Yay! You know that's why you check this blog! Now that we're back (and yes, we're back... but I'll let Mom pretend we're not and write "today we drove through Utah..." and all her crazy stuff so she can let you know how the trip home went...) I've been going through the pictures and I posted some on the earlier posts. So go ahead and look at those posts from New Orleans, San Antonio, Carlsbad, and maybe a few things in between. And be suuuuure to comment!
Emily
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Packing Up
Tues, March 25
Today we spent most of the day restocking and packing for the trip home. If you read this before 3/30, please pray for us as we begin the not-so-fun part of this trip. We aren't looking forward to the 8 hour days of driving, but it is the price we have to pay for the adventure of a lifetime. The trip could not have gone better...God has blessed us every step of the way, and we know that he will be with us as we travel home. Also, please check back if the pictures aren't up because we will be sure to do that soon when we get back.
Today we spent most of the day restocking and packing for the trip home. If you read this before 3/30, please pray for us as we begin the not-so-fun part of this trip. We aren't looking forward to the 8 hour days of driving, but it is the price we have to pay for the adventure of a lifetime. The trip could not have gone better...God has blessed us every step of the way, and we know that he will be with us as we travel home. Also, please check back if the pictures aren't up because we will be sure to do that soon when we get back.
The Vegas Strip
Mon, March 24
Yes, we did take our kids to the strip today. What can we say...it is a part of our country's history, and these elaborate casinos are definitely something to see! Uncle John drove us all around town and we went inside the Bellagio, the Rio and Planet Hollywood. We saw a few shows and experienced the city, if only for a short time.
^We also went swimming.
^The masquerade show
^A restaurant (if you look closely you can see that it says "EIFFEL TOWER RESTAURANT" in yellow letters... under that are the windows of the restaurant)
^Flowers from a flower display in some 5-star hotel
Yes, we did take our kids to the strip today. What can we say...it is a part of our country's history, and these elaborate casinos are definitely something to see! Uncle John drove us all around town and we went inside the Bellagio, the Rio and Planet Hollywood. We saw a few shows and experienced the city, if only for a short time.
^We also went swimming.
^The masquerade show
^A restaurant (if you look closely you can see that it says "EIFFEL TOWER RESTAURANT" in yellow letters... under that are the windows of the restaurant)
^Flowers from a flower display in some 5-star hotel
Aaaah...Relaxing in Vegas!
Sun, March 23
We said goodbye to the Yohes this afternoon and headed for Vegas to stay with the Heidorns for a few days. Camping was a lot of fun, but it is nice to spread out and relax in a nice big house for a while! We all sat in the hot tub tonight (notice a pattern here???) and enjoyed the view of the mountains and the city lights. A nice relaxing evening after 9 days of camping!
We said goodbye to the Yohes this afternoon and headed for Vegas to stay with the Heidorns for a few days. Camping was a lot of fun, but it is nice to spread out and relax in a nice big house for a while! We all sat in the hot tub tonight (notice a pattern here???) and enjoyed the view of the mountains and the city lights. A nice relaxing evening after 9 days of camping!
Hiking in the Canyon
Sat, March 22
Well, the only thing I can say about the Grand Canyon is that no matter how many pictures you see, you can't really imagine what it is like. Or the enormity of it for that matter. We hiked part of the 8 mile rim trail that goes around the south rim from one "scenic overlook" to another. We attempted the Bright Angel trail which goes all the way to the bottom, but didn't get very far because of all the ice on the trail (although the temperature was 60 degrees). Many of the people coming up were advising us against going down so we decided to be wise parents and take our children back up. We did some more hiking on the rim trail and rode the shuttle from one point to another when we got tired.
^The bright angel trail
Well, the only thing I can say about the Grand Canyon is that no matter how many pictures you see, you can't really imagine what it is like. Or the enormity of it for that matter. We hiked part of the 8 mile rim trail that goes around the south rim from one "scenic overlook" to another. We attempted the Bright Angel trail which goes all the way to the bottom, but didn't get very far because of all the ice on the trail (although the temperature was 60 degrees). Many of the people coming up were advising us against going down so we decided to be wise parents and take our children back up. We did some more hiking on the rim trail and rode the shuttle from one point to another when we got tired.
^The bright angel trail
Grand Canyon...at last!!
Fri, March 21
We toured Holbrook in the morning--a very small town on route 66. They have a pretty cool museum with an old jail cell from 1899, among other things. We drove on to the Grand Canyon, stopping at Sunset Crater on the way and hiking around one volcano and to the top of another. The Yohe family is reunited as Mark has joined us here and they have their "RV 4 RENT". We had fun watching the movie RV in their RV...very funny movie...especially when you are camping in RVs!
^The Yohe's RV (click on it, the thumbnail isn't working)
We toured Holbrook in the morning--a very small town on route 66. They have a pretty cool museum with an old jail cell from 1899, among other things. We drove on to the Grand Canyon, stopping at Sunset Crater on the way and hiking around one volcano and to the top of another. The Yohe family is reunited as Mark has joined us here and they have their "RV 4 RENT". We had fun watching the movie RV in their RV...very funny movie...especially when you are camping in RVs!
^The Yohe's RV (click on it, the thumbnail isn't working)
Painted Desert & Petrified Forest
Thurs, March 20
Once again, I cannot describe the scenery in the painted desert--hopefully Emily will get motivated and put the pictures up soon. The petrified wood is pretty amazing as well. We spent the whole day hiking around this park and spent the night in Holbrook, AZ.
^The painted desert
^Some petrified wood
Once again, I cannot describe the scenery in the painted desert--hopefully Emily will get motivated and put the pictures up soon. The petrified wood is pretty amazing as well. We spent the whole day hiking around this park and spent the night in Holbrook, AZ.
^The painted desert
^Some petrified wood
The Adventure Continues
Wed, March 19
We spent another day in the Albuquerque area. In the morning we visited the Acoma Indian reservation in Sky City, about 6800 feet above sea level. We took the tour bus to get up but had fun hiking back down. In the afternoon we went to El Malpais National Monument (and park) and did some more hiking.
It is always an adventure when we arrive at the campground--we never know what we are going to find. They have all been very nice, but also very different. We spent the night in Gallup this time and got to use the indoor pool, hot tub and steam room at the hotel next door. And Carolyn & I spent the evening in the attached laundromat where we washed our clothes for the first time since Houston. That was an adventure for me as it was the first time I have ever done laundry in a laundromat. Fortunately Carolyn had some experience and helped me out with it.
No pictures from sky city... it was $10 for a camera pass.
^The natural arch in El Mal Pais
We spent another day in the Albuquerque area. In the morning we visited the Acoma Indian reservation in Sky City, about 6800 feet above sea level. We took the tour bus to get up but had fun hiking back down. In the afternoon we went to El Malpais National Monument (and park) and did some more hiking.
It is always an adventure when we arrive at the campground--we never know what we are going to find. They have all been very nice, but also very different. We spent the night in Gallup this time and got to use the indoor pool, hot tub and steam room at the hotel next door. And Carolyn & I spent the evening in the attached laundromat where we washed our clothes for the first time since Houston. That was an adventure for me as it was the first time I have ever done laundry in a laundromat. Fortunately Carolyn had some experience and helped me out with it.
No pictures from sky city... it was $10 for a camera pass.
^The natural arch in El Mal Pais
Albuquerque
Tues, March 18
We love Albuquerque--it is a beautiful city with lots to do. In the morning we went to the Old Town where there are lots of shops and Native Americans selling their homemade jewelry, pottery, etc on the sidewalks. Emily did some major shopping here! There is also a rattlesnake museum which the boys really enjoyed. In the afternoon we went to Petroglyph National Park where we did some hiking in the mountains and around the volcanos. Dinner was at a local Mexican restaurant--very yummy (& spicy).
^An example of a petroglyph
^We climbed up a little mountain and that was the view
^Our junior rangers squeeze in some "paperwork" while they're not hiking.
We love Albuquerque--it is a beautiful city with lots to do. In the morning we went to the Old Town where there are lots of shops and Native Americans selling their homemade jewelry, pottery, etc on the sidewalks. Emily did some major shopping here! There is also a rattlesnake museum which the boys really enjoyed. In the afternoon we went to Petroglyph National Park where we did some hiking in the mountains and around the volcanos. Dinner was at a local Mexican restaurant--very yummy (& spicy).
^An example of a petroglyph
^We climbed up a little mountain and that was the view
^Our junior rangers squeeze in some "paperwork" while they're not hiking.
On To Albuquerque
Mon, March 17
This morning we went to the Living Desert Zoo to see some desert animals and plants, then we took off for Albuquerque, with a stop in Roswell where we saw some aliens and visisted the Robert Goddard exhibit. The beginning of the drive to Albuquerque was pretty desolate, but once we hit route 40 the scenery was beautiful. Again, we'll try to get some pictures on here before we leave.
^At the Living Desert Zoo one of my favorite animals there was the badger...
^...while Mom's was the javelina.
This morning we went to the Living Desert Zoo to see some desert animals and plants, then we took off for Albuquerque, with a stop in Roswell where we saw some aliens and visisted the Robert Goddard exhibit. The beginning of the drive to Albuquerque was pretty desolate, but once we hit route 40 the scenery was beautiful. Again, we'll try to get some pictures on here before we leave.
^At the Living Desert Zoo one of my favorite animals there was the badger...
^...while Mom's was the javelina.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Carlsbad Caverns
Sun, March 16
Carsbad Caverns is amazing--I can't even begin to describe it, so the pictures will have to do the job. We spent almost the whole day in the cave and once again enjoyed the pool and hot tub in the evening.
^The view from the Calsbad Caverns visitor's center.
They're seriously twins.
^The opening of the cave
^I think that's the bottomless pit... I think...
Carsbad Caverns is amazing--I can't even begin to describe it, so the pictures will have to do the job. We spent almost the whole day in the cave and once again enjoyed the pool and hot tub in the evening.
^The view from the Calsbad Caverns visitor's center.
They're seriously twins.
^The opening of the cave
^I think that's the bottomless pit... I think...
Camping in the Desert
Sat, March 15
Today we drove and drove and drove (again!) through miles & miles of desert to Carlsbad, NM. Then we drove and drove and drove...looking for our campground...finally found it, right in middle of the desert! It is very pretty though--you can see for miles, including the mountains in the distance.
^The boys at the campground in Carlsbad, finding fun out of throwing rocks.
Today we drove and drove and drove (again!) through miles & miles of desert to Carlsbad, NM. Then we drove and drove and drove...looking for our campground...finally found it, right in middle of the desert! It is very pretty though--you can see for miles, including the mountains in the distance.
^The boys at the campground in Carlsbad, finding fun out of throwing rocks.
A Hot Day!
Fri, March 14
We were expecting and hoping for some warm weather, but San Antonio was over 90 degrees! There was a nice breeze though so it wasn't uncomfortable. We visited a couple of the Spanish missions here, including the alamo, and had dinner at a restaurant by the river. The riverwalk is a very pretty area with lots of stores & restaurants--right now it is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day :)
The kids were happy to find that the campground had a heated pool. And the adults were happy that the hot tub is for adults only! The weather was a little too hot to enjoy it here, but we will look forward to them at other campgrounds.
^A mission
^Justin's secret longing is to be a bishop... shhhh
^The Alamo. I expected it to be bigger.
^The river walk
^My idea of beautiful...
We were expecting and hoping for some warm weather, but San Antonio was over 90 degrees! There was a nice breeze though so it wasn't uncomfortable. We visited a couple of the Spanish missions here, including the alamo, and had dinner at a restaurant by the river. The riverwalk is a very pretty area with lots of stores & restaurants--right now it is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day :)
The kids were happy to find that the campground had a heated pool. And the adults were happy that the hot tub is for adults only! The weather was a little too hot to enjoy it here, but we will look forward to them at other campgrounds.
^A mission
^Justin's secret longing is to be a bishop... shhhh
^The Alamo. I expected it to be bigger.
^The river walk
^My idea of beautiful...
Thursday, March 13, 2008
On the Road Again...
Wed, March 12
Another long drive today--New Orleans to Houston. We stopped at Oak Alley Plantation on the way and did the tour of this beautiful home and surroundings. We arrived at the Yohe's at 9:00 and everyone was happy to be reunited with their friends! Justin is especially enjoying having some boys to hang out with. We will leave on Friday for San Antonio, then Carolyn & the boys will join us there in the evening. We probably won't have a chance to post or add pictures for the next week and a half, but be sure to check back after Easter!
^Oak alley from the front
^From the balcony
^A sunset picture from in the car...
Another long drive today--New Orleans to Houston. We stopped at Oak Alley Plantation on the way and did the tour of this beautiful home and surroundings. We arrived at the Yohe's at 9:00 and everyone was happy to be reunited with their friends! Justin is especially enjoying having some boys to hang out with. We will leave on Friday for San Antonio, then Carolyn & the boys will join us there in the evening. We probably won't have a chance to post or add pictures for the next week and a half, but be sure to check back after Easter!
^Oak alley from the front
^From the balcony
^A sunset picture from in the car...
The Best Tour Guide in New Orleans
The Yohe's hooked us up with a great tour guide in New Orleans! Bobbi whisked us around the French Quarter, took us to a great place for lunch and even got us into an awesome aquarium with her membership card. It was a fun, full day and we enjoyed the break from driving in the car!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)