And so the story ends

It's Aug-30 and after 2 years we've returned to our little house in The Netherlands (where the little is intended both as a term of endearment and let's face it - also literally !).  The journey itself was smooth and pretty eventless.  Reality started to sink back in when we picked up the rental car at Schiphol only to discover that not all the suitcases would fit in the boot, meaning a couple of virtual rear seat passengers also had to give up their seats - and for the record, we only had one suit case each !

When we arrived home in Best Erwin, Linda and Simon treated us to lunch at their place which re-energized two weary travelers for a few more hours.  In the meantime one such weary passenger has caved to the pressure while the other is here rambling in order to try to stay awake ..... zzzzzzz

 

The end of a beautiful journey

2420 miles later and it's all over, and time to start getting ready for the real world again - noooooo !!!

Vegas for the last time EFFR ! (but probably the most memorable)

It's Saturday, and time to drive from Kanab to Vegas as part 1 of 2 of the return journey to San Diego.  We're seriously starting to run out of time here people !

Shortly after arriving, Alma ordered a milkshake with her lunch - clearly forgetting the portion sizes in Vegas.

After a quick spin on the machines (she's a demon for em) the situation deteriorated somewhat, meaning that all we could afford for dinner was pita bread and water.  There's a lesson to be learned in here somewhere. 

The highlight of the evening however was definitely the David Copperfield show.  The show basically involves David (we're on first name terms now) performing various - let's be honest- unbelievable illusions with plenty of audience interaction to boot. 

At the start of the show one of his assistants asked everyone to send an email to me@davidcopperfield.com with subject: city state country.  As the mails came in, various lights illuminated the locations on a world map - including ours.  This info was going to be used as part of one of the later illusions.

Despite the fact that the world map was illuminated with mainly American locations, he managed to keep on picking audience members who's first language wasn't English - not really a problem - but I'm pretty sure it wasn't their 4th or 5th language either.  At one stage, he walked up to this couple; got the guy to take the balloon from his hand for inspection and his partner to inspect the Perspex box he planned to put the balloon in.  Chances are he planned to put the balloon in the Perspex box as part of the same show, but the guy wasn't too eager to part with it.  It was a case of, "Ok sir, please put the balloon in the box" ... no response whatsoever ... "In the box please sir" ... vague look, but no motion ... "Put the balloon in the God damn box" ... guy starts to realize that maybe he's been asked to put the balloon in the box, so proceeds slowly to do so, all the while checking the reaction on David's face.

This was a common theme throughout the show to the extent that only English speaking audience members were allowed to participate in the last illusion.  Harsh - but he'd clearly reached breaking point.

Then it was on to the illusion he planned to use all the e-mails for.  It started with him claiming to have travelled into the future and that he was going to prove it in multiple ways.  He first hung up a poster back to front that was out of everyone's reach; then sent an e-mail to everyone with a picture of the poster included as an attachment.  No one was allowed to look at the e-mail until after the illusion but he made a point of highlighting what the current time was so that we could compare it when the illusion was revealed.  Three people were then randomly selected from the audience.  For the first two he asked their names and pointed out an item of their of clothing; the third was asked what her dream was and also to come up on stage.  The end of a very long story is that the poster + e-mail attachment contained an image of the deceased artist the girl was asked to pick, together with her ultimate dream, the names of the other two audience members and a description of the items of clothing.  Quite unbelievable really !!!  I must say I'm still a little skeptical though as I never received the e-mail ... stupid Blackberry !

The best part though as far as I was concerned was his lottery prediction illusion.  Three audience members picked two numbers each between one and fifty.  He gave each of the three audience members nicknames which he also wrote down.  As coincidence would have it, Alma was the third audience member.  She had to pick two numbers and let him know her birthday.  And so it began ...

Alma: 25
David: No, that number is already gone (Remember: The already chosen numbers are plastered on a board on stage in front of everyone)
Alma: 17
David: Ok, and for your second number?
Alma: 27
David: No, that number is already gone
Alma: Oh yeah - 26 then
David: And your birthday - just the day and month
Alma: 11
David: For the month?
Alma: For both

At this point, Alma and the other two audience members were asked to join David on stage.  Alma logically enough opted for the shortest route only to be accosted by one of his little helpers to follow her in the other direction.  As Alma made her way to the stage (little helper constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure she was still following), she cleverly preempted that David would most likely want to shake her hand, so she started rubbing it furiously in her dress on the way up.  Knowing that I would spot this, the hand rubbing action switched to a more subtle behind the back motion once on stage ... which I of course spotted.

So the idea was that David had predicted all the numbers plus the birthday plus the nicknames before the show and had locked them in a box which was hanging above the stage since the start of the show.  Additionally, he had recorded a speech on a USB stick which was going to be played as the illusion unraveled. 

It turns out that one of the reasons why these shows seem to run so smoothly is that he's got billions of people in the background making sure people stand in the right location, face in the right direction and say ... or don't say the right things at the right times.  Alma had to stand on her "X" (with the text "woman"), facing the audience in a very specific direction.  Her third little helper was relieved to say the least when he found out that Alma could speak English because if she messed up, he was going to be shouted at.

The act continued - David looking as smug as ever as the numbers were removed from the locked box.  He asked Alma to readout the numbers ... no reaction ... at which point I'm thinking, "He's talking to you - hello !!!".  David then starts to read out the numbers himself in his best girlie voice (hardy har har) and low and behold his prediction matched the numbers the three audience members had selected.  His recording which Alma had to play on her new ghetto blaster also matched.  You da man Davey !!

Later, I found out that Alma was told to keep schtum when asked to read out the numbers in order for David to appear funnier than he really is.  Cheap - but effective !  To wrap it all up, she was allowed to kiss David on the cheek - but then only on cue. "Yes - I am ever so slightly smug".

For her efforts, she got to keep the sheet of paper that had been used to write down the numbers as well as an autographed photo.  Not a bad evening's work.

"Admit it - I amaze you don't I?"

Grand Canyon

A day of various trials and tribulations due to an unrewarding diversion of ~115 miles.  The original intent that day was to visit the Grand Canyon (North Rim) and the Horseshoe Bend (just south of Page) - though admittedly, the latter was a little out of the way.  Having failed to reach the Horseshoe Bend from the North side the day before due to a road closure, we decided to approach it from the south side and try again.  Well guess what - the road was closed at the other side as well and there was no alternative other than walking a few tens of miles before getting to the trail head, so that was a major no no.  Somewhat disappointed (and that's the PC version of the mood in the car), we headed back along the 89A as far as the 67 and then made our way to the Grand Canyon North Rim entrance.  In total, it turned out to be a splendid 590km journey - awesome ! loved every minute of it !

The entrance to the North Rim was let's say ... a little unspectacular which made me a little nervous about what we'd actually get to see.  Most people end up visiting the South Rim but that was just a tad too far away even for us.

 

Having entered the park, we headed for Point Imperial (8803 ft) for our first view - and it didn't disappoint.  I don't think any photo really reflects the enormity of the canyon, but sure that won't stop me trying.

 

 

After that it was on to Cape Royal and the Angel's Window trail.  Angel's are said to view the Colorado river through the hole in the rock - hence the name.

 

Angle's Window.  If you look through the window, you can make out the Colorado river.

On top of Angel's Window.

Looking down from Angel's Window.

Our last port of call (besides some other casual sight seeing) was the nearby Cape Canyon trail.  If you look very very closely you can see people at the top right of the photo, which gives an idea just how ridiculously immense the canyon is.

 Similarly in the photo below, there are actually people top left.

We finished the marathon journey off with a really lovely meal in the Rocking V restaurant in Kanab.

Antelope

On Thursday morning we headed off from Kanab to Antelope Canyon near Page - a trip of 1.5 hours with what felt like straight driving all the way (though clearly that wasn't the case).

Again today, the whole time zone thing really started messing with my head.  According to http://www.nps.gov/glca/faqs.htm, this is the official story ... and I quote

Q: What time is it?
A: This gets a little complicated, so hang on.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area follows Arizona time, which is Mountain Standard Time year-round.
* The state of Arizona does not switch to Daylight Savings Time in summer.
* Within the state of Arizona, the Navajo Reservation does switch to Daylight Savings Time.
* Within the Navajo Reservation lies the Hopi Reservation. The Hopis do not switch to Daylight Savings Time.
* The state of Utah does switch to Daylight Savings Time.
* Exception: Dangling Rope Marina, which is in Utah, does not switch to Daylight Savings Time. They run on Arizona time.
Simple, huh?

In any case we arrived in time for the 10:20am tour in whatever time zone.  After parting with the $26 entrance fee per person we were pumped and ready to go.  Normally speaking, the group size would be in the region of 15 but we must have had something like 60-80 people and I sh*t you not !!  We later heard some disgruntled remarks from the tour guides that there was a new boss and she had never even been on one of the tours herself.

Our group ... which goes on and on.

After a quick safety briefing and the disposal of a couple of rattlesnakes, we were on our way.  Truman (he also had some Navajo name that meant "Buffalo", but I'm not even going to think about trying to spell it) started off by showing us some dinosaur footprint which must be 190 million years old.  The other tour guides - total professionals that they are - could later be heard taking the piss out of him and his 190 million years old story, but hey - it all adds to the tourist experience !

The whole experience was fab.  We entered the lower canyon via a narrow opening in the ground - single file of course - after which you end up in these caverns that are illuminated in all kinds of beautiful ways by the overhead sun.  At various points during the tour, the guide pointed out some rock formations that resemble a buffalo's head, a chief's head, ET's head and other heads (they've really got their theme down apparently).  There's lots of pictures below so forgive me if I went a little off scale on the old enthusiasm-ometer.

Entering the depths at the lower canyon.

Aaw come on - not another X-factor audition surely !

 

After the tour - still a little dazed from all the looking around for fear of missing something, we stopped off for a quick peek at the dam we'd past on the way to Antelope Canyon - Glen Canyon Dam.  Not a bad take off of the Hoover variety, but somewhat less impressive (no offense).

 

We then proceeded along our merry little way for a dip to cool off at the Lone Rock Beach at Lake Powell - which was rather pleasant !  The water was pretty warm but cool enough to be able to tolerate another 10 minutes or so in the blazing heat once you stepped back out of it.

Bye bye Mr. Lone Rock.

Zion

After Vegas, it was on to Zion National Park in Utah.  The drive itself takes about 2.5 hours, but what messes with your head a little is that you loose an hour along the way ... while in Arizona at the same longitude you don't !  What's that all about ?

So anyways, we arrived early afternoon at the hotel and then paid a visit to the Zion Adventure Company to hire some shoes and neoprene inner booties with a view to hiking 'The Narrows'; a hike where you spend about 70% of the time in water anywhere up to your waist.  As it turned out, there was a flash flood warning that day (albeit 50/50) so we decided to sacrifice our planned trip to Bryce National Park the next day for an extra day at Zion because we already had the feeling at this stage that Zion was going to be something special.  So after unpacking and a bite to eat we headed into the park to have a small look around in preparation for the next day's hike.


The view from our hotel room.

At the southern entrance to the park.

Inside the park.

At the "Big Bend".

The "Big Bend".

The "Temple of Sinawa" - where the trail to the "Narrows" begins.

A teensie weensie bit up the paved part of the trail.

 

When we were heading back out of the park, we came across some deer.  Like a lot of the wildlife at the park, they didn't seem to be that bothered by the people walking around as long as you didn't pay them that much attention.

The next day was what it was all about - "The Narrows".  After a hiker's breakfast we set off early for the park knowing exactly where we wanted to go.  The first mile or so of the hike is paved - and even wheelchair accessible they claim - though I wouldn't like to be the one pushing the wheelchair !  When you get to the part where it's time to enter the water, the first thing you notice is how friendly the squirrels appear to be.  A couple of them tried to climb into our bags ("take me with you"), while another practically CSI'd my closed water bottle.

Yet another Mr. squirrel getting all up close and personal.

The Narrows themselves were awesome (excuse the cliché).  The views / coloration / cooling down in the water just rocked the ages big time !  You also get all types doing the hike, from those kitted out with the backpacks, right shoes etc. to barefooted weirdos !  I mean - really ?!?!?

The stick comes in real handy for finding a spot where you're going to put your foot next.

At "Wall Street" where the width narrows to approx. 25-30 feet.

There's always time for a bit of meditation.  That or I've found my refuge spot should there be a flash flood.  Where's yours?

On the return trip almost victorious.

Afterwards, it was onward via the 9 through the tunnel to join up with the 89 and head towards Kanab; our next port of call for some rest before the next spot of sightseeing.

Death Valley, Vegas and the Hoover Dam

On Sunday morning we kicked off the next leg of Al & Wil's most excellent adventure from Bishop to Las Vegas via Death Valley.  Good little girl guides / boy scouts that we are, we first paid a visit to Erick Schat's bakery to grab some sandwiches for on the way.  Who would have thought - a Dutch bakery in the middle of nowhere serving some damn fine wiches !

Multiple tens of miles into the journey we entered Death Valley (cue some Darth Vader music).  The name alone strikes fear into the hardest of hearts; a place that can turn a man into a whimpering little girl and a whimpering little girl into a mushy almost melted marshmallow (ok, so maybe I've gone a little over the top there).



The journey - 508km in 8h 49mins

I wasn't expecting a whole lot from Death Valley to be honest.  I thought it would be just flat arid land for miles and miles, but I'm man enough to admit that I was very very wrong.  It was actually cool to see the large variation in landscape and coloration, though it wasn't that cool getting out of the car to take the odd photo.

Father Crowley Point including Alma (west side entrance).

Father Crowley Point after Alma had run back to the car to express her friendship with the airco.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.  It started to get really hot from here on in.

Me messing around because the heat has gone to my head somewhere just before Harmony Borax Works

I unintentionally touched the road taking this one and came away with third degree burns.

They have quite a few hikes (seriously people ?!?!) and points of interest dotted throughout the valley.  There's even a tribe that still lives there (as if the tourists are going to fall for that one).  One of the places we stopped for all of 5 minutes before almost evaporating was called the Harmony Borax Works.  Back in the day, a mineral called Borax (commonly used in household cleaning products) was mined there.  The miners nicknamed it 'white gold' (though it's not gold) - it's good to keep things confusing as it kind of makes it easier for the heat stroke victims to blend in with the rest of us.

Harmony Borax Works where it's hot.

Harmony Borax Works where it's not getting any cooler any time soon.



Oh look - it's hot.  In fact, it's burning up (50C) at Furnace Creek Visitor's Center 58m below sea level.

We spent a good 20 minutes or so at the visitor's center - obviously for the cool air conditioning and toilet facilities as opposed to the educational value before heading on towards a couple of other points of interest.  The original plan was to drive via Bad Water, but that road was closed due to road damage caused by flash floods so instead we drove part of the way to see a few sites and then doubled back.  We started off with the Golden Canyon.  Alma couldn't muster the energy to get out of the car due to the heat so I had to face it alone.  After a 5 mile waterless hike, I eventually made it that far (at least that was my story when I got back to the car !).


Golden Canyon

After that, it was on to the Devil's Golf Course; the name derived from an old guide book that stated that only the devil could play golf on its surface.  You'd have to admit that the name does make you want to come and see it.  If it was called, "Bumpy old salt pan" - chances are you'd think twice.

Devil's Golf Course.

Last but not least before bursting on to Las Vegas for the night was the Artist's drive which derives its name from the rock colorations in the area - quite lovely really.

Artist's Drive

Now we all know that what happens in Vegas ... ends up on FaceBook before you've even realized what's happened - but this time it's all kosher family material like wonderful trips to the Hoover Dam !

 

There are two of these lads there.  Us mortals believe that touching their feet brings good luck.

Two of the intake towers being fed by Lake Mead.

For a moment we thought that our turtle from Hawaii was after following us.

Under pressure to make sure we got back in time for our Vegas show, we paid a quick visit to Lake Mead before lashing back on to the freeway to head back to the hotel.  The original plan was to have a picnic and a swim - but eh ... not this time !

Lake Mead.

We finished the evening off with a viewing (sounds very posh doesn't it?) of the Cirque du Soleil show Zumanity at the New York New York hotel.  The individual acts were amazing while they also managed to pull in a lot of humor into the show.  It was also one of those that have a lot of interaction with the audience.  If your unfortunate enough to be picked on and dragged up to the stage, you just know your life is over !!!