Vacation Mode Activated

It has been over a year since we've taken a proper vacation.  Off the grid, out in the wild, vacation.  And we both needed it.  I spent 6 months away for work, and we've been working our butts off on the Revcon renovation, it was past time.

This year we had no plan.  Pack up the teardrop, load the pups into the Jeep and point north.  We had a vague idea of starting off in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.   So up I-17 we went.  Mike had never been to Sunset Crater, so we decided that would be a good stopping point to stretch our legs and make lunch.

Once through the park, we found dirt...well loose volcanic soil, and made our way into the Cinder Hills ORV area for a quiet lunch.  The geography of this area is pretty incredible and we decided that a fall trip to relax and explore is in order.

Once back on pavement, we continued north into the Wuptaki National Monument.  It has been 10 years, but since I've been already, I stayed in the Jeep while Mike explored around.

After our quick detour, we slabbed our way north.  We motored into the North Rim park around 5ish. Went to the visitors center overlook, stretched our legs, then left the park to find camp in Kaibab.

We headed on a NF road, found a disused alfa offshoot, and stowed away for the evening.

It was an amazing day spent adventuring with the girls.  Getting long doses of mountain air and curling into bed in the cooling temperatures is just what I needed.

Flagstaff/Sedona Camping

I finally convinced my good buddy Jeff to take a bunch of us canyoneering and repelling.  We mustered up a good group of cohorts and headed off to the Flagstaff area for the weekend.  We set up camp, had a good meal and great conversation and enjoyed perfect weather.

And then I got altitude sickness. 

Everyone (but Mike because he's afraid of heights) took off to Illusions Canyon at first light and I went back to sleep.  Hours later, still fighting nauseua I woke and Mike and I enjoyed the afternoon just playing in the woods with the dogs. Even with the sickness, I still needed a weekend away to commune with the trees. 

The crew was late, and I got worried, but they were fine.  Exhausted, beat up, but fine.  The canyon proved harder and more advanced than originally thought, but Jeff said everyone did amazing.  Unfortunately, it'd be a bit of a lie for me to put up photos of their adventure, I'll have to pressure Mandy to do a write up.

But stay tuned, because I'm already hitting Jeff up for take two, so I can go.