Our Trip, UPDATE Aug 30 PIX

[adrian65]

Thank you everyone! Baz, you're right that balanced rock is the Mexican Hat. I also think I spotted you on the North Rim, from the south Rim ;D.

Here are new pix from the past days, including today.

From Cameron, we headed North to Page. Close to page we saw the Horse-Shoe of Colorado River:


Then we arrived in Page and found a company that lead us to Antelope canyon. Amazing 4x4 ride through the sand, and of course even more amazing hike through the canyon:






Then we arrived in Hatch - UT, where we stayed for a night and visited Bryce Canyon, which we think it has the most breath - taking scenery we've seen so far. The words cannot describe the beauty of the place. The only comparison that pops in my mind is that it resembles with a top grade Crazy Lace but at a very large scale:

And we have to thank again Jamie, because it's due to her that we included Bryce and Zion in our route.

The next morning we headed to Las Vegas. On our route, we also visited Zion Park, but only shortly. The parking lots were full, we couldn't find a place and take the shuttle towards the weeping rock. The Canyon is still impressive and those chess-board mesas are really unique:






Then we reached Las Vegas and went to our hotel, which was Stratosphere.

We went up in the tower of course:


Ioana had the courage of trying two out of three of the mean machines in the top of the tower. That's the first one:








And she also took the "big shot". No pics of her here, but believe me she did it


After this adrenaline discharge, we had an evening/night walk on the strip, admiring all the casinos and of course enjoying the water fountains from Bellagio.


We are not at all gamblers, so here is all what we did related on slot machines:


The next day we left Vegas to Tulare and arrived here safely. And today we visited the Sequoia Forest.
Firstly, here's a pic of our car running on the highway:


On our route to the forest we stopped and picked some oranges from a booth. The only vendor was this kitty, we had to leave the money in a box:


And here are some pics with the giant sequoias. They really look from an outer world, when you see them you expect a dinosaur to appear from behind anytime:
















We also climbed on Moro rock. Well, kinda, I "lost" my girls on the path ...


... so I had to picture myself on the top:


That would be our last updates,

Thank you again for looking,

Adrian

[rockwizz]

Wow! looks like you guys had a blast! Excellent pictures. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Ozzy

[Bejewelme]

Adrian:
Looks like loads of fun!!! Bryce was indeed the most breathtaking we saw also, and due to Jamie telling us we had to go! Oh it looks like so much fun! Ioana rode those rides and had a smile on her face? Oh my gosh they are so scary!!!!!!! Gen. Sherman is amazing, huh? Keep on having fun!!! I know you will!!!!
Be safe and big hugs to you all
Amber

[SteveHolmes]

Thanks again Adrian for the update and the pics. Your vacation makes me TIRED! ;D You all know how to pack a full day of events in and you are really taking advantage of your vacation. My Girls would be complainin' how tired they were, or something.
Keep Having FUN and Traveling Safely!
Steve

[NatureNut]

It's great to see these. Absolutely love the one looking up at Adrian between the three huge trees. Jo

[Tonyterner]

Man Adrian you are seeing EVERYTHING! That Antelope Canyon looks very pretty. I can't believe that Ioana did those rides, way to scary for me. Glad she didn't get arrested gambling, you have to be 21 here to gamble. Those sequoias are astounding. I wonder how the wood turns. lol Thanks for the update and glad everything is going well.

[adrian65]

Thank you everyone!

Amber, are you missing just the friends out west? What about the ones out east?

Jo, Ioana had to lay down on the ground to take that pic, glad you like it

Steve, my girls complain from timr to time but then they say they won't miss anything. They are brave.

Tony, me too i consider those rides insane, I didn't join Ioana in none of them.

Adrian

[BuiltonRock]

Wow, Great trip!! Thanks for sharing.

John

[Silver Lass]

Oh Adrian, Don and I are leaving for AZ. and Utah in 5- days. You have us so excited about seeing everything . Wow what a wonderful tour guide you are. Glad to see that all of you having so much fun... The only thing I'm not doing is those rides he,he. Have a safe journey.
Dorothy and Don
Living full time on the road and loving every minute............ Just waiting for Jo to catch up with us.

[deb193redux]

No rides for me either. Enjoy SF!

[MidNight~Rocksi3]

Adrian!! wow.. you sure know how to take a Vacation!!! And the pictures are Amazing!! almost feels like we are all right there! Guess i should of posted my Thank you here! For the Gifts , i weare the bracelet all the time and the adorable Bug goes with me everytime i go out! and your wrap is extra special not only because it's the infamous Groove wrap of Adrians.. But it's from the other side of the world!! how cool is that!! So thank you and hope you guys continue to have a safe and happy Vacation!!

~smiles~

Roxy

[rocklicker]

Wow those rides look scary! You wouldn't get me on those! I love all the amazing pictures! The ones of the Colorado River are amazing! Those canyon shots are just beautiful. And those tree photos are wonderful too. I love big trees having grown up in the country among the redwoods. There's something about them. Of course none were that big. Seeing all those photos makes me want to jump in a car and take a vacation! Mrs. Rocklicker and I are looking forward to seeing in you all in San Francisco tonight! ;D I'm countng down the hours!
Steve

[stoneviews]

Wow, those pictures are great, and those places are so close, I need to get out more but I will skip the rides.
Thanks for sharing.

[frane]

Amazing pictures Adrian! Ioana is so much braver than I am! I would never get on those rides!
I noticed in the picture right below general Sherman, the one with a squirrel, there is a squirrel shape in the wood behind it on the upper left.
I am really enjoying all of your trip pictures!
Fran

[stonesthatrock]

nope no rides for me either but my daughter also did the big shot, not once but 3 times, ya shes crazy.

wonderful trip your having........... Utah is a beautiful state, i never realized it. Thanks for the pics.

mary ann

[adrian65]

Hi again,
When leaving San Francisco in the morning we firstly drove on the hair-pins of Lombard street, then through Fishermans Wharf and then Crossed Golden Gate bridge. We admired the bridge and the city, the weather was sunny go figure
Then we tried to visit Muir Woods but not a chance, all the parkings were full. Then we found Muir beach and get our feet wet by the Paciffic Ocean. Some brave people even took some real baths but the water temperature was low, reminding me more of the moutain rivers rather than the sea.

Sorry, no time for pics, the drive from San Francisco to Modesto was a LOOONG one, not necessarily regarding the miles but the time. You really seem to have those giant 8 lanes freeways for a reason. I never thought such a wide road could become so crowded.

Thank you for reading,

Adrian

[bobby1]

Adrian,
It sounds like you got to experience the infamous Bay Area traffic. And to think I lived there for 41 years.
It sounds like you were in San Francisco and experienced some rare sunshine and warmth. Definitely not like the typical cold, windy fog of summer! You did get some warm water in the ocean. Maybe up to 53 degrees? It sounds like you did get to see some pretty sites, though.
I hope to get to see you and your family tomorrow afternoon in Modesto. Have fun in Yosemite!!!
Bob

[adrian65]

Hi again!

Sorry I've been lazy the last week but our schedule was really tight and there was no time for pictures posting.

While in San Francisco, we met Ed Stoner & Susane and Steve Rocklicker & Janine. We firstly had a meeting in our hotel room, exchanging impressions and rock gifts.
The whole group:


The boys:


The girls:


At the restaurant - thank you Ed for showing us such a great place, we also had lunch the next day there:



The next day we visited the city, which is a real beauty. The houses and the plants are beautiful, the pics below cannot catch the whole charm of the place.
















The next morning we left San Francisco on the Golden Gate Bridge:


We arrived in Modesto after a short but heavy traffic drive and the next day we visited Yosemite park. Its granite cliffs and domes are so beautiful and great!







In the same evening we met Bobby1. Sir, it was a pleasure to meet you in person!


Needless to say that all the members I met overwhelmed me with rock gifts, such as my gifts for them really seemed insignifficant. Thank you again everyone, you were so generous!
And Tony Catmandewe is my witness for this generosity: I met him again yesterday in Twin Falls ID and I gave him all the rocks I had in the trunk. I thought there would be some 3 boxes but when I dug, five or six boxes were filled!

Now we are in West Yellowstone. Tomorrow and the day after we will visit the park.

Thank you for looking,

Adrian

[Bejewelme]

Adrian:
Looks like you are having a blast!!! SF is so beautiful I love it there, and Yosemite! What wonderful memories you guys are making, this is a trip you will remember forever!!!!! Nothing like CA traffic for a taste of the States! LOL
What a great bunch of RTHers you met!
What will cost more??? Mailing all your rocks home to Romania, or the trip, LOL?
Be safe and enjoy every minute!!!
Amber

[Tonyterner]

Thanks for the pics Adrian, I've never been to San Fran or had the privilege of meeting any of those RTHers. Boy am I glad I didn't give you rocks, at $50 a box that's a lot of money. We ended up sending 13 boxes home and that was quite an expense. Keep the pictures coming.