The Trip That Finally Made My Wife Haul Off And Slug Me In The Face (COMPLETED 10/2)

It's every father's.

Very true.

Yep. Get that. Really do.

Sometimes I wish we'd go to a full-year school schedule with built-in breaks throughout the year, just so we could vacation at off-peak times.

Top up the oil while you're at it.

With mileage you put on the vehicle, I'd suggest an oil change. Your next one will be due in 4 days.

I helped him out there.

I hope he appreciated it!

So doesn't count.

It's a bed. Just like any other bed.

I'd like to see for myself someday.
<sigh>

some day

Like Liesa said, make the "some day" happen!
 
Sometimes I wish we'd go to a full-year school schedule with built-in breaks throughout the year, just so we could vacation at off-peak times.

Just do what I did. Make them graduate.

With mileage you put on the vehicle, I'd suggest an oil change. Your next one will be due in 4 days.

Pretty much. :)

It's a bed. Just like any other bed.

You'll notice I very rarely take hotel photos. They're all pretty much the same unless you get an upgrade or it's a distinctive room.

Like Liesa said, make the "some day" happen!

::yes::
 
Just do what I did. Make them graduate.

I'm working on it.

You'll notice I very rarely take hotel photos. They're all pretty much the same unless you get an upgrade or it's a distinctive room.

I feel the same way. I'll take photos of Disney rooms just because they're more elaborately themed. But regular hotel rooms? They all look the same.
 
OK, Since I'm so far behind and you're trying to wrap it up, I'll make my comments brief. The restaurant looks nice, I'm sure we would make reservations there. I'm guessing like Bryce there were no TVs in the rooms so I'd have than problem again with Fran.

Lovely photos that don't do justice to the scenery.
 
OK, Since I'm so far behind and you're trying to wrap it up, I'll make my comments brief. The restaurant looks nice, I'm sure we would make reservations there. I'm guessing like Bryce there were no TVs in the rooms so I'd have than problem again with Fran.

It was a great atmosphere, but just ok food. Standard for national park locations. And yes, no TV in the room.

Lovely photos that don't do justice to the scenery.

::yes::
 
Bonus Chapter 6: That’s A Big Hole In The Ground


We toured the Grand Canyon all day. The next day, we went home. The End.


Wait, you want more? You’re killing me, Smalls. So high-maintenance.


Despite the crowds we’d seen the day before, we didn’t immediately go running off first thing in the morning. Julie and I got dressed and walked into the main lodge dining room. A sit-down breakfast is one of the underrated pleasures of life that we don’t indulge in nearly enough, so we’d decided to treat ourselves. As luck would have it, we were among the first people there and got a seat right by the big observation window.


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Julie got some sort of omelet and I went with a simple order of pancakes and bacon. It’s hard to screw up breakfast food, and I’m happy to report that this was a very good meal. Better than dinner, I’d say. And certainly cheaper and less crowded.


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The early morning light on the canyon just outside was gorgeous.


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We got on the road, still far ahead of any crowds that morning. At the North Rim, there is one scenic drive you can take to explore the area (actually two, but only one road is paved and passable for most vehicles). It extends for 20 miles to a viewpoint at Cape Royal, with a few overlooks along the way. We followed the same strategy that we had at Bryce Canyon—driving all the way to the end and then working our way back.

It's a very narrow road at points, so I highly recommend playing the Indiana Jones theme on full blast as you navigate it for the best experience.


When we reached the parking lot for Cape Royal, we were the only people there. There’s a short paved walking path to the overlook, and the view there is spectacular. It was a magical feeling having it all to ourselves.


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We stood there for a long time, just enjoying the view and the solitude. The Grand Canyon is a wonderful place for perspective. It’s hard to stand there and not feel completely insignificant next to such a vast piece of creation. But that’s a good thing—it can help to remind us that we’re not all that important. Being humbled can be a good thing.


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Nearby, there’s a side trail that takes you to Angel’s Window. This is an arch formation jutting out into the side of the canyon, and the trail actually takes you out to a viewpoint on top of the arch. There are also a couple of overlooks back near the parking lot where you can see the arch from a distance.


Here it is from below:


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And from the trail:


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Julie is not a big fan of steep drop-offs (pretty sure this is why she settled in Delaware), so she wasn’t really feeling this side trail. But I said something to the effect of, "Get moving, chicken! How often do you get the chance to stand on a natural arch?” and to her credit, she willed herself out there. She didn’t go anywhere near the railing, but she was out there.


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While we stood there, we could see people on the trail and waved to them. Later, they returned the favor when we had switched positions.


Just down the road was the Walhalla Overlook, which yielded some more nice views as well as the foundation of an old native American settlement up on the ridge.


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We stopped at Roosevelt Point and took a short trail that was supposed to lead to a bench and a nice view, but while the view was decent, we never found the bench. Maybe the Grand Canyon has a termite problem?


The final stop on the way back was a spur road that took us to Point Imperial, the highest point in Grand Canyon National Park. From here, you get a great view to the Northwest. The colors are striking, as is the elevation difference between the two rims of the canyon.


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If you looked far enough to the northwest, you could see the very beginning of the Grand Canyon as the Colorado River flows out of the desert.


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From there, we returned to the lodge for lunch. We stopped in the snack bar, called Deli at the Pines. Julie got a cup of elk chili and I got a massive BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Both were pretty tasty. We hung out at these tables by the bar.


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After lunch, we did some more gift shop reconnaissance. And then we were presented with an unusual vacation dilemma for us: we had an entire afternoon, and nothing planned. And no TV! Oh, the humanity!


We took a walk on the short trail out to Bright Angel Point.


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Then we wandered back to the lodge. And as it just so happened, we were early enough that the chairs on the veranda hadn’t filled up yet.


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So Julie snagged a couple while I ran back to the cabin and grabbed our books. And then we spend the afternoon relaxing on the veranda, catching up on our reading and enjoying the view.


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You could do worse.


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In the late afternoon, we decided we’d had enough of sitting around and decided to hunt down some food for dinner. I started to get my bow and arrows out of the car, but then Julie reminded me that there was an easier option at the lodge. Every day around 4:30 p.m., a lodge employee will set up a kiosk in the main sitting room and offer a “veranda menu”. You can place food orders there, and then he gives you a number and you go out onto the veranda and sit at a table. A server will bring your food to you right there and you can enjoy dinner on the veranda with the Grand Canyon looming before you. It’s a limited menu, but the view can’t be beat.


I had a ginormous brisket sandwich and Julie had a quesadilla.


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And for my money, I liked this dinner better than the one in the dining room. I loved being outside with that view.


We debated driving back out to Cape Royal for the sunset. But as we watched the skies, it appeared that some storms were building up to the west.


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So we decided it wasn’t worth the drive if the sunset was going to be a dud. Instead, we just hung around at the lodge.


It may have been an anticlimactic end to our getaway, but we were ok with that. After 20 years and 4 kids, having time that is both free and quiet is a rarity. We don’t get to be alone or relax very often, so this was a blessing. I can tell you there’s no one I’d rather do nothing with.


Wait, that didn’t sound right. I’d rather do nothing with her than anything. No, wait—I’d rather do anything with her than nothing with anybody—I’d rather do anything than nothing with nobody or anybody—


Sigh.


We were alone. We were together. We were happy. It’s been a wonderful 20 years.


Thanks for reading.


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Coming Up Next: Watch this space for a brand-spanking-new Disney World Trip Report! It’s Andrew’s first Disney World Vacation Spectacular!
 
Despite the crowds we’d seen the day before, we didn’t immediately go running off first thing in the morning. Julie and I got dressed and walked into the main lodge dining room. A sit-down breakfast is one of the underrated pleasures of life that we don’t indulge in nearly enough, so we’d decided to treat ourselves. As luck would have it, we were among the first people there and got a seat right by the big observation window.
I think a breakfast of stale bread would be acceptable with a view like that! Nice that you enjoyed the food better that time.

It's a very narrow road at points, so I highly recommend playing the Indiana Jones theme on full blast as you navigate it for the best experience.
I would appreciate that. I am not sure my wife would though.

Julie is not a big fan of steep drop-offs (pretty sure this is why she settled in Delaware), so she wasn’t really feeling this side trail. But I said something to the effect of, "Get moving, chicken! How often do you get the chance to stand on a natural arch?” and to her credit, she willed herself out there. She didn’t go anywhere near the railing, but she was out there.
Very cool, I would definitely be tempted to do that side trail, nice that Julie braved it and now she can say she did it.

So Julie snagged a couple while I ran back to the cabin and grabbed our books. And then we spend the afternoon relaxing on the veranda, catching up on our reading and enjoying the view.
There's a lot to be said for doing nothing. Any vacation should involve a little "nothing" time.

We were alone. We were together. We were happy. It’s been a wonderful 20 years.

Congrats to you both. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip. Looking forward to the next one!
 


I think a breakfast of stale bread would be acceptable with a view like that! Nice that you enjoyed the food better that time.

Usually we have stale donuts in the hotel room, so this was a win all around!

I would appreciate that. I am not sure my wife would though.

They must be cut from the same cloth.

Very cool, I would definitely be tempted to do that side trail, nice that Julie braved it and now she can say she did it.

It was worth it! I honestly never felt unsafe walking out there.

There's a lot to be said for doing nothing. Any vacation should involve a little "nothing" time.

If anything, that's usually the part I forget in the rush to see all the things.

Congrats to you both. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip. Looking forward to the next one!

Thanks for reading along. It's Disney time!
 
As luck would have it, we were among the first people there and got a seat right by the big observation window.

That's a tough view to beat.

pancakes and bacon

add some home fries or hash browns and that's my kind of breakfast (carb overload)

we had an entire afternoon, and nothing planned. And no TV! Oh, the humanity!

:rolleyes1

We took a walk on the short trail out to Bright Angel Point.

Oh - that works too. Seriously - that looks like a nice trail with. I'm with Julie on not really liking the steep drop off - but it looks like it was worth it.

we were early enough that the chairs on the veranda hadn’t filled up yet.

score

You could do worse.

I just thought...not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Thanks for sharing - looking forward to reading about the next trip.
 
OK, I'm so far behind, that I'm just going to say that you guys had an awesome anniversary trip and I can't wait to hear about your upcoming WDW TR!
 
Sometimes I wish we'd go to a full-year school schedule with built-in breaks throughout the year, just so we could vacation at off-peak times.
That's kinda what they're doing here even though we all voted against it. It does have the advantage of taking trips in less peak times (February and September this year), but the downside is most programs to keep the kids busy (and not necessitate the parents taking off work) are during the summer. It's a trade off.


Like Liesa said, make the "some day" happen!
As you and the other DISdads know, I'm making my some day happen on at least one front. :teleport:
 
Thanks so much for your report...looking forward to more!

Thanks for taking the time to read along!

That's a tough view to beat.

::yes::

add some home fries or hash browns and that's my kind of breakfast (carb overload)

Me too! It's a classic.


And a bed that wasn't big enough for two people! :rolleyes1

Oh - that works too. Seriously - that looks like a nice trail with. I'm with Julie on not really liking the steep drop off - but it looks like it was worth it.

Totally worth it! That's what the railings are for.

I just thought...not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Thanks for sharing - looking forward to reading about the next trip.

Thanks for taking the time to read along! Hopefully I'll get the Disney TR started soon. I don't have a good title for it, though.

OK, I'm so far behind, that I'm just going to say that you guys had an awesome anniversary trip and I can't wait to hear about your upcoming WDW TR!

Thanks, Alison! I'll try and get it started soon.

That's kinda what they're doing here even though we all voted against it. It does have the advantage of taking trips in less peak times (February and September this year), but the downside is most programs to keep the kids busy (and not necessitate the parents taking off work) are during the summer. It's a trade off.

Yeah, I get it. We don't really do the summer camp thing so that wouldn't bother us at all. But there are always trade-offs.

As you and the other DISdads know, I'm making my some day happen on at least one front. :teleport:

Excited for you!:thumbsup2
 
Thanks for taking the time to read along! Hopefully I'll get the Disney TR started soon. I don't have a good title for it, though.
How about Captain Oblivious, General Knowitall and their cadets attack Disney. News at 11.


Yeah, I get it. We don't really do the summer camp thing so that wouldn't bother us at all. But there are always trade-offs.
Yep, I knew that and understand. I just know it creates hardships for some parents here because they've either got to find something/someone to take care of the kids or take time off of work. I mean it's great the kids have a break, but not so great for some parents.

Excited for you!:thumbsup2
Thank you sir. I hope this doesn't sound flippant or arrogant...I'm excited for me also. :dancer:
 
I feel the same way. I'll take photos of Disney rooms just because they're more elaborately themed. But regular hotel rooms? They all look the same.

Yep. Mind you I probably should have taken one of a room I got to "enjoy" this trip.
Nah. Who wants to see roaches and spiders anyways.

We toured the Grand Canyon all day. The next day, we went home. The End.

Succinct and to the point. A model for all future TRs.


Not a bad view there. Although I like your later ones better. Still.... not too bad at all.

It's a very narrow road at points, so I highly recommend playing the Indiana Jones theme on full blast as you navigate it for the best experience.

:laughing:

When we reached the parking lot for Cape Royal, we were the only people there.

Nice! Score.


Daaaannnng...

It’s hard to stand there and not feel completely insignificant next to such a vast piece of creation. But that’s a good thing—it can help to remind us that we’re not all that important. Being humbled can be a good thing.

Interesting perspective. I hope to be able to experience that too, some day.


That's.... it really does look like a window!

Julie is not a big fan of steep drop-offs

Or dropping off of them, I would suspect.

(pretty sure this is why she settled in Delaware),

:laughing:

But I said something to the effect of, "Get moving, chicken!

Uh, huh. You've been married for 20 years. You know the rules... and the risks.

to her credit, she willed herself out there. She didn’t go anywhere near the railing, but she was out there.

Still counts.

Maybe the Grand Canyon has a termite problem?

Nah. Wood rot. All that moisture.

The final stop on the way back was a spur road that took us to Point Imperial, the highest point in Grand Canyon National Park. From here, you get a great view to the Northwest. The colors are striking, as is the elevation difference between the two rims of the canyon.

Huh. Never thought there'd be elevation differences. Huh.

If you looked far enough to the northwest, you could see the very beginning of the Grand Canyon as the Colorado River flows out of the desert.

Cool!!!

Julie got a cup of elk chili

That sounds really interesting. I might've done the same. Especially since I'm not a huge fan of pulled pork. I don't not like it... but I usually like other things more.

So Julie snagged a couple while I ran back to the cabin and grabbed our books. And then we spend the afternoon relaxing on the veranda, catching up on our reading and enjoying the view.

Very nice. What a great way to spend an afternoon.

I started to get my bow and arrows out of the car, but then Julie reminded me that there was an easier option at the lodge.

I guess she knows how badly you suck at that. She's smart.

Every day around 4:30 p.m., a lodge employee will set up a kiosk in the main sitting room and offer a “veranda menu”. You can place food orders there, and then he gives you a number and you go out onto the veranda and sit at a table. A server will bring your food to you right there and you can enjoy dinner on the veranda with the Grand Canyon looming before you. It’s a limited menu, but the view can’t be beat.

Wow. That's just.... perfect. With a view like that... and they bring the food out to you? Heck yes!

And for my money, I liked this dinner better than the one in the dining room. I loved being outside with that view.

::yes::

It may have been an anticlimactic end to our getaway, but we were ok with that. After 20 years and 4 kids, having time that is both free and quiet is a rarity. We don’t get to be alone or relax very often, so this was a blessing. I can tell you there’s no one I’d rather do nothing with.


Wait, that didn’t sound right. I’d rather do nothing with her than anything. No, wait—I’d rather do anything with her than nothing with anybody—I’d rather do anything than nothing with nobody or anybody—


Sigh.

Keep trying... you'll get it.

We were alone. We were together. We were happy. It’s been a wonderful 20 years.

There ya go. Perfect.

Thanks for reading.

I will keep it just as simple. As always.... thanks for writing. And doing it so well.
 
I will keep it just as simple. As always.... thanks for writing. And doing it so well.

I agree, and seriously I think you should seriously consider writing an actual piece of fiction maybe based on your family or not, but you constantly speak of the budget committee, and I have a feeling that you could really get something published that might allow the budget committee more flexibility. But then again you wouldn't have the time to write TRs, so forget I said anything.

Same goes for you @pkondz but consider the same logic. I'd rather have you guys on the DIS than have to pay for your books on Amazon.
 
And no TV! Oh, the humanity!
I see you've wrapped it up since I left, so I'll end by saying your photos are spectacular but as you pointed out, not nearly as spectacular as the Canyon itself. It's truly amazing. Thanks for the ride, Mark. See you on the new thread. :hug:
 

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