Photo Wrap Up of USA Road Trip
No better time than the beginning of our “All American” month AND the week of July 4th to do a photo wrap up of our three week USA road trip across Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
We hope you enjoy these stand out moments.
Roughest Moment
Kent: A hike in Zion had us heaving ourselves to the top of a mountain via chains (for safety). Not a cool way to end a hike in severe heat. The worst part, though, was that it was out-of-control windy at the top. It was so dangerous that we didn’t even feel comfortable standing. But look at that view.
Caanan: I started to get a touch of altitude sickness on a hike outside of Aspen (at about 12500 feet). When I started to feel drunk – and the urge to sleep – I knew it was time to turn back. This is the last picture I took before we scrambled back down.
Goose Bump Memory
Kent: Driving into Zion on the shuttle. On our first day, I looked out the roof and saw a never ending string of peaks like these. From the shuttle!
Caanan: I get the chills thinking about the places we are lucky enough to camp at. It really makes we mindful of what we’d miss out on if we weren’t outdoors-y guys and always stayed in hotels.
I Want More
Kent: We will spend more time in all of these National Parks, but Bryce Canyon is the one that’s really got me curious.
Caanan: Ditto.
Favorite Road Trip Ritual
Caanan: I really enjoy being in the car, preferably with a NP brochure, anticipating what we’re about to uncover. On a shallow side note, we were lucky to have a great rental car this time around.
Kent: I like our hikes – what we uncover off the road. The anticipation of embarking on a hike, wondering what’s ahead and then looking back at how far we’ve come. It gets me every time.
Second Thoughts
Caanan: We decided that we wanted to check on Canyonlands National Park early early one day. We reluctantly got up in the middle of the night in order to catch the sunrise. This was our last stop that morning; we hung out for a long time. I remember thinking – about the time this picture was taken – that we were so grumpy and nonplussed only a few hours earlier and that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this for anything.
Kent: I am going in a way different direction. So often, I don’t think progress is fast enough in our country (environmentally friendly initiatives, equality, etc.). I was blown away to learn that Zion had banned plastic water bottles and, instead, offered delicious spring water. Free.
Favorite Picture
Kent: OK, here I will loop back around to that early morning in Canyonlands. I love everything this picture represents.
Caanan: You know how much we love returning to home base. Getting this picture from the plane (including the Space Needle!) cemented that.
Love the shot of the tree! This post really captures some of that rugged adventurous US spirit out west.
That part of Bryce Canyon totally wowed us. It, too, was WAY early in the morning so need to get back to properly appreciate.
It makes me miss home!! Great pictures… I do love the Rockies!
It’ll be waiting when you get back!
I love these photos! So you really got sleepy at high altitude? I’ve never experienced that — my heart usually races, and I feel like I’m going to die. This is why I don’t hike lol.
I think – because we were exerting ourselves so intensely – the minor case of altitude sickness took the form of feeling woozy. We were about 4 miles into that hike. Thankfully, going back down moved quickly.
Beautiful!
Thanks, B-rock. We have lots of notes to exchange.
We only got to watch the sun set at Bryce Canyon before we had to move on, but in just those few hours it totally captured my heart. I keep telling Kali we need to get back there and go hiking!
We’ll chat in Seattle
Wow, I can’t believe two seasoned hiking/camping/traveling vets like yourself got altitude sickness. It must be really bad in Aspen! I’ve never gotten it, though I did have some wicked headaches while in Vail this winter.
I think a big part of it was the exertion coupled with the altitude. Would hate to have a full-on episode of sickness. Scary.
What a beautiful sunrise! Definitely my favorite picture of the series.
Love that one too!
Bryce Canyon – WOW. Me want to go!
Well… get back to the mother continent
What a great wrap-up! I almost missed the sunrise at the Grand Canyon and SO glad I didn’t, so I can relate to your feeling making it to the Canyonlands sunrise. Plus, it IS a great picture! I also love the excitement of anticipation and taking photos from the plane
I think that photos are the best keepsakes one can get on a trip besides the memories of the experiences.
Photos are the best keepsakes. We’re continually working to keep ours organized, but it’s worth it.
You guys are super motivated to get up that early to catch sunrise. I always have good intentions, but when the time comes I just want to sleep.
Somehow, given the photos I’ve seen from you, I don’t believe that
You really make us want to go on a massive National Park road trip! Happy to hear that more and more parks ban plastic bottles – they had just started that at the Grand Canyon when we went there.
Ah, glad they are doing the no water bottle thing at Grand Canyon as well. It’s a great move.
Gorgeous photos! It *almost* makes this city girl want to go camping.
Grab David and just do it! You’d come up with the BEST camping meals, I’m sure
Love this guys, you really snapped some great shots – but please remind me NEVER to go hiking with you. Those photos make me dizzy. Leave me at base camp or in the rental car and show me the photos later haha!
You’d love to hike with us… trust me. Maybe in 2013?
Great pictures! I’d really love to do a road trip through that part of the country, especially Utah. It’s on the long, long list
I’d like to do a road trip through Germany.
Great photos guys!
Erika
Thanks, Erika.
Awesome stuff. I really can’t wait to see these parks, especially Bryce Canyon. And it seems like you guys are showing a lot more skin lately. Let’s applaud this new NVR direction
Probably has to do with the fact that we were roasting down there. We’ll bundle back up again before long.
Wonderful photos! Brings back awesome memories of my road trip through the USA in 2004.
Where did you go?
Wonderful photos…our national parks are truly amazing!
That is awesome that they have banned plastic water bottles.
We were thrilled with that decision.
Shows the rugged terrain of the place. Loved the shots and your narration is slick as usual!!!
Such a great collection of beautiful shots! The most breathtaking for me is the 8th picture, with that tree shot from a cam-underfoot perspective, I really like it!
I really like the picture of the really straight trees in the canyon. Somehow I wonder how they get sunlight, but I guess it must work.
Despite all of the traveling I have done around the world, that part of the US has never materialized as a trip. As Ali says, add it to the long someday list. And do come do a Germany road trip. Tons of stuff to see in a relatively small area.
We had the perfect opportunity to do just such a trip in Germany and it didn’t make it happen. We still regret that.
As for you… get this road trip on your list.
WordPress tshirt, for the win!
I know, I know… we do love them though.