09-Summer-Trip

June 20, 2009

Dear Friends,

We often hear that travelling is what a retiree does well. This is what we have been doing lately. We really had a memorable trip to Australia and New Zealand this spring and have just completed an 18 day trip to visit 8 national parks in the US and extended our trip to Rapid City on our way home. This is to report to you about the trip we have made this summer.

Mr. S. B. Lee (we often referred to him as “Chairman”), one of my high school buddies and his wife graciously visited our home in Portland late May this year. We had a few rounds of golf at Redtail in Portland. In fact, the Chairman is a good golfer and helped me straighten out my swings, which has helped my golf game move into another level.

We left Portland on May 31. The first place we visited was Redwood National Park. Although we have been through this place a number of occasions in the past, we have more fully enjoyed the place this time. We were overwhelmed by over 2,000 year old giant trees making us feel impressed but at the same time, insignificant on this planet.

The visit to the Bay Area has brought Helen and me many fond memories. Oakland is a special place for us since our daughter, Iris and son, Vincent were born in the Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. There have been significant changes occurred in the Berkeley area and we spent hours to find our way around in the Berkeley area especially near Tilden Park and saw a new Mormon church on the hill. The tram car ride and seeing the Golden Gate were special to us all. In addition, the lunch at the Francisco Crab Restaurant at the Fisherman’s Wharf added another dimension to the trip.

The second national park we visited was Yosemite. When we lived in the bay area three times in the past, we had a number of chances to visit this park and I am always impressed with the tall falls. The majestic scenery from the Glacier Point was a similar reminder of the scenery from a tall mountain in Queenstown overlooking a peaceful town. After Yosemite, we went through the Kings Canyon National Park and then on to Sequoia National Park. The gigantic trees here were somewhat different from redwoods we saw earlier. Redwood trees are among many redwood trees but reddish sequoia trees scattered around and stood out among many redwood and othere trees, and they seem to boast about their long and healthy history for the past 2,000 years.

The real core of our visit is the next four national parks including the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and Arches. The way we understand the formation of all of these parks is similar, namely erosion, washing and pushing over 100-500 millions of years. Zion features huge and massive sandstone wall-like rocks, while Bryce exhibits delicate and detailed sculpture like feature, the most beautiful scene. On the other hand, Arches seems to represent a combination of Zion and Bryce but with surrounding rocks being swept away. Chairman and Helen claimed Zion is the best due to its majestic size and accessibility, while Mrs. Lee being an artist was very impressed by the delicate and picturesque panorama offered by Bryce. To me, the Grand Canyon is the most grand and majestically impressive. As you approach all other canyons, you sense an introduction to the canyons at the entrances which make you prepared. However, for the Grand Canyon, you don’t feel like you are entering something so unusual. When you reach the rims of the canyon however, you become numb with the spectacular breathtaking scenery.

Everyone we met indicated that we should not miss the sun-rise and sun-set at the Grand Canyon. I originally thought why the sunset at the Canyon is any different from that of ordinary places. However, after witnessing the scenes of sunrise and sunset at the Canyon, we all felt that it was really special and spectacular. For sunrise, the waiting was very long but when it started rising, it did not take too long for the sunrise ritual took place. On the other hand, the sunset was quite different. The sun was first hanging around in the clouds and then gradually setting slowly and the time taken for the sun to disappear seemed to be forever.

The Sunset in the Canyon

It was the beginning of a hot summer
Four good friends put their bodies and hearts
In a jam-packed car called Odyssey
Sailed towards the middle of the giant land

Calm breeze from the Pacific Ocean
Cooled down the scorching summer heat
Greeted by an old giant redwood tree
Telling a 2,000 year old story

The foursome kept pursuing the journey
On a mission to find a secret
Hidden in the canyon lands
The secret being repeated over millions of years

Yellow, red, white, and green stripes
Multi-colored canyon lands
Determined not to yield their secret
To the persistent foursome

The great but accessible Zion
The most dazzling and delicate scenery
Offered by the beautiful Bryce
Proud Arches with masterful sculptures

The moment has finally come into the giant canyon
A red molten object, brightest of all
Suddenly appeared from layers of clouds
Dropped over the dark-brown walls of the canyon


Kenneth N. Han
At the Grand Canyon with dear friends
On a summer day of 2009

We have been so fortunate to see many parts of the world and they were so beautiful and historical. The eight national parks we have visited this summer have offered us not only the knowledge of enormity of nature but also delicate and beautiful landscape which made us so humble and allowed us to contemplate the meaning of the infinity of the universe. People often say the friendship can be tested by travelling together for an extended period. Contrary to the common saying by many, we are so proud to say that our friendship has grown stronger after this long journey together.

Sincerely, Ken