Tuesday we started the day with a visit to Sunset Crater in northern Arizona, one of the youngest volcanoes in the USA. It is named for its brilliantly colored scoria deposits on the cone and only one of more than 550 vents of the vast San Francisco volcanic field. The last eruption took place sometime between about 1080 and 1150 AD. When we arrived at the Sunset Crater Visitor Center, sadly it was closed. However, Ms. Crafts made great use of the time by leading us in a series of yoga poses on the steps of the visitor center while we waited for the doors to open. Climbing the volcano was outlawed in the 1930s but we drove through the lava fields and witnessed the most amazing lava flows, still blackening thousands of acres in every direction even after one thousand years. In comparison, Hawaiian lava fields may sprout new life in as little as a year.
Our next stop was the ancient ruins of Wupatki. The many settlement sites scattered throughout the monument were built by the Pueblo People, including the Anasazi. Wupatki, which means "Big House" in the Hopi language, is a multistory pueblo dwelling having more than 100 rooms. Secondary structures, include round kivas, and a blow hole that blows cold air from an underground cave system, sort of like air conditioning. Wupatki was first inhabited around 500 AD.
We spent the rest of the day hiking the South Kaibab Trail into the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon. This unforgettable experience brought tears and profound emotion. The day ended with a great dinner, ice cream and sunset over the canyon viewed from an overlook where the colors painted the canyon as a brisk wind swept in and changed the hot day to a cool night.
~John Mernick
Heading out to Sedona and Slide Rock State Park today with a sunny and 80 degree forecast! See you at the baggage claim bright and early tomorrow morning!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Day 3
Highlights of Day 3
- Horseshoe Bend
- Glen Canyon Dam & Rafting The Colorado River
- Flagstaff-Springhill Suites
- Rock Climbing
Day three was another amazing day in the great Southwest. Our guides drove us through the high desert, rife with sagebrush and prickly pear cactus. Everywhere one looks in this color landscape geological formations abound and the eye is surprised by shapes and forms not familiar to easterners. Our first stop for the day was world famous Horseshoe Bend where the Colorado River does a 270 degree turn 1000 feet below us. We broke up into four groups to maximize safety between the four adults and approached the precipice with great caution. This was a thrilling experience for us all.
The remainder of the daylight hours were spent on the very same river we had had just witnessed from 1000 feet above. Lunches in hand, before noon we boarded a river boat specially designed to run the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. This experience was truly unforgettable, running the Colorado River right inn the northern section of the Grand Canyon, swimming on the sandy beaches with gorgeous sand made from ancient sandstone, and viewing pictographs made by the ancient inhabitants dated at 9000 years old.
The day was rounded out by award winning pizza in Flagstaff followed by rock climbing at an indoor rec center.
Day 2
Good Morning!Sorry for the delay sending the update, I feel asleep after typing in the subject line last night!We had another incredible day exploring Bryce Canyon and all it's spectacular sights. Our first stop was the visitor center where we purchased some souvenirs and had a mini science lesson around a large relief map of the region located in the museum portion of the center. Ready for some activity, we embarked on a 3 mile hike on Queen's Garden Trail. Your kids' endurance was impressive! This was not an easy hike and at over 8000 feet elevation our bodies were pushed to the limits. Hiking up a switchback trail through the Hoodoos of Bryce will likely be a lifetime memory!The weather the past two days has been perfect, mostly sunny and in the low 70's. We could not have asked for anything better.After having a picnic boxed lunch at Sunset Point at Bryce, we departed to explore Bryce further and find some hidden waterfalls only a short hike from the vans.Most kids took off their boots and enjoyed the cool sensation of water soaking their tired feet. A couple students even took a plunge in one of the deeper spots!We took another quick stop for a group photo at the Bryce entrance sign and did a bit more shopping at Ruby's outside of Bryce.Our next stop was Coral Sands State Park which certainly did not disappoint! This groups energy level is impressive- and letting them frolic in this soft, beautiful sand was the perfect next step in the day. They let loose and had an absolute blast!Finally, the dinner we worked so hard for was upon us. Chuck Wagon's Cookout was a unique cultural experience in Utah's "Little Hollywood". I will let the pictures and your kids stories explain that one-it was awesome!!Back at the hotel in Kanab we discussed the agenda for Monday and gave instructions on our 7:45am departure-with ALL bags in the vans.Today (day 3) we head to horseshoe bend and experience a float trip near the Glen Canyon Dam entrance to the Grand Canyon. It's hard to believe there are still more experiences to come that will blow our minds!Behavior has been good-many times we need to repeat our instructions and offer repeated reminders to ensure their safety-all things I expected. They are all getting along and loving the beautiful drives with good tunes and many laughs. There have been a few moving moments where a couple kids have given me a heartfelt thank you for doing this trip-and believe me, it meant quite a bit!I will attempt to send some pictures soon but internet access has been rough and we are on a tight schedule when at the hotel.Can't wait to recap today's adventures!!
Day 1
Greetings from Kanab, Utah!What an incredible first day we had! I think we all used up most of our memory storage taking pictures of Zion and it's spectacular beauty!Yesterday was adventure packed and students all settled in nicely to the western culture. When I get better reception (and wireless access) I will send pictures. We got back to the hotel and had pizza around 9:00 last night-managing to make it checkerboard Mesa before sunset. The kids got to expend what residual energy they had in the pool until quiet time in their hotel rooms at 10:30.Looking forward to another day that simply blows them away!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Pre-Trip Video Resources
To gain the most from this experience all student travelers are asked to watch the following videos and complete the question sheets prior to departure.
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