3700 miles later, we are home!!
Bloomington Gold Tours is awesome, a first class operation.
Bloomington Gold Tours is awesome, a first class operation.
The pictures are:
Barb at 11,000 feet
A double rainbow over the Rockies
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Day 8
The last day before driving homeThe pictures are:
50 stories down at the bottom of the canyon
Part of Bryce Canyon from the rim
On the road
The cow in the road
The Ranch at Red River
The last full day of the Tour started out very early and the temperature was only 36 degrees when we left the motel at 8:00 am to go to Br
yce Canyon National Park. Yesterday we had taken the shuttle around the entire park to see what was there and we ready to hit the best and longest trails.
We went right to the Navajo Trail which went from Sunset Point down 550 feet – that’s 50 stories! The trip down was almost total switchback paths and it was very steep.
At the bottom, we picked up another trail and eventually, after about 3 miles, made it back to the top of the rim of the canyon – what an experience we had. By the time we had finished, the temperature was almost 80 and we were tired.
We had lunch with Judy and Dale at the Bryce Canyon Lodge and then met everyone back at the Ruby Inn for a departure at 1:15pm.
We drove 114 miles to Teasdale, UT. The trip was on highway 12 which is supposed to be one of the top 10 scenic highways in the United States. What a trip, with some stretches there was no parking on the side of the road because there was no roadside on the road – either side!!! We went up to 9,200 feet in elevation and once had to stop for a cow in the middle of the road. We also had to stop for deer – wh
at a trip.
Barb adjusted to the road and heights by taking a lot of pictures out of the back of the Corvette so she didn’t have to look forward of down – but she did make it.
We finally arrived at the Red River Ranch. This is a small resort with on 15 rooms so we had the entire place to ourselves. There are horses out back and buffalo across the highway and it is very beautiful.
For our final dinner, we were bused 3 mile to the Café Diablo, named the “Best Restaurant in Southern Utah” and had some great food and fellowship with our fellow tra
velers.
After dinner, everyone sat around the lodge and talked about what a great time we have had on the cruise.
Tomorrow we take off for home and we hope to be home by late Monday night.
For this trip – we say goodnight.
The Ranch at Red River
The last full day of the Tour started out very early and the temperature was only 36 degrees when we left the motel at 8:00 am to go to Br
yce Canyon National Park. Yesterday we had taken the shuttle around the entire park to see what was there and we ready to hit the best and longest trails.We went right to the Navajo Trail which went from Sunset Point down 550 feet – that’s 50 stories! The trip down was almost total switchback paths and it was very steep.
At the bottom, we picked up another trail and eventually, after about 3 miles, made it back to the top of the rim of the canyon – what an experience we had. By the time we had finished, the temperature was almost 80 and we were tired.
We had lunch with Judy and Dale at the Bryce Canyon Lodge and then met everyone back at the Ruby Inn for a departure at 1:15pm.
We drove 114 miles to Teasdale, UT. The trip was on highway 12 which is supposed to be one of the top 10 scenic highways in the United States. What a trip, with some stretches there was no parking on the side of the road because there was no roadside on the road – either side!!! We went up to 9,200 feet in elevation and once had to stop for a cow in the middle of the road. We also had to stop for deer – wh
at a trip.Barb adjusted to the road and heights by taking a lot of pictures out of the back of the Corvette so she didn’t have to look forward of down – but she did make it.
We finally arrived at the Red River Ranch. This is a small resort with on 15 rooms so we had the entire place to ourselves. There are horses out back and buffalo across the highway and it is very beautiful.
For our final dinner, we were bused 3 mile to the Café Diablo, named the “Best Restaurant in Southern Utah” and had some great food and fellowship with our fellow tra
velers.After dinner, everyone sat around the lodge and talked about what a great time we have had on the cruise.
Tomorrow we take off for home and we hope to be home by late Monday night.
For this trip – we say goodnight.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Day 7
Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
The pictures are:
Ed in Zion National Park
Driving out of Zion
Entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park
One of the many canyons at Bryce (550 feet down and we are going to hike it down tomorrow)
Well we left the hotel early and took the shuttle into Zion National Park. We only had a couple of hours to explore but we had a fun time. After exploring the park, we raced to the IMAX Theater at the visitor’s center to see a movie about the park and it was amazing to see the entire park in the IMAX format.
The stop at Zion Park showed us another type of rock and canyon formation and we were in awe of the beauty of it all.
Following the movie we all drove out of the park and stopped for lunch at the Buffalo Grill just outside the park. Barb and I both had our first Buffalo burgers and they were good.
Then it was a 68 mile trip to our next destination, the Ruby Inn at Bryce Canyon. The Ruby Inn has been in operation by the same family since 1916 and it is quite a place. We dropped our luggage off in the room and made a fast trip downstairs to the sh
uttle. We took the shuttle into the park and around to Sunset Point where we listened to a talk by a Forest Ranger about the park.
Bryce Canyon is yet another type of rock formation and I don’t think we can choose which has been the prettiest.
We then boarded the shuttle bus and it took us around the park and back to the hotel.
Next was dinner and shopping and boy can Barb ever shop!! We did have a Utah stone cut in half and inside was a very pretty crystal formation. This rock was many years old and we were then the first people to ever see the inside – pretty neat!!
Well it is time to go to bed as we have a busy day planned for tomorrow – night for now.
Ed in Zion National Park
Driving out of Zion
Entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park
One of the many canyons at Bryce (550 feet down and we are going to hike it down tomorrow)
Well we left the hotel early and took the shuttle into Zion National Park. We only had a couple of hours to explore but we had a fun time. After exploring the park, we raced to the IMAX Theater at the visitor’s center to see a movie about the park and it was amazing to see the entire park in the IMAX format.
The stop at Zion Park showed us another type of rock and canyon formation and we were in awe of the beauty of it all.
Following the movie we all drove out of the park and stopped for lunch at the Buffalo Grill just outside the park. Barb and I both had our first Buffalo burgers and they were good.
Then it was a 68 mile trip to our next destination, the Ruby Inn at Bryce Canyon. The Ruby Inn has been in operation by the same family since 1916 and it is quite a place. We dropped our luggage off in the room and made a fast trip downstairs to the sh
uttle. We took the shuttle into the park and around to Sunset Point where we listened to a talk by a Forest Ranger about the park.Bryce Canyon is yet another type of rock formation and I don’t think we can choose which has been the prettiest.
We then boarded the shuttle bus and it took us around the park and back to the hotel.
Next was dinner and shopping and boy can Barb ever shop!! We did have a Utah stone cut in half and inside was a very pretty crystal formation. This rock was many years old and we were then the first people to ever see the inside – pretty neat!!
Well it is time to go to bed as we have a busy day planned for tomorrow – night for now.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Day 5 and 6
Sorry we didn’t post anything yesterday, there wasn’t any internet service in the Grand Canyon.
The pictures are: 
The pictures are: Our porch on the Grand Canyon
34 steps from the cabin to the rim
The view from the rim
On the mule ride – notice the edge!
Traveling through Zion National Park
So here is the last two days.
We left Flagstaff and drove 124 miles to get to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim is the rim that is harder and longer to get to and is only visited by 450,000 people a year compared to 4.5 million who visit the south rim. The lod
ge and cabins were built in the 1920’s and 1940’s and they are still in use and virtually in their original shape – very beautiful.
We had a cabin that was only 34 steps from the actual rim and the view was unbelievable! We first heard a talk by a Ranger who explained why they do not know how the Grand Canyon was formed and he gave a number of explanations. It was an interesting talk. We stood outside and watched the sunset over the canyon and it was an awesome sight. After sunset, we all ate in the restaurant of the Grand Canyon Lodge.
Day 6 - After breakfast on Thursday, we took a 1 hour mule ride along the rim of the Canyon – that was a lot of fun. In a couple of place we were literally 5 feet from the edge of the Canyon.
Following the ride, we all got into our Corvettes for the 124 mile drive to Zion National Park and our motel in the town of Springdale. First we stopped in the town of Kanab, Utah which has been the setting for a large number of movies. The tourist bureau had an employee who used to work in the movies there as an extra and she told us about a lot of here experiences. She was very entertaining to listen to.
Zion National Park was a fun drive with a lot of switchbacks; however, Barb wasn’t too thrilled with the winding road and the steepness of the mountains – but she made it.
After shopping and eating in town, we headed for the Jacuzzi and then it was time for bed.
So here is the last two days.
We left Flagstaff and drove 124 miles to get to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim is the rim that is harder and longer to get to and is only visited by 450,000 people a year compared to 4.5 million who visit the south rim. The lod
ge and cabins were built in the 1920’s and 1940’s and they are still in use and virtually in their original shape – very beautiful.We had a cabin that was only 34 steps from the actual rim and the view was unbelievable! We first heard a talk by a Ranger who explained why they do not know how the Grand Canyon was formed and he gave a number of explanations. It was an interesting talk. We stood outside and watched the sunset over the canyon and it was an awesome sight. After sunset, we all ate in the restaurant of the Grand Canyon Lodge.
Day 6 - After breakfast on Thursday, we took a 1 hour mule ride along the rim of the Canyon – that was a lot of fun. In a couple of place we were literally 5 feet from the edge of the Canyon.
Following the ride, we all got into our Corvettes for the 124 mile drive to Zion National Park and our motel in the town of Springdale. First we stopped in the town of Kanab, Utah which has been the setting for a large number of movies. The tourist bureau had an employee who used to work in the movies there as an extra and she told us about a lot of here experiences. She was very entertaining to listen to.
Zion National Park was a fun drive with a lot of switchbacks; however, Barb wasn’t too thrilled with the winding road and the steepness of the mountains – but she made it.
After shopping and eating in town, we headed for the Jacuzzi and then it was time for bed.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Day four –
The pictures are:
Getting into the car at the hotel
The view from the car
Downtown Sedona
Barb at a Christmas store
Getting into the car at the hotel
The view from the carDowntown Sedona
Barb at a Christmas store
Well for the first time in what seems like months we were able to get a full nights sleep.
The fact that we got two extra hours because of the time change made it wonderful.
After Ed had a full breakfast, we headed down a very, very winding mountain road to Sedona for a very full day of shopping. Barb must have taken hundreds of pictures of the mountains and we will have to delete a lot of them, but the views were spectacular.
Sedona is a very neat little town, but it is made for tourists and we were one of them. Lots of tour buses and people on the way to the Grand Canyon stop there. We went in most of the shops and of course had to buy some things.
At noon we met Dale and Judy Hammersmith from West Chicago who we met last year on the tour and have become good friends. We also met a couple from Ohio Tom and Lynn Checki who are on the tour and joined us for lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the main street of town. After lunch, we all shopped some more and made the drive back to Flagstaff. The drive is only 20 miles but it takes an hour – it was fun.
For dinner , 4 of the couples went to a “famous” steak house called Black Bart’s, which is very close to the hotel. Black Bar's has great steaks and old-fashioned cowboy entertainment with signing wait staff.
Well tomorrow starts the actual tour – see you in tomorrows blog.
The fact that we got two extra hours because of the time change made it wonderful.
After Ed had a full breakfast, we headed down a very, very winding mountain road to Sedona for a very full day of shopping. Barb must have taken hundreds of pictures of the mountains and we will have to delete a lot of them, but the views were spectacular.
Sedona is a very neat little town, but it is made for tourists and we were one of them. Lots of tour buses and people on the way to the Grand Canyon stop there. We went in most of the shops and of course had to buy some things.
At noon we met Dale and Judy Hammersmith from West Chicago who we met last year on the tour and have become good friends. We also met a couple from Ohio Tom and Lynn Checki who are on the tour and joined us for lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the main street of town. After lunch, we all shopped some more and made the drive back to Flagstaff. The drive is only 20 miles but it takes an hour – it was fun.
For dinner , 4 of the couples went to a “famous” steak house called Black Bart’s, which is very close to the hotel. Black Bar's has great steaks and old-fashioned cowboy entertainment with signing wait staff.
Well tomorrow starts the actual tour – see you in tomorrows blog.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day three
We made it to Flagstaff!!
The pictures are:
What most of the landscape looks like.
The gift shop.
Our room at Little America.
630 really boring miles and we finally are here. That was two long days and not much to see. The picture is a good example.
We checked into a beautiful room and then took the Corvette and washed it – it was a real mess – but came out looking just fine.
The highlights of the trip today were spending an hour in Albuquerque looking for a Mexican restaurant – we finally did.
We did have one neat surprise when we pulled into a rest stop in New Mexico right next to a new Z06. The owner had just been to Mid-America and he used to live in Bloomington having worked for Crescent Electric – it’s a small world.
Then at the border, we were told by the state visitor’s bureau that the gift shop that is pictured was the best between the border and Flagstaff, so we just had to stop – it was really a good shop.
The good news is that we are now get 2 hours more sleep as we have been on home time since we left – and we need it.
Tomorrow we will be up early and go down to spend the day in Sedona before coming back here to join the start of the tour.
Night for now.
The pictures are:
What most of the landscape looks like.
The gift shop.
Our room at Little America.
630 really boring miles and we finally are here. That was two long days and not much to see. The picture is a good example.
We checked into a beautiful room and then took the Corvette and washed it – it was a real mess – but came out looking just fine.
The highlights of the trip today were spending an hour in Albuquerque looking for a Mexican restaurant – we finally did.
We did have one neat surprise when we pulled into a rest stop in New Mexico right next to a new Z06. The owner had just been to Mid-America and he used to live in Bloomington having worked for Crescent Electric – it’s a small world.
Then at the border, we were told by the state visitor’s bureau that the gift shop that is pictured was the best between the border and Flagstaff, so we just had to stop – it was really a good shop.
The good news is that we are now get 2 hours more sleep as we have been on home time since we left – and we need it.
Tomorrow we will be up early and go down to spend the day in Sedona before coming back here to join the start of the tour.
Night for now.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Day two –
The pictures are:Barb at the gift shop
The home of the free 72 oz steak
The customer trying to eat the steak
After a fun day last evening, the day started with breakfast with Jeff, Kris and their family. It had been a long time since we have spent quality time with them and we really enjoyed it. We left Kansas City at 8:00 am and headed for the interstate west bound.
650 miles later, we made it to Amarillo, TX.
We did make one must stop along the way. For about 30 miles we kept seeing signs for Cherokee Village gift shop. Of course we just had to stop.
Barb was all set to buy a genuine Indian basket when we spotted the tag “made in Pakistan” – so much for the basket. They also didn’t have the live buffalo display!!
When we got to Amarillo, we went to dinner at “one of the top 10 steak houses” – they didn’t say top 10 from where but the steaks were really good. The highlight was watching a customer try to eat a 72 oz steak with all the fixings – we left before he finished in the allocated hour. If he ate it all, he got it for free!! If not he paid $72.00.
Well it is time for bed because we have about 9 hours to drive tomorrow to reach Flagstaff. The weather has been great so the drive should be just fine.
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