This is a post from June of last year that reposted accidentally...oh well enjoy
    Let me begin by saying you should always read the description of things before you book something...I did not go white water rafting yesterday but on a river adventure. There are only a minimum of three day trips for white water rafting down the Grand Canyon, in case you are looking into it. I booked a half day trip with the Colorado River Discovery, which was a motorize pontoon raft with a group of twenty down 16 miles of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (http://www.raftthecanyon.com). No paddling or getting wet involved- which wasn't what i wanted but none the less, it was still enjoyable and easier to take photographs (photo #1 &2).  The company was highly organized and each guide personalizes their tour so it was organic and not a corporate manuscript. Our guide was a local Navajo girl, who even sang us some beautiful native songs and we were the only raft that got to pull up and touch the petrified sandstone (photos #3) Half way through the trip, we stopped on a beach, ate lunch and then I took a small walk to see some petroglyphs, while mom used the out of place porta-potties (photo #4). There are a few campsites down the calm stretch of the river, which are reachable through private boat or the company can drop you off and you kayak to the end. There was lots of wild horses throughout the trip along with bighorn sheep, rainbow trout (not indigenous) and birds including the rare California condor and golden eagles (photo #5). In photo #6, can you find the wild horse? It is there - keep looking...It gives you a little perspective of the size of the canyon and the environment the animals survive in. The half day trip started at the Glen Canyon Dam and ended at Lee's Ferry at the cusp of the Grand Canyon National Park and took roughly 5 hours round trip.
    At the end of the long day, we shopped a little at the CRD store (great shirts and i do not usually buy souvenirs) and returned to the Point Marina to eat and wakeboard. However, unfortunately the motor was broken on the wakeboarding zipline, so we grab a decent but expensive ($19) Margarita pizza and called it an early night. On a side note, the Point at Powell Lake does have free wi-fi, which is very hard to find in the area outside your hotel. We were very tired after all day in the sun so I passed out by 9pm without writing about my day, so sorry for the delay to those of you who are following.
    We left Page, AZ early so we could drive through the Grand Canyon National Park on our way to Sedona, AZ. We took US-89 south and on our way stumble upon the best jewelry stand on the side of the road run by Elaine Bazan, a hardworking, mother of two who grew up on the reservation. She hunts for the stones in the mines, saunters the silver, and inlays all her jewelry. We purchased some one of a kind pieces but I have to mention her in hopes you will contact her for some authentic Navajo pieces at tresblackhorse@yahoo.com (photos #7 & 8).
     Our rafting guide mentioned the day before that she loved the Navajo tacos at the trading post in Cameron so as we turned into the east entrance of the park at US 64, we stopped (photo #9). The restaurant is in the way back of a giant, tourist trap store. I do not buy my souvenirs from places like this because they are marked up in price and I'd rather buy directly from local families that are everywhere on the side of the road. Back to the Navajo Taco - it is a freshly made fried Indian bread with a bean and meat mixture spiced ever so right and topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and local diced green chiles (photo #10). Not only do you get your monies worth at but I will never be able to forgot how good the beans were with Indian fried bread and cheese. The best way to describe it as more like a taco salad then a typical taco and it is a great example of the difference influences in the area.
    There is no lodging that accepts dogs in the Grand Canyon so we just drove through down the Desert View drive from the east end to the south entrance (photo #11). We started at the Desert View watchtower where there was a short walk to the edge that we could take the dogs (dogs are not allowed on trails or in buildings) and Lucy, my bulldog, got her photo taken at her 11th national park (photo #12). We all just sat there and at Grand View Point, looking out while taking in the enormous beauty of the painted desert as we discussed how peaceful it was but we couldn't figure out why even though there was a lot of people. The highlight of the day was running into the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile which Ive always wanted to find. Then the rest of the day, my mom and I enjoyed singing the jingle while driving the rest of the 30miles through the Park.
    At Flagstaff, we jumped over to US-89A through the Coconino National Forest and Slick Rock State Park, rather than staying on Interstate 17 and I will definitely be returning to camp and fish here. The state park and forest area were very busy considering it is midweek and there were multiple campsites throughout, some even along a creek. There were resorts and lodges along with a rainbow trout farm and plenty of hiking trails. The trees make it shady even in the summer sun and the winding roads were enjoyable as you climb down 3000 feet to Sedona. As you leave the heavily forested area of Flagstaff, you start to see the famous red rocks of Sedona. We stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross which is an old, small chapel built into the rocks - it is a great stop for everyone going through Sedona, even those who are not religious. In the evening we strolled the Uptown area, where there are lots of stores, galleries, fudge shops and restaurants. While this might ruin the surprise for the person we purchased a present for - the Sedona Olive Oil Company had a great selection of oils to try. We ended up getting the Frantoio olive oil with hints of artichokes and almonds and i am a little upset I did not buy one for myself but it is a little hard to carry a bottle of olive oil on the road. Per the saleswoman's suggestion, we moseyed on over to the Cowboy Club. They had a fine dining section within the restaurant called the Silver Saddle and we opted for that instead, as we are a little tired of burgers and fries. Immediately after we sat at our giant, classic booth, which i love, they brought out an amuse bouche of prime rib with a jalapeno cream on a crisp bread and i ordered a local mircobrew wheat ale. It was an enjoyable meal all and all and we finished the night with ice cream, my mom's favorite. Tomorrow Ill be dropping her off in Tucson and staying with family for a few days so no more blogging til mid-week. It was a great first week and I hope you all are enjoying this process as much as me. I will try to get a map up and fill up my writings and photography a little more. Make sure to check out the photography page for more photos from this week and like us on facebook :)

This is an unpublished post from last year's trip leaving off from Washington in August 2012...
    A new rashness came about me in Idaho, having an itinerary for the first time - I had three days to make it to Kalispell Airport to pick up an old friend. Summer camping has its limitations and looking for a campsite even in Idaho on a Friday night in the middle of summer posed a problem. I couldn't find an open campsite for miles and miles and every time I stopped to inquiry, time and sunlight were slipping away. I must have stopped at least 8 times before arriving to Bonner's Ferry where there were two "unofficial" camping areas that might be open. First there was the fairgrounds right next to the railroad. While a rodeo was setting up for the weekend, the workers informed me I was told right and could sleep right in the middle of the dirt filled fairgrounds...if I could stand the train that right at the moment came roaring by. Drained but with a desperate look in my eyes a man told me to go down to the fork of the river and the parking lot has an outhouse and four cement slabs. I rushed two miles down away from the train and happy that I finally could stop searching. I had just set up camp before some locals came around fishing and swinging into the river from a rope swing. One man approached me and as always I kept a good five feet distance between us as we conversed for an hour or so. He had kids my age and was concerned with me being alone at here. I ensured him Id be fine but he promised he would return in the morning to check on me. I wasn't too concerned with him as he seemed genuine and harmless. It was nice to have some human interaction for a change since Lucy, my bulldog, is quite the one-sided conversational buddy.
I had a few beers, dined on some radishes I picked up at a farm stand and zipped myself and Lucy into our tent for the night feeling quite content I did find a camp spot and a pretty nice one at that. Until at about midnight, a pack of coyotes began crying their child-like howls which seemed to be right across the river bend. For the first time in a while, I was truly scared of nature and its power so after 45 minutes of fear driven thoughts, I left everything in the tent and crept into the car to sleep, with Lucy of course.
The next morning I awoke to a car pulling up the gravel driveway and I peeked my head out to see my friend from last night, Bob with a coffee and a muffin for me. I was a little alarmed at first but he then went on the invite me to berry pick with him and his daughter. "Old me" would never have gone off for a day with strangers but like my experience in the San Juan Islands, it ended up being one of the most enriching times on the trip.
    We went picking huckleberries in Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge that overlooks the whole town and protected moose-filled marsh fields that you can see for miles. I also saw some bald eagles for the first time and they are quite majestic. Everyone said you would know when you see an eagle and yes I did, their wingspan is unbelievable and as they soar above you they block out the sun and the rays accent each feathers tip in a beautifully perfect silhouette. I included a picture of the huckleberry bushes but if you don't have proper knowledge or even a book of edible plants I wont just pick berries. After that we went to the famous biker bar, Home Bar where they have a cat that drinks beer. It was one-a-kind and the owner even invited me to camp in the back beer garden. I finished my day drinking with Bob on the Yaak River before he headed back home and I set up camp at a basic but private campsite.
    The next day I headed to the Idaho/Montana border and set up for one more day of camping before making my way into Peck Gulch in the Kootenai National Forest. I got one of my favorite campsites ever and a great calmness came about me as I really began to real know my gear and how to set up my camp just perfect. I sat and fished all day (caught a bunch of little guys so threw them back) and laid in the sun reading. It was one of the greatest feeling of peace I have ever had and think back fondly on the moment.

I have a bunch of back-posts to release in the next few weeks so come back soon....

   This is a post from June of last year that reposted accidentally...enjoy
After about six hours of driving through Monument Valley in the Navajo Reservation (please note the main photo for site is Monument Valley three years ago) we arrived in Page at the border of Utah and Arizona. I like to take US 163 and US 160 rather than US 191 because you go right through the Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley, which are spectacular and unlike any other place on earth. We stopped in Mexican Hat at the San Juan River and bought some jewelry from a Navajo family on the side of the road before checking in and dropping the dogs off. It was still early so we decided to take a tour of Upper Antelope Canyon which was beyond words. It is a narrow canyon that was carved out by water, which actually still runs through every fall and you can see trees stuck twenty feet above your head (however, the nearest forest is over twenty miles away- crazy). Anyways it is made up of sandstone and quartz so the sunlight reflects off the rocks in many different ways and natural light just washes out, which makes it very hard to photograph well. As you bob through the canyon the sides curve out every which way as the sun beams down through a tight crack above. We entered the park off US 98 and paid a lot less than most other tours that require reservations. Our tour guide Lanny, who family has been in the area for nine generations, was informational and entertaining. He was knowledgeable but also told us of his own childhood playing in the canyon and sledding in the sand. He knew exactly where to take the best photos and even showed me a bear silhouette in one of the bends in the canyon - see if you can see it too (photo #5).
    Again, I always ask locals where to eat and Lanny suggested the Point at Antelope Marina on Lake Powell (http://antelopepointlakepowell.com). Make sure you take the free shuttle down or you will regret it. Not only did we have a great dinner and amazing service but the atmosphere was perfect. It is the largest floating restaurant in America and the building is made of stones making it blend into the natural environment (photo #6). It was one of the best marinas I have been to with all the amenities from a wake boarding park to gas docks to a coffee and ice cream shop. For dinner we split the Ja’di’ Tooh pasta in a pesto alfredo sauce with artichokes and it was light and tasty. Holly, our server, was local and so enjoyable and attentive. If you come to Lake Powell you must go to the Point. Tomorrow Ill be returning to go wake boarding after we white water raft down the Colorado River so tune in for tomorrow's post...

So it my 26th birthday and exactly a year since my life took a drastic shift that lead to the amazing adventures I have gotten to experience. I feel closer to my friends and family then ever and have found a new confidence and comfort with myself. My life has come to a place where I have a clear picture of who I am and what I stand for. I don't exactly know where I what to live or what career path to choose but Im learning most people don't ever find peace with those questions. Finally in my mid-twenties I have taken responsibility for my finances and I have a new awareness of the lessons I have learned so far through mistakes and heartbreak.  I have found that by not being close minded and well - sorry Grandma for cursing - but a bitch, life goes at a better flow. I know that sounds quite new-agey but I use to have day to day stresses and confrontations with strangers that made life exhausting. Now I try to be polite to strangers and mindful of my impact on others by self actualizing everyday and I get that smile or extra gesture back from someone that lightens both our days. I may have lost you by now but I am going to continue my quarter of a century realization rant...
I have learned that life is not easy, in fact it can be quite hard at times but it also has it moments that are so liberating and awakening. We as humans get to feel such whole emotions like love and happiness but usually only at the cost of experiencing deep pain or anger. We great pain you are able to feel a deeper happiness. Life is simple in the sense that your family, love, and a loyalty to your morals and ethnics define you and can make you complete. Stand by who you are, hoping you are a good person and do good to others and life will flow better. Don't be rude to strangers and be open minded to those different then you. With this and I promise it my last thought, challenge yourself everyday. Do something a little better then the day before. Don't take the easy or comfortable route in life because at the end what will you have learned or experienced? Step out of your norms and try that new food, take that exotic trip, jump off that cliff or even try volunteering because all these things enrich your life experience and make you a more well rounded and stronger person. Life will keep you on your toes but dont forget to live and enjoy the moment.