the ultimate road trip - Part II
Summer road trips, ain’t nuthin’ like ‘em!
On the road again...
Southwest = endless views
Last week, I ran out of time and my hasty post lacked the detail I imagined offering you. Oh, how this mighty mouse has fallen. Or slid backwards into a life without work life balance and am a mere mortal like most. No sleep. Very little pay. Lots of work. I don’t even have kids or pets. So HOW. DO. Y’ALL. DO. IT?!?
But don’t you worry your pretty little head about any of that or pity me because my hubby knows how to properly bribe me so I don’t quit and continue to pay our bills. As you read this we are traveling the backcountry and happy little chappies.
Back to the lengthy story at hand, I would have overwhelmed you anyway! And am even beginning to feel like breaking this adventure on the open road into thirds now that I’m delving into all the roadside attractions we stopped to enjoy. Well, as Anne LaMotte wisely informs us, “bird by bird.” I suppose I left out the pertinent info that this road trip occurred during the 2018 summer season between my two grad school years at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The timing is what afforded me an entire month of playtime dancing across the desert with TAJ and access to the Mighty Five couldn’t be ignored. I consider it a Honeymoon of sorts since we eloped the winter just beforehand.
Now, where did we leave off? Oh, right. Hottest day of the year with a Rim to Rim double attempt. Please don’t follow my foolish ways. [sweat laugh emoji]
Stops/hikes/explorations:
Capitol Reef NP
Grand Escalante
Kodachrome Basin
Bryce Canyon NP
Zion NP
Grand Canyon
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Anasazi Ruins/Navajo Bridge over Marble Canyon
Sedona
Petrified Forest National Park
Agate Bridge + Newspaper Rock + Highway of Dreams
Albuquerque
Santa Fe
Taos + Taos Village
Colorado Springs
Vail
Rocky Mountain NP
Fort Collins
Cheyanne
Ogden
Grand Canyon National Park
Did we hike back from the South Rim?
Yes. We made it! Despite Sprite strongly threatening to hitchhike or rent a car to drive around.
Lucky you, now you get to see it all backwards! It’s amazing how unrecognizable a trail is on the return voyage. The main thing to keep in mind if you attempt this ridiculous, foolhardy adventure as we did (again, please avoid the hottest day of the year), is how quickly the sun hits the southern exodus. Even starting at 0 dark 30, we had a good 30 minutes before daylight. With daylight came scorching temps immediately. By the time we made it to Ghost Ranch, mid point ish, I was desperate enough to dive face first into the creek. That is the absolute only time in my life when I have willingly succumbed to cold water. That was also the moment that I really hoped the legend of rubbing the nose of the bronzed mule at the North Rim Lodge held truth. (Did you enjoy that picture of me clinging to it for hope? Hahaha!)
Obviously, we survived to tell our tale. I may have been so nervous on day 1 that I marked trail territory every quarter mile but we made it. And the return trek was surprisingly more difficult but only because of the heat. The trail is marathon distance in length (26 ish miles) and the North Rim offers about 8,000 vertical gain or loss while the South Rim is less. Afterwards, we Kaibob shuffled to the lodge on the North Rim for a buffet dinner, shower, and crashed into a delightful cabin for the night. We awoke to a precious cool morning and headed off to Flagstaff/Sedona.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Quick stop by the side of the road:
I wish we had the time to hike into the interior of this National Monument. We missed a lot but enjoyed the bright colors.
Anasazi Ruins + Navajo Bridge
Anasazi Ruins
Worth the stop! I am always enamored with the ingenuity of humans.
Sedona
A first time experience with a rattler for both TAJ & Sprite, busy but fun town, and unsurprisingly stunning views.
Mainly, we hiked Wilson Mountain Trail. We did take time to walk through town to enjoy the views though. What a lovely spot! I understand how it’s a special place for many and how it will be for you too.
Need a midpoint laugh break? I got chew! Most of Route 66 is signs that it did indeed exist rather than actual road you can drive and the diners are far and few between. At least they offer one meal of every genre? Oh, and the wind doesn’t stop in the desert so pitching a tent is testy. I couldn’t stop laughing at TAJ’s demise. When I could finally stand up straight and breathe again we made sure the tent wouldn’t roll us away like tumbleweed in the night.
Petrified Forest National Park
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
I was blown away by the history here! Even with the petrified stumps in front of you, it’s next to impossible to believe the change in landscape since the prehistoric era.
Agate Bridge + Newspaper Rock + Highway of Dreams
Albuquerque
Old Town
A cute spot for culture and to spend the afternoon shopping.
I’m going to let the pics perform for me in this section. Adorable, right?!
Santa Fe
Artists Haven/Heaven
TAJ and I enjoyed walking the artists’ market and were completely enamored with the historic buildings!
Taos/Taos Village
There’s a difference between Taos and Taos Village. The square is similar to Jackson Hole but smaller and more quaint. The ski hill is incredible and the start to the highest peak in New Mexico.
Colorado Springs/PIKES PEAK
Is it though?
After stopping at a pass to acknowledge the Ute trading route, we made it to the blandest looking state. JK! There’s color elsewhere in the state but of course not where the sign is. Gotta keep ‘em guessing. We met my friends for dinner and catching up since our glory days in the Seattle area. TAJ and I also paid tribute to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial before we summited Pikes Peak. Manitou Springs is not to be missed too!
Vail
Vail Resort
We ambled the resort in the light rain.
Vail Dance Festival
The entire reason for a pit stop in Vail was to attend a dance performance. Yay, Tyler Peck!
Leadville
Land of the 14ers! Peaks over 14,000 ft elevation in laymen terms. TAJ and Sprite conquered Mount Elbert. The third in the row of 14ers within a week of travel. *dusts shoulders and breathes on nails
Those views though! Hits you in the feels every time.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorful Colorado
The main attraction here for us was summiting Longs Peak but one of my friends from my graduate cohort steered us towards an incredible waterfall. Just like every national park, there is so much to do and so very little time to squeeze it in. We also enjoyed s’mores as a storm rolled in over us. Obviously, the elk herd did not feel disturbed by the rain, thunder, and lightning.
Fort Collins
This is somehow the only pic I have?!
Despite enjoying this cute college town, I only got this image from our stop at the New Belgium Brewery. A river runs through Fort Collins that many float along on paddle boards. We also stopped by the local state park (Lory) to hike Horsetooth Reservoir.
Cheyanne
Our sentiments exactly.
TAJ informed me, Sprite, that “there’s nothing to see in Cheyanne.” Well, I have 150 pictures to prove him wrong.
Ogden
I recall hiking Ben Loman Peak but I may be wrong on that one. It really is a fantastic hike in Ogden though so check it out! The city is lovable as well and I’ve spent many a day there. TAJ even contemplated the town as a spot to live in. Also, of note is the Wasatch Back—if you get the chance to drive through the canyon from Ogden, DO IT.
Timpanogos
Sprite attempting cute and clever pose
Apparently, we threw in a little extra. Timpanogos is outside of Provo, which is south of Salt Lake City. My memory served me incorrectly that we completed this hike at some other time rather than directly after our huge loop of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming. However, this is a highly recommended hike and I’m glad we came back for gold.
Overall, this spectacular trip introduced the two of us to the Southwest after already having fallen in love with the Mountain West. I posted on my social media accounts a numerical documentation of how many miles and smiles, both on road and trail, but it still seem unbelievable to me today. How lucky were we! Very much so, indeed.
I hope you get the chance to take this epic journey for yourself someday. In the meantime, I’ll keep sharing the little 24 hr whirlwind tours I’m truly known for. Dino Park Tycoon, Utah—you may just be next! Alright, y’all my bed awaits…enjoy your holiday weekend and come back to share your adventures here.
~ Stay wild, Sprite