Check the regulations about camping, this trip was ten years ago, but once you were in the park, at least on the North Rim, you could camp anywhere. If I remember where I found this out, I'll let you know.
If you have the time, go to the Grand Canyon, I'm glad I've seen it. But it really isn't all that once you see it. Perhaps if you camped down on the bottom, took mule rides, etc, but just checking it out, there's not a whole heck of a lot to see.
Me: 42/H: 37 T: 10 years/M: 8 D9, S8 Bomb: 7.23.07 Separated: 1.20.08 D Final 3.19.09 Affair started in '05, found out parts in 11/07. They married 11.26.09
Stopped by your thread after seeing your posts on gForce's thread. Anyway, haven't read through your sitch, but I lived in SE Utah for awhile. Would be happy to answer any questions if you have any.
You'll do what you feel is right. We all have our opinions our here and you know what they say about opinions...:) However, I'm completely in agreement w/ you on a few fronts -- 1) D is the easy way out, 2) you don't deserve this and 3) your W doesn't deserve you.
These thoughts of yours have been w/ me all day and I can't say I don't relate to them 100% as well. I too think the D is the easy way out which is why I'm convinced W is running again from her issues. That said, I also don't feel as if I deserved this and I'm beginning to believe W doesn't deserve me as well. However I still have an overwhelming part of me that wants to make my marriage work, save my family, and stop my D. I may not be in this camp forever, but for now, I'm in it w/ you.
You also had a wonderful quote that stuck w/ me b/c I believe it whole-heartedly too:
Quote:
I just kind of assumed that a marriage could go along on auto pilot. I now see that for it to succeed long term, there needs to be continual effort to keep the love alive.
I have such regrets for taking my M for granted and not pursuing my W for dates and time w/ just us. I could have done more to keep our love alive, but I didn't really understand until I had to be forced into getting action on my own issues and now here w/ the D papers. W's affair w/ "the Snake" is inexcusable, but I fully realize now that I played a part in her unhappiness. I only wish she would have had the strength to both tell me about how she was feeling and to work on our M. As it was, she chose to tell me of her unhappiness, but waited until she had OM to do it.
As for the canyon, I loved it b/c W and I hiked down 1/2 way to Indian Garden and then looked out over the Colorado. It was really cool to see how far down 4 miles was. Amazing. However, you have been given some EXCELLENT advice on places in Utah which I've yet to be able to explore. It sounds like Bryce and Zion are the places to go and I can only imagine the landscape is breath-taking as the earth formations throughout that entire region of the Upper Southwest is amazing. These suggestions have me wanting to take D camping ASAP - maybe even this summer.
I lived in SE Utah for awhile. Would be happy to answer any questions if you have any.
Hi Lodo - Is Four Corners worth a visit or is it just too far out of the way. My son would probably think it is really cool to be in 4 states at the same time. Also, is Monument Valley easy to drive into? I have so much to see in 3 weeks!
Four Corners is just a square piece of concrete with the lines drawn on it, a bunch of tourists, and some navajos hawking jewelry - not worth it in my opinion. Monument Valley is easy to drive to, or through as the case may be. It's about 2.5 - 3 hrs from Flagstaff. To go to Four Corners monument adds another hour.
I'm not sure what your itinerary is, but one of my favorite places is Escalante. If you drive down the Hole-in-Rock road there are some GREAT slot canyons - Spooky Gulch, etc. Camping out there is hot, dry, and dusty though. But it's a quick drive up to Aquarius plateau, which is much higher in elevation and cooler. BTW, I highly recommend getting the AAA map called "Indian Country" - it lays out the area on one map so you aren't flipping back and forth from one state to another.
So I used to be a river guide on the Colorado & San Juan river. Have lived on the Colorado side, the New Mexico side, but spent most of my time on the Utah side.
Thanks Lodo - I have ordered the "Indian Country" from AAA. I will research the Grand Staircase/Esclante area further. My Utah book says it is classic desert country.
I found a place that looks like a lot of fun called Goblin Valley State Park. *Edited by Tia - Advertisements are not allowed.* Nearby is a very interesting hike for kids in a narrow slot canyon called Little Wild Horse.
Your situation with your cheating W sounds so similar. The odds are that 6 months from now, your W's R with OM will burn out. But by then, you probably wont want her back. It is a tough decision to move on.
Where are you going to in Hawaii? My son and I went to Oahu and the Big Island this last summer and I want to go back. My mother winters on the Big Island every year and she thinks it is the best. I think she might be right. If you like coffee, Hawaii has the best in the world.
Kerry I am butting in here but I too found the Four Corners to be less than inspiring. We went just so my S could step on four states at the same time. But it IS just a slab of concrete surrounded by little tents of people selling jewelry and stuff.....
Goblin Valley is great - there will probably be a lot of people there in June and it'll be hot. Be sure you have lots of water with you wherever you go. And sunscreen. And big floppy hats. Little Wild Horse canyon is a great hike. That's all up by San Rafael Swell. The drive on 12 & 24 is great! Capitol Reef is also extremely nice.
I'm going to the big island - really looking forward to it.
Forgot to mention a couple of tips. When I did trips, most people showed up already WELL on their way to dehydration. It's so dry that you don't really sweat, so most people don't realize what's happening. Drink a LOT of water - 1 Gal/day. Signs of dehydration are crankiness, headaches, etc. The best sign is the color of your pee - if it's yellow, you're dehydrating. Coke and beer are diuretics, so drink water.
Also, most people tend to try and do too much and drive too far. Make sure you plan down time to just hang out in the shade somewhere or dilly dally. Makes a BIG difference. Sure, you may not see everything the guide book says you should see, but you'll enjoy the trip much more.
