Day 30

We call it Breakfast with the Elk!!  While having our morning tea we were entertained by 8 elk. They wondered up near the back of our campsite. It was great to see that the National Park is able to keep the environment friendly for animals and man

We then traveled to Page AZ.
We choose Ken's Tours and went on a Lower Antelope Canyon tour.  This first picture is of were we entered the canyon. We descended over 100 stairs to the bottom before the gradual walk back to surface.

The canyon is full of several unique formations and the sun reaching in from different angles makes for amazing pictures.

We were often moving through very small spaces.

This is the small crevice that we came out of the canyon at.

 We would recommend Ken's Tours as our guide was very knowledgeable in the canyon formation and history and in camera settings for just the right shots.

Traveled 308 km  Gas $2.60 gal.

Day 29

We began our day with a 12 km cycle along part of the rim

Then we did a short hike below the rim.  This is the trail that the mules use to carry people to the bottom for a nights stay. 

 This is the same picture with out the zoom, gives you a better idea of the trail compared to canyon.

Kevin went down the trail a little further then Sandra, again zoom and no zoom.

At the end of the day Kevin caught a few nice shots of the sun setting on the Canyon.

Day 28

Off to the Grand Canyon South Rim. We stayed in the Mather Campground and found site 156 just great for us.

Traveled 235 km       Gas $2.40 gal

The Canyon visitor's center and rim walk are excellent. The first views of the canyon from Mathe'rs Point can take your breath away. The word Big is not Big enough.

13 miles of paved walk way with over 20 view points.  All of these are also accessible by a free continuous shuttle bus.   Today we walked 5 km of the trail and enjoyed several view stops.

The center of this area picture is the Colorado River.
Due to fire bans along our journey we were very happy to complete the day with a wiener roast and late evening campfire.

Day 27

A hike on the Red Rocks. Sedona offers several hiking and climbing trails. We choose a red rock climb on Bell Rock.

Sedona is also known for its vortexes.  Well maybe there is something to it as below you find Grampa in contemplation and Gran has found high desert quietness.

We would definitely visit the Sedona area again.

Day 26

Hot Air Balloon Ride.

Our day began very early as we were picked up by Red Rock Balloons at  5:50 am. We were driven to a near by desert area for set up.

And then there is  Take-off!!

You actually do feel like you are drifting as the ride is so very smooth.  The view from high of the Sedona Red Rocks was breathtaking on this sunny morning.

We rode for 90 minutes sometimes high above the other balloons.

Other times our pilot would let us get very close to the cliffs and then the air currents would carry us smoothly over top.

 

 After landing we were taken to a picnic area for the Balloonists Prayer and mimosas.  

This ride will be unforgettable and we would recommend Red Rock Balloon's as the company to use.

Day 24 & 25

 Meteor Crater to Sedona. Our Campground had recommended a route due to the shortest route has very steep grades for vehicles pulling trailers. 

Once we arrived in the Sedona area the views of the red rocks are spectacular. 

We traveled 260 km.  Gas $2.46 gal.

 We golfed at Canyon Mesa among these beautiful views

Day 23

Meteor Crater RV Park offers great desert views and a fabulous pink sunset.

From out campground we cycled 20 km return to view Meteor Crater. A spot on earth that 50,000 years ago, a 150 ft. meteor hit. It is about 1.5 km in diameter and 700 feet deep.

 It has been the set for three movies and Apollo astronauts trained here to practice taking samples from a crater.  We did a short rim walk to learn of the history and scientific studies that have been performed here.

Day 22

Gallop NM to Meteor Crater RV Park.

This area reminds us of many western movies. You expect to see a wagon train, a pose of cowboys or some Native Americans coming over the hills.

Along this route we spent over four hours touring and walking in Petrified Forest National Park.

First you visit the Painted Desert. These hills and mountains have various layers of rock and the layers are different colors.

During the route through the park you come to a place that was part of the original Route 66 and they have this 1932  Studebaker

 We viewed many petroglyphs believed to be over 2000 years old.

 Then the actual petrified logs.  They are trees from 225 million years ago. Many looked so much like a regular log but once you touch it you get a big surprise! Some have very vivid colors.

  Now this is Kevin walking in the footsteps of Albert Einstein. Kevin is holding up a picture of Albert and his wife in 1931 standing in the exact spot he is. This petrified tree is called " Old Faithful" and the largest in the park.

This park was recommended to us and we would highly recommend it also.

Traveled 285 km.

Days 19,20,21

In Santa Fe the weather was cool with occasional rain so apart from the balloon festival we took these days for rest, clean-up and stock-up.  Long walks and went to the movies. Santa Fe has great paved cycling trails so we rode one day 15 km till Sandra had two flat tires.

Off to Gallop NM.

Rest stops areas in the desert offer these covered picnic tables.

 We stayed the night near Gallop at the Fire Rock Casino.  These rocks were our view. Between us we won over $50.00.

 Traveled 310km    Gas $2.33.