My Sedona (sung to the tune of My Sharona)

Drive Time: Torrey, UT to Sedona, AZ 8 hours
Weather: Sunny, highs around 75 degrees

The drive from Capitol Reef to Sedona included: more cattle in the road (sans Cowboys); lots of beautiful rock formations; even more desert terrain; Indian reservations, and finally some crazy switchbacks down steep canyons.

We arrived in Sedona a little too late to enjoy a hike of any length. We set up camp at the Cave Springs Campground in Coconino National Forest. We explored the campground, full of what Mike affectionally calls "leafers" - people who have come from places like San Diego to enjoy the fall foliage. We made our way into downtown Sedona to checkout the shops and restaurants. Sedona is definitely a beautiful place  (of which we had little time to fully see) but it's tainted by the masses of tourist flooding into it's blood red canyons and spectacular forests.

Currently we are at a little bar in Sedona, enjoying the local Oak Creek brew and watching game seven of the world series... Go Cards!

San Diego tomorrow and lots and lots of apartment hunting. Wish us luck!

~Roberta

P.S. We are having trouble uploading new pics... pictures from Moab, Capitol Reef, and Sedona to come soon, please check back!

Cowboy Country

Drive Time: Moab, UT to Capitol Reef National Park 3 hours 30 minutes
Weather: Sunny and in the 60's

After leaving Moab, we took a 3 hour + drive to Torrey, Utah to see Capitol Reef National Park. As we entered the town we saw signs for "open range" with a picture of a cow on it and we soon figured out why... within moments Roberta had to slam on the brakes as cattle blocked the roadway. We crept along the road as most slowly moved to the side. Rounding the bend we saw a seemingly endless line of multi-colored cattle. Cowboys, real cowboys and cowgirls too, cracking whips and herding the cattle down the dusty desert road. We took as many pictures as possible, trying not to look like tourist or a bunch of creeps.

We got to Capital Reef and took what turned out to be our favorite hike yet. After a steep initial climb up the mountain we took off running down the trails inside the canyon. It was an amazing impromptu run after an intended hike but we got caught up in the excitement of exploring our surroundings. We peaked down a crack in the mountain which I then decided to go down while Roberta opted to sun bathe on a rock "like a lizard" my option turned out to be one of the coolest things I have down in a while...

At the start of the crack it was easy for me to straddle the two sides and walk down about 10 ft up it. As I made my way down the seemingly endless path I was forced to climb higher while the crack continued to get wider. I was able to make most of the way using small pockets for grip but then the crack really widened. At one point I was 20 ft in the air and fully horizontal pressing as hard as I could through my feet and hands to slowly shuffle further into the crack. It was an adrenaline pumping experience and I wish I could have snapped a few photos from my perspective.

So awesome.

When I returned we continued on, and finished out a 6 mile hike with more scenic views. I continued to seek rocks to climb, at one point I climbed myself into trouble and was forced to leap 5 ft over to another rock both of which were about 20 ft in the air. I did this with little more than a few scraps, and of course making sure Roberta was looking the other way.

That night we stayed at the Cowboy Cabins Homestead which allowed horses but no dogs so we smuggled Simon ET style (he wore Roberta's hoodie) -probably a bit excessive but certainly entertaining. At the ranch we saw more stars than I ever knew existed (and then watched the end of a fantastic World Series game 6).

It was a good day.

-Mike

Moab.

Drive Time: Denver, CO to Moab, UT 8 hours 30 minutes
Weather: Cold and rainy turning to sun Wednesday afternoon


We stayed two nights in Moab, arriving late Monday night shaking and exhausted from our trek across the mountains. Tuesday morning we woke up and drove to Red Rock Bakery to attend a yoga class however the class must have been cancelled, guess we didn't get the memo.

When the rain cleared we headed to Arches National Park and hiked a 3 mile loop to Delicate Arch, the symbol of Utah. Brisk air so we bundled up, but amazing scenery.

We had dinner at the Moab Brewery which hosts a bustling mix of tourist and locals alike. We were told by a local that Moab was just like Vegas and while we found that couldn't be further from the truth we had an awesome time and would love to go back some day and explore more of the over 2000 natural arches.

~Roberta

Boulder and Beyond in 24 Hours

Drive Time: St. Louis, MO to Salina, KS 7 hours 25 minutes
                    Salina, KS to Boulder, CO 6 hours and 50 minutes.

Weather: Record highs in Boulder, close to 80 degrees!


Boulder was beautiful, I only wish we had more time to explore. We checked into our motel and headed straight for Chautauqua Park. Dashing out of the car we made an ambitious attempt to conquer a 5-mile loop at an enthusiastic "I am never getting back in that car" pace. Within 800 meters my heart was racing and my lungs were burning. Confident in my athleticism and endurance I pushed on but soon found my self slowing to a shuffle. Annoyed and embarrassed, I asked Mike if we could slow down a bit. He was huffing and puffing too, and we realized quickly that it would take some time to adjust to the altitude of Boulder (5430 ft above sea level). We agreed upon a brisk hike instead. The views were amazing and the weather couldn't have been better!

Next we headed to the Left Handed Brewing Company in Longmont, CO. We sampled some of our favorites and some new (to us) brews too.

In the evening we explored Pearl Street in downtown Boulder, the street is lined with shops including Patagonia, Billabong, and Urban Outfitters and lots of restaurants and coffee shops. We decided on a place called Salt for dinner and sampled their farm-to-table menu and designed our own cocktails.

We woke up early Tuesday morning and hopped into the car, driving an hour north to Estes Park. Much of the park was closed for the season but we were able to drive a 10-mile loop which offered breath-taking views of the Rockies and herds of elk. (see our photo journal for more pictures from Estes).

Tuesday afternoon we met up with my friend Annie (she moved out to Colorado in July) for lunch at a pub in Denver. It was great to see her, I think it's been all most five years.  After lunch we completed a whirlwind tour of the flagship Denver REI store (much too large to explore in just an hour). We left Denver around 2:30pm (GMT) in an effort to avoid the impending snow storm threatening to strand us in the mountains.

Overall, we LOVED Colorado and can't wait to get back. Lots to do outdoors, plenty of sun, good restaurants, and friendly people. What more could you ask for? If San Diego doesn't work out...

Stay tuned for our harrowing trek across the Rockies...

~Roberta

Pushing Westward To "The Land of Weeds and Seeds"

Drive time: 7 hours from Columbus to St Louis
Weather: sunny and in the mid 70's

We spent the weekend with our friends Emily and Matt who reside in a swanky downtown loft in St. Louis. Friday we went to the Drunken Fish for sushi in the Central West End of town. It was delicious!

Saturday we woke up to an amazing brunch and headed to the Missouri Botanical Garden. We toured the gardens and expansive green houses and took a lot of pictures (fun for the ladies but quite annoying for the gents).

 Next we drove through Forest Park - the Central Park of St Louis and headed to the famous Arch. We spent the rest of the afternoon picnicing and people watching under the arch. It was a perfect day and so wonderful to stretch out under the sun (and the gateway to the west) with good friends and good food.

This morning we got up bright and early, slipped on flip flops cupping warm mugs of coffee and headed to the street. The Rock n' Roll 1/2 and full marathon went right by Emily and Matt's building and we dubbed ourselves the cheer squad of Washington ave. I feel like I got more of a workout than some of the runners! Ok maybe not but we were so enthusiastic some people thought we were drunk - most loved our spirit! We went to church and than Ted Drewes for world famous custard.

We are currently about 200 miles from Kansas City (there was a horrible accident on I-70 which caused a bit of a delay). Pictures and a post from guest blogger Emily to come!

~ Roberta

Packing and Day One

Drive Time: 7 hours 35 minutes
Weather: Overcast and rainy, highs in the low 60's

It's friday morning and Roberta and I are in German Village in Columbus OH. Our first day of travel went smooth driving from Hummelstown PA to Columbus OH with a stop in Pittsburgh PA (actually Monroeville) to visit Roberta's PSU friend Tricia and her baby Easton. We were hoping to be part of the hunt for exotic animals in the area but alas they were all killed or detained prior to our arrival. Simon was quite disappointed when I broke the news, he had spent the previous day researching the fighting styles of Bengal Tigers.

We spent the first night with my cousins Lauren, Randy and baby Lincoln. Had an awesome dinner and it was a lot of fun hanging out with them.

Packing went surprisingly smooth we fit everything we own( even my surfboard) into a 2 door civic. We arranged it so things we need are easily accessible and things for SD ate packed away tightly.

Today we push on to St Louis with a probable stop in Indianapolis. We already saw Hienz Field and we will be sure to drive by Lucas Oil. I was hoping to see NFL hall of fame too but itts in northern OH and not on the way. Roberta did a good job of pretending to be disappointed when we discovered this.


-Mikey