Fwd: 2011 in travel

After an early January snow storm, I walked into the woods in the early morning, thought I would be the first one there, but someone beat me. 

Blue heron have their first baby in early April. I count how many days baby heron will be able to fly.

End of May baby heron left the nest and their parents - for the good. I also set off for adventure. I found myself on the road to Hopi mesa village on a crispy early summer morning. No photo is allowed in Hopi land, and this "far away view" give you some sense of how remote it is.

After watching kachina dance in Hopi villages, and tasting some Indian Taco, we drove to Canyon de Chelly, only catching the last sun ray on the White House Ruin. We then drove to Spider Rock, it's completely dark and invisible, I like the spider stay in the darkness and remain invisible. Later we met a hotel guy who grew up in Canyon de Chelly who used to take tourist down to the valley floor with his brother. I saw he has a book on the desk about "Carson". I know Navajo hate Kid Carson, it's not an exception for him. If he still operated the tour, I want to join his tour.

Drove to Mesa Verde is no drama except we can't find our campsite slip in the campground entrance. We end up sleeping in the car for one night. A hot shower and 3 pancake the next morning clear all the tiresome and unluckiness. We visited 3 dwellings and the best way to appreciate the cliff dwelling is sitting on the top of rim with sun setting behind us. 

In searching for the highway where Forest Gump was running in the desert, we head to Monument Valley. It would be more enjoyable driving if the wind didn't blew up the sand miles and miles wide. We had dinner with Worm in the View before camping in the Goulding's campground. The next morning we are rewarded with scenic drive. 

Even though the cliff dwelling ruin in Mesa Verde has larger scale, the Betatakin at Navajo National Monument offer solitude, variety of terrain and lush vegetation, perfect for a day hike. I'd like to hike the much longer Keet Seel but it would be more enjoyable to stay overnight at the campground in the valley. 

some cactus flower and petroglphy along the trail add some flavor to Betatakin.

We stop by Antelope Canyon ticket office, but didn't feel it's right time to visit Antelope. We drove directly to Horseshoe bend instead. It's about 1 miles one-way hike from parking lot.

The next day, before head to Sedona, we paid a visit to Walnut canyon. It's a good half an hour hike with a local retired teacher who came out to exercise. 

3 million people visit Sedona annually. Considered 4 million people visited Grand Canyon, Sedona definitely has its uniqueness - watching sunset at airport road is one of them. 

4th of July we drove 700 miles to Quebec city. In old city, we saw Williams and Kate -- sort of, they sat inside the car, windows up, and the car drive 100 miles/hour. But it still add some excitement to the trip. In Montreal we went to the Jazz festival, a lot of beer. 

But nothing can beat the smoked sandwidch from schwartz's. When you give it a bite, it's like 4th of July firework blew up in your mouth. 

Mid-July took us to downtown Chicago for the food festival. the lamb from the Ethiopia restaurant is my favorite, cost 12 tickets. 

and some intimate moment only father and son can share

At Wisconsin, a warrior avoid eye contact with a Chinese who know little about Kungfu. 

August is hot everywhere, I am waiting for September to come. Heron visit the pond by my patio every day, they grew enormously in the summer.

The whole mid-summer, I counted Blue Heron and name them just for fun, like poop-a-lot, big-wing, never-move, lost-a-fish, standing-on-rooftop, serial-killer,  to name a few.  Occasionally, I follow a beaver building the den, or chased by Canadian goose demanding for bread... 2 months passed by before I notice it. A visit to Garden of God and close encounter with big horn sheep make me turn my back to my favorite small pond.

Balloon Fiesta turn Albuquerque into a wonderland, late September's crispy air make the ascension desirable. 

We attended san geronimo feast day at Taos, I never saw so many crowd in the Pueblo village. I missed the foot race, but witness the pole climbing. Santa Fe is 1 hour driving toward south, it is best for a relaxing walk around plaza. We paid a visit to georgia o'keeffe museum, then head to Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

I scouted Colorado mountain in early October for golden aspen, but found serenity in black and white

At Black Canyon of the Gunnison north rim, a storm is approaching and downpour is inevitable. 

At owl creek, a cow is blocking our way, demanding a photo.

Finally, the majestic Maroon Bell waiting for sun to warm her up.

in Deadman's hill, a son help his mom stand up from the wheelchair, looking over the Jordan River Valley. It's middle October, fall color has passed the peak season, crowd has long gone. They might miss the maple red, but they certainly appreciate the valley peace.

At Halloween, I did my r2r in two days at Grand Canyon,  along south Kaibab and North Kaibab trail, stay one night at Phantom Ranch where I met Michael and Pam in the Canteen.

 At north rim, I found solitude at Toroweap point, with Colorado River running quiet 3000 ft below the sheer cliffs

I thought 5 days is too much in Puerto Rico, then found out I only visit 1/3 of the island during my mid-November visit. The island offer beach, salsa, colonial building, cave, mountain, waterfall, and of course the Puerto Rican Lechon in Guavate central mountain. 

I stay put in Thanksgiving, but secretly I plan a trip to Southwest. In early December, I put my foot on top of observation point at Zion National Park

The next day, I got a permit luckily to Wave, and met my brother Markus and Nicole. I have met German so many times which make me wonder when I should visit Germany.

Death Valley's seldom-traveled backcountry offers a variety of unique hiking opportunities. My jeep still looks new after a 3 hour drive through Titus Canyon.

How about watching the setting sun on a lonely road?

It's get interesting when I visit Mexico for the first time. I originally plan for a driving tour, then end up taking bus. For solo traveler, bus would be a wise and obvious choice. I have so many stories to tell, more than all the other trips combined in the year 2011.

Playa De Carman's 5th ave is full of activities, food, drink, musician, vender... New Year Eve will only be worse. 

Coba is 2 hours bus from Playa, the bus drove to Tulum first (50 min), then another 30 miles/50 minutes to Coba. The virtually unexplored archeological ruins scatter across the jungle, and bicycling is common here. The ruin preserve in its best shape while still keep its authentic look.

Tulum ruin is about 20 minutes bus ride from the town. The ruins of Tulum are perched atop a coral cliff,  overlooking Caribbean. 

From Tulumn I took a 17 hours night bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. the last 5 hours ride on the Chiapas mountains almost make me throw up. The mountain town is beautiful, the most beauiful one of my trip. Other traveler like the neighboring Oaxaca. 

How about some taco and green chili? even a Chinese can't handle the spicy level.

Oh, Palenque

I spent Christmas eve at Campeche - a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  and attended the 8 o'clock mass in Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción.

The next day, I walked into Plaza Grande at Merida, a Jarana dance is going to kick off soon.

A German, Danes, Russian are studying the map. winner: German, Berthold Gabler

Chichen itza is like in a city zoo around noon, but I beat the crowd and have it all to myself.

I met Alejandra, Betzi, and Angélica in Valladolid. We went together to cenote samula (with the tree roots hanging from the center roof), then Ek' Balam the next day. Alejandra volunteer as a tour guide. She explained that In Yucatec Mayan  Ek' Balam means "Black Jaguar". Later she showed us the proper way to climb to the pyramid top.

I hiked in Uxmal on dirty ground, searching for Mayan ruin claimed by the jungle. My blood is burning when the sun set behind me -- hundreds of years ago a Mayan king might stood on the same spot looking over his kingdom. 

No matter how far I travel, I will reach a point where I need to turn back. Even though it's always attempting to go even a mile further. At Ridgway, I want to go to Telluride. At Chaco, I want to visit bisti. At Phoenix, I want to drive south to Tucson. At Puerto Rico, I want to check out St John island. At Chiapas, I want to go west to Oaxaca. At Palenque, I open the map, Guatemala is not far away...

In year 2011, I've met the traveler who are on the road for months, or camp in Culebra island for years. I believe at bottom of their heart, there is a spot calling for them, which they will bound to return, at some point, when time come.

Happy New Year!