Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park in Utah

The previous post in this trip series is here..

We had just enough time after finishing lunch at Bryce lodge to make a 45 minute stop at Coral PInk Sand Dunes state park. We had planned this as part of the trip as it had rave reviews. It was an extra 1 hour detour and we were warned that return traffic when we cross the tunnel into Zion would be horrible later in the day. Still we had the 45 minutes and were glad we went.

The drive on local state routes from Bryce to Coral Pink dunes was beautiful with the trees showing fall colors. We got in, went straight to the observation deck, then down to the large dune to do a photo shoot and started driving back. The weather was cool and the sand was not hot. It was extremely windy and the fine sand did a facial for all of us. The standing bow I did with the wind in my face was one of the most difficult I have tried. My feet kept going into the stand even as I was still. It was more difficult than doing this on a beach with waves!

If you do start early enough from Zion to do Bryce, then definitely recommend this. Our return was slow because of the tunnel traffic. The sky put on quite a show on route 15. Still we made it to the airport with 10 minutes go give an earful to the Avis manager for giving us a smoke filled car. I pretty much slept through the return flight as my feet were shaking.

A video highlights reel of the dunes and the drives to dunes and back to Vegas..

Was very glad we went on the trip. Lot of nature, fun with friends, happy wife, bucket list item checked off.. felt happy and contented after this trip.

Wrapping up Istanbul- The Hammam experience

The previous post in this series is here..

We woke up on day 3 in Istanbul relaxed. Ate breakfast and the two of us left the kids in the hotel and ran to the grand bazaar in search of a fridge magnet that I wanted but did not buy on our first visit. Turns out I had imagined that magnet. No shop had one like that.. and this was a magnet for the Grand Bazaar. It is a missed marketing opportunity for those guys. Someone should make a magnet that says Grand Bazaar and sell it there!

Got to take more photos in Sultanahmet area in the morning

We literally watched it open. After a 15 minute search, gave up, came back to the hotel, picked up the kids and walked to the Victory hotel. It was a good 30 minute walk but we enjoyed it, did some shopping on the way and were ready for the Hammam experience here. We got to take turns sitting in the sauna as there were only two masseuses and four of us. Turns out the ladies doing the authentic Turkish Hammam experience are trained Nepalese. The massage was excellent. Then there was the soap foam bath. After the shower we all felt like there was relaxation but our energy was sapped. So we trudged off to find lunch.

Found a very nice busy place with some vegetarian options, ate fast and went back to the hotel to pack. There was the issue of wet clothes on our next flight but we could always deal with it at the next location..

Jr. and me ran off last minute for me to get some Turkish ice cream and we did find some good magnets for our collection.

A very short video..

Then we were off to the airport. We had an extra two hours before the flight and we walked up and down the shops at the airport and were finally off to Nevshehir for more magic!

Hiking Pinyon Peak in Carmel

It has been a busy weekend. Spending all afternoon and evening at SIFA concerts, taking photos, soaking in the music.. then waking up early on a Sunday to drive to Carmel valley and hike Pinyon peak.

We drove early morning. It took us 90 mins to get there and we promptly started hiking.

This hike was harder than black mountain overall because of the steady climb in a shorter distance. We also ended up picking a day that is unusual for that area. No breeze and bright sunshine! Foggy conditions would have helped. My shirt was glued to my back for most of the climb.

We thoroughly enjoyed the hike with the banter and antics. Also got to try some yoga poses on a ledge. However the pants did not cooperate for some of the poses..

Everyone had packed some food to share for lunch and we had tea (made at the top) and after a few more photos, got back on the Fern trail. This trail is nice and shaded and wider. The sky trail we went up on was not wide and there was a lot of poison ivy everywhere. We also got lost once but realized it soon enough!

Here are the nature pics..

I also hit my head on a tree branch while running down the trail. Have a bruise but so far my cognitive skills are still good enough to blog. Hope the bump in the head subsides in a day!

Back home after being in traffic for almost two hours. Sitting and smiling while typing this, going over the hike in my head. We had a fun time!

Surprisingly I was not grumpy as was expected!

A video highlights reel..

Would definitely recommend this as a day hike, even if you have to do the drive from bay area. The views are amazing!

There is supposed to be an amazing waterfall in this hike in rainy season. Might have to revisit in April for that!