My apologies for missing out on updates over the past several days. We have not had internet, which is actually a freeing experience. Removing oneself from cellular service and internet is probably the best way to experience things like the Grand Canyon. I'm now in Boulder City, Nevada (just outside of Las Vegas) and I've reconnected to the electronic grid :-)

Day 31 - Monday, June 9, 2014 – Panguitch, Utah to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

The highlight of the day was the outstanding customer service delivered by the very small tire shop (Cooper Tires) in Panguitch, Utah. Keep in mind that the town of Panguitch has no stoplights, only one mom and pop grocery store, and a handful of other things. It’s probably about the size of our home town Berryville, Virginia. By God’s providence, the tire shop happened to have the rim and tire I needed for my trailer. The tire shop was a one bay tire shop with what appeared to be two or three employees. The father and son (two of the employees) were so helpful they were willing to let me take the tire and rim without paying and return to pay after I made sure it fit. They also charged me a fraction of what some other “emergency tire service providers” were quoting me on the phone over the weekend. I even told the owner he was charging me a whole lot less, and he simply said he was trying to run an honest business. Something we all appreciate.

After installing my new tire, we left Panguitch and drove 2.5 hours to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We settled into our “primitive” campground for two nights without water, electricity, or sewer. Many of you “real” campers probably think that what I am calling “primitive” camping is still a pretty cushy way to camp. I’ll admit, it probably is. As our neighbors froze in their tent with the 43 degree (F) night, we comfortably slept in our cushy beds shielded from the cold wind. However, some of the Mayos did attempt to brave the elements. Levi, Seth, and Brandon each tried to sleep outside in hammocks tied to Aspen trees. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it more than a couple of hours because the cold weather and full moon made it hard to sleep.

Day 32 - Tuesday, June 10, 2014 – North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Some of you have been fortunate enough to experience the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, but few of you have probably experienced the North Rim. Personally, if I had to pick one over the other, I think the North Rim is the place to go. The North Rim sits up about 1,000 feet higher than the south rim. The weather is cooler, there are no mosquitoes, and the landscape is totally different. There are huge aspen and pine trees that allow for shady trails. Even more majestic are the trees that grow on the canyon ridges. If you do make it to the North Rim, don’t miss Angel’s window and Cape Royal (a 45 minute drive from the main visitor center and lodge). The park service has constructed a trail and railing system at Angel’s window that allow you to stand at the top of a cliff on 3 sides. If you peer over the railing, you are staring at a huge drop that is 500-1000 feet (my best guess). I wanted to strap on a parachute and jump off the cliff. It reminded me of the time I went hang gliding in Rio de Janero, Brazil in 2004. On the other hand, Sheri was ready to quickly retreat and step away from the cliffs. Oh, by the way, Sheri had good reason to fear the canyon. Every year people fall off the rim (two in the first 6 months of 2014).

We ended the day watching the sunset at Cape Royal. It was a beautiful way to finish up our trip the North Rim.

Day 33 - Wednesday June 11, 2014 – Driving from the North Rim to Hurricane, Utah

Today was a fairly routine travel day. It consisted of a few hours on the road, laundry, and grocery shopping. Sheri, the kids and the Watkins crew attempted to enjoy Quail Creek Lake while I went to Wal Mart, but the rocky beach access made that pretty difficult.

Day 34 - Thursday June 12, 2014 – Zion National Park

If you have ever been to the mall on Christmas Eve to purchase that last minute gift, you may be able to identify with some of our experiences at Zion: fighting for a parking spot, rubbing shoulders with folks you don’t know because of the large crowds, and feeling like everyone is watching your kids fight. If you visit to Zion National Park in the summer, be prepared for the crowds. The most interesting portion of the park is only accessible by a bus system because the number of cars is simply overwhelming. We had to walk about 0.5 mile to the bus station because that is the closest parking spot we could find.

Zion’s famous for its canyon walls. The canyon walls are impressive, but it reminded me of King’s Canyon National Park (connected to Sequoia National Park) or Yosemite National Park. Of all the parks we have seen, I'd say this one I don't feel I need to see again. It's still a really cool place, but the crowds give it some negative points over the other parks.