Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

Howdy Everyone!!!

Finally, the day has arrived to the begin our Magical Southwest Adventure. After reading Deb's blog about the airline losing her luggage, I am glad that I decided to arrive a day early. My whole luggage thing finally came together at 12:30 am early Monday morning and I was back up at 5:00 am to get to the airport on time.

I flew in on my United "non-stop" flight to Phoenix which I booked several months ago. On Friday night when I checked the United Airlines website to get a seat assignment, I discovered a little problem with my "non-stop" ticket. I live in Orlando and the "non-stop" flight started in Denver, Colorado! LOL Apparently, United changed the flight to connect in Denver at some point but failed to let the Disney people know. Lucky me! Everything worked out OK.

I arrived at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel via a limo from the airport. The only reason I picked the limo over a taxi was the driver gave me a fixed rate and the taxi drivers who were also lined up outside the airport would not. I knew the hotel was just about 20 minutes away and did not want to end up with a $100 fare for being driven all over Phoenix. Before you think, oh fancy smancy in a limo, let me tell you that the fare was only $35 and the limo looked liked it was 25 years old.

The hotel was historic, beautifully landscaped and had a friendly, professional staff. But most of the prices were crazy. I stopped in the The Cafe which is a deli/ grab and go type of place, it cost me $4.87 for a small bottle of Diet Coke. By the way, Disney sells the same thing for only $2. Deb, Linda and I decided to have lunch at The CheeseCake Factory at the Biltmore Fashion Mall. It was my first time at a CheeseCake Factory and I loved the food. The company was pretty special too. After lunch we headed over to the Safeway supermarket to stock out on water. The same bottle of Pellagino water that cost $8 at the hotel was 3 for $3.99 at Safeway. While worth the short drive.

Since we had a late lunch, we just decided to take it easy for the night and get a good nights sleep.

Here's a few photos of the hotel.

Today's Theme: Red Rock Welcome

We survived the monsoon that came through Phoenix Monday night at about 3 am. Apparently this is the tail end monsoon season here is Arizona. I didn't realize I was leaving hurricane season only to be in monsoon season in Arizona. Even with very little sleep I was up at 5:30 am. What's up with that? I headed down to The Cafe (deli/grab and go) here at Arizona Biltmore to get an overpriced cup of coffee from their version of Starbucks. Not only did the coffee cost double what it would cost at any other Starbucks, they hand you a cup and you fill it yourself!

I decided to take some sunrise pictures at the advice of Barrie from our Picture This blog. Oh, yes, I had to wait till 6 am for The Cafe to open. It was very peaceful and beautiful time. Except for the few golfers heading out I was all by myself when I heard a familiar and friendly voice, it was Deb Wills. I guess neither of us could sleep in anticipation of our adventure.

I passed some time by walking about the resort and talking some last minute photos. Deb, Linda Lou and I agreed to meet at 8:15 am (I was late, big surprise) to check-out and get some breakfast on the way to the airport. I asked if could go to U.S. Egg since they both raved about it. It was fantastic. The service was friendly and there were lots of menu choices. My steak and eggs couldn’t have better. The potatoes were a combination of home fries and hash browns. Yummy!

For what seems like the hundredth time, I heard the little voice inside my head saying “Let The Adventure Begin”. I have been hearing those words since I pulled out on the 192 Monday on my way to the Orlando Airport. It was at this point we started the hurry up and wait process. We had received info from Disney that our meeting time had been moved to noon instead of 1:30 pm since everyone was already in Phoenix or expected to arrive before noon.

Upon arriving the airport, that was immediately changed back to 1:30 due to someone’s flight beginning delayed. As time passed we introduced ourselves to the other adventures in our AllEars.Net group and the rest the tour. Beci Mahnken from M.E.I Travel with George and Ann arrived on airport shuttle just behind us. Mike and Tiffany, our Adventure Guides were on hand to meet us. Their are a total of 38 people in our tour and that includes about 11 children. WIth everyone accounted for it was finally time to board the bus head to Montazuma Castle.

The trip took about 90 minutes and we spend our time getting to know everyone. Mike and Tiffany talked about the history of the Phoenix area and the history behind the Sinagua Indians who built Montezuma's Castle around the 15th century. They seemed have just disappeared and researchers have just recently discovered that they may moved up to Colorado and merged with other tribles. On our way in the national monument, we picked up historian and local tour guide, Jack. Thunderheads rolled in just as we arrived so we delayed our tour for about 20 minutes. My photos are a little darker then I hoped for due the weather.

FINALLY, we are off to the Amara Resort and Spa in Sedona.

What an amazing day! It started with making 3 seperate stops at different locations on the South Rim. If that wasn't a dream come true, then Deb, Linda Lou, Ann, George and myself took an one hour helicopter ride through the Grand Canyon. I was the only first timer. Everyone else on the flight had done a helicopter tour together while on an Alaska Cruise a year or so ago. Since I don't like to fly and am afraid of heights, everyone was a bit worried about me. But I was trooper even with rain and lightning!!! The beauty of the Grand Canyon kept me busy for the most part. I can't wait to fly again.

Grand Canyon - Mather Point (Thursday), Yaki Point, Lipan Point and the WaterTower (Friday Morning). These photos are just a random selection from the many areas we visited.

Getting Ready for our first look!!!!!!!

Can you see those people in the upper left on corner?

Mike our Adventure Guide, Linda Mac and Robin our Canyon Tour Guide

Linda Mac, Deb, Ronia, Linda Lou and Wanda

George and Ann

Linda Lou, Tiffany our Adventure Guide and Wanda

Notice the "little people" in the upper left corner of the photo

Tiffany our Adventure Guide

Ronia have a little fun with us!

We spotted this deer just a few feet from our tour bus at Yaki Point

COMING UP....

Our Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

Today's Theme: Red Rock Welcome

The drive from Montezuma's Castle took about 45 minutes. But time passed quickly because the scenery became increasingly more spectacular as we approached Sedona.

The Amara Resort and Spa drive way. That is our bus pulling away.

Arriving at the Amara Resort and Spa

We arrived at the Amara Resort and Spa, the first of our three hotels, at 5:15 pm. Check-in was a breeze. A table was set up in the lobby and keys when handed out. I went to my room a very short time later and was amazed that my luggage showed up before me. Amara is a small resort with only 100 rooms. Beds were the same or better then the Heavenly Beds that at the Dolphin and Swan Resort at Walt Disney World. And the thickest bath robes were layed out each night on the bed during the turn down service.

Does this look like Snoopy to you?

Our welcome reception began at 6pm with appetizers, followed by an oreintation session at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7pm.
Dinner was a buffet that included salmon, beef tenderloin, au gratin potatoes (Very Yummy), veggies and chocolate bread pudding. The following pictures include a combo of our Welcome Dinner and some breakfast photos. Our breakfast buffets had a great selection of pancakes, french toast, egg florentine, scrambled egges, bacon, sausage, fruit, pasties, yogurt and juice.

Our Dining Room

Buffet Table where enjoyed our Welcome Dinner and both Breakfasts

Welcome Entertainment Group

The Breakfast Gang

View from our Dining Room

WARNING: At the welcome dinner, a local expert showed a few live local "critters". These photos include snakes and spiders. If you want to view the critters, you will need to scroll all the way to the bottom of this page.

Keep Going!!!

Keep Going!!!

Keep Going!!!

Keep Going!!!

Keep Going!!!

You are almost there!!

Ok, for you brave adventurers, here we are.

Local Expect with a Gopher Snake. These snakes are great for taking care of any gopher problem you may have!

I was fine with the snake till the "expert" put it on the floor and it made a beeline for me. The picture after this one was of the ceiling as I bolted out of my chair. Personally, I am rooting for the gophers.

I know who the "real" adventurers are on this trip. It's George, Ann and Wanda.

The Junior Adventures are even braver than me.

Today's Theme: The Mighty Canyon

Time is going by so fast. Today we left the wonderful Amara Resort and Spa. Our luggage was picked up in our rooms at 7 am. Breakfast was served earlier today so we could hit the road. It was a breakfast buffet with the basics. Scrambed eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, fruit, cereal and garlic potatoes. And when I say garlic I mean GARLIC. Breakfast began at 7 am and ended at 8:15 am. There is not a set to be there, it's "at your leisure". At 8:30 am, we all met in the lobby and then departed for the Red Rock State Park and our nature walk. The park was only a short drive from Amara.

I will be the first to tell you that I could use some serious time in the gym. The "nature walk" which I thought was more of a hike, took us to a spectacular overlook. I tried to show the inclines and conditions of the trails in some of photos below so you can judge for yourself. Hike or Nature Walk?

After the hike, we were alotted a short time for restroom stops and some shopping in the Red Rock State Park gift shop. At 11:30 am, we departed for lunch at Tlaquepaque which is also located in Sedona.

Warning sign outside the first rest stop

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We seperated into two groups for the hike. The group below included everyone from the AllEars group. Each group had a local park guide. Mike, our Adventure guide told us that the formation behind us was used in a Disney film from the 1950's.

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Water bottles being handed out before the hike

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Time to hit the trail! It starts off going down hill then levels off and the final switchbacks get a bit steeper on the way to the overlook.

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Let the hiking begin. Deb and Linda Lou out front already

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Our Red Rock State Park local expert

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Wanda, Linda Lou and Deb

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Hiking through the river rock

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Linda Lou leading us to the top

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What a view!!!!

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Hiking Trail

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Final part of the trail leading to the overlook

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It was worth the hike. This photo was taken with the wide angle lens.

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Another view from the overlook

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Mike, our fantasic Disney Adventure Guide

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Deb and Linda Lou on the overlook

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As we are going back down, the other group is coming up. They had some excitement on the way up. There was a rattle snake on the trail.

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It sure was easier going down

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This photo was taken on the path to the Red Rock State Park gift shop

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Wanda doing a little shopping

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You can never have enough cactus

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Today's Theme: Hit the Trail!

On the first full day of our Southwest Adventure, breakfast started at 8 am. It gave everyone a chance to catch up on their sleep and get used to the time change. Arizona does not observe Day Light Savings Time so that was abit confusing. Thank goodness for the cell phone that update themselves.

The food at Amara was wonderful even though all of meals were buffets. I was so excited to get the show on the road that I was up at 6 am and thought breakfast was at 7 am. Since I had an hour to waste, I decided to order something light from room service and work on the computer. The prices were very reasonable. I had a pot of coffee, toasted bagel with cream cheese and a plate of mixed berries; the total came to $17 and that included the service charge, tax and 18% tip.

Todays breakfast buffet included eggs florentine, french toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fruit, etc. I felt like a little kid waiting for everyone to finish eating so we could get going since I was full from my room service order.

Finally, we gathered in the lobby and Mike and Tiffany (Disney Adventure Guides) explained what we would be doing on the jeep tour and encouraged everyone to help themselves to bottles of chilled water from the cooler. Each of our jeeps held 7 people including one person in the front seat with our cowboy guide. No one in our jeep seemed to want the front seat so I was happy to take it and ride shotgun with Taz, our cowboy.

Taz was very informative about the sites we were passing on the way to Dry Creek Basin for our off-road "Cowboys and Canyons Tour" and about the town of Sedona. He had a great sense of the humor as well. Our jeep consisted of Deb, Wanda, Ronia, Mariza and myself.

We made two stops for photos during the trip to take in some of the 7 majestic canyons. After the first stop, the trails did get a little bumpy and went up some steep inclines. The tour was very mild compared to what I was expecting. The second stop had a old log cabin where we relived the early cowboy's days with tales of murder and moonshine. This tour is listed as "less rugged ride" by the jeep company.

Our cowboy tour guides for the Red Rock jeep tour and Mike, our Adventure Guide

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Deb, Wanda and Ronia

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Our jeeps heading out of Amara

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A view of Thunder Mountain while heading for the Dry Creek Basin

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Heading for the trails

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Beci with Anette, George and Ann in the back of the jeep at our first photo stop

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Photo Op Stop #1

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It just doesn't get any better then this

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Move 'em out

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Taz, our Cowboy Guide

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Heading up to the Van Deren cabin

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Beci and Tiffany at the Van Deren cabin

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Cowboy Tales at the Van Deren cabin

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After our Cowboys and Canyons tour, we were dropped off at the Sedona Heritage Museum which focuses on the lifestyles and works of the people who pioneered this community from 1876 to present. After a short museum visit, we headed over to another Sedona Landmark, the "Fruit Packing House". This building was constructed to house an apple grading machine and other fruit packing operation. Sedona was very well known for their orchards that produced apples and other fruits.

Time for lunch, which was served in the Fruit Packing House. After a hot and dusty jeep tour, it would have been nice to have lunch in an air conditioned building instead of the open packing house. We had filled out meal tickets yesterday on the bus. Our choices were roast beef and gorgonzola, turkey and brie, honey-cured ham with swiss cheese or roasted sweet potato sandwiches, actually half of a sandwich and salad. Dessert was a chocolate chip cookie. The meals were from the Wildflower Bread Company and very tasty. As we finished lunch, Jack and another cowboy from our tour gave us some insight into the early cowboy way of life.

Sedona Heritage Museum and antique farm tools

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Trail behind the museum

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Another view from the Sedona Heritage Museum

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Sedona Museum Kitchen

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History of Movies filmed in the Sedona Area

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Gift Shop

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Another incredible view

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Lunch at the Fruit Packing House

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Cowboy lessons

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Antique apple grading machine

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Apples are still grown at the musuem

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After lunch we had a chance to make dream catchers and carve soap animals. Note the 1942 Ford Maxim firetruck

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This is odd shot that shows the view we had while having lunch

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DAY 3 Red Rock State Park has been completely updated from when it was first posted.

Today's Theme: Hit the Trail!!

After our lunch at the Sedona Heritage Musuem, I decided to pass on the arts and crafts. I walked back to town which took about 10 minutes. Here's some photos while I wandering around Upper Sedona and doing a little shopping and our dinner at the Cowboy Club. Everything in the pictures is within walking distance from the Amara Resort and Spa. The hotel does offer golf cart rides up and down the driveway. You could walk it but the hill is very steep. Also on the our first night, I decided to check out the Cowboy Club and I was driven there in an Amara SUV. Everything is very close to the hotel but that hike up the driveway is a killer.

I highly recommend that you talk to your Adventure Guides for suggestions for dinner and things to do on your free time. They know the area very well and will help with making reservations for you. Our guides, Tiffany and Mike were just amazing. They made reservations for us to have dinner at the Cowboy Club and then showed up to make sure everything was ok. They were always with us or very close to us in case we needed their help.

Walking back to town
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I would not want to fall on this cactus

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Sally's BBQ and I can honestly say their smoked ribs are the best I have ever had!

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Hand crafted wood furniture

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Sedona's Motion Picture Museum. This museum consisted of mostly photos on the wall but this spot is sponsored by a local timeshare resort and you will be approached to visit their resort. But there was no pressure to do so.

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Inside the Sedona Motion Picture Museum

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Cowboy statue and the little girl is part of the statue

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Javelinas or musk hogs which are native to only Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Companies sponsor an artist to paint them and later they will be auctioned off for charity. These javelinas were sponsored by the Out of Africa animal park.Different javelinas were located all over town

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Trolley tour information. For only $10, it's a great way to see other parts of Sedona. The trolley office in just a few doors away from the Amara driveway

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A local artist at work

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View from a group of counter service restrauants above Amara Resort.

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More shops in Sedona

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View from the Amara Cantina

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Fountain outside Sinaqua Plaza

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George, Ann and Linda Lou heading to the Cowboy Club

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Ann, Linda Mac, Deb and Ronia

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Check your side arms on the way in. Just kidding.

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The whole gang at dinner

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Ronia treated us to a sampler plater of fried rattle snake, cactus and grilled buffalo

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I had the Wild Boar Chops with apple and blueberry chutney, veggies and sweet potatoes. Excellent!!! (photo below). Deb had the buffalo filet which was outstanding!

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Exterior of the Cowboy Club

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Today's Theme: The Mighty Canyon

After our hike in Red Rock State Park, we were taken to Tlaquepaque for lunch and shopping. Tlaquepaque is arts and crafts village located on the banks of the Oak Creek. Fashioned after a Mexican Village and has been a landmark of Sedona since the 1970's.

Here's how their website describes it: With over 40 specialty shops and exclusive art galleries, shopping becomes a joyful revelation of fabulous art treasures and distinctive gifts around every corner. Tlaquepaque is filled with spectacular one-of-a kind art expressions in every medium from Western and eclectic bronze sculpture, functional and traditional ceramics, breathtaking blown glass creations, contemporary and Southwestern fine art paintings, weavings, decorative arts, architectural décor pieces and stunning large format photography. Fine contemporary jewelry, designer casual wear in silks, and leathers and unusual gift items all await the Tlaquepaque visitor.

We had an hour and half at this stop. Mike and Tiffany recommend several spots for lunch including the Oak Creek Brewery and Grill and The Secret Garden Cafe which features healthy sandwiches, salads and wraps. They also suggested the Mexican restaurant, El Rincon, which looked great.

Anyone who knows me can guess which spot I picked. Yes, the Brewery and Grill. I had a cheeseburger and it was juicy and cooked exactly as I ordered it. The burger came with one side dish, I picked seasoned fries and added a side of cole slaw which was creamy and had golden raisins in it. I wanted to have some onion rings which were beer battered and huge but decided that my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Sitting by the kitchen and being really hungry is like going to the grocery store hungry. The Oak Creek Brewery has an open kitchen but can really only be seen when sitting at the bar. Since I had walked to the Mexican restaurant which was all the way in the back of Tlaquepaque first, everyone else was already seated so I just grabbed a seat at the bar. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the food and service at Oak Creek Grill.

On the other hand, Deb, Linda Lou and a few others who selected the Secret Garden Cafe reported not having the greatest of service but the food was good. I stopped in to get a soda for the ride to the Grand Canyon and left without one. The attitude of the staff at the Secret Garden leaves alot to be desired.

Mike had told us about a shop in Tlaquepaque that made stone furniture. Located in back of the village, it was worth the walk. The outside of the El Prado Gallery was full of unique scuptures, fountains and stone chairs with ottomans. The stone chair prices began at $3,000. Inside the gallery were paintings and other wonderful scuptures, some that were works in progress.

We are welcomed to Tlaquepaque by a sleeping bear

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Information booth

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This horse statue can be yours for a mere $73,000

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"Have-Aloha" javelinas sponsored by Andrea Smith Gallery

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Notice the "blue plant" behind the fountain, it is glass artwork

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Glass artwork upclose

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Andrea Smith Gallery is located under the Oak Creek Brewery and Grill

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Exterior of the Oak Creek Brewery and Grill. Located on the second floor and outside seating is also available.

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Beci, Annette and Michelle from MouseFanTravel.com with Debbie and Glenn and the kids

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Linda Mac's lunch

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The Secret Garden Cafe

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Inside the The Secret Garden Cafe

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Bonni's Boutique, one of many shops

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El Prado Galleries Exterior

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Chair and Ottoman made from local stone. Cost $4000. Imagine what your shipping bill would be?

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Artwork inside the El Prado Gallery

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Western artwork

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During the motor coach trip to our next stop, The Grand Canyon, I had sometime to reflect on the last 48 hours. The weather in Phoenix was 110 degrees when we left the airport. I had always heard about dry heat but never really believed it. Hot is hot. I was wrong about it. As a Florida resident for the last 20 years, I can tell you without a doubt there is a huge difference. The weather is Sedona was probably my favorite of the entire trip. It was hot but workable during the day. At night, temperatures went down to the low to mid 70's but it was the breezes that made it especially wonderful.

Our entire group started to bond and get to know each other. The children made new friends as did the adults. These friendships grew stronger as the week went on. On our first night with free time in Sedona, it seemed everyone dined with their own family or group but that started to change by the time we reached Tlaquepaque.

The cost of an Adventure by Disney seems high but it didn't take me long to figure out it was well worth every penny. Mike and Tiffany, our Adventure Guides are poster children for everything that makes Disney cast members the most special people in the world. Within an hour of meeting all 38 of us, Mike and Tiffany remembered all our names. They looked after us like we were all part of their family. The knowledge they had of both Phoenix and Sedona's was incredible. It was because of Mike and Tiffany that we all bonded so quickly with total strangers. Its Disney magic at its best.

I tried to pick one thing as my favorite but that's just not possible. The highlights for me were being chased by the gopher snake at our welcome dinner and the Cowboys and Canyons Jeep tour with Taz. Dinner at the Cowboy Club is also near the top of my list since it was shared with such good friends.

Next up, The Grand Canyon.

Today's Theme: Nature's Fault

Breakfast started at 6:30 am because we had to be on the road by 8:00 am. Since it was Sunday, Red Cliffs Lodge offered a special Sunday Brunch which really spoiled me for the basic breakfast buffets we would have for the next two mornings. The brunch even included an omelet station and an amazing array of pastries. Several of the pastries were topped an orange flavor icing instead of your basic white icing.

Today we had the choice to hike up to Delicate Arch or take a tour by bus. Mike and Tiffany had talked about the conditions we would encounter on the hike which was a 500 feet elevation gain as well as being in the sun for the most of the trip. The Delicate Arch Trail is only a mile and half long but it is a hard mile and a half. I took the easy route so my tour included a walk around the area where the hike started from and a bus tour with two stops for photos. Prior to splitting up, we all made a quick stop at Balanced Rock.

After we broke off into separate groups, our group visited Wolfe Ranch Cabin which was built in the late 1800's by the first area settlers. They selected this spot because of the water and grassland for their cattle. After spending sometime at the cabin, we next checked out the Ute Rock Art or petroglyphs. Also called the Wolfe Ranch Panel, it is fine example of historic petroglyphs. Ute Rock Art was created between 1200 AD and the late 1800's and represented human forms on foot and mounted on horseback, hunting and warfare scenes, horses, and bison.

Our air conditioned bus took us to our second stop at the Lower View Point for the famous Delicate Arch. We can see hikers standing in and around the arch but they looked like ants to us. You might be able to see very small figures in the pictures below. Now I know I made the right choice. About 12 of us decided not to hike.

Tiffany and Mike took the hiking group while Dave, our local area guide stayed with us on the motor coach tour. He was a very interesting person. He works many rescues within the park and we enjoyed some of his funnier stories about the dumb things people do and then have to be saved.

Our final stop before returning for the adventurous hikers was a spot called The Windows and Double Arches. It was beautiful but it would have been nice to have some time to walk up to the arches. Several of us asked if we could get out for pictures because at first it was just a drive-thru viewing.

We were a little behind schedule because one of our friends had a some trouble with the hike. Dave, our local guide and Scott, a fellow adventurer, who is a doctor went up the hiking trail to help our friend back. He was fine by the time he got back to the bus. Thank goodness. But we had to stay on a schedule and when your traveling with a group being on time is very, very important.

Fun Fact: Delicate Arch is one of the Mother Nature's proudest sculptures and the crown jewel of Arches National Park. The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch before its final entry into the host destination, Salt Lake City.

Route 128, the second most scenic roadway in America. The road starts in Moab and we would travel 14 miles each way to reach or leave the Red Cliffs Lodge.

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Crossing the Colorado River on our way to Arches National Park

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Arches National Park Sign at the Visitor's Center where we stopped to get our passports stamped

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One of the statues in front of the vistor's center

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Gift Shop

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I guess I was suppose to be holding up the rock??

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Wolfe Ranch Cabin

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Wolfe Ranch Cabin Interior

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Tammy, Bridget, Scott, Ann and our local guide Dave

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Ute Rock Art

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Our group who toured Arches National Park via the motor coach. This photo was taken at the Delicate Arch lower point veiwing area. Delicate Arch in directly above the boy with red cap

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The is the route that hikers took on the slickrock. Click on the larger version of the photo and you should be able to the hikers

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The famous Delicate Arch. Click on the larger version and you should be able to see the hikers.

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Linda Mac at the Double Arches

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Upclose view of the Double Arches

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Glenn and Bobby look pretty good after a 3 mile hike

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Forget about Emil Bleehall, Michelle from MouseFanTravel.com gets my vote for the Adventurer of the Year!

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Mission Completed!!! Linda Lou and Deb Wills

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Mike our Adventure Guide, Linda Lou and Deb Wills

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Today's Theme: Gather 'Round the Campfire

It's the last full day of our Adventure By Disney and finally time to go rafting down the Colorado River. This was one event that I was really looking forward to but also a little nervous about. We had no idea of what to expect. I had seen posters at our last hotel for river rafting that shows large groups of people sitting in a very boring looking boat going down the river. I wanted a little more excitement then that but didn't want to have to be pulled out of the river either.

As you will see from the pictures below we had what I would call regular size rafts. I should have guessed from looking at the river for the past few days from my room and from driving up and down Highway 128, that this section of the Colorado is as mellow as it gets. Each raft had a guide that spent most of their time rowing us down the river and explaining the different points of interest along the way. There were several areas of the river that had "rapids", if that's what you want to call them. Don't get me wrong, it was a great trip and the scenery was out of this world but the rapids weren't not what I expected. Now I know why Mike or Tiffany giggled at me when I asked if the ride would be rougher then Kali River Rapids.

I took a chance and carried one of my older point and shoot cameras that is pretty much on it's leg anyway. There are small metal boxes you can request for keeping your stuff dry. They are big enough to hold a t-shirt and a few miscellaneous small items. Since our raft was not in most of the water fights it was easy to keep the camera safe. I had a zip-lock bag in the pocket of my shorts just in case. Sunscreen was very, very important on this adventure.

Enjoy the photos!

Linda Lou

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Linda Lou and Deb

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Michelle and Annette from MouseFanTravel.com

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What are they doing? Sky Diving? Well, Ronia burns very easily so by the time she was all covered up and had a life jacket on it was easy to mistake her for a sky diver. And Mike couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a little fun.

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The AllEars Adventurers getting ready to river raft

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Our new friends, Bobby and Kate

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No turning back now!

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Our raft upclose

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Deb, Linda Lou and The Catania Family heading out

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Michelle taking a dare and a swim

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Our boat did not have any buckets or pails and no one would share with us. It's impossible to have a good water fight without pails. But someone on one of the other rafts said we could have a pail "if we came and got it". Their plan was to ambush our raft but Michelle just jumped in and started swimming over to them. They did keep their promise and we were in the game

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Mike never stopped working. That's him in the river taking pictures

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Let the water wars begins

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A lazy ride down the Colorado River

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Getting ready for another water fight

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More Rapids

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A beautiful view of the mesas in the background with our group rafting and swimming.

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Ann and George on the river

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Michelle takes a turn at rowing down the Colorado River

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Colorado River Rapids

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Mike has his hands full with his boat crew

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The biggest rapid we faced "Jaws"

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More "big" rapids

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The "take out' spot where our motor coach is waiting to take us back to the Red Cliffs Lodge which is just a mile or so down the river.

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Beci from MouseFanTravel.com after our rough and tumble ride down the rapids. LOL

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