jimjxsn
Senior Member
Very nice! Thanks for the pics 
Shakedown cruise
- Thread starter Mark W. Ingalls
- Start date
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
At this point in the trip, we began to realize we didn't want to stick to the original plan, because we really didn't have to, and because there was so much to see in such a relatively small radius. So, we made unscheduled stops in Lodi to visit Edna's aunt (spending the night) and Yosemite NP (also spending the night).
What can one say about Yosemite? Edna took over a thousand pictures, weeping and praying, all at the same time. I was struck by the powerful presence of God's Spirit-- as if this was His prototype for all great places of worship.
With so many pictures on file it has been difficult to choose just a few but I have finally selected the ones in this and the next post.
What can one say about Yosemite? Edna took over a thousand pictures, weeping and praying, all at the same time. I was struck by the powerful presence of God's Spirit-- as if this was His prototype for all great places of worship.
With so many pictures on file it has been difficult to choose just a few but I have finally selected the ones in this and the next post.
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
We even saw the proverbial bear, right in the very valley amongst the tubers and bicyclists--
--which made us take very serious use of the bear box at our campsite. Fortunately we had brought along a cooler or else we could not have preserved our perishables that could not have remained in the Hawk's icebox.
We consider this a holy place and must return for an extended stay.
--which made us take very serious use of the bear box at our campsite. Fortunately we had brought along a cooler or else we could not have preserved our perishables that could not have remained in the Hawk's icebox.
We consider this a holy place and must return for an extended stay.
chnlisle
Post Master
Its a magnificent place. I never get tired of going there. Ansel Adams felt so too. Very nice pix Mark and Edna.
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
(It is good to be able to share our experience with y'all; thanks so much!)
After the spiritually uplifting, unscheduled stop at Yosemite, we continued on to a more intellectually stimulating scheduled stop at King's Canyon || Sequoia NPs.
The age and size of these living things is all out of proportion with our common everyday experience. This is easy for one to see in "real life" but hard to illustrate with a photograph. Here for example, the subject tree appears "normal" because our minds adjust the scale of the image to fit with our experience...
In this photograph however, our minds are confronted with a problem: The "sapling" is perhaps one hundred feet tall, disappearing off the top of the frame; the "trail" through the woods is a two-lane highway; and the "little toy sign" is a full sized speed limit sign, just like the ones in my neighborhood!
Then there is the confounded age of the things. The oldest specimens have lived about three millennia. Assuming a normally distributed population statistic, the median age of the species is 1,500 years. That means that in a million years there are less than 700 generations of trees. Given the climate changes that are known to have happened elsewhere in that span of time, the tree reproduces far too slowly to have evolved with the changing climate. How then did it survive and how did it come to be?
We will perhaps never know the answers in this lifetime. All the more reason to treat these mysterious beauties with the utmost care and respect.
After the spiritually uplifting, unscheduled stop at Yosemite, we continued on to a more intellectually stimulating scheduled stop at King's Canyon || Sequoia NPs.
The age and size of these living things is all out of proportion with our common everyday experience. This is easy for one to see in "real life" but hard to illustrate with a photograph. Here for example, the subject tree appears "normal" because our minds adjust the scale of the image to fit with our experience...
In this photograph however, our minds are confronted with a problem: The "sapling" is perhaps one hundred feet tall, disappearing off the top of the frame; the "trail" through the woods is a two-lane highway; and the "little toy sign" is a full sized speed limit sign, just like the ones in my neighborhood!
Then there is the confounded age of the things. The oldest specimens have lived about three millennia. Assuming a normally distributed population statistic, the median age of the species is 1,500 years. That means that in a million years there are less than 700 generations of trees. Given the climate changes that are known to have happened elsewhere in that span of time, the tree reproduces far too slowly to have evolved with the changing climate. How then did it survive and how did it come to be?
We will perhaps never know the answers in this lifetime. All the more reason to treat these mysterious beauties with the utmost care and respect.
simimike
Contributors
The whole Sierra Neveda Range is one of the most spectacular areas in the world. I never tire of seeing them. Thanks for the great posts.
Cheers,
Mike
Cheers,
Mike
kcowyo
Senior Member
Excellent stuff from Yosemite Mark.
I agree, Yosemite is like another world. Those who can look past the crowds and tour buses will find a place unique to all others.
Glad you're still enjoying your time on the road. Be safe -
I agree, Yosemite is like another world. Those who can look past the crowds and tour buses will find a place unique to all others.
Glad you're still enjoying your time on the road. Be safe -
OP
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
(So, assuming you're not sick of us yet...)
From Sequoia NP we made our way South on the Generals Highway. Google maps shows this amusing squiggle...
...portions of which we we able to photograph while we waited for one way construction traffic to clear...
I have circled some the switchbacks that could be seen from the truck window. This is also where we saw the only other Four Wheel camper of the trip, too briefly to get the camera, but not too briefly to wave wildly out the window.
We made our way East to Las Vegas where we visited some members of our church family who had recently moved there, and where Edna won a little extra spending money at the blackjack table.
Then in the morning it was on to the Hoover Dam.
From Sequoia NP we made our way South on the Generals Highway. Google maps shows this amusing squiggle...
...portions of which we we able to photograph while we waited for one way construction traffic to clear...
I have circled some the switchbacks that could be seen from the truck window. This is also where we saw the only other Four Wheel camper of the trip, too briefly to get the camera, but not too briefly to wave wildly out the window.
We made our way East to Las Vegas where we visited some members of our church family who had recently moved there, and where Edna won a little extra spending money at the blackjack table.
Then in the morning it was on to the Hoover Dam.
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
The Hoover Dam is typically Western in its gargantuan scale. Although no longer the largest dam on earth, it is still shocking in the sense that it was built essentially by hand with no steel reinforcing by guys such as this depiction...
The crescent shape is compressed inward by Lake Meade, which forces the concrete tightly into the key-ways cut into the canyon wall.
The copper colored structure near the top of the dam is a three story observation tower added on to the structure recently. It has none of the grace and beauty of the original art deco architecture.
The apparent little white mini-cars at the bottom of the dam are actually Dodge Grand Caravans.
It actually took longer to prepare the canyon bed for construction than to build the structure, partly because four huge tunnels like this one...
...were blasted through the solid canyon walls.
We sometimes forget that the project was originally conceived to protect life and property downstream, and of course all that irrigation, not to generate electricity and provide an ecosystem for power boaters. I think it's fair to say we wouldn't enjoy California's bountiful produce without the artificial environment this dam helped create. It was all self financing through the sale of electricity, so we are told...
Next stop, the Grand Canyon... or maybe not...
The crescent shape is compressed inward by Lake Meade, which forces the concrete tightly into the key-ways cut into the canyon wall.
The copper colored structure near the top of the dam is a three story observation tower added on to the structure recently. It has none of the grace and beauty of the original art deco architecture.
The apparent little white mini-cars at the bottom of the dam are actually Dodge Grand Caravans.
It actually took longer to prepare the canyon bed for construction than to build the structure, partly because four huge tunnels like this one...
...were blasted through the solid canyon walls.
We sometimes forget that the project was originally conceived to protect life and property downstream, and of course all that irrigation, not to generate electricity and provide an ecosystem for power boaters. I think it's fair to say we wouldn't enjoy California's bountiful produce without the artificial environment this dam helped create. It was all self financing through the sale of electricity, so we are told...
Next stop, the Grand Canyon... or maybe not...
OP
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
I'll admit it-- I like bashing Microsoft(TM). Every time one of their programs crash, I gleefully send them an error report. But they almost got me back on the way to the Grand Canyon. Take a look at this fastest recommended route from Streets & Trips 2007...
Notice how those clever Microsofties have routed us through the Hualapai Indian Reservation? Cle-ver, Microsofties! Except that...
...turning North on IR 19 (That's Indian Route one-niner) we read a sign that says, "Frazier Well, Thorton Lookout, Youth Camp, Supai Parking Area, ..." Nothing about Grand Canyon NP! And look at that road-- You think many tourists pass by that-a-way? So we put the selector in 'R' and backed on outa there.
It was nightfall by the time we finally got to Williams, where all the other pale-faces were having themselves a rodeo weekend. We decided for no particular reason to check out this Mexican Restaurant (well, one particular reason is that Edna's a Mexican girl) but not being too observant even yet, we failed to notice the name of the joint...
Get that? The senorita is holding a menu that reads, "Pancho McGillicutty's Mexican Cantina!" With a picture of the Gloucester Fisherman?! In... Arizona??
:C&W music: "Uh got some... water-front property in Air, uh, zona, ..."
Well, shoot, even that senorita didn't even speak a lick o' Mexican herself! (I had Edna test 'er out!) The food was real good, though...
I'll bet there was plenty of Espaniol going around back in the kitchen.
Well fed and lubricated, we camped for the night in a vacant lot next to one of the local motels, it being midnight and all, and prepared for the one hour drive into GCNP the next morning.
Notice how those clever Microsofties have routed us through the Hualapai Indian Reservation? Cle-ver, Microsofties! Except that...
...turning North on IR 19 (That's Indian Route one-niner) we read a sign that says, "Frazier Well, Thorton Lookout, Youth Camp, Supai Parking Area, ..." Nothing about Grand Canyon NP! And look at that road-- You think many tourists pass by that-a-way? So we put the selector in 'R' and backed on outa there.
It was nightfall by the time we finally got to Williams, where all the other pale-faces were having themselves a rodeo weekend. We decided for no particular reason to check out this Mexican Restaurant (well, one particular reason is that Edna's a Mexican girl) but not being too observant even yet, we failed to notice the name of the joint...
Get that? The senorita is holding a menu that reads, "Pancho McGillicutty's Mexican Cantina!" With a picture of the Gloucester Fisherman?! In... Arizona??
:C&W music: "Uh got some... water-front property in Air, uh, zona, ..."
Well, shoot, even that senorita didn't even speak a lick o' Mexican herself! (I had Edna test 'er out!) The food was real good, though...
I'll bet there was plenty of Espaniol going around back in the kitchen.
Well fed and lubricated, we camped for the night in a vacant lot next to one of the local motels, it being midnight and all, and prepared for the one hour drive into GCNP the next morning.
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
I misplaced the Grand Canyon photos and got busy with other stuff, so here are the belated last installments of the journey...
We rose early and headed for the Grand Canyon... which appeared this way looking into the morning sun--
The Grand Canyon is just that; over 250 miles long, averaging 10 miles wide and a mile deep (we are told) its eroded volume is well over a thousand cubic miles...
After a couple of hours of looking at this astounding gash I began to ask myself, "Where did all the mud go?" I suppose it could now be what makes up that fertile California farmland mentioned a bit ago, but the question only occurred to me (I now suppose) because I was staring into an empty hole: Lake Superior has 25% more volume than the Grand Canyon, and it is only one of the five Great Lakes.
At any rate, the scenery is impressive, as Edna's photos show...
We rose early and headed for the Grand Canyon... which appeared this way looking into the morning sun--
The Grand Canyon is just that; over 250 miles long, averaging 10 miles wide and a mile deep (we are told) its eroded volume is well over a thousand cubic miles...
After a couple of hours of looking at this astounding gash I began to ask myself, "Where did all the mud go?" I suppose it could now be what makes up that fertile California farmland mentioned a bit ago, but the question only occurred to me (I now suppose) because I was staring into an empty hole: Lake Superior has 25% more volume than the Grand Canyon, and it is only one of the five Great Lakes.
At any rate, the scenery is impressive, as Edna's photos show...
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
Here are two non-canyon photos...
We first encountered this motorcycle riding duo on the way in to Las Vegas. We didn't get a good shot at that time, but we noted their tank graphics announced that they were touring the world by motorcycle...
Then there was the elk Edna snapped...
One of the great things about our Hawk camper is parking convenience. I know that's not too manly, but it makes a difference on a trip of this duration.
_______________________________________________
Our son, Robert, had been staying with his aunt during this whole time. Robert, 26, is mentally retarded and autistic. He is still a great guy who enjoys close ties to his family. Since we had been visiting so many places without phone service, those ties were starting to feel the strain. Robert told his aunt that he had an "ouchie right here," placing his hand on his heart. She also told us that he would cry at odd moments in the day. This was too much for us, so we decided that after a brief stop in Winslow to visit the meteor crater...
... we would make haste to the southern tip of Texas to rescue our homesick boy (and his aunt). We drove from the Panhandle to the South Padre Island in two days, stopping in Spring for a quick sleep over and to leave off the tailgate and camper jacks. It wasn't a pleasure cruise, but the old F150 handled the task well.
Here is our revised route:
We first encountered this motorcycle riding duo on the way in to Las Vegas. We didn't get a good shot at that time, but we noted their tank graphics announced that they were touring the world by motorcycle...
Then there was the elk Edna snapped...
One of the great things about our Hawk camper is parking convenience. I know that's not too manly, but it makes a difference on a trip of this duration.
_______________________________________________
Our son, Robert, had been staying with his aunt during this whole time. Robert, 26, is mentally retarded and autistic. He is still a great guy who enjoys close ties to his family. Since we had been visiting so many places without phone service, those ties were starting to feel the strain. Robert told his aunt that he had an "ouchie right here," placing his hand on his heart. She also told us that he would cry at odd moments in the day. This was too much for us, so we decided that after a brief stop in Winslow to visit the meteor crater...
... we would make haste to the southern tip of Texas to rescue our homesick boy (and his aunt). We drove from the Panhandle to the South Padre Island in two days, stopping in Spring for a quick sleep over and to leave off the tailgate and camper jacks. It wasn't a pleasure cruise, but the old F150 handled the task well.
Here is our revised route:
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
Having reunited with Robert and Edna's sister and her son, what better way to celebrate than to go camping? So camp we did, heading for South Padre Island, at other times known as the spring break capital of the the Central Time Zone.
For the second time in two weeks, we camped on the beach...
...but this time it was another ocean. The Hawk housed the five of us (well, four and a half, actually) in comfort and style...
... if you agree with me to call this 'style'--
After sojourning for the day at the beach...
...we ran the home leg of our journey back to Spring, TX, tired, happy and together again. We logged over 5000 miles and shot more than that many pictures.
We are thankful for friends, family, forum members and our Four Wheel Camper.
For the second time in two weeks, we camped on the beach...
...but this time it was another ocean. The Hawk housed the five of us (well, four and a half, actually) in comfort and style...
... if you agree with me to call this 'style'--
After sojourning for the day at the beach...
...we ran the home leg of our journey back to Spring, TX, tired, happy and together again. We logged over 5000 miles and shot more than that many pictures.
We are thankful for friends, family, forum members and our Four Wheel Camper.
simimike
Contributors
Thanks for the great trip report. Seeing how happy you and Edna are with your camper brought joy to my hart. It looks like you guys had a dream vacation. And I'm glad you are home safe and sound. Hope to see you on the road someday.
Cheers,
Mike
Cheers,
Mike
Kilroy
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2006
- Messages
- 192
Very nice trip report. Thanks for sharing.
Your pictures are much better than you give yourself credit for.
Your pictures are much better than you give yourself credit for.
flinchlock
Senior Member
Great pictures of the Grand Canyon!
One of the great things about our Hawk camper is parking convenience.
Are there only designated camping places around Grand Canyon, or can you just find any place you want (on government land)?
Mike
One of the great things about our Hawk camper is parking convenience.
Are there only designated camping places around Grand Canyon, or can you just find any place you want (on government land)?
Mike
OP
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Mark W. Ingalls
Contributors
Are there only designated camping places around Grand Canyon, or can you just find any place you want (on government land)?
Mike
Dear Mike--
I was intending to convey parking in the lots next to the canyon. We could park in the regular car parking spaces, but they (the motor home, travel trailer and big hangie-off-the-back TC folks) had to park in special lots, farther away from the rim. This let us get to the view, get the view (and the pictures; thanks Edna!) and get back on the road again.
But your question about camping in the GCNP works a different angle, one that again persuades Edna & me of the advantages of the Hawk. You can only camp in http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm in the National Park(s). We tried to avoid those places, preferring the National Forests which often adjoin, e.g., Kaibab National Forest in AZ. Quoting from Kaibab's website, "Camping in undeveloped areas of the forest is permitted. Practice common environmental and fire sense and 'leave no trace' ethics."
There are many more options for ethical camping in undeveloped areas with a Hawk than a pterodactyl!
Mike
Dear Mike--
I was intending to convey parking in the lots next to the canyon. We could park in the regular car parking spaces, but they (the motor home, travel trailer and big hangie-off-the-back TC folks) had to park in special lots, farther away from the rim. This let us get to the view, get the view (and the pictures; thanks Edna!) and get back on the road again.
But your question about camping in the GCNP works a different angle, one that again persuades Edna & me of the advantages of the Hawk. You can only camp in http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm in the National Park(s). We tried to avoid those places, preferring the National Forests which often adjoin, e.g., Kaibab National Forest in AZ. Quoting from Kaibab's website, "Camping in undeveloped areas of the forest is permitted. Practice common environmental and fire sense and 'leave no trace' ethics."
There are many more options for ethical camping in undeveloped areas with a Hawk than a pterodactyl!
flinchlock
Senior Member
There are many more options for ethical camping in undeveloped areas with a Hawk than a pterodactyl!
THANKS for actually answering the question I wanted to ask, but did not word correctly!
That is the main reason we have an ATC camper on order... we do not like people, generators, non-smoking rooms that smell like smoke, etc......
Mike
THANKS for actually answering the question I wanted to ask, but did not word correctly!
That is the main reason we have an ATC camper on order... we do not like people, generators, non-smoking rooms that smell like smoke, etc......
Mike
erod
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2007
- Messages
- 664
mark, great pics, awesome trip, thanks fo rall your detailed posts...this thread is taking me a while to get through ! glad you made it safe and sound...cheers!
! glad you made it safe and sound...cheers!
Stealth camping near grand Canyon.
Flinchlock,
I read on a website somewhere ("free camping" or "boondocking" or?) a post by a guy that stated he always camps just outside the park's southern entry. Says he has a spot a hundred yards off the road but can't be seen. I haven't been there since I read it so have not been able to research the location. As I recall, that is a straight stretch with mostly scrub and low trees for miles. The park boundary is close to the canyon itself so you don't have to go far to be off National Park property. Not much help but thought I'd pass it on.
Ted
Flinchlock,
I read on a website somewhere ("free camping" or "boondocking" or?) a post by a guy that stated he always camps just outside the park's southern entry. Says he has a spot a hundred yards off the road but can't be seen. I haven't been there since I read it so have not been able to research the location. As I recall, that is a straight stretch with mostly scrub and low trees for miles. The park boundary is close to the canyon itself so you don't have to go far to be off National Park property. Not much help but thought I'd pass it on.
Ted
