Lumpy World Tour

Hrrumph Humphrey

TOP: Kathy marching through the field leading to the mountain trail

BOTTOM: A rocky Mt Humphrey trail

We made good time and ended up with a half day to kill, so we decided to stop in Flagstaff and do a short hike of Mt Humphrey, the highest peak in AZ. We did a few hours, didn't summit, but did get a good workout in. The trail was much rockier than I recollect, and I really have to summit one of these days. I keep getting there short on time and energy.

Onward to Phoenix for our flight home, and then a well deserved rest before heading off on my next trip, another attempt at mt whitney in CA, the highest peak in the continental US.

"A road tired but satisfied" Lumpy out

Sedona Sidetrip

Driving back to Phoenix, we decided to spend a few hours revisiting one of our favorite little AZ towns, Sedona. It's full or rich old white folk (the negative) and spectacular scenery (the positive). They've finally finished paving the highway into town, after, oh, about 10 years. Or maybe 20.

You can't go wrong in a town that has prettied up pigs all over it!

"Pork and Cookies" Lumpy out

Bryce Hoodoos & Arches

Today we decided to drive through Bryce Canyon NP, instead of hiking it. The weather was foreboding, and we were concerned about getting caught in a lightning storm, or a flash flood. Turned out to be a good plan, as when it rained, it was torrential and frightening. We ended up making a mad dash for the car.

The hoodoos of Bryce are incredible. Carved from the ancient ocean that covered this whole area eons ago (no creationists, satan didn't actually put these here 4,000BC), it is amazing to see the heigth and variety amongst them.

We spent a numbe of hours driving about and sightseeing, and never got tired of the view. The arches were especially spectacular, some perfectly round and tens or even hundreds of feet across. Definitely a sight for everyone to see before they die.

"Hoodoo you love" Lumpy out

I'm Goin' Down, Down, Down...at Bryce Canyon

Headin' South

TOP: Moon over Beaver (UT)

2nd: Two fisted drinker

3rd: Replenishing the body in mormon country

4th: Not the time to have a tall truck!

Well, we started whittling our way back south to end our trip, and spent a day or so through idaho and utah. The countryside was beautiful, and I'm particularly a fan of the Wasatch range near SLC.

Tomorrow we'll hit Bryce Canyon NP, then on down to Phoenix for our flight home. We're road worn, but thrilled that we were lucky enough to see all of this magnificant countryside. The West is just an awesome place.

"Hit the road, Lump" Lumpy out

Footloose in Flathead

TOP: Kids in mid-flight on the tire swing

2nd: Flathead lake. It's really flat...

3rd: Not sure if that was Alvin or Simon.

4th: The God of Thunder makes water fall from the sky

Today he hiked Flathead Lake, a lovely little patch of wilderness. There were actually a few people around on the trails, which was a good thing in my view since there were bear warnings everywhere. And, up here, they have browns and grizzlies, not those wimpy eastern black bears that mostly run the other way. These guys eat you up yum.

"Grin and Bear it" Lumpy out