Vacations are good...

We returned from our Colorado/Nebraska/South Dakota/Utah road trip and before we knew it, it was time to hit the road for Las Vegas for Mine Expo 2012!  MINExpo is a once-every-four-years opportunity for companies whose products, services and technologies serve the mining industry. The show attracts more than 38,000 mining industry professionals from more than one hundred countries.  On the personal side, the beauty of MINExpo is that it is a reunion of sorts.  We saw people as far back as from 30+ years ago - friends (Connie & Dave) met on our first assignment as a couple back in Battle Mountain, Nevada.

 

Below is a photo of Virginia and Whiskey - we met them in Cajamarca, Peru.



We saw several other people from our past mining post living locations but I didn't have the camera with me - we had a great time.

We left Las Vegas with a quick stop to see the "new" Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.  Construction of the bridge structure began January 2005, and it opened to traffic on October 19, 2010.

 

We last saw the bridge in the midst of construction in 2008.  For those interested in more information, below is a link which discusses the planning and construction of the bridge as well as a multitude of photos.

 

http://highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mike_O'Callaghan-Pat_Tilman_Memorial_Bridge

We then headed for the Grand Canyon where we met friends Mike and Sue.  We were treated to close up encounters with elk.

The fellows hiked from the South Rim to the North Rim while Sue and I drove to the North Rim to collect them.  Mike celebrated his 62nd birthday on the day they hiked - what a neat way to celebrate!

Below is a photo from the South Rim looking at the canyon (in the shadows and curves to the left) the fellows hike out to reach the North Rim.  They hike down South Kaibab Trail 6.8 miles to Phantom Ranch and then 14 miles up North Kaibab Trail. 

 

The above photo was taken late afternoon and the following photo was taken just after sunrise.

If you've not been to the Grand Canyon - go.  I like the South Rim but I love the North Rim.  Enough said....

Below is a photo of Larry coming out on the North Rim.  The birthday boy was behind him by a few minutes.

We collected the boys and headed to Jacob's Lake to spend the night and give the guys a chance to rest after their long hike.  The next morning we headed for Bryce Canyon National Park.  If you've not ever visited Bryce Canyon, do!  Once again I was reminded that there are many scenic places to visit in the U.S.!

 

We headed to Zion National Park from here.  If you've never visited Zion National Park - go!  Although my foot was still bothering me a bit, I managed to do some light hiking with the crew, one of which was a hike to The Narrows. 

 

 

Following a day of hiking, we found ourselves under a giant Cottonwood enjoying the shade and the view - the weather was perfect though.

 

 

 

Dinner on the porch of the lodge wasn't bad either!  The below photo was compliments of Sue's iPhone. 

 



 

 

 

Playing with the zoom on the camera...

 

 

And then it was time to leave.  But what a treat to capture the moon setting and some big horn sheep on the side of the road.

 

 

Sometimes this new camera really comes through! 

 

 



 

We stopped for a view of the Colorado on our way home....

 

 



and I'll end with this photo of Larry - he is always so good about letting me take his picture.

 

Our next trip will be a short visit to Rapid City, South Dakota.  Larry has business associated with recruitment of future South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduates, which then will allow for a quick trip to Harrison and quite possibly raking those fall leaves I so enjoy. 

Health update:  Stable.  Dr. Paripati is back from maternity leave and it felt like seeing an old friend at our appointment on the 9th.  A scan will be scheduled for late October.  The foot is slowly recovering - very slowly!