Peggy and I are in serious countdown time here. On Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, we will be hitting the road— come hell or high water, as the old saying goes. Given global warming, there may be a bit of both. We plan to zip across the nation to the Bad Lands of South Dakota and then slow things down, way down— to a snail’s pace. It’s been an insanely busy month and a half since we got back from our European trip up the Rhine River. First up, we had to unpack from our Oregon move and set up our Base Camp/efficiency apartment in Virginia. Some fun. Try downsizing from a library, living room, dining room, two bedrooms, an office, two bathrooms and a moderate-sized kitchen to one room plus a tiny kitchen and bathroom. Fortunately we do small well.
Then there were the usual medical challenges: changing our medical insurance, finding new health care providers, and making appointments. I had six dental appointments. I’ve never met a dentist who doesn’t immediately start planning a vacation when he or she looks in my mouth—a luxury cruise around the world perhaps. I finished my last appointment yesterday. I sat in the dentist chair, was shot full of painkiller (ouch), and then tried to ignore the various drilling and scraping sounds as he removed an ancient crown that belongs in the Smithsonian. I’ve been there done that a lot. But yesterday was a first. I sat and read afterwards while he made a new crown for me in his office. In the past all sorts of measurements have taken place, a temporary crown attached, and the measurements sent out to a specialist who made crowns. It’s a one or two-week process. Yesterday, it was an hour. The tooth came out purple, was adjusted, went into the oven and came out white. My tongue is still checking it out.
I didn’t wear my new hearing aids to the appointment. Yep, you heard me right. Peggy and I have reached the point where we got tired of saying “What?” to each other. Now we can both hear birds we thought were extinct. I didn’t need to enhance the sound of the dentist drill, however.
On top of all that we’ve had the multiple chores that go along with planning for four months on the road. Peggy is handling inside Serafina, our trailer. One was rebuilding the flimsy drawers. My job is maintenance. I spent all day Wednesday going through my annual check list for Serafina. There were 33 items, but who is counting. We will be up to our new ears over the weekend with packing.
Then there was all the family stuff, fun but time consuming. Let it be suffice to say we’ve spent more time doing family things over the past two months than we normally do in two years. It’s a miracle I got any blogging done at all.
Today’s post features the first four miles of the 18-mile Bryce Canyon National Park road. It’s where most of the tourists go. Next Friday, I’ll do a post on our base camp. Then, as I mentioned in my last post, Peggy and I will be featuring Amsterdam and our river cruise before returning to the ‘Wild’ West with our focus on National Parks.
Our cameras were busy the whole time we were at Bryce Canyon. We took well over one a thousand pictures. Here are a few more from the first four miles of the Canyon.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Positively incredible. I can well understand you taking over 1000 pictures there!! And listen for the colors of the wind.
I like “listen for the colors of the wind.” Thanks, G.
You are more than welcome. My brother works in Pipe Organ Monument Park and it’s just how I think of it when I see his and your pictures.
Fun to learn about your brother and Pipe Organ National Park, G. Peggy and I have been there and plan to be again in November!
Look Bill up if you get the chance. He’s a real down-home kind of guy.
Thanks, G. We will if we make it to the park and that’s our plan. It would be fun. What does Bill do there. And what is his last name? 🙂
Bill Peacan, and all I can get out of it is he works with the park rangers. He recently went to Tucson with one of them.
It is a beautiful place. Great shots and views!
Thanks, Michele! Appreciated, –Curt
Both of you take extraordinary photos. How gracious of you to share them.
Thanks, Peggy. It is always our pleasure. –Curt
Absolutely stunning places you visit and keep in your hearts.
I have dreamt about seeing these rock formations so your photos bring it home. I am amazed at how golden they are although I guess it is the minerals within. The marble white ‘pillars’ look like entrance to a cathedral.
Thanks to you and Peggy for the beauty.
Miriam
The formations and their colors (depends a great deal on the time of day) create a unique world Miriam. Thanks. And here’s hoping you get to visit some day. It would make your poet heart sing. –Curt
I’m glad you introduced us to miles 4-18 first. They are truly stunning and I needed to appreciate them in their own right before seeing these photos in this post. You are right that these views cause one to consider whether its real. Just…wow. Good job getting through all the health challenges too. I had no idea your teeth gave you so much grief, but I’m glad technology is making it less of an ordeal. Your descriptions of everything had me laughing. We can’t avoid aging, but we can try to age with a sense of humor.
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you Crystal. Life’s been a bit crazy. 🙂 We have made it to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, however, and life is about to slow down. We are about to jump into the beauty of the Badlands. More unusual rocks and fantasy colors. As for aging, a sense of humor is critical. As is making full use of whatever time we have. But that applies to whatever our age! Thanks. –Curt
Please focus on enjoying yourself and don’t fret about replying to me. I know you guys are busy. Welcome back to the West!
The first part of this post makes me dizzy thinking of all that you and Peggy have done, seen, and even left behind. Whew! You must be exhausted. But I love all the hoodoo shots and the promise of more good travels to come. Your hearing may be going, but not your “umph” to still see the world. We loved Amsterdam and hope you will as well. So many bicycles, so much great art. Have fun!
One mile at a time, Rusha. And you are no slouch when it come to wandering. 🙂 Peggy and I are back in Sioux Falls. Bad Lands are next. As for hearing, it’s still borderline where a little help is valuable but still not critical. And we did love Amsterdam. My first post will be up Friday, assume I have time to get it up. –Curt
You are definitely on the move. And what a better way to stay young than anything else. Enjoy the scenery, the camaraderie, and the newness of every place you see.
Thanks, Rusha. We are now in territory familiar to you in western South Dakota. We are off today to explore Custer State Park. We are camped about a mile away from the Crazy Horse Monument.
Watch out fir buffaloes crossing the road! We were stuck for an hour and a half!
Laughing, Rusha. We made it though in about ten. Just on the other side, however were, the bandit burros. They held us up, literally, for another 20 minutes. 🙂
And weren’t they fun to watch!
Wonderful photos you two. And Bryce really does look amazing – I hope I get there one day (and to a few other of your national parks).
Thanks for the catch-up of your busy lives. Wow, even Don and I didn’t go that small when we downsized – we do have a separate bedroom. But we don’t have a house on wheels.
Don has hearing aids and does well with them. I don’t need them. (Nope, not adding yet to the end of that sentence! 😂)
Dentistry sure has come a long way. Bet it feels good now that you’ve had all that work done.
We will see you in Vancouver! You’d better make it here before the end of november!
Alison
Vancouver before November… Got it. 🙂 And thanks. You really do owe it to yourselves to visit the National Parks of the Southwest! Thanks. –Curt
Before *end* November. We leave on the 30th.
A.
Shouldn’t be hard, Alison. 🙂 With the proviso, of course, that this trip is a happening, being planned one day at a time! –Curt
If the name ‘Grand Canyon’ hadn’t already been used, then Bryce would surely have been called ‘Grand’!
Right, Margy!
It’s such a beautiful and surreal place. Great photos, Curt. Enjoy your trip to the Badlands!
Thanks, D. Geology doesn’t get much more surreal. The Badlands are getting close. We should be there next week. 🙂
Have fun!
After that dental-related intro, I kept seeing teeth roots in those hoodoos! 🙂
Now that’s funny, Lexi. 🙂
That place is mind boggling. One of my favorite spots in the world.
Obviously, ours as well, Dave!
You’re looking pretty savvy at the edge of wonderland. Isn’t this a great place to visit?
One of our favorites, Rusha, but it is hard to go wrong with national parks, wherever they happen to be. 🙂
Just…wow….spectacular
Thanks, Sylvia. The park is all that…