Get real

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Cassidy's Corner

I cant remember exactly whether I slept in today or not, but I think I did because I didn't go down to breakfast because Bea and Papa brought breakfast to our room. Well we all got changed and were headed out the door to go to Canyonland National Park. On the ride up there, I have to say that there were some amazing views that I can't even explain. We reached Canyonlands and went up to the ledge and looked at the mountains. Out of no where comes Alyssa - our guide that took us on the rafting trip yesterday! We could not stay for long, so we took some pictures and we had to leave. We headed off to go to lunch, and I had a cheeseburger that Bea and Paper were shocked that I finished. We headed back to the hotel to get our sneakers on and get ourselves ready for the hike at Arches National Park to the Fiery Furnace. We were in a rush so in no time we were already out the door. When we reached the parking lot we met our guide and she explained the rules and we were off. In the beginning it started to rain which was actually very cool because the guide said that it was amazing because we saw waterfalls - well little ones. We did have some hard points on the hike but that was OK. Tyler and I were pretty much the only ones that were taking the hard way on the rocks. We were jumping off the rocks like crazy! When it was towards the end we were under a big rock arch. Our guide was explaining that she really did like this hike. We were headed off to the parking lot and hopped in the car heading to the hotel. Papa and Tyler picked up some Chinese food that was really good. Everybody I am really sorry I did not put a lot of information in this but I was typing before and I was doing really good with a lot of detail, but then I pressed back space and the whole thing disappeared. I am really tired now because I have been typing for like an hour so I am really sorry.... really but Tyler will maybe say more. Well, goodnight!

Tyler Tales

So today was a long day and no Cassidy I won't be saying more. Haha. I'm tired and probably won't give much detail. Well, it started out with some french toast in our room. We took a ride over to Canyonlands National Park and then went for lunch at Zaks restaurant again. We went hiking in the afternoon in Arches National Park and that was pretty cool. Our guide's name was Carrie and she was cool and knew a lot about the park. On our hike we saw a lot of red rock and towers made of it. We started off with some nice easy terrain, but it eventually worked its way up to some rocks where you had to shuffle sideways -we saw arches and canyons. After our hike we got Chinese take out for dinner, we were all too tired to eat out. You never had spicy before this Mom! This was the spiciest thing Ive ever eaten. Well now I'm tired and going to sleep. Long day tomorrow. Night.

Captain's Log

We skipped the mountain bike ride this morning and instead drove to Canyonlands National Park, a 40 minute drive from the hotel to the lookout. I do not have the words to describe the panoramic view. Suffice to say, the scene before us looked like it had been photoshopped. Unreal. If you go to Moab, don't miss this treat. Pure eye candy which we thought couldn't be topped until we hiked Fiery Furnace in Arches NP later in the day. Park Ranger Carrie St. Clair led the hike and you would have to search a very long time before finding someone who was as knowledgeable and excited about her subject matter. And she has only been at Arches for one season. Carrie is a graduate of Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, VA and has previously worked at Fredericksburg National Military Park. She came complete with props to show us at various stops along the way how the Arches' sandstone formations were formed as well as the various key components of the ecosystem. The hike started out on a very wet note but the shower quickly passed and left us with a rare glimpse of waterfalls and waterholes which are a rare occurrence in this desert-like park. So rare, Carrie later said, that this was probably her most enjoyable hike in Arches. Near the end of the hike, in an enclosed canyon with Surprise Arch looming overhead, Carrie summed up what we had learned on the hike and said we, the people who visit the Park, were the heart of Arches. She encouraged us to get out and explore the park (staying off the fragile crust) but also to pass the word back home that it is a place worth visiting. Well said, Carrie. One observation I have during this week of exploring 3 National Parks is that so many of the visitors are speaking other languages, mainly German. I also heard a bit of Japanese and had a nice conversation with with a lady from Australia while doing the laundry this evening. It's great that folks from around the world want to see the sights in our Parks. If you get to Arches, go straight to the Visitor Center and make a reservation for the earliest available guided hike into the Fiery Furnace - this is one event that will not disappoint.

The week has flown by and it's time to head back to CT. It was a memorable trip with our grandchildren. We saw amazing sites, had a lot of laughs and learned some interesting things in our travels to Mesa Verde, Canyonlands and Arches. Durango and Moab are towns worth visiting and make a good base of operations for all the activities the areas have to offer. On to the Adirondacks....