A Whirlwind Trip to Arizona/Utah and the National Parks - COMPLETED 4/1/15 - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Sorry for the delay guys. I will get there. We've just finished building a new playground at DS's school and I moved 40 yards of mulch today alone (never mind last week). My arms are ready to fall off. I will get this done, I promise!
Wow! I just put out 3 bags of mulch on a small part of my front flower bed yesterday afternoon and was exhausted. Glad you all have the playground done though.
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Glad that after a few delays with travel you made it safe and sound. What a great first day. Love the pictures....when I first saw the picture of Colin and Alexa I actually had to take a double take, I could not get over Alexa...she has grown up so much.
Sunday April 14, 2013 – Sunrise, El Tovar and hiking down into the Canyon
We got up very early this morning to see the sunrise. It helped that we were still a bit on east coast time. I think the alarm went off at 5 or 5:15. Everyone got dressed and we headed out. I decided to go to Mather Point, as it was a hot spot for sunrise. There could have been other more desolate places, but it was early and it was easy. So we thought. We got into the car and attempted to get there. After a few wrong turns, we made it. It was dark (very dark) and there are no streetlights and the street signs don’t reflect off the car lights very well (just sayin’). There were probably 100 people there, maybe more, but it was fine. The problem was it was COLD. The temperature was in the low 30s, and there was a 30 mph wind blowing. I had left the hats/mittens in the hotel room, so much for that! But it was a beautiful sight!
All the people on Mather Point for sunrise!
Colin trying to stay warm using the rocks for windbreak!
It was now just after 6 AM and the sun had risen. We were frozen solid. We decided to head to El Tovar to see if we could get in for breakfast. Apparently for dinner, you need to make ressies way in advance. I was hesitant to book for dinner, as the menu I knew wouldn’t appeal to Colin, and I didn’t know what our plans would be so I didn’t want to be tied down. They don’t take ressies for breakfast, it’s first come first served. We arrived at the hotel to this sight!
We still had 10 minutes before it opened, but I got in line anyway since there were already people lined up. We ended up at a table right next to the windows, and had a great view. The restaurant was empty at that hour, so if you want to experience the restaurant, get there at opening for breakfast!
We all ordered hot drinks except for Colin. The food here is expensive, I won’t lie, but it was good. I told Colin I’d give him $20 if he could finish his plate? Did he do it? No!
Alexa had a waffle, and Matt had stuffed French toast, I think. I had the same as Colin, although mine didn’t have pancakes. We were stuffed. Total was $71 with tip.
After breakfast, we headed back to the room to change so that we could go on our morning hike down into the canyon (the Bright Angel Trail). We loaded up on snacks and water, and headed down to the trail. In my research, I forgot that it was warmer in the canyon than on the rim, which would come back to bite us. We were all dressed for the cool morning, but once we started going down, it got quite warm. We started peeling off layers and put them into the backpacks, which were now quite heavy! I will also say that there seemed to be quite a few people on this trail that shouldn’t be (physical wise and unprepared for water). There was no water on the trail yet as everything was turned off for winter still. And it was quite steep (my calves/shins were in quite a bit of pain by the afternoon). It was still a beautiful trail. Alexa managed with her fear of heights issues. We made it down about 1200 feet, turning around just before the 1.5 mile station (which didn’t have water anyway so it didn’t matter not making it there). Colin is in the best shape of all of us, and he ended up carrying one backpack up by himself, and just kept on going. We had a group of mules pass us, bringing supplies down to the campsite down below. Here are some pics.
After the hike, we stopped at the Bright Angel Lodge to look in their shop, and to get some ice cream. And just rest! Then we went back to the room for more rest, before the next adventure this afternoon.
What a great update. The sunrise photos are absolutely stunning, but after some early starts ourselves at the national parks for sunrises, my goodness I hear you about the temperatures at that time of the day! Breakfast looked very filling and set you up well no doubt for the trail... you're definitely fitter than me, doing that.
Beautiful sunrise!
I found the tough part of hiking the Grand Canyon was how easy the going down part was - until you realized out meant up!! I had to keep reminding myself to turn back well before I felt tired!
What an amazing sunrise! You all look cold, and I think Colin had the right idea-- snuggled into the rocks for warmth. Breakfast looked pretty yummy and worth the money for the view, too. Great photos from the trail. I can imagine you had aching legs after that climb!
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We loved the El Tovar dining room for both breakfast and dinner. Of course we were there in January - so no ressies needed for dinner. I wish we'd had time to hike down Bright Angel some - but of course we didn't - and with the snow and ice - I don't think it would have been a good hike.
All caught up. Congrats to Alexa, I couldn't go down even 100 feet of that trail. I think next time I'll try again, but thanks for sharing pictures of what I missed!
What a very early morning, but it paid off so well with that gorgeous sunrise! Your pictures from the trail are beautiful! That breakfast platter at El Tovar is huge.
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That breakfast platter at El Tovar is huge. 
Great pictures from your hike on the Canyon trail!
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