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Spring 2022

March - April 2022
Miami and West USA Read more
  • 21footprints
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  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 11

    Convict Lake and Sierra Mountain

    April 3, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    It was a COLD night and a lazy morning. Some yogurt, berries and granola, and coffee over the fire. We headed out to Hot Creek geological site. Sulphur hot springs (boiling) that were baby blue and trout fishing all in one river. And I saw a rather large King snake!
    Off to Lake Convict and made it half way (into the mountain pass) to lake Mildred. Then to Pine Creek for another cold night…. But most incredible campsite. They just keep getting better!!    Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 12

    Inn at Benton Hot Springs

    April 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We stayed at Pine Creek. Andrey made a big fire, coffee and breakfast and then we headed to hike the canyon (and passed several climbers along the way). Once back at the van I used up the fruit and granola to make a make shift crumb. Washed up at the freezing cold river and made our way to Bishop (where we visited Sal at the Hardware Store …. As I took a turn to fast in the van and busted a drawer). Then to Benton Hot Springs. We stayed in the Miners Cabin. No electricity but took advantage of the hot springs twice in the evening . Before and after super. Decided to head to this canyon (which I later learned are full of rattle snakes and mountain lions) to climb rocks, watch the sunset and cook lamb over the fire.Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 13

    Nevada

    April 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 3 °C

    Stayed in a real bed (Miners Cabin) with no electricity. I have been having trouble sleeping in the van as my hips get really sore from having to curl up (downside to being tall). Breakfast was served to the building and even got a gluten free muffin. Had a lazy morning and left at 11am. First stop was an old mining town of Tonopah. We wondered around an old mine and visited the Clown Motel. The housekeeper (Laurie from Louisiana) was sweet and showed us a bunch of the room. Not a place I would be eager to stay. Then onto a the south twin hike at Homboldt-Toiyabe National forest and final destination for the night is Spenser hot springs. Meet Gwen (a field biologist) in the springs and we had a great chat. Andrey cooked up a delicious leftover meal and brought it over to the springs so all three of us could enjoy.Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 14

    Fishing

    April 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 -3 °C

    The sound of donkeys woke me up several times during the night as it was a regular watering hole. Up early and into the hot springs. I had alone time for about 15 min before others people drove up and asked to enter. Sitting in the springs with two naked strangers was interesting.
    Another delicious breakfast, cleaned the van and left the springs. We went to Eureka and walked into a store that said Cafe… and the guy said the brothel and grow op aren’t here anymore… this is an antique store. Must really be looking like a hippie to get that welcome. Found a great coffee shop across the street and then on our way. But not so fast….. or at least that is what Sheriff Jesse said when he pulled me over for speeding. Thankfully my Canadian charm avoided a ticket…. But Andrey didn’t find it as assuming as I did.
    Next two stops…. Fishing. Andrey fly fishes and we stopped at Illipah Reservoir and he caught two brown trout (I reeled on in). We stopped in Ely to try and get a fishing listen for me but being Canadian didn’t work in my favor this time. So Andrey went to Comins Lake and I stayed in the van and had the generator on while Andrey caught two rainbow trout. It is -5degrees tonight (second one below zero, so we decided to stay in a hotel (with electricity)… LaQuinta. First order of business is trying to remove whatever is lodged in my big toe and then a dip in the hottub and to a warm large bed!!    Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 15

    Fly Fishing

    April 7, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Morning started with coffee and breakfast at the hotel and then off to find a needle to dig the splinter out. Andrey prepped the fish and row from yesterday and I tried again to get my licenses. Finally I reached someone by phone and went to visit Rowena at Nevada Department of Wildlife. It was tougher to get a fishing license then passport!
    We returned to Comins and Andrey was the talk of the Lake as he caught one fish after the next while everyone else around weren’t getting any. He mainly caught and released but we left with 6, 2 caught by me! After awhile I finally got the hang of casting the line and drawing fish in. Fun day!!
    We headed to Kirch Wildlife Reserve, and Hot Creek campground. We made a pit stop and then off to the hot springs. Turns out it is more a warm creek, but amazing none the less! We swam among the fish and loud giant frogs, and watched the stars for over an hour before heading back to the campground. No time for a campfire, so after some clean up and snacks… called it a night.    Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 16

    Desert Wildlife Refuge

    April 8, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Woke up at Dave Deacon Campground on the Kirch Wildlife Reserve. Spent some time cleaning the van and packing up as it had to be returned in the afternoon. After coffee and Andrey doing stuff to the fish, we headed back to hot creek to see it in the daylight. Still amazing and discovered it had a whole cave system underneath. The water was warm and incredibly clear. Went for another swim and long walk back to the van. Long drive to Las Vegas today. Pit stop at Pahranagat National Wildlife reserve where we cooked up breakfast and coffee and got on the road again. Lots of tension on the drive as not everything was packed up and put away and a car hadn’t been rented. Found one for $85USD/night and stopped to let me rent it and Andrey drop the van off. When I went to pick him up, tensions increased as something obviously happened at drop off. We still had to pick up camping gear at REI for an unknown destination (to me).
    We stopped at a grocery store out of town, dealt with the tension and finally proceeded to our destination — Desert National Wildlife Reserve. After 5miles on a dirt road, we finally found a place to camp. A bit creepy and scary as the terrain was so different. We put up the tent, got the fire going and had fish, salad and asparagus for super. The evening was warmer then all the others and the fire felt great.    Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 17

    Red Rocks and Lake Las Legas

    April 9, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Woke up to the sunrise but then feel asleep again. The weather got really warm as the sun came up. We eat the remaining food up and had our last open fire coffee. Then off for a hike to the top of the hill (Mountains, distances and elevations are really deceiving). A couple hours later we were at the top and could see Las Vegas in one direction and a spec (our tent and car) in the other. A few scraps alone the way and back down to clear the campsite and drive back down the dirt road (it took 45 min).
    We headed to Sprouts (grocery store) to grab more ice for the fish. Andrey dried a bunch on the Yucca trees yesterday and still has some in the cooler. Sprouts has lots of great GF food. I wanted to buy a sample of it all.
    We went to Red Rocks and climbed around on the formations. It is a 13 mile, one way, zigzag drive. A keep was passing others who were slowing taking in the scenery…. So I did the same and the funnest part of Red Rock was zooming along the road in my little Hyundai Accent.
    We got to Westin around 6:30pm and checked in. Room was ok but had a really strong perfume smell. I called the desk and they said It was just a spray they us and it will go away soon. We decided to explore the property (which is beautiful) and rest out ping pong skills. Back to the room but it still had the scent so we moved to another. The staff are great but the hotel is old, the wifi is down, they are out of coffee and the bathroom door handle broke from the inside. Hmmm…. Maybe the desert is better then a 5star?!?    Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 18

    Valley of Fire & Westin

    April 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Another lazy day of wondering around the hotel, trying to rent SUP boards with no success as they were $25 and only allowed in the cove due to the rowing races on the lake. Underwhelmed with the hotel as the inside handle to bathroom door broke and the sink clogged. Finally decided to visit Valley of Fire. There were lots of small interesting hikes and red sand that reminded me of PEI. Andrey was surprised to hear about the red sand on the island. Beautiful rock formations and even did yoga on one. Stopped on the way back to eat fish heads and have one final fire. We stopped on a well walked donkey (Burro) path and could hear them in the distance but still no sightings. Quick pit stop to the grocery for snacks and back to the hotel.Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2022
    Day 19

    Arizona Hot Springs and Virgin

    April 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Final day! Was up early to start work and hop on a zoom call. Then packed up, checked out, argued over stopping to eat and then to the Arizona hot springs on the other side of Hoover Dam. Words cannot describe the beauty. It was a 3mile hike in to a series of 4 hot springs…. Down a ladder and a short hike further brought you to the freezing cold Colorado River (where Andrey swam…. Not I). A quick soak in the springs, one last stop for a jet boil coffee and then hike back to the car. On the way back we were greeted at the top of a boulder by two golden retrievers….. felt so good to hug and play with them. This is the first trip Hailey won’t be waiting for me when I arrive home.
    We dropped the car back off at Budget rental and got a Lyft to Virgin Hotel (formerly Hard Rock). I wanted a quiet hotel without a casino but it wasn’t the case and check in was arduous as was the 1/2 mile walk to opal tower. However, the room was really nice and great for plane watching. We walked across the street for some quick Mexican food and then back to the hotel to pack. Tomorrow is back to New Brunswick for me!    Read more

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