Gallup, NM Spetember 24, 2016

At Gallup we went to the Richardson's Trading Post.  We had a very informative lecture on Navaho rugs.  Several folks on our caravan bought rugs, but it just isn't our style. 

Using Gallup as a base, we drove to El Morro National Monument.    It was quite a hike to the top of the monument, but we made it.  Traveling in the southwest is not for those with a fear of heights or of falling.  Or maybe it could be an area that you overcome such fears, as I did.
                                                                           
           There is our target.  Going to be a nice climb and a "stay away from the edge" sort of area..                         

Steps already!

We might make it!

A bonus...ruins along the way

We ran into our friends, the Dions, along the way

More steps!

"Stay away from the edge"

I made it!

Choco Canyon Ruins September 21, 2016

The road to get to Choco was very bad and we had to travel 75 miles one way to see the ancient ruins; but it was very impressive and hard to believe that so much of it was still intact from 700 AD  In one small area there was a ruin that was 4 stories tall and had over 60 small rooms. 

Rafting on the Colorado River - September 19th

I'm To get to the launch area for this ride down the Colorado River, we had to go through a 2 mile tunnel that was an 8% grade..so just getting to the ride was an adventure.  Along the way we were able to get out of the raft and walk on a beach and see some petroglyphs.

Antelope Canyon - September 17th

The ride thru the desert was pretty rugged.  The sand was flying everywhere, in my hair, mouth, etc.  But, we finally arrived at the entrance to the canyon.  It just looked like we were walking into a break of a rock; but once inside it was so amazing...one of the highlights of our trip.

Grand Canyon North Rim

On September 13th we traveled to the North rim of the Grand Canyon.  We dry camped.  We ate dinner at the lodge.  It was very good.

Page, Arizona

September 16th - Marble Canyon and Lake Powell

We are camped at the National park on Lake Powell with full hookups! 

We took a half day boat ride on Lake Powell.  It was beautiful!

Zion

This area is the view from the Zion Lodge. It is very nice and has a café and gift shop.

We decided to hike the Emerald Pool trail and the connector trail to the Grotto trail.  I am glad that we went early in the morning because it was getting really hot and crowded as we were finishing.

There were 3 areas with waterfalls.  Not much water moving, but we walked under it to cool off.

Another tunnel, but Hiawatha was fine with this one1

There were lot of cacti.  The grow really big out here.

 We are almost to the bottom of the trail and Sue lost her water bottle over the edge and had to retrieve it.  It was a joint effort since we made a chain to hold her while she reached over the edge.

You can see why they call them mule deer.  Those ears!

 This tunnel is in the park and is a little ovder a mile long and can be a pain since they have to hold the traffic on each side to let the larger vehicles through.  You have to pay to tow a trailer or drive a large vehicle thru.

 Checkerboard mountain