What a great day! It's warm (64 degrees), the sun is shining and I'm with my Mom and youngest brother. We're just finished Muesum Hunting in Palm Springs ....and successfully drove around without finding an open museum. I think most of the museums in Palm Springs are pet projects/hobbies for the residents because all of them are open for a few days each week and only for a few hours. We successfully found the location of 2 meuseums only to find out they were both closed.
After driving from from Palm Springs to Coachella we decided that a visit to Old Town La Quinta would be best. Old Town La Quinta is over a 100 years old and very quaint. After walking around for a while, my bro and I took some pictures before indulging in a healthy bowl of Lappert's ice cream. (www.lapperts.com). I had the Sugar-free, fat-free Koca Mocha Delight which was tastier than Hogan-Dos Expresso ice cream. I think its because Lappert's is made in Hawaii and with NATURAL...not artificial flavors.
We're back in the Alamo Rabbit headed to Lake Cahuilla to look around and take a few more snaps. Our goal is to stay active and engaged until it is time for us to go see Eight Twenty Eight @ 4pm at the International Film Festival (www.psfilmfest.org). We are all excited to going to see the film. Another amazing day. Hope the same is true for you to. Lots of Love - GeorgiGirl
Monday, January 07, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Awesome
True to my word, I spent the day in the Grand Canyon today. Weather in the Grand Canyon was pretty good considering the fact that California experienced "Blizzard Conditions". The Weather Channel warned about a number of storms that would start hitting the Western Coast on Friday. California and Utah were both expecting record amounts of snow and rain. At 11:36pm on Friday night, it's still raining in Cali and they are talking about floods and mud slides in Northern California...along with cooler weather and more rain.
Lucky for me, I'm in Arizona in a state of awe. I took my first helicopter ride today with the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters company. I knew the weather was going to be crazy today, so I booked in early and stood by during a small flight delay period. I agreed with the company...better not to be be flying around in a helicopter during high wind & snow fluries.
We departed the airport at 11:45am on the Imperial tour. Everything from take-off to landing was breathtaking. For me, my helicopter flight through the GCNP was the best experience yet. Whitewater rafting, skydiving, driving fast cars, roller coasters, speed boating....none of them are better then flying in the front seat of a helicopter.
After 50 minutes flying over the canyon, I was ready to go biking. While getting my bike saddled up the snow flurries started again. The snow only lasted for about 10 minutes so my trip wasn't delayed long. I decided to hike instead of bike. Got some great pictures..check them out in my photo album. Either watch the slide show on the right, or click the slide show to see larger versions of all photos.
Depending on the weather tomorrow, maybe I'll do another helicopter ride before heading to California. I'm excited to see my mom and brother tomorrow. We are not sure what we will do while in Palm Springs, but I know we'll find something fun. Until we talk again...enjoy the pictures.
Lucky for me, I'm in Arizona in a state of awe. I took my first helicopter ride today with the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters company. I knew the weather was going to be crazy today, so I booked in early and stood by during a small flight delay period. I agreed with the company...better not to be be flying around in a helicopter during high wind & snow fluries.
We departed the airport at 11:45am on the Imperial tour. Everything from take-off to landing was breathtaking. For me, my helicopter flight through the GCNP was the best experience yet. Whitewater rafting, skydiving, driving fast cars, roller coasters, speed boating....none of them are better then flying in the front seat of a helicopter.
After 50 minutes flying over the canyon, I was ready to go biking. While getting my bike saddled up the snow flurries started again. The snow only lasted for about 10 minutes so my trip wasn't delayed long. I decided to hike instead of bike. Got some great pictures..check them out in my photo album. Either watch the slide show on the right, or click the slide show to see larger versions of all photos.
Depending on the weather tomorrow, maybe I'll do another helicopter ride before heading to California. I'm excited to see my mom and brother tomorrow. We are not sure what we will do while in Palm Springs, but I know we'll find something fun. Until we talk again...enjoy the pictures.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
On the Road & Rested
It's my sixth day on the road.
I left Calgary around noon on Thursday full of excitement about my Great American Road Trip. I was happy I delayed my start time for the trip because it allowed me to spend a few more hours with Erin before she left for Halifax and I got a mother-load of stickers from the board shop. I originally hoped to hit Yellowstone Park late on Thursday morning, but I didn't get there until very, very early on Friday morning. I wish I had woke earlier and checked the rates because I would have continued driving. Instead I took a couple hour nap while I waited for the park to open.
When I arrived at the main gate for the park I realized that NO passenger vehicles are allowed in the park during the winter. I wasn't willing to pay $200 dollars to freeze my ass off riding around the park on an ATV, so I got gas, stretched and left instead. New rules have been applied at Yellowstone National Park. The park is no longer allowing passenger vehicles to drive around the park during the winter. Instead, all visitors must rent ATV's and go on guided tours if they wish to explore YNP. The locals I spoke with while getting gas and food said that the new rules have killed business in the area. In addition, driving in the area was difficult because only the main roads are cleared of snow. Since I LOVE the heat, and feel desperate to see a palm tree, I decided continuing the drive to Las Vegas was a more exciting option.
The drive to Las Vegas was long but seeing the scenery change from powdered mountains to red clay desserts and sand put a big smile on my face. I ended up stopping in the town of Blackfoot, Wyoming because the wind was blowing massive amounts of snow across the highway. Visibility was minimal and accidents were happening all around. I actually ended up in median and had to be extracted by a police vehicle. Blackfoot is approximately 5 hours from Las Vegas so I slept in and enjoyed the room.
I arrived in Las Vegas at 5:30 pm and was on the strip by 6:30pm. Despite cooler than normal temperatures on the strip, the The festivities were underway when I arrived. I ended up spending most of the night in casinos (MGM, Ceaser's Palace, Belagio, California and New York) walking around, dancing and watching people. It was a lot of fun. I think Vegas may be one of the best New Years Parties in the country. Everyone looked fantastic, energy was high and there are so many places to go. The added bonus of being able to drink in the streets simplifies the entire night. Next time I go, I'm bringing a big crowd of people so we can "represent" our peeps.
New Years day came slowly. Hey...I was in Vegas, it's the city that never sleeps. After grabbing some food, I hit the road again. Starbucks was the second stop, as I needed something to keep my eyes open. Hywy 93 through the Hoover Dam is a cluster worth mentioning. It took over an hour to go 2 miles. Upon entry they mention construction, but immediately after entering the 2 lane highway drivers are informed that it's a security stop. The setup of the Security Stop made it feel like I was traveling from one country to another instead of from Nevada to Arizona. I drove on to the end of HYWY 93 and stopped for 2 nights in Kenman. Wednesday was devoted entirely to staying in bed, washing the car, taking a long bath and doing my nails. It was utter bliss and very relaxing. No internet access though :-(. Oh well, it kept me quiet.
Now, I'm in the Grand Canyon. Tomorrow, I plan on taking a helicopter ride and biking in Yellowstone National Park. It will be a blast. I look forward to uploading my pictures, but can't do it tonight. There is on way the connection in my room will allow me to upload pictures....it's way too slow. Look for pictures to follow tomorrow.
Best Wishes
I left Calgary around noon on Thursday full of excitement about my Great American Road Trip. I was happy I delayed my start time for the trip because it allowed me to spend a few more hours with Erin before she left for Halifax and I got a mother-load of stickers from the board shop. I originally hoped to hit Yellowstone Park late on Thursday morning, but I didn't get there until very, very early on Friday morning. I wish I had woke earlier and checked the rates because I would have continued driving. Instead I took a couple hour nap while I waited for the park to open.
When I arrived at the main gate for the park I realized that NO passenger vehicles are allowed in the park during the winter. I wasn't willing to pay $200 dollars to freeze my ass off riding around the park on an ATV, so I got gas, stretched and left instead. New rules have been applied at Yellowstone National Park. The park is no longer allowing passenger vehicles to drive around the park during the winter. Instead, all visitors must rent ATV's and go on guided tours if they wish to explore YNP. The locals I spoke with while getting gas and food said that the new rules have killed business in the area. In addition, driving in the area was difficult because only the main roads are cleared of snow. Since I LOVE the heat, and feel desperate to see a palm tree, I decided continuing the drive to Las Vegas was a more exciting option.
The drive to Las Vegas was long but seeing the scenery change from powdered mountains to red clay desserts and sand put a big smile on my face. I ended up stopping in the town of Blackfoot, Wyoming because the wind was blowing massive amounts of snow across the highway. Visibility was minimal and accidents were happening all around. I actually ended up in median and had to be extracted by a police vehicle. Blackfoot is approximately 5 hours from Las Vegas so I slept in and enjoyed the room.
I arrived in Las Vegas at 5:30 pm and was on the strip by 6:30pm. Despite cooler than normal temperatures on the strip, the The festivities were underway when I arrived. I ended up spending most of the night in casinos (MGM, Ceaser's Palace, Belagio, California and New York) walking around, dancing and watching people. It was a lot of fun. I think Vegas may be one of the best New Years Parties in the country. Everyone looked fantastic, energy was high and there are so many places to go. The added bonus of being able to drink in the streets simplifies the entire night. Next time I go, I'm bringing a big crowd of people so we can "represent" our peeps.
New Years day came slowly. Hey...I was in Vegas, it's the city that never sleeps. After grabbing some food, I hit the road again. Starbucks was the second stop, as I needed something to keep my eyes open. Hywy 93 through the Hoover Dam is a cluster worth mentioning. It took over an hour to go 2 miles. Upon entry they mention construction, but immediately after entering the 2 lane highway drivers are informed that it's a security stop. The setup of the Security Stop made it feel like I was traveling from one country to another instead of from Nevada to Arizona. I drove on to the end of HYWY 93 and stopped for 2 nights in Kenman. Wednesday was devoted entirely to staying in bed, washing the car, taking a long bath and doing my nails. It was utter bliss and very relaxing. No internet access though :-(. Oh well, it kept me quiet.
Now, I'm in the Grand Canyon. Tomorrow, I plan on taking a helicopter ride and biking in Yellowstone National Park. It will be a blast. I look forward to uploading my pictures, but can't do it tonight. There is on way the connection in my room will allow me to upload pictures....it's way too slow. Look for pictures to follow tomorrow.
Best Wishes
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