Just Saying Hi!

[ck_1]

Hi All -

We are still in Illinois visiting our families. I don't have unlimited access to the web, and have, for the most part, not been online for about 3 weeks now.

I just thought I'd say hi and tell ya that it is HUMID as hell here in Peoria. Pat, Buffett and I had an amazing journey...we left a bit earlier than planned so we missed the Chili Party...hope it was a blast.

We headed north to Flag and then east...stopped at Walnut Canyon, then Winslow (where I stood on the corner and sang the song), then Petrified Forest NP, spent most of the time checking out the Painted Desert area then headed north to the reservation and Canyon de Chelly...we got into camp late the first night...we fit alot into that first day. We camped at Spider Rock Campground after reading about it in a post here (I think DD posted it)...great area...native music to lull you awake in the morning...we got in an amazing rim hike that allowed us to bring Buffett along. Canyon de Chelly is beautiful. We checked out the park next then headed thru Monument Valley. We stopped at the visitor's center, though I thought it was a bit over-priced (we looked at it as a donation to the tribe)...from there we headed into Utah to find our second night's camp. We checked out Gooseneck State Park and were amazed by what the San Juan can do! What a tremendous viewpoint! But, we opted to continue on to Natural Bridges National Monument. Spend the night at their campground (where our camp neighbors were delighted to have a cell phone signal and proceeded to call people for at least an hour to have the same conversation "hey, guess where I am...I'm CAMPING" ) and then we checked out the bridges the next morning. We continued north along a beautiful strech of road to Canyonlands National Park. We decided to skip the Needles area and opted instead to view the area form a state rec area. What a great choice! ABSOLUTLY Stunning...like the first time you see Grand Canyon (well, for everyone but Joe maybe)...just amazing. We continued on and hung out at Wilson Arch and explored nearby areas then headed into MOAB. Checked into the Day's Inn then headed up the road to Arches National Park. We did the car tour while longing to be able to hike further in...(no dogs allowed on trails)...spent a few hours there the returned to Moab to check out the town and get some Food! Great little outdoor town Moab is, we plan to return soon!...Next morning we checked out and headed to the northern entrance to Canyonlands National Park...what an amazing place...a must see! We plan to return without the pooch to allow for some backcountry exploring...after spending a few hours at Canyonlands, we headed north than east for Colorado...we ended up camping for the night at a state park near a lake up in the mountains, it was beautiful...though it was raining for the first few hours...but before dark the rain stopped and the clouds abated and it was beautiful. Hiked around the area the next morning and then headed to Denver to see friends. Our hotel was just down the road from a "camelback-like" park, so we climbed Castlerock before meeting our friends for dinner. The next day began our long drive, as there is nothing but nothing between Denver and St. Louis.

Great trip! More later...

Hope it's raining out there!

[joebartels]

...there is nothing but nothing between Denver and St. Louis.

What!

Okay, when you're headed north on I-35 going through Kansas. There's a hill near mile marker... ah nevermind it loses merit in translation

Sounds like a grand ol' trip, good to hear from you.

[jeremy77777]

I was wondering what happened to you Colin. Enjoy yourself!