The sunset on my arrival back at camp"!" . . . Now on to Canada!