With only one day of driving left, Sunday should be fairly peaceful. Today turned into a very long day. We started in Vegas and drove back and forth along the strip to see the sights, and then drove to the Hoover Dam and spent several hours. We got to take a short tour inside the dam, it was quite spectacular. We left there much later than we expected and encountered rain during most of the drive east today.
Back in Albuquerque tonight. We will let the kids spend time in the pool in the morning before our final push to home. We should be back before dark and by taking vacation on Monday it will give us a chance to relax.
Epic Slide Show
Saturday, July 12, 2008
It's the lights of Vegas
Friday we made our way from Lincoln, CA through Nevada down to Las Vegas. A thoroughly desolate drive, in 9 1/2 hours we went through 3 towns. We stopped at an Embassy Suites and headed to'the strip'.
The walk from the hotel to the stip was about a mile and a half. Once we got to Las Vegas Blvd. the kids eyes lit up, they couldn't believe what they saw. We walked the strip and watched a couple fountain shows at the Bellagio, and then stopped at the Harley Davidson Café for a quick bite before heading back to the hotel.
Today we are making out last 'touristy' stop at the Hoover Dam this morning, then heading to Albuquerque, then home on Sunday.
The walk from the hotel to the stip was about a mile and a half. Once we got to Las Vegas Blvd. the kids eyes lit up, they couldn't believe what they saw. We walked the strip and watched a couple fountain shows at the Bellagio, and then stopped at the Harley Davidson Café for a quick bite before heading back to the hotel.
Today we are making out last 'touristy' stop at the Hoover Dam this morning, then heading to Albuquerque, then home on Sunday.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
And on the 7th day they rested!
Finally a nice quiet day, no hikes to trudge or miles to drive. The kids spent the morning at the pool and the afternoon at a movie. While Sharla and I spent more than 3 hours at urgent care for my back. No diagnosis just better living through chemistry.
Thursday we're off to Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco before joining my brother and his wife for dinner in Oakland.
Friday we'll be back on the road again making the turn towards home and headed toward Las Vegas.
Thursday we're off to Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco before joining my brother and his wife for dinner in Oakland.
Friday we'll be back on the road again making the turn towards home and headed toward Las Vegas.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Northern California
Tuesday was Yosemite in the morning and what a fantastic morning it was. An early start, we got the camp packed up very quickly and headed to the park. The drive to Yosemite was spectacular and I enjoyed the sports car roads in the overloaded Expolorer. :-)
The parking lot was virtually empty when we arrived and we quickly got to hiking and headed for the Lower Yosemite Falls. One word, "Glorious". We passed the obserservation bridge and headed straight for the boulder fields at the base of the falls. A great bouldering area, the kids and I trudged ahead and then Sharla said "Hey, I want to go too." So I was thinking this will be a wonderful experience... I was right. She kept right up with us and as it got a little more "technical" I hung back to provide a supportive hand... And then it happened, Sharla was doing great and on a simple step, she lost her footing and proceeded to drop into the crisp, clear waters below her feet, all while sliding down a perfectly beautiful peice of polished granite. My supportive hand reacted with cat-like quickness and plucked her out of danger and into safety, with her nervously giggling the entire time. No damage done, barely even a scratch, but a little damp from the experience. I on the other hand, threw my back out again. which made for a very interesting down climb and subsequent hour-long hike and 4 hour car ride.
However, with the help of plenty of Advil, we arrived at my parents house, outside of Sacramento this afternoon, none the worse for wear and with plenty of experiences to share. The kids are having a marvelous time, it will be fun to hear them tell stories later in life about this trip.
And of course I regained my rightful place as in car champion again today.
Tomorrow is the pool, laundry and maybe a movie, but definately low-key compared to our travels so far.
The parking lot was virtually empty when we arrived and we quickly got to hiking and headed for the Lower Yosemite Falls. One word, "Glorious". We passed the obserservation bridge and headed straight for the boulder fields at the base of the falls. A great bouldering area, the kids and I trudged ahead and then Sharla said "Hey, I want to go too." So I was thinking this will be a wonderful experience... I was right. She kept right up with us and as it got a little more "technical" I hung back to provide a supportive hand... And then it happened, Sharla was doing great and on a simple step, she lost her footing and proceeded to drop into the crisp, clear waters below her feet, all while sliding down a perfectly beautiful peice of polished granite. My supportive hand reacted with cat-like quickness and plucked her out of danger and into safety, with her nervously giggling the entire time. No damage done, barely even a scratch, but a little damp from the experience. I on the other hand, threw my back out again. which made for a very interesting down climb and subsequent hour-long hike and 4 hour car ride.
However, with the help of plenty of Advil, we arrived at my parents house, outside of Sacramento this afternoon, none the worse for wear and with plenty of experiences to share. The kids are having a marvelous time, it will be fun to hear them tell stories later in life about this trip.
And of course I regained my rightful place as in car champion again today.
Tomorrow is the pool, laundry and maybe a movie, but definately low-key compared to our travels so far.
The City of Angels
Sunday afternoon was Los Angeles. Thanks to Thom Sebastian for meeting us in Hollywood and spending a couple of hours with our family. A warm day in Southern California, spending time in Hollywood seeing the sights (and odd people), searching for the best spot to see the Hollywood sign and then a romp through Beverley Hills (us look like tourists.... no waayy).
Then back to Pomona for a quick night of camping ("Kids ignore the police helicopter hovering overhead... I there was something I am sure they would make some kind of announcement.)
Up and out early for our trek to Mariposa, CA (just outside of Yosemite).
Weather has been fantastic, no problems with accomodations or terrible traffic, smooth sailing so far.
In a shocking move, Sharla has dethroned me as in car champion of the world at the License Plate Alphabet game.
Then back to Pomona for a quick night of camping ("Kids ignore the police helicopter hovering overhead... I there was something I am sure they would make some kind of announcement.)
Up and out early for our trek to Mariposa, CA (just outside of Yosemite).
Weather has been fantastic, no problems with accomodations or terrible traffic, smooth sailing so far.
In a shocking move, Sharla has dethroned me as in car champion of the world at the License Plate Alphabet game.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Grand Canyon
Arrived at the Grand Canyon on Friday and were welcomed by a torrential downpour as we pulled into the campsite. Sharla was a trooper and asked 'so where are the ponchos? Let's get to work.' The rains didn't last long and we got all set up and headed for an evening hike and view of the canyon. 'WOW' was the word of the moment. Dinner was a scrumptous feast of flank steak with onions, peppers, and potatos, then a campfire and smores to close out the evening.
The rains came on and off throughout the evening and continued well into the morning with brief sprinkles. We hiked the rim trail in cooler temps, and overcast skies. By the time we got to the Bright Angel Trail the sun was out and we were feeling ambitious. We all hiked into the canyon and everyone was quite impressive hiking out without complaining. Round trip was probably a four and a half mile day with some of that uphill and downhill.
We went back to the campground made lunch and headed to Kingman, Arizona for a relaxing night at the hotel (Hilton Points again) and the kids are finishing up their time in the pool.
Off to Los Angeles on Sunday and a much faster pace than the last couple of days.
Hollywood, the Observatory, the Chinese Theatre and whatever else we can find time for.
Having a great trip!!!
The rains came on and off throughout the evening and continued well into the morning with brief sprinkles. We hiked the rim trail in cooler temps, and overcast skies. By the time we got to the Bright Angel Trail the sun was out and we were feeling ambitious. We all hiked into the canyon and everyone was quite impressive hiking out without complaining. Round trip was probably a four and a half mile day with some of that uphill and downhill.
We went back to the campground made lunch and headed to Kingman, Arizona for a relaxing night at the hotel (Hilton Points again) and the kids are finishing up their time in the pool.
Off to Los Angeles on Sunday and a much faster pace than the last couple of days.
Hollywood, the Observatory, the Chinese Theatre and whatever else we can find time for.
Having a great trip!!!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Well on the way
We successfully made it to Albuquerque and awoke this morning to about 20 hot air balloons drifting past our hotel window. (Love the Hilton Points). The kids are doing well and enjoying the Playstation and the DVD player. A much shorter day today, from here to the Grand Canyon, we should get there in about 6 hours. Tonight is camping and we will definitely take pictures of sunset tonight.
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