Calf Creek Hike Photos

Okay, so there's a lot:

I see a good moon rising

Carved by the power of water.

Looking up valley.

There's that moon again.

Looks a bit like a dinosaur head.

Fremont Native American pictograph,

dating back an estimated 1,000 years.

This photo of Amanda giving us perspective

on the geology gives perspective on the size

of the cliff walls.

In case you are wondering how

big 92 feet look at the people.

They are actual life-sized.

Our blogger at play.

Kelly in a reflective moment.

The flowers of the prickly pear cactus.

These streaks are called something geological,

and I am hoping Amanda sees this and

emails me the answer.

The group tramping whilst glamping.

Click on the photo to enlarge and spot the bee.

I got clouds on a sunny day.

DJ Jazzy Chance.

Take a Chance on me.

Look in the blue sky at the top left.

See the bee droning in?  

Wow, Glen, you took a great shot!

Uh, yeah.  Let's go with lucky.

The lush green Calf Creek Valley.

Photo of a group photo.

Makes you think, eh.

Stunning vista.

Our beloved blogger.

Glamping: Hoo Doo Knew It Could Be So Loud

Well, it’s 6:05 am Monday as I’m writing this on the porch outside my tent.  The glamping (glamour camping) experience has been mostly positive, but with one big negative.  I wish I had bought earplugs (on the optional gear list) because the wind causes the tent to shake and make a lot of noise.
It’s fine when asleep, but I would be woken up by a particularly loud wind, and then have trouble getting back to sleep.  Others in the group said they thought it was heavy rain (foreshadowing!).  Beyond that, the experience so far has been great – good food, a nice mesquite camp fire, and sleeping on a cot in a sleeping bag was fine – when I could sleep.

After dinner we sat around the campfire and sang songs of the Old West.  (Editor's Note: you did NOT.)  Okay, we told stories until one by one we headed off to our tents to dream of hoo doos and hikes.

Having a tent to myself makes it easy – I’ve placed my bag on the unused cot, pulled out what I need, and can arrange things quite well.  The place has two flush toilets with sinks, and two separate shower rooms a short walk away from the tents.  It was no trouble at all to use the toilet in the middle of the night like us old guys have to do.

Now I’m waiting for the sunrise and blogging – it should be spectacular given the setting of our private campground on private land just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park.  I’m using my headlamp to see the keyboard.

Camp Scenes -- First Night, First Morning

It looks tranquil (and it is!), although here you

don't need a weather vane to know which

way the wind blows at night.

Powell's Point to the east, with the sun going

 down in the west (really, Glen --the sun sets

 in the west?  Way to advance science!)

Also Powell's Point

The campfire (what else would it be?)

Sunrise to the east (again with the science!)

I'm not bluffing -- this is a cool picture of camp.

Basically, this sign tells us we are where

we are supposed to be.  So that helped.

Powell's Point.  Red sky.  Cool picture.

As Jeff Foxworthy would say, "here's your sign."

Sorry, but I loved this bluff.

Ooohhh -- art and all that.  (See, the blog's 

photographer used the pines as a filter for the 

sun, and it's pretty cool.  Kudos to him!)

Hoo Doo You Love?

(Sorry, but I can't be the first person to use that line for a Bryce Canyon blog post!)

After taking the approximately five hour shuttle bus ride from Vegas to Bryce, we were dropped off at the top of Bryce Canyon (actually an amphitheater – a canyon is open at both ends) for our hike down to the pick-up point for our short ride to the campsite.

The ride itself was uneventful – we stopped in Mesquite, NV and Cedar Creek, UT, for gas, good beer, and bad wine, having passed through the northwest corner of Arizona.  There were beautiful views of the mountains, as well as lots of Red Rock.  We passed through the Virgin River Canyon and some other sights to behold.

The Bryce Canyon hike among the hoo doos was spectacular.  I have not hiked the Grand Canyon – only been there once – but it is hard to image it is more amaing than taking the Navaho Trail down into the canyon (that’s not actually a canyon, but enough about that).  Bright reds and soft reds and whites and browns.  There are hammers and spires (I wonder if spires aspire to be hammers?).  All sorts of stunning rock formations.

I brought up the rear of our eleven people group (ten people plus Amanda, our guide) because I was so blown away that I had to keep stopping, spinning in infinity, staring at the rocks and spires.  Hallelujah (h/t to Paul Simon).  It was both steep and easy – a nice smooth pathway with few stones.  I didn’t use my hiking poles.  Partway after reaching the bottom my camera battery died, and the other was buried deep in the backpack.  It was okay – I used my iPhone for the handful more photos I took.  At the bottom, it turned into tree hiking, with glimpses at the brilliantly-lit bluffs.

My only regret was that while the sun blazed on some peaks to the east, the main hoo doos were in shade.  The pictures are still cool, but not as much as they would be with full sun.

I realized why I was so slow on the hike.  I’m used to hiking in the east, where it is trail hiking through the trees to view destinations.  So most of the time, I’m hiking through forests, coming upon waterfalls or rock formations that afford spectacular views in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (or, recently, Maine).  Here, at least till the forest, there were incredible views every step of the way, forcing me (“forcing”) to stop and take pictures, which I will post when I can.

We were told it was a 2.5 mile hike, but my Fitbit claims it was around 3 miles – not that it is important.  Today, Monday, we’re doing six.

Do That Hoo Doo That You Do So Well

Hoo Doos!  Woo!

Hoo Doos are far.

Hoo Doos are near.

Hoo Doos are everywhere!

(Thanks Dr. Seuss)

If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning.

Going down!

Looking up!

Hoss and Joe and Adam know

every rock and pine.  (It's a 

Ponderosa, get it?

Easter Island people copied from our

Bryce National Park.  That's my theory. 

Look, it's Bill Buckner's glove!

Kissing cousins!

Final Thoughts/Reflections

As a pollster, my job is to ask interesting questions that yields helpful information.  So, here's the five questions I sent to the group:

1.        Your favorite stop?
2.       What surprised you most?
3.       What is one thing you learned you will never forget?
4.       If you were telling friends one place to go in Myanmar, where would it be – Yangon, Bagan, or Inle Lake?
5.       What is the most interesting cultural part of Myanmar to you personally?

A     Not everyone answered yet, but I will add replies as they are updated (I'm hoping this will get Val and Michelle to do it as well).  

      Favorite Stop

     Favorite stop was the Shwedagon Pagoda. The historical significance of the site coupled with the stunning visuals were the major motivating factors in my choosing to go on this trip and they did not disappoint. (Pierre)

    I think my favorite spot was the farming village on the banks of the Irrawaddy.  There was so  much there that was worlds apart from ours (Kevin)

       The ruined pagodas in Bagan and Indain Village  - the sense of history was very strong at the two places.  The sense of reverence for their religion was the underlying feeling I got at both places, even though the pagodas were falling down. (Carol)

    The Shwedagon Pagoda for both its spiritual and political significance since it's been the site for so   many protests and strikes over the last 100 years that helped pave the way for democracy in the  country .  It's beauty and peacefulness made me feel very happy and calm. (Lynne)

    My favorite stop isn't just one but several,,, I loved the ruined pagodas, the hot air balloon ride, the cooking school, the village tour, the lacquer tour, and the orphanage.   (Meg)

      Loved the sunset Teak bridge- definite photo op! (Pamela)

    Tough to specify one.....loved the Pagoda Ruins ....was impressed by the complexity and detail  of  Ye Ye Mom's lacquer workshop....was given hope by the kids in the orphanage....wished we had a bit  more time at the parasol/paper making factory....that was pretty cool.....the reclining Budda in Yangon was pretty impressive (Rich)

    Biggest Surprise

      The simplicity of their lives....non mechanized....non modern....perhaps both a good and a bad thing (Rich)

       Though the country has been "open" for about 5 years, the impact of the Western world is still very minimal. (Carol)

      How the small villages we visited from the river still operated basically as they did hundreds (or thousands ) of years ago….(Pamela)

      What surprised me the most was spirit of the people, so many live with so little yet help each other,  what a beautiful world that is. (Meg)

      The people surprised me the most. Their humanity, warmth, graciousness, generosity, spirituality and smiles to a bunch of foreigners was amazing and lovely to share with them.  I hope that as their country grows and becomes more modern that they never lose these qualities.  (Lynne)

      I expected it to be poor and third world, but because it retains so much of its rural nature it did not seem impoverished.  As Ye Ye said, we may be poor, but we do not live poorly. (Kevin)

       What surprised me the most was despite the apparent poverty of the country, the people were exceedingly warm and generous of spirit.  (Pierre)

      Unforgettable Learning

      One of the most impactful anecdotes of the trip that I will never forget was Ye Ye’s story of being forcefully relocated by the government. While one can all to often read about this sort of travesty happening around the world, being at the exact location of his home and listening to him chronicle the events of his childhood really left an impression on me. (Pierre)

      Like the others, I think Ye Ye, and his life story will ultimately be the lasting memory.  He and his family encapsulated so much of what the country has been through and hopefully what it is moving toward.  (Kevin)

       The one thing I learned that I will never forget is how spiritual the Burmese people are and how it is incorporated into their daily lives with such simplicity which is demonstrated by their grace, humility and resilience in the face of terrible leaders and governance over the years.  Ye Ye and his family encapsulate this truth so beautifully.  (Lynne) 

      One thing I will never forget is Ye Ye.  I loved hearing his life story and meeting his family.  Their perseverance is to be admired and his energy to succeed applauded,   He was truly an inspiring person. (Meg)

      Going to the orphanage and seeing the faces of these children who have lost their families and yet they are able to be hopeful and optimistic about their futures. (Carol)

      The resilience of the people in living their lives even in a “democracy”….Example of Ye Ye’s family and mother (Pamela)

      That there is always hope....that the human spirit can and will overcome adversity....exemplified by  Ye Ye's Mom determination to keep her family going and the hopeful  faces of the kids in the orphanage (Rich)

       The One Place To Go
      One selection only.....not fair.....if I must ....Inle Lake (I am a water guy...really enjoyed the daily boat rides....wind in the face thing)  (Rich)

      Inle Lake- seemed very different than any of the other places in the world we have visited……fisherman had mad rowing skills! (Pamela)

      Of course Inle Lake would be top of my list for anyone to visit. It was such a unique way of life, and hopefully will  not be destroyed by the many hotels being developed! (Meg)

      Ok this is hard one but I would say Inle Lake because of the unique way the people live their lives on the lake, the way they paddle their boats and fish, the visual contrast between the lake and the pagodas.  And, I echo Meg's statement that hopefully all of the hotel development doesn't destroy it. (Lynne)

      I would tell them not to miss Inle lake, though they should go everywhere else as well, just don't miss the lake! (Kevin)

      This is a toss up for me.  Bagan and Inle Lake.  Began had the history that I was looking for on this trip.  Inle Lake had the interaction with people which gave the trip the modern context of the country. (Carol)

      . If you had to choose just one location in Myanmar to visit, I think I would suggest Inle Lake. The way the locals have adapted their lives to the lake and their unique methods of transportation, fishing and farming were just too cool. (Pierre)

      Top Cultural Aspect

      In my humble opinion, the most interesting cultural part of Myanmar is the adherence to Buddhism and the impact it has on its people in their daily lives. The apparent sense of community and charity to others is remarkable to see in practice. The daily gathering of food by the monks was another facet of daily life that I had no idea about but found extremely interesting. (Pierre)

      For me, from a cultural point of view is how much Buddhism, monks and the monk's lifestyle is integrated into the country's identity.  Also the oddness of the over the top aspect of the modern Pagodas and the disconnect between spirituality and their lavishness.  (Kevin)

       Again a hard one, so since I can't seem to stop talking about it with friends, it was the visits to the monastery, the school, the village and the orphanage.  To be exposed to how life is lived in Myanmar was a special treat that I was not expecting.  Followed by seeing the arts and crafts produced in the country from the gorgeous Lotus Collection Lacquer wares, the silk weaving, the Lotus silk weaving, the Shan paper and umbrellas.  Oh and one last thought, love seeing all of the pagodas (stupas) everywhere big, small, gorgeous or dilapidated.  All are a powerful symbol of faith and strength that will be needed for the people of this country while it travels down the road of democracy.  
Ok one more 2nd to last thought, Ye Ye and meeting all of you made this trip especially fabulous and special.  (Lynne)

      The most interesting cultural part of Myanmar for me was again the spirit of the people. (Meg)

       Hands down---It was sharing time with Ye Ye. I loved spending time with him and getting to know him, and to hear his stories-personal and those of his family and country.  (Pamela)

     

       That we really all  can get along.....the inherent peacefulness and sense of community of their daily existence (except the town drunk of course) (Rich)

       Talking with YeYe and hearing his family story.  The forced relocation of his family by the government was an incredible piece of living history - the impact of government policy without thinking about the people.  The resilience of YeYe's family and mother, in particular, as she took tragedy and turned it into a future for her family.  Hearing from YeYe as he embraced entrepreneurship - owning and renting out tourist boats on Inle Lake.  (Carol)

   

      

 

Stat Boy!

Stat Boy -- not just for swimming or softball!

• Set foot in seven countries on the trip -- Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and USA.  We are not counting that we traveled to Japan, Thailand, and Singapore, but we were there (albeit briefly).

• Took 16 airline flights.  Three to get to Yangon.  Three internal to Myanmar.  Two to get to Australia.  Two internal to Australia.  Two to get to New Zealand.  Four to get home from New Zealand.

• Stayed in eight hotels/resorts, one private house, one riverboat, one rental condo -- 11 units altogether.

• Traveled for 23 days -- longest Bolger Family trip ever.

• Took countless bus and boat rides.

• Slept in seven different time zones.

• 34 hours to travel to Yangon

• 56 hours to travel home from Auckland.

• 29,866 -- approximate number of air miles flown (it was probably more)

Random iPhone Pics from Myanmar

The last remaining throne

from the Kings of Burma

The group, prior to ballooning.  It was a 

happy time then, a time when the

Falcons still led in the Super Bowl.

Post-ride champagne.

The dining hall at Inle Lake

Ye Ye provided sage advice. . .

"don't fall in the water."

The guy behind me, with the cheroot

did most of the paddling and all

of the steering.

The mountains rise

above Inle Lake.