Author: Mary Lesh

After many years of hard work, we finally retired and hit the road.

Monument Valley and Arches

I am so far behind. We have been home for months and I still have not finished blogging about our last trip. We left Arizona and drove through Monument Valley where apparently I didn’t take any pictures. Seriously I can’t find them. I know I did. I even have a video of John running through the street like Forrest Gump. That is why you need to blog as you go. Either way, I need to finish this so I can make my book.
After driving through Monument Valley we headed to Arches National Park. We stayed at Sun Outdoors Canyonland Park. All Swanky camping when we travel with the kids. Mike had to leave us at this point and we really hated to see him go but, our adventures were not over.

I lied. Just found these pictures of Monument Valley. Yay, didn’t lose them.

Back to Arches. We camped right down the road–like within a mile of the entrance. This is going to be somewhat short and sweet because my memory is failing me. I am pretty sure we went in that night and then the next. We did go inside for sunset pictures. I watched as the rest of the crew climbed the rocks and sat in the opening of the Arches. Just a beautiful sight!

And now for some sunset shots

With all our mishaps on this trip, John was ready to go home but, the kids wanted to go back to Zion to do another hike that we missed out on earlier. So we agreed.

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Kayaks on the Upper Antelope

We had an early morning planned to go kayaking on Lake Powell for 2.5 miles, then hike for 2 miles then kayak back 2.5 miles. This was one of the best things we did. John and I would not have done it had the kids not planned. Our tour guide was a Biology major and told us so many interesting things about the rocks, the lake, the sand. As you know, when it comes to science I don’t remember it all. But, one of the interesting things he told us about the sand was why it doesn’t absorb water. I can’t tell you the science but the fact that the sand doesn’t absorb water explains why they have these flash floods out in the desert. Also, the water has been receding so much the ramp down to the water has been extended several times since 1985. I don’t think I got a picture of the ramp. Also, on our hike there is a marker that says 2020 on the wall in the canyon that shows where the water was just 5 years ago. It was about 20-30 feet over our heads. And we were walking in that canyon. Crazy!

After our kayak/hiking trip we headed out for Arches National Park in Utah. On the way we stopped in Monument Valley and at Forrest Gump Point. Here is a link to John playing Forrest Gump https://youtu.be/o8umeb7t73g

Five hours became six or seven. We all agreed we needed to chill in the morning. We were all exhausted. Well, maybe Melissa wasn’t. She is the energizer bunny. We were about to lose Mike, to work and Melissa really wanted to do a hike in the morning. She was going to do one with or without anyone. At 6:00 am, John text Melissa to see if he could go with her. I slept in. I am really trying to get caught up. Blame the kids, they keep us going non-stop.

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The North Rim Grand Canyon

We arrived! It took about 2.5 hours to get here–maybe longer with all the stops. We had no plans of hiking here. It was a nice day in that it was overcast and not as hot but, a little scattered rain here and there. Nothing to keep us back.

Melissa introduced me to Shaka Guide. It is an app for your phone to download an audio tour of National Parks. It coordinates with your gps so you are hearing information about the location you are driving. It was awesome. I highly recommend it. It was educational and entertaining. We learned about the Vermilion Cliffs and the Cliff Dwellers. We heard stories of Native Tribes. We learned about rocks. Seriously we really enjoyed it.

Don’t expect me to tell you about the Vermilion Cliffs. I know it had to do with the red color in the rocks. But science just isn’t my thing so, while I’ll listen, I won’t remember. Even if I am interested I could forget in a matter of seconds. Now the Cliff Dwellers–that’s a different story. That was interesting. Though I can’t remember names and dates, this couple back in the 1930’s (I believe) were driving through when their car broke down. They had nowhere to go so they settled here. She started making a home out of the rocks and next thing you know, they are selling food to visitors of the Grand Canyon. Not sure how they managed that one, but that was the story. Later they built a restaurant and lodge.

I can’t tell you if it is better than the South Rim because I haven’t been there but, it sure was amazing. We didn’t do any hikes in Grand Canyon, we just drove to all the overlooks and took pictures. We had a 2.5 hour drive home and no plans for a sunset or anything else. We had smoked pork loin in a crockpot back at camp and no plans for the evening. In fact we had an early morning coming up. But that’s for the next blog.

Edit: A month after our visit the lodge at the North Rim of Grand Canyon was devastated by fire. From the NPCA Jul 14, 2025: “Over the weekend, the Dragon Bravo Fire and White Sage Fire tore through Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, closing the area for the season. The fire remains active and has already destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of other structures, including a visitor center, gas station, wastewater treatment plant, administrative offices and employee housing.”

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