Travel: The Grand Canyon

Currently I'm too tired to arrange these pictures into nice collages and put them all completely in order like I normally would. But I will place random explanations and inside jokes that occured and some of my thoughts on the trip. So without further ado- a million pictures all in a row of my road trip to the Grand Canyon with Leah and Crista

So when we're driving through Penguitch we see this incredible sunflower field. Leah start's saying "we should've stopped there...we really should've stopped" Me "We still can." so we turned right around and decided this was the type of trip where we stopped for anything and everything we wanted to. It took us 12 hours to get there. But it was the funnest thing ever!

I'm obsessed with pictures of people with fancy cameras. You'll see.

Winky squint for the sun. 

Giant rocking chair at the Beaver gas station- where they fill up your car for you.

This in Kanab- movie sets from western movies- we played around a bit.

In Kanab we also went to a "fine-dining" restaurant. Where I was served a $10 grilled cheese sandwhich with ARTICHOKES in it...? Yeah...I'll admit, it wasn't my favorite.

Stop at ALL the scenic points! 

We left our mark- but don't feel bad because so did a million others.

 And then we went to the North Rim on accident instead of the South Rim- added a couple hours to the drive- but it was beautiful.
So many times when we were in the middle of nowhere we saw the strangest signs.
-Bus stop frequently in next 8 miles- in the middle of nowhere, where do the children come from for these busses?
-Watch for falling rocks- ? First off, falling rocks?!? Second off- what am I supposed to do if I see them? dodge them by driving off the road?
-Mountain lion crossing- this one by our campsite. No explanation

 
First view of the Colorado River- at the Little Colorado River Gorge.

Oh the funny faces people make when you sneak up on them.

And then we saw the real deal. It was a bit chilly- but ho-ly cow! The blue and green and purple hues!!!

 The next day we spent 4 hours walking around on a trail around the rim. We ended the walk right before it started raining super hard. 

On our walk we saw a guy on this edge- and it looked like a good idea to get out there and take pictures. But it was the scariest thing- super vertigo. 

We decided that if I got a double major in law AND horticulture I'd inevitably become the Lorax and speak for the trees. :) so then we took pictures with the trees- because the looked cool. 

 And they grow in all sorts of weird directions.

Then it rained for the rest of the time. It really is a miracle our sleeping bags didn't soak through - just the tent and the bottom of the sleeping bags. Lots of prayers were said to keep us dry through the night. And it was super hard to sleep through the noise- practically no sleep. But at least it kept the coyotes from howling and the ravens from making whatever noise it is that they make. 

Made it to the bus stop just in time for the rain to start pouring.

 Then hung out in the car to wait out the rain. Turns out it didn't start raining til 6 in the morning the next day.

Then as soon as we woke we stuffed everything back in the squishy car and drove straight home.  

But one last look at the GC- with it's beautiful clouds floating all around it. Such a spiritual experience to see such an incredible force of nature. 

 Wanted to stay there all day.

And now some pictures out of order- real quick. 

Often times when I tell people about my travels or plans for the future of just random stuff that I do to pass things off my bucket list- a lot of them react with "wow, I wish I could do stuff like that". But what they don't realize is that they CAN! You can travel. You can do what you've always wanted to do with your life. If you want something bad enough you can achieve it. That's what I have to say about that. Don't be afraid to live the life you've always wanted.

And on the spirit of travelers: why can't people carry on with the attitude that they have when they are traveling. When people from all over the world are gathered together in one common cause- traveling and seeing the world. They are all together in putting up with the ridiculously expensive food. The come all to the same place and suddenly they all are friends. It's so easy to make friends with the people you walk trails with or stand in line with at a cafeteria. Why can't people be so friendly and open to talking to whoever they are next to- and the fact that it's totally normal to jump in on a strangers conversation if you have something to add. That is the travel spirit that I love.

Saw this on the dumpster- who would want to occupy the dumpster I wonder? Have they had so much trouble with this in the past that they had to post signs?

Our little tent that flooded. 

 Feet pictures- always

 We speak for the trees.

Wowsa- long post. But I might not be back for a while so it's okay. I may make one post on Saturday- but I'm skipping town for who knows how long- probably around 2 weeks. So I'll be MIA for a bit. Anyway- thanks for holding out on all these pictures.