Day 18: Vermillion Cliffs, AZ

Day 18

June 3, 2015

Miles: 3.5

Marble Canyon to Vermillion Cliffs

We had all morning to sleep, but woke at 6:30am.  Stinkers!   Perhaps this is because I was sleeping by 9:00pm last night and Steve was on and off sleeping/uploading pictures until 10:30pm.  The good news is - today is a rest day!  Well, almost a rest day.  We checked out of the Marble Canyon Motel at 11:30am, then rode a short 3.5 miles up the road to Lee’s Ferry Motel, then checked in.  Because we are still wiped from yesterday’s ride, the 3.5 miles felt like 20 miles.  Also because we encountered a head wind for the first time, and it was mostly uphill.  

I am happy to report that I am back eating only my meals, unlike two days ago when I stole Steve's PB&J.  Today so far, we have eaten well and are drinking lots of fluids in anticipation for tomorrow’s ride.  We have not eaten dinner yet, but here is a view of today’s breakfast and lunch.  You probably will not see dinner because my hope is to have this posted before dinner.  If by some chance you do see a dinner photo, it is because I either napped before posting it or uploading the photos gave me some problems.  The last few days we have used hotspot on Steve’s cell phone to written blog.  Today, Steve increased to 10 gigabytes of data because we think we will continue to encounter spotty WIFI service going forward.

Pancakes & Breakfast Burrito

Tuna Melt & Black Bean Burger

We order lemonade everywhere we go.  This is what we got today!  We were pleasantly surprised.  Lemonade has become a substitute for coffee (at least for me, not sure about Steve).  

Good Lemonade!

Perhaps it may seem surprising to learn, as it was to us, within an 8.5 miles distance there are three small towns with services and motels; just 5 miles from here the third town, Cliff Dwellers, as Steve mentioned this morning. It’s because of the Colorado River; it is quite the vacationing spot for white water rafting trips and other water sports as well.  Not to mention the fabulous Vermillion Cliffs.  Quite magnificent.  Here below are the real Vermillion Cliffs; I just know you can see the difference from the posers from yesterday.  You can tell by the color, Vermillion, a brillant scarlet red.

The Real Vermillion Cliff's

No, The Real Vermillion Cliffs

More Cliffs

Cliffs? Who's on first?

These are the real ones ...

No, these are!

Actually, these are all pictures of the elusive Vermillion Cliffs!

We are really enjoying these little motels very much! They are clean and cozy, and very rustic.  Even though the rooms are small, they’re just big enough.  Native Indian themed, of course, because they are positioned on the Navajo Reservation.  Our ride yesterday was through the reservation as well, but we are now leaving reservation land.  The reservation is known as The Great Navajo Nation; it spans over 27,000 sq miles and occupies portions of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.  It is the largest land area retained by a US tribe.  

Navajo Seal

Z

Marble Canyon Motel - View from our room

Steve out front of our room

Steve getting ready to ride today

I bet none of you checked out of one motel, then 30 minutes later checked into another, 3.5 miles down the road.  Oh, perhaps you have!  No need to tell!

Lee's Ferry Motel

Lee's Ferry Porch

Lee's Ferry Courtyard

Oh, and here’s my latest addition - Juniper Beaded Peace Bracelet.

  

Peace!

An old Navajo Indian Legend says that Juniper Beads were worn to chase off Evil Spirits and Nightmares.  Greenish Berries of the genus Juniperus were taken off the trees, and chewed when travelling at night to chase off Ghost Spirits, or the Dead Ones, who have not gone onto the Next Life.  Stands of Juniper Beads were hung on cradles boards to protect infants while they sleep, so they would grow in Harmony with Mother Earth.

One of Steve's Friends That Keeps Hanging Around

We are hanging low today to rest up for tomorrow’s Jacob Lake ride.  It will be over a 4000ft climb in 38 miles.  The grade of the final 13 miles is between 8%-10%.   It will take us all day to get there. The good news is that I have already booked a hotel room for the night!