where's Ky?

My searches for inner truth or maybe just one of the sisters.

Deconstructing Ky

to catch a rainbow

Sister Py has the magical ability (with help from her sisters) to catch a rainbow



East of Zion National Park on Rt 9
July 16, 2007

Py & Ry

Py and Ry in the canyon....hmmm, which canyon? I'm going with Bryce and the specific trail is Wall Street.

some numbers crunched

Number of sisters: 3
Number of friends: 2
Total days: 20
Total miles: 2189
Average mpg: 20 mi/gal
Average price for gasoline: $3.21/gal
Gasoline cost: $350
Amount for rental SUV (incl extra driver): $900
Amount for food & drink: $2200
Amount for lodging: $2000
Average cost per sister: $1900

Number of State Parks visited: 2
Number of National Forests visited: 4
Number of National Parks/Monuments visited: 12
Number of trails hiked/climbed/waded/scrambled: don't want to think about it, still traumatized

Cost for 3 wonderful sisters & assorted friends: Priceless.

got sand?

Ky takes a dive in the coral pink sand dunes as she answers the challenge of "got sand?"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-808950231051424396

self-portrait - still not right

Haven't got the hang of the timer - especially since each camera has a different timing. Plenty of ATVs on the sand dunes. Pink sand is deposited here from the Vermillion Cliffs.

Check it off!

Accomplished:

• 4 wheel drive off road adventure
  
• Walk on “slick” rock
  
• Scramble over sandstone formations
  
• “Boulder” & explore slot canyon
  
• View petroglyphs
  
• Climb sand dunes
  
• Navigate creek narrows (4.5 hours)
  
• Survive forest fire(s) -- at least 3 of them from dry lightning
  
• Eat buffalo and wild boar
  
• Attend star parties in dark skies
  
• See iridium flair from satellite
  
• Get lost on poorly-marked, dry desert butte/canyons with only 1 litre of water between 3 people

• Get sunburned after only 1 hour in the sun (at the end of the trip)
  
• Believe locals when they say alternate route will be “easy”
  
• Locate California Condor (#02) on Navajo Bridge (89A)

one more adventure....

On our way to Phoenix, but we have a side trip planned to Walnut Canyon.

where we've been...really

in chronological order:

prescott national forest
montezuma's castle (sinagua indian cliff dwelling)
sunset crater
wupatkai national monument
coconino national forest
Navajo reservation
glen canyon (dam & bridge)
dixie national forest
zion national park
lake panguitch
cedar breaks
bryce canyon
red rock canyon
grand staircase - escalante
coral pink sand dunes (utah state park)
kodachrome state park (utah)
pipe springs national monument
kaibab Paiute nation
grand canyon - north rim (anasazi ruins)
kaibab national forest
vermillion cliffs
walnut canyon (cliff dwellings)

flagstaff

We have made it out of the North Rim and into Flagstaff. We're off for a bite to eat and some company other than ourselves. There's cell phone service and internet. Wonder of of wonders!

Don't believe the maps!

We've learned that maps aren't all that accurate when it comes to paved roads, unimproved roads, and scenic byways. The locals know some of the roads and what is considered "easy" by them is not so by city gals. We've only used the 4-wheel drive a few times (like 2) on dirt roads to scenic overlooks. Today, the 3 Sisters will be attempting to navigate through a supposed paved road according to the locals which appears unimproved on our "latest" maps. It is supposed to be more scenic and less time to get to St. Georges, Utah where we pick up Ky's friend, My, who will joining us for the last week of the adventure.

Ry, Py's friend, has departed back to PHX. It was a blast in Bryce Canyon - although our posteriors are a bit sore: 3 hour horseback ride, ATV rides and mega-hiking.

Cell phones still have spotty reception as well as internet.

We ate wild boar and buffalo ribs last night. Good flavor.

With maps in hand, we depart for the wilds of Utah. We are planning on participating in the geocaching (google that to find out more). The Utah State Parks are participating and we hope to use a GPS system for free to find a geocache. The 3 Sisters have been orienteering so we shouldn't get lost in the canyons - maybe. Stay tuned for more information and watch your national news!

where we've been...

Sunset Crater, Arizona (yes Ky's friend Cy, we do need photography help!)

Lake Panguitch, Utah

Bryce Canyon

From left to right: Ry, Py, Vy, and Ky

Kiva Koffeehouse

The FIND of the trip:

http://www.kivakoffeehouse.com/

Delicious meals with herbs snipped from the hillside.

escalante self portrait

self-portrait at grand staircase-escalante. We have left Bryce Canyon and its hiking trails for more hospitable environments.

That's Captain Lance on the left. Will he let Py fly the plane? The passengers hope not!

let's burn some holes in the sky!

The folds in the earth below are made by the flowing/buckling of the crust in this fault zone.

Captain Lance, our pilot, took Ry, Py and Vy up on an air tour of Bryce Canyon. It was incredible! See our shadow on the alpine forest?

what not to do when hiking

do not miss the last bus down the canyon

do not bring enough water

do not wear appropriate foot gear

as if you hadn't noticed...

We have no (zip, zero, nada, nothing) cell phone reception in Utah. We all have AT&T (cingular). Internet is sketchy as well - we are piggybacking on the personal wireless of the resort people; not public access.

So, if you've left us messages - we can not access them. Disconnected. I guess that's what vacation is supposed to be.

As the 3 Sisters leave the Dixie National Forest and Bear Paw Resort, we leave behind our friends from Romania and Slovakia.

We learned that layering sunscreen and bug repellent ain't that great for skin.

Py's friend, Ry, joined us last night. We had a campfire (no fire restrictions on the lake) and sat up into the night.

wildflowers for Rick

Away from cliffside, we find alpine meadows, semi-arid meadows, and high desert. Even though it has been dry, the wildflowers are blooming. The growing season is a short 10 weeks.

These are colorado columbines with the traditional blue & white petals.

elevation: 10,000ft

Cedar Breaks is a big gash in the high desert "meadow" and pines plateau below.

Wildflower hiking guided tour tomorrow morning along the rim. Vy bought some Utah wildflower seeds to try a small plot in her backyard.

Fishing by Py tomorrow on a high lake? The horror!

Zen Py atop the spur in Kolob Canyon. Behind is the ponderosa pine forest of the valley plateau. In front of her (and sitting upon) are the uplifted red Navajo sandstone canyon walls.

Kolob Canyon (the scenic drive) part of Zion National Park. Another hike up to the overlook.

Hiking in Zion National Park for three days has its own hazards. We spent the evening in the hottub before our next drive.

the first day on the road

740a arise from restful sleep
750a Vy begin to pack SUV
800a "is this a full size suv?"
809a suv too full
815a Vy unpacks suv and repacks -- SUV configuaration part 2
820a SUV still too full since Vy wants to be able to see out back window, vy repacks her suitcase and removes all dark colored clothing. Amazing, it fits into carry-on suitcase.
828a "who forgot to make coffee?"
832a Vy smug with successful packing of suv
834a Ky inspects and returns... "where will My sit?"
838a Ky and Py make reservations for quality inn
841a camping trip scrapped...Py is sad. remove camping gear from suv... still no room for shoes
845a Vy unpacks and repacks suv -- SUV configuration part 3
847a shower, dress, pack beer in cooler... "where will food go?"
906a pull out of garage... trip begins! yay!
907a make a u-ee--pull into garage--get phone, watch, and water
908a pull out of garage - take 2 yay!
912a emergency stop at Starbucks... Mental note to selves: buy shares in Starbucks
925a Ky and Py take Dramamine.... SUV handles looser than sporty Sebring convertible
1055a decide to stop at Montezuma's Castle National Monument... Ky refers to map for directions... wrong map... looks for AZ map... can only find four (4), count ;'em FOUR! UT maps...interesting....
1100a stop at Montezuma's Castle... Py purchases "Barbie Doll", i.e., National Parks Passort, and gets first stamp of trip
1200p emergency stop to throw up since typing and Vy driving are non-compatible. wish learning curve was better.
1206p Py recalls I-17 does not go to UT...ends in Flagstaff... no AZ map... Py navigates to proper road... we think...
1208p strange material hits windshield... shocked passengers...monsoon season begins...Vy tries to find wiper control in rental suv
1209p monsoon ends
1210p roads signs direct us to US89 which heads to Grand Canyon... who needs AZ map?
1218p stop for gas... "which side is gas cap on?" Must pull out into traffic... yikes... Vy continues to throw Py and Ky around like rag dolls while improving suv manuverability skills. Py has no "o shit" handle.
102p stop at Sunset Crater National Monument for passport stamp and lunch. Pleasant under monsoon skies...thunder rumbles... or is that the volcano erupting?...
103p Vy smug again... able to unload lunch without unpacking entire suv!
104p sandwiches lacking without the tangy zip of Miracle Whip. Note to self: always pack knife with picnic lunch...bite of sandwich/bite of cheese hunk...bite of tomato?
111p Py spots a blue cardinal. should have checked out the bird identification book from library. inform Py that bird is a blue jay
125p Hike Lava Fields trail...monsoon continues to rumble
132p ranger informs us that lava fields attract lightening...more metal in soil. power hike.
144p stop at National Park sign to stage photograph
149p still there... note to self to take photogrsphy course
323p leave Wupatki National Monument and road trip continues
1022p Arrive in Springdale. Vy navigates scary hairpin turns excellently even though Py and Ky are squeemish for entire 45 minute ride.
1028p Open hotel room... only one bed. No other double queen rooms available. Py camps out after all...on floor.
1045p UT on mountain time... is really 1145p

and so it begins....

Yesterday was long with city driving but okay. The final preparations are complete. We picked up the SUV last night, but it had a chip in the windshield - we turned around to file the paperwork at the airport and called. Cell phones are useful. They called back and told us that it was in the computer so we could continue on. Whew! This morning all we have to do is load the SUV and get on the road.

Hey, Melissa! If you're reading this - Vy finally took your advice and got her hair cut short(er) in the style you recommended.

We are camping for the next 2-3 days so the Sisters may not be able to blog regularly unless we go into town, and they have an internet cafe.

At least it's a dry heat....

I don't think the sisters were quite prepared for the heat wave PHX is experiencing right now. Sure, the dry heat thing is a good thing, but when it's over 110, it's just damn hot. Good thing I bought a ghetto pool to relax in while we enjoyed some adult bev-O-rages. Evaporative cooling is a wonderful thing; beer cooling is even better.

One more day to departure!! We're repacking (who brings a suitcase just for their shoes???) so that Py (is she a dessert or an irrational number??) can actually fit her stuff into the SUV. We've decided that we're not "cooking-camping" anything we can't put in the campfire, so we've loaded up on breads, deli meats, and cheeses, as well as lots of veggies and "fluids". That'll save some room -- woo hoo, more shoes!

Today we're getting prettied up in time to spend 3 days camping with no showers! Coloring, painting, waxing... we're doing it all. Can't wait!

cities & knights

Family is probably asking, "when will they play The Game (tm)?"

We played our first game at 10:30 this morning. Vy won in a last minute reversal when the score stood 12 vs 12 vs 10. This is a view of the winning board.

Sister Py shared last minute reservation details with Vy and Ky inlcuding those who will be joining us: Ry, My, and Ny.

We also went shopping for last minute purchases like a cooler, some clothes to keep the sun off, and veggie foods. Oh, and tasty beverages. The on-the-road adventure begins Friday. Today and tomorrow for relaxing.

We're starting another game of cities & knights (or settlers of katan?).

Hello, Dallas, we’re in your heart.

9:00 pm, Tuesday July 3

Vy & Ky are sitting in DFW waiting for a flight crew for the plane. Now 9:00 pm anticipated departure. Now 10:00 pm departure. No flight crew. 10:30 pm. No cabin crew. 11:00 pm. Ah, crewed now need ot get on plane in in the air before our pilot becomes "illegal." In the air at 11:30 pm. Arrived 2 hours later in PHX. Py picks us and the luggage up. Sleep. Glorious sleep.

Goodbye, Wichita Falls, we hardly knew ya.

8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3

Wonderful start to holiday. Diverted from DFW to Wichita Falls. The pilot did a good job of going around the thunderstorms as we landed in WF. About 90 minute delay on the ground with 6 other planes. We guzzled some gas. The reason we were diverted is that we had less than an hour of fuel and the holding pattern was 90 minutes. Oops! We were at the air base so we got to watch the fighter jets take off – some vertical and 6G turns. There’s something exciting (really!) about being sealed up in a tin tube under the Texas sun. Over all, the people on the plane were nice.

Vy is hounding me to add an entry to our vacation blog. I'm Ky and I am in charge of planning our day trips. I visited UT last summer for a couple of days and began the talk of taking a longer trip out there in the summer. Vy, Py and I vowed to take such a trip in the summer of '07 but until Py and I mapped out our route and made a reservation back in March, it all seemed too whimisical. But alas, here we are and later this afternoon, Vy and I will be boarding a plane to be with Py over Independence Day (USA) and then we will be off.

While on a mini trip with a friend in PA last week, I purchased the National Parks Pass for the trip which will grant us access to all the national parks and monuments that we visit. It's pretty cool and you can get your passport stamped at each National Park you visit. You can also buy pretty stamps to add to your passport book but as my mom would say, I just purchased a barbie doll. :-)

I have been here in IL for one week now and things have been great. I visit the gym on most days and even attended a workout class. Although it seemed so easy it must have worked every muscle in this bod because I'm feeling a little stiff and sore. Perhaps I should have begun earlier, the hikes I have planned are going to kick our @$$#$.

3 sisters + 1

The 3 sisters (Vy, Ky & Py) are being joined by friends at points along the adventure. Here's an excerpt from Ky's friend, My:

Okay Ladies,
I booked my flight so I am going to swoop in on the “sister vaca”; hope that’s going to be okay…..but if not….well, you’re stuck with me anyway! I get into Vegas on Monday and I leave PHX on Sun (you may want me to just return the SUV for you). I will be happy to chip in on all expenses, although I’ll probably have to budget differently as it will cost me more than $15. a day for drinks!!!! Ha! Don’t think I can cut back on that breakfast allowance……hmmm….maybe I’ll just skip dinner---course with me along to share expenses, everyone can up their booze budget. I’ll check with my dad this weekend and see if I can get him to pull some strings on the NR deal. I’m working on the rental car to "SG" now. If I can’t get a one way rental, Ky, you might have to pick me up in Vegas. I think I can work it out though.
Happy trails!

She refers to the budget which Py worked up. That's what happens when you get a chemist, a biologist and a mathematician on the road together. Now we will be joined by a librarian, My.

Introduction - Vy

Greetings!

Vy is the older sister so I guess that makes me the crone in this endeavor. I am responsible for transportation. I arranged transport to get the 3 Sisters where we need to be. I used my airline miles for a couple of tickets to get Vy and Ky out west. This saved us $350 each. I also found a fairly good deal on a rental SUV for the adventure. It was a challenge due to the high taxes in tourist areas of the United States. I though for a while we might have to pay over $1000 just for the vehicle. I ended up finding a 3 week deal on a full size SUV (jeep grand cherokee or similar) for under $700. In looking at our budget (Py is in charge of that), we'll need the cash because we had to increase the amount of money going towards gasoline from $3/gal to $5/gal. It looks like we will travel just over 1200 miles on this jaunt. We looked at scaling back the vehicle size, but the cargo space on anything smaller (jeep liberty, subaru outback) was just not enough for 3 sisters, assorted friends, their luggage, and camping gear. We're still debating the extra driver which will cost us $8/day. It may not be necessary once we take a close look at the maps.

Vy is a research chemist. I develop advance materials from agricultural commodities. It's a great job. I garden and practice yoga. I'm currently studying zen buddhism and am mostly vegetarian; mostly.

Thanks for reading.

June 26 - The start of summer vacation

Welcome to the 3 Sisters vacation blog!

Ky arrived in Peoria, IL from Cleveland, OH. She visits with Vy and Ty for a week before Vy and Ky continue on to meet up with Py.

Some ground rules for this blog:
We are obviously using acronyms to protect privacy.
We will be telling you where we've been, not where we're going. Family, of course, has been provided the full itinerary.
We will post pictures where appropriate.
Each sister will be able to tell about her experiences as the mood strikes.
Entries are dependent on accessibility.
Feel free to comment and ask questions, we'll respond when we are able.