Old Faithful?? More like old and busted

After a restful evening in Jackson, WY, I took off to Yellowstone and first wanted to get Old Faithful out of the way. By the time I got there, plenty of people were already milling about.






Then finally the thing went into action and...well, I wasn't the least bit impressed. So many people were in awe of this thing but I just didn't see it. Anyway, here's a video of the spectacle. Judge for yourself. At a minimum they could've played some music. Perhaps "I'm Proud to be an American"...yeah, that's one of my favorites. (and notice no one in the video is speaking English...a theme of the trip as I've already touched on.)

The coolest part of the place was that there were springs everywhere. It kinda looked like a war zone on the moon with everything smoking and hissing and white and barren. Some of the springs were even boiling. Anyway, you get some interesting colors from all the minerals and such being expelled from the spring. Take this one for example...

You can see how clear the water is. And then this one was boiling and ran down into the river.

So that was my Old Faithful experience. Oh yeah, the whole place smelled like, well, it smelled bad.

Venture on, venture with a nose clip.

Down the Hole

Day 1 - flew into Salt Lake City and drove to Jackson Hole, Wyoming but who cares about that. Let's talk about the near ticket I got. See, I was driving briefly in Idaho taking in the scenery. The speed limit is 75 and I had it set on 80. I then saw this sign coming up and had to hurriedly take this picture (yes, while driving).

Yep, Virginia. Just that way. Well, thank God the cop just up ahead didn't see me with the camera but he apparently did see me going 80 in the recently entered construction zone where the speed limit was 65. Got pulled and he took my license and car rental agreement. Here's our conversation:

"So where are you coming from?"

"North Carolina." (which was a weird question since he's holding my NC license)

"No sir, where are you driving from?"

"Oh, sorry. Salt Lake City."

"Did you see the construction zone you entered?"

"No sir. I just landed and was regrettably taking in the scenery."

"You didn't notice all the orange barrels and cones?"

"No sir."

"Did you see me?"

"Yes sir I did." (he was just over the ridge, for the record.)

"So what brings you out here?"

"I just always wanted to do this...not get a ticket I mean, just come out west."

"Mr. Williams, you have a good day and please pay attention."

"Yes sir, absolutely."

I'm not sure but I think he laughed a little.

So I made it into Jackson (Hole), Wyoming a few hours earlier than I expected thanks to the ATL airport and it's refusal to take on incoming airplanes (a crazy notion, I know). Anyway, it gave me a chance to check out the town. After a couple of duds, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar being one of them, I found the Snake River Brewery. http://snakeriverbrewing.com/

While chatting it up with the townies, I had to ask about the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole since I'd seen maps with both. Apparently, it can be called both but the main difference is that Jackson is the town while Jackson Hole is the surrounding area (Teton Village, etc.) including the town. So there. Someone owes me $10. The highlight of the night was when the entire bar shutdown to watch Michael Phelps win his 8th gold. Corny, yes but cool nonetheless. Good people there.

Venture on, venture for new beer

Fascinated and Frustrated

Post one of the post-trip blog. Bear with me (foreshadowing)...

Airports (or really those contained within) never cease to amaze me. Not to get started on a Miller-esque rant about a Carlin-esque topic but basically, people are stupid. From the old guy next to me trying to figure out the touch screen games on the seat back monitor (FAIL!) to the endless masses who clog the door to the gate thinking they have to be the first on board even though they're in zone 7, people are stupid and everytime I'm in an airport I'm reminded of this.

In fact, the best one yet was the jackoff that stopped upon exiting the escalator right in front of me. Did he honestly think this was the best place for him to search for his cell phone? Evidently. Was he pissed when I completely (and by completely, I mean on purpose) Pele kicked his little gay wheeled carry-on bag out of his hand? I like to think he was.

Venture on, venture often

Have luggage, will stay at home

Just a quick note this morning. I made it back last night after much delay in Denver. However, my luggage didn't. Not that big a problem I guess coming home as opposed to going out but nonetheless.

Fay (less the final e I now know) made it difficult to fly into Atlanta. Once we did make it there, I had all of 5 minutes to make the connector to G'boro. For the first time in my life, I pulled the OJ Simpson. And by that, I don't mean I killed 2 people and got away with it, I mean that I had to run in the airport.

But all is well and now I'm whole again. It's weird being back at work. Things actually look different. I don't know if it's the time away or my mental state when I was gone.

Venture on, venture over.

Adios Utah

Well, I'm sitting here at the airport waiting to fly back to reality. I realized yesterday that I'm flying through Denver with the Democratic convention going on. That means I'm 2 for the last 2. See, 4 years ago I was in LA when the dem convention was at the Staples Center. Hopefully I'm not on some FBI list. I will do my best to represent the Reps. Maybe I'll wander the Denver airport screaming "I like Bush" or something of the like. (sorry, had to.)

Anyway, this trip has been incredible. I'm so thankful that I've been able to fulfill the manifest destiny urge. But in doing so, I've come across so many other things that I'd love to do. Maybe later.

On the drive from the grand canyon yesterday, I decided to make a quick detour and go through Zion NP. It was pretty cool but after coming from the grand canyon it was sort of a let down. So the official national park count was 7. Total miles driven was 2510. Total miles hiked was 40.2. Total number of French people that pissed me off - too many to count.

So long for now. It'll be nice to be in my own bed again. I'll be posting some real photos in the coming days. I'm glad I ended with the grand canyon. It was unbelievable. I actually caught the sunrise and since I'm not a poet, I'll simply say there aren't any words to describe the scene. Took a quick video as well just as the sun poked out. Whoa. Later.

Venture on, venture off.
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Hopefully, I did Clark proud

Grand Canyon y'all. Of course, it had to be cloudy of all days. It throws off all the light-shadow thing. But at least it's way cooler at the moment.
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Hike FAIL

Well, I had grand plans to do the hike down the canyon, around, and into the Upheaval crater. That is until I saw the damn trail. I actually made it down about 2/3 of the way but it was then the trail got crazy. Add to that it was 100 degrees (literally) and I made the tough decision to start back up. I'm glad I did because I got to spend more time at the top looking in. I hope this pic comes through well. Oh, and it said in the hike guide at the trailhead that the hike in and around the canyon was not recommended in the months of July and August. Yeah, thanks. Hike fail.

It's been such the difference in scenery from Yellowstone and the Tetons to the canyons (and heat) of southern Utah. Everywhere I look I want to take a picture.

Anyway, Canyonlands was awesome. Tomorrow I'm off to Bryce canyon. I'd also like to say that I saw the first cloud today on my entire trip. Not kidding.

Venture on, venture with adequate knowledge of proposed hikes.
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Can a brotha get an ACME rocket?

Spent the day in Arches and for what was supposed to be an easy day it absolutely kicked my butt. With the wall arch collapsing not too long ago (stupid gravity), anyone that wanted to see the double O arch had to take the long way around on what is called the "primitive" trail. It was pretty exhausting. Of course, I'm in perfect shape *cough*. The biggest problem was that most of the trail was like walking in sand on the beach. So anything uphill was brutal.

Anyway, I took this pic from the top of this rock (unsure of geological name) where I was the only person up there. It was cool because I could see the trail and all the others down below. Sort of a perch. I was in full sniper mode but at least I was able to get away from the bleeping French!

I don't want to get off on a rant here but the French and Italians were pissing me off something fierce. I don't have a problem with Germans primarily because they know how to make the two things that define the worth of a country, cars and beer. What do the french offer? Renault? Le car? And beer? More like wine, right? The Italians just suck because they never shower. What ever happened to when in Rome?
Anyway, I got to see most of Arches. Tomorrow I'm off to Canyonlands for another big hike into the Upheaval Dome. An old impact crater. But I'll only do it if I feel up for it.

That's all for now. My thumb hurts.

Venture on, pack a lunch (and for God's sake, take a shower)
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Doubly Oh wow

Live pic from the double O arch as it's called. Had to take the long way around because of that collapse a couple of weeks ago. And by long way I mean long way. Couldn't be a more beautiful day. Pc.
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Hotel, good

Wow, what a great night's sleep. Gearing up at the moment to hit Arches. Supposed to be a hot one but actually similar to NC, in the mid 90's. Hopefully a lot more later.
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I'm detecting a trend

Did the big 10 hour drive today from the Grand Tetons to Moab, UT. Great scenery but otherwise uneventful as expected. Checked out this great micro brewery here in town and I must say, I was impressed. Great food and great beer. But I'm not on this trip to report on the local brews of our southwest. I want to send so many pics but I don't want to send regular ol' phone pics. I want everyone to see the real camera pics. Plus, I've been victim to both a low cell battery and spotty service so that's why I've been out of touch (literally). That's all for now. Tomorrow is Arches NP.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention how much I'm looking forward to an actual bed tonight. I've been "roughing it" for the last 3 nights and the hotel is a welcomed change.

Venture on, venture with XM.
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Long exhausting day

Well, I drove down to the Tetons this morning and after I got the tent set up, I decided to go for my big hike. Almost 10 miles of severe up and down. I'm tired as hell but at least I'm drinking some local brew and enjoying the view. Tomorrow? An uneventful drive to Moab. About 10 hours. Ish.

Venture on, venture with plenty of water
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JT vs the geyser

Been out of cell service for the better part of two days. So much to report that I think I'll do a post trip blog of everything after I get back.

Took this pic at Old Faithful and I have no idea what it means. I will tell you that this place smells nothing like JT after Mexican. Winner.

At the moment I'm leaving Yellowstone headed for the Tetons. And yes, they are grand.

I also have to mention that on one of my hikes, I saw a bear about 1000 yards out. All kinds of other wildlife as well. More pics and stories later.

Venture on, venture without sulfur.
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Continued anxiety

Well, the trip got off to a good enough start. Have my seat up so a little girl could sit next to her mom. Then I got stuck sitting next to the biggest guy on the plane. Then ATL stopped taking incoming flights and we sat in GSO for an hour and 15 minutes thus missing my Vegas connecting flight. I went standby straight to SLC and actually got it. To top it off, my luggage made it too. Bonus. I'm not sure how they do that.

Venture on, venture with luggage
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Anxious Night Before

So I'm heading out in the morning for my big Utah/Wyoming/Arizona trip (in that order). This is the inaugural post. All was well as far as nights before a trip go until I did the dumbest thing I've done in my life and left my ATM card in the ATMachine. Smart.

Anyway, the first leg (or 3 legs really) of the trip involve me spending an entire day in airports. First to Hotlanta, then Vegas (I know, I know), then finally the fine city of Salt Lake City. After I obtain my rental car, it's another 5 or so hours to Jackson, WY which is just south of the Grand Tetons. More later (obviously). And get used to things in parenthesis. Kinda the way I roll.

And by the way, this is probably the first and only post where I am using a full keyboard sitting here at the house. From now on, it'll be just the blackberry with it's abbrev. qwerty keyboard. In other words, expect posts to be short.

Venture on.

Where my ATM card used to be

Testing picture post from phone and further demonstrating my stupidity.
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