Summer E Newz, 2009
Making a Difference
Havasu Update
Still Room on Summer Trips
Time to Book Australia
Best of the West – Schedule Change
Notes from the Trail
Sizing Duffel Bags
While on Taquile Island in Lake Titicaca on our Peruvian Andes trip in May, our group was sitting on a wall in the town square listening to our local guide. Suddenly one of our group called us to jump off the wall as a young man was shuffling along using the wall as a guide. We assumed he was blind. Later as we were hiking back to our boat we came upon this man now scooting on all fours along the path. He was such a pitiful site that I put a bill in his hands and he turned his head to take it which made me realize he wasn’t blind. He had a deformed foot and needed support. I put my hiking stick in his right hand and hauled him up by his left. He leaned heavily on me so Dee quickly ran up and gave him her stick – and off he walked with a look of wonder on his face. Who knows if this was the first time he walked upright but several of us had tears on our faces. How often do you get a chance to so immediately impact the life of another in this world? Yesterday I found a pair of folding crutches in a store so when I return next May these should give him more support and mobility. We really don’t need reasons to travel do we but as Prue our Aussie guide commented this was “a great renewing and restorative experience for someone like you long in the game.” Absolutely!
Many of you heard that Havasu was hit by a devastating flood last August when an earthen dam broke. You have sent emails anxious to hear how things are after all the clean-up. Havasu opened June 1 and we hiked in June 4. The changes above Havasu Falls are amazing but Havasu and Mooney Falls are thankfully mostly unchanged. Havasu has less water going over the falls but this actually makes the pool below more enjoyable for swimming as there is not such a violent force pushing you away from the falls. Navajo Falls has completely disappeared which is sad as they were truly beautiful. In the photo opposite you can see the huge new river canyon carved out by the flood and one of two new waterfalls that have appeared. Maybe in time there will be access created to these for swimming. The Havasupai have cleaned up the campground, a huge job. The Lodge where we stay, and the village were unaffected by the flood.
The economic downturn has certainly affected our numbers but we are pleased to announce that both the Canadian Rockies trip July 25 – 31, and the Tetons-Yellowstone trip August 8 – 13 are a GO! The scenery in Canada is the most majestic of any place I’ve ever traveled – everyone HAS to see the Rockies before they die! And Yellowstone – the quintessential American vacation experience is conveniently located adjacent to the Grand Teton National Park. We enjoy a totally western experience in cozy rustic cabins and horse-ride, bike, hike and raft in these parks.
We have three bookings on our Australia, See It All! Trip October 8 – 21, 2009 and need 5 to make this a GO! I often hear people tell me “I’ve always wanted to go to Australia.” Maybe now is your time? October is the best time to visit the Outback, Sydney and the Tropical North. Australia is HUGE, impossible to see in two weeks without flying so our itinerary includes four internal flights. We hike the Blue Mountains with an Aborigine woman who’ll show us rock carvings and teach the culture of her ancestors. Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is outstanding and there is an option for an introductory dive. We may see dolphins while sea kayaking, and the rapids on the Tully guarantee great rafting. Hiking around Uluru and holding a koala will touch your heart. Serenity is hiking in the Outback canyons where the Southern Cross hangs low in the night sky. In Alice we’ll learn the importance of the Flying Doctors and Schools of the Air and even have a didgeridoo lesson. Our horse ride in Queensland is a great combination of beach and rainforest. And of course we explore Sydney, often called the “best address in the world.”
http://www.canyoncalling.com/trips/australia/australia.html
Best of the West – Schedule Change
You will have read my description of our kayak trip on the Colorado River in the last E-Newz. It was such an amazing experience that I have decided to incorporate this 13 mile paddle from below Hoover Dam into future Best of the West trips. From there we will go straight up to Zion National Park, giving the trip a more natural flow. Something had to make room for this adventure of course so I’ve removed Havasu from the schedule. Those of you wanting to experience Havasu can do so on our original Canyon Calling trip the Arizona Spectacular. This will be offered each year late May/early June. 2010 date to be announced.
http://www.canyoncalling.com/trips/bestofwest/bestwest.html
Notes from the Trail – Peruvian Andes
Two returning customers and six ladies new to Canyon Calling traveled on our inaugural and hugely successful Peruvian Andes trip in May. Our youngest traveler, Crista from OH “I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Machu Picchu. This was a trip of firsts for me – first eating of alpaca, ostrich and guinea pig (sorry Twinkle!) first time on a horse, kayaking and white water rafting. Peru is a beautiful country and the trip far surpassed my expectations.” Nora from CA “Peru, we hiked, climbed, kayaked, rafted and rode it on buses, trains, boats and horses. The condors, the terraces, chewing coca leaves at 16,000’, the sweet faces of the children – and Machu Picchu, at the top of my “To Go” list - unforgettable.”
Our 2010 trip is scheduled for the same week, May 14 – 24 as the weather is perfect for all our outdoor activities and we avoid the onslaught of crowds in June. It is vitally important if you want to hike the Inca Trail on our 2010 trip that you get your deposit in by January 15, 2010.
http://www.canyoncalling.com/trips/peru/peru.html
Notes from the Trail – Best of the West
Ten of us set off to explore the magical places of Arizona and Utah – eight “Zackleys” who became friends on last year’s Canadian Rockies trip joined by new friends from Maine and Ohio. What a time we had!! Everyone seemed to have a different special place or experience that spoke to them – horse riding in Bryce, the chopper ride, sloshing up the Narrows in Zion, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley scenes of all those cowboy movies as kids. But exceeding all those magical moments was the camaraderie and laughs shared along the way by a group of friends reveling in the companionship of each other. I’ve often said that Canyon Calling provides the cup and it is you that fill it – and fill it they did!! Lynn from Maine “I came to see the Grand Canyon but SO much more happened – the beauty and magic of the places you showed us, the fun, the adventure and the chance to play in these wonderful places. This trip has been a treasure for me in ways I never expected.” Leslie from CA “I am certain that many of the images and deeply emotional experiences will remain clear in my memory forever.”
The time has come to talk about our duffel bags! Mostly they’re too long and too deep and as a result too heavy for you or porters to lift. Our bags were so heavy in Peru that they broke a hotel’s cart!! Often room in our van is limited so oversized bags cause problems for our staff. In third world countries we often deal with uneven ground and lack of pathways meaning the bags need to be lifted. The ideal duffle does not have separate compartments (these dividers add weight and expense and are not needed.) It does have wheels and a solid handle. It is NO MORE THAN 26” LONG. Please, just because you have a duffel in your closet it may not be appropriate for your trip. The duffel you need only costs about $30 at chain stores – please make the investment.
Our Swiss Alps trip begins tomorrow. Better finish packing!
Happy Trails,
Cheryl
Previous Enews:
• May 2009
• Spring 2009
• Holiday 2008
• Fall 2008
• Summer 2008
• Spring 2008
• Winter 2007-08
• Fall 2007
• Summer 2007
• Spring 2007
• Winter 2006-2007
• Fall 2006
• Summer 2006
• Winter 05-06
• Fall 2005