Well, so we didn't last three months. Whose idea was that anyway?
Truth be known, we were just all tired of traveling and hotels and driving, so we decided just to come home. We have seen some really amazing places and we've met some of the most interesting people on the planet. We did manage to travel through 20 states in 30 days, so that is quite an accomplishment, especially when you've gone through California and Texas.
But we've left some for next time, too. Who knows? Maybe next time will be the northern part of the US. I would love to see the Amish communities and the east coast in the fall. Maine lobster is a must. And now that I've had fried dill pickles in Tennessee, I gotta go back and have more of that, too.
All said and done, I'm very glad we did it. Fun was had by all.
Thanks for following us and thanks for caring enough to check up on us once in a while,
All our love,
The Walsh Tribe
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Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Day 25, Little Rock, Arkansas
We barely made it out of our room by 11:00 a.m., which is check-out time. The time zone thing is still killing us. Either that or we’re just lazy.
Anyway, up and out the door at 10:59:59:59 a.m. Again, first thing on the agenda is food. At this point the hotel breakfast buffet has been put away for at least an hour, so that’s out. The only place to grab a bite was Arby’s and I really hate fast food for breakfast, but there really was no other choice. So Arby’s it was. We had milkshakes since none of us could stomach a roast beef sandwich for breakfast, especially not one with that nasty ‘processed cheese food product’ on it.
Three hours north of Canton is Memphis, Tennessee. And just right of Memphis is a town called Germantown, Tennessee. It’s my new favorite place. The sign ordinances in Germantown are the most strict (I can’t say strictest, it’s weird) in the country, and you can really tell. The tallest things in the city are the trees, and it’s wonderful! The buildings are all Germanish, but not overly heavy with it. The architecture is there, but it doesn’t have the cutesy little German dolls on everything. It is the perfect balance.
We had a fabulous lunch in town (which has a Super-Target and plenty of Starbucks!!) that was started off with an appetizer of fried dill pickles. Totally weird, I know, but surprisingly good!! (You have to try new food in new places, otherwise you might as well eat every meal at Denny’s.) I had hickory smoked pork chops with steamed broccoli. I don’t know what anyone else had…I was busy mowing. We all shared an apple cobbler for dessert that was just supreme. I love that place. I love that town.
There is supposedly an old downtown Germantown somewhere. It’s probably the largest old downtown in the world of its kind, but I couldn’t find it. So we just hit the road and headed back to Memphis. Memphis sits on the very edge of the Mississippi River, which is the natural border between it and Arkansas. Hence the really wiggly line on the map – it’s the river. Earned a Smart Badge today.
Made it into Little Rock just at dusk, found our cabin, and the kids headed for the pool. It was much cooler today, thankfully, but the pool was still refreshing. They have fireflies here. Now I don’t know about you, but this makes like the second time I’ve ever seen them and I think they are the neatest thing ever. I flashed the light on my cell phone and attracted one of them. I think he was disappointed when he got a closer look though. Evidently I’m not his type.
Off to bed. Actually off to not sleep while the rest of camp is snoozing. I’m writing this at 12:56 a.m. local time and we are all wide awake texting family and friends back home. ;o)
Anyway, up and out the door at 10:59:59:59 a.m. Again, first thing on the agenda is food. At this point the hotel breakfast buffet has been put away for at least an hour, so that’s out. The only place to grab a bite was Arby’s and I really hate fast food for breakfast, but there really was no other choice. So Arby’s it was. We had milkshakes since none of us could stomach a roast beef sandwich for breakfast, especially not one with that nasty ‘processed cheese food product’ on it.
Three hours north of Canton is Memphis, Tennessee. And just right of Memphis is a town called Germantown, Tennessee. It’s my new favorite place. The sign ordinances in Germantown are the most strict (I can’t say strictest, it’s weird) in the country, and you can really tell. The tallest things in the city are the trees, and it’s wonderful! The buildings are all Germanish, but not overly heavy with it. The architecture is there, but it doesn’t have the cutesy little German dolls on everything. It is the perfect balance.
We had a fabulous lunch in town (which has a Super-Target and plenty of Starbucks!!) that was started off with an appetizer of fried dill pickles. Totally weird, I know, but surprisingly good!! (You have to try new food in new places, otherwise you might as well eat every meal at Denny’s.) I had hickory smoked pork chops with steamed broccoli. I don’t know what anyone else had…I was busy mowing. We all shared an apple cobbler for dessert that was just supreme. I love that place. I love that town.
There is supposedly an old downtown Germantown somewhere. It’s probably the largest old downtown in the world of its kind, but I couldn’t find it. So we just hit the road and headed back to Memphis. Memphis sits on the very edge of the Mississippi River, which is the natural border between it and Arkansas. Hence the really wiggly line on the map – it’s the river. Earned a Smart Badge today.
Made it into Little Rock just at dusk, found our cabin, and the kids headed for the pool. It was much cooler today, thankfully, but the pool was still refreshing. They have fireflies here. Now I don’t know about you, but this makes like the second time I’ve ever seen them and I think they are the neatest thing ever. I flashed the light on my cell phone and attracted one of them. I think he was disappointed when he got a closer look though. Evidently I’m not his type.
Off to bed. Actually off to not sleep while the rest of camp is snoozing. I’m writing this at 12:56 a.m. local time and we are all wide awake texting family and friends back home. ;o)
Day 24, Canton, Mississippi
Time to pack our bags and head down the trail. Our first stop was New Orleans. Tia had never been, so we went to the French Quarter and walked up and down Bourbon Street. Finding a parking spot was no easy task, but we finally spotted a garage off Canal Street and we paid the meter six bucks for ten hours. Now that’s a deal. I suppose we were just really lucky our stuff didn’t walk away while we were gone, but as you’ll see, we didn’t give it much of a chance.
The main goal at this point was food. We walked just half a block back to Canal Street and found a lovely diner. It was just a couple doors down from the Ritz, so the neighborhood was good. They made chicken strips out of real chicken, and they weren’t shaped like stars or crowns, so the kids were impressed. All in all, a great meal.
Bourbon Street is only about three blocks down from the Ritz, so we did the backstroke down to Bourbon Street. Once on Bourbon, we set a new World Record for speed walking up and down the approximately eight blocks of the rankest, trashiest and most foul smelling street in New Orleans. It was especially ripe on this day given the 110% humidity and the temperature of 105.
Ten minutes later we were back in the van and headed down the trail.
I wanted to catch the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on the way north, but alas it was not to be. Turns out I couldn’t find that either. It’s the largest bridge of its type on the planet, and I couldn’t find it. It’s about 38 miles long, and I couldn’t find it. Another badge down the drain.
So we ended our travel at Canton, a nice little town just north of Jackson, Mississippi. We took a dip in the pool, ordered pizza and called it a night.
The main goal at this point was food. We walked just half a block back to Canal Street and found a lovely diner. It was just a couple doors down from the Ritz, so the neighborhood was good. They made chicken strips out of real chicken, and they weren’t shaped like stars or crowns, so the kids were impressed. All in all, a great meal.
Bourbon Street is only about three blocks down from the Ritz, so we did the backstroke down to Bourbon Street. Once on Bourbon, we set a new World Record for speed walking up and down the approximately eight blocks of the rankest, trashiest and most foul smelling street in New Orleans. It was especially ripe on this day given the 110% humidity and the temperature of 105.
Ten minutes later we were back in the van and headed down the trail.
I wanted to catch the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on the way north, but alas it was not to be. Turns out I couldn’t find that either. It’s the largest bridge of its type on the planet, and I couldn’t find it. It’s about 38 miles long, and I couldn’t find it. Another badge down the drain.
So we ended our travel at Canton, a nice little town just north of Jackson, Mississippi. We took a dip in the pool, ordered pizza and called it a night.
Day 23, Gautier
At this point we had been moving from place to place for 22 days straight. Our goal on this day was to remain inanimate. We excelled at it.
Sloth Badge earned today.
Sloth Badge earned today.
Day 22, Gautier (AKA Goiter, by Kris)
We mainly tried to get our sleep pattern under control today. Who would think two time zones would be such a pain? There were times that we were just awful. Watching TV at any time during the day had the potential to turn into an unexpected hour long nap, and sometimes longer. I found myself heading for bed three hours earlier than usual but totally wiped out, and then I would wake up after about an hour of the most awesome sleep, but I was then wide awake. Morning usually came and went without seeing a member of our tribe. We tried to get a handle on it, really we did, but to no avail. Oh well.
Shopping cures just about all ailments, so we gave that a shot. We took a drive down the beach to Biloxi to the coveted mall. There is still quite a bit of devastation in that area considering the amount of time that has passed since Katrina. The creepiest thing is that the whole street used to be lined with huge mansions. Now the only thing left is a few bare foundations and one lonely brick chimney. Most of the large trees weathered the storm without much damage. The ones that didn’t make it were carved into beautiful sculptures and made into a memorial park type thing that sits in the median between the two lanes of traffic. I’m not sure who the artist is, but it is amazing and beautiful and truly art.
We did accomplish the shopping mission, too. I picked out some junk I couldn't live without, and Ma paid for it for my birthday!! I just LOVE it when that happens!! Thanks, Ma!!
Another gorgeous day spent with family and finished with a swim back to Gautier for a fabulous feast and a nap.
Shopping cures just about all ailments, so we gave that a shot. We took a drive down the beach to Biloxi to the coveted mall. There is still quite a bit of devastation in that area considering the amount of time that has passed since Katrina. The creepiest thing is that the whole street used to be lined with huge mansions. Now the only thing left is a few bare foundations and one lonely brick chimney. Most of the large trees weathered the storm without much damage. The ones that didn’t make it were carved into beautiful sculptures and made into a memorial park type thing that sits in the median between the two lanes of traffic. I’m not sure who the artist is, but it is amazing and beautiful and truly art.
We did accomplish the shopping mission, too. I picked out some junk I couldn't live without, and Ma paid for it for my birthday!! I just LOVE it when that happens!! Thanks, Ma!!
Another gorgeous day spent with family and finished with a swim back to Gautier for a fabulous feast and a nap.
Day 21, Gautier (pronounced Go-shaaay in Mississippi)
FATHER’S DAY!!
We got to spend Father’s Day with my dad! He was so lucky, he got to take us all to the beach. What a good sport. Dad did all the driving and setting up the umbrella and feeding the tribe. I hope he had as much fun as we all did. I wonder what he is going to do for me for Father’s Day next year!! I can’t wait! ;o)
We spent all afternoon on Dauphin Island swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. The water temperature was about 85 degrees – just perfect for swimming if you ask me. This is my absolute favorite place to swim on the whole planet. The beach is soft and sandy, and the slope is so gradual we could walk out in the water all the way to Cancun. Or almost. Once in a while we got bumped in the leg by some sort of fish or another, and we found that the hard things we stepped on once in a while were hermit crabs, one the size of a golf ball.
Last year when we were swimming here the jellyfish were out and some of us got stung, mainly Cassie. Apparently it hurts just about like a bee sting. Thankfully it isn’t fatal!! ;o) They aren’t Box jellies or Irakanji jellies – just regular little jellies.
Mississippi is hot. It’s a new kind of hot. You swim through the hot to get anywhere outside. The ‘swim’ sensation comes from two very distinct and separate Mississippi phenomenons (phenomena? phenomeni? flock of phenombus?? Who cares anyway). The first is called humidity. Mississippi humidity is when the air is so full of water that there is a very high likelihood you could drown even though not one inch of your flesh is in contact with a body of water. The second phenomenulidity is sweat – lots and lots and lots of sweat. Everywhere. Your back sweats, your forehead sweats, your pits sweat and your eyes sweat. And if you’re brave enough to wear knit shorts, like some folks are, everyone in town can tell that your butt sweats, too.
Swimming in the gulf or any other body of water is a very pleasant way to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the perspiration down to a slow trickle. We lived in our bathing suits. You might wonder how we got them dry before sitting in the car since it was so humid. Well, in all truth, we didn’t. But it didn’t matter one iota. After all, no matter what you are wearing, it’s either soaked in water or drenched in sweat. I found I much preferred the aroma of the gulf rather than the stench of pit.
Back at the house we had a major feast made by Ma Hayseed of taters and BBQ ribs and fruit soup and about seven other side dishes. An absolutely wonderful meal after so much road food. There is nothing like home cookin, and we ate til we couldn't breathe.
Happy Father’s Day to meeee!!
We got to spend Father’s Day with my dad! He was so lucky, he got to take us all to the beach. What a good sport. Dad did all the driving and setting up the umbrella and feeding the tribe. I hope he had as much fun as we all did. I wonder what he is going to do for me for Father’s Day next year!! I can’t wait! ;o)
We spent all afternoon on Dauphin Island swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. The water temperature was about 85 degrees – just perfect for swimming if you ask me. This is my absolute favorite place to swim on the whole planet. The beach is soft and sandy, and the slope is so gradual we could walk out in the water all the way to Cancun. Or almost. Once in a while we got bumped in the leg by some sort of fish or another, and we found that the hard things we stepped on once in a while were hermit crabs, one the size of a golf ball.
Last year when we were swimming here the jellyfish were out and some of us got stung, mainly Cassie. Apparently it hurts just about like a bee sting. Thankfully it isn’t fatal!! ;o) They aren’t Box jellies or Irakanji jellies – just regular little jellies.
Mississippi is hot. It’s a new kind of hot. You swim through the hot to get anywhere outside. The ‘swim’ sensation comes from two very distinct and separate Mississippi phenomenons (phenomena? phenomeni? flock of phenombus?? Who cares anyway). The first is called humidity. Mississippi humidity is when the air is so full of water that there is a very high likelihood you could drown even though not one inch of your flesh is in contact with a body of water. The second phenomenulidity is sweat – lots and lots and lots of sweat. Everywhere. Your back sweats, your forehead sweats, your pits sweat and your eyes sweat. And if you’re brave enough to wear knit shorts, like some folks are, everyone in town can tell that your butt sweats, too.
Swimming in the gulf or any other body of water is a very pleasant way to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the perspiration down to a slow trickle. We lived in our bathing suits. You might wonder how we got them dry before sitting in the car since it was so humid. Well, in all truth, we didn’t. But it didn’t matter one iota. After all, no matter what you are wearing, it’s either soaked in water or drenched in sweat. I found I much preferred the aroma of the gulf rather than the stench of pit.
Back at the house we had a major feast made by Ma Hayseed of taters and BBQ ribs and fruit soup and about seven other side dishes. An absolutely wonderful meal after so much road food. There is nothing like home cookin, and we ate til we couldn't breathe.
Happy Father’s Day to meeee!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day 20, Gautier, Mississippi
Tyler to Gautier is 511 miles. Up at 9:00 a.m. and on the road by 10:30 (which was a world record for us, and very exceptional considering the time changes). We made it to Dad’s house by 7:30 p.m. Whew!!
It was worth every mile.
It was worth every mile.
Day 19, Tyler, Texas
Armadillo to Tyler is 567 miles. Needless to say, loooong travel day. We got in at 2 a.m. local time. No detours or any such thing, just driving.
Day 18, Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is 466 miles from Farmington. Not exactly a fun travel day. But I had realized earlier that morning that if we drove like our hair was on fire, we could make it to my dad’s house in time for Father’s Day. So that’s all we did this day was drive and drive and drive and drive…. It took something like 9 hours to get to Amarillo. There are no pictures because we made no stops and just drove on the Interstates.
Day 17, Farmington, New Mexico
This day was kind of a maintenance day. I had to have a little bit of work done on the van, and of course the kids wanted food, so we tied on the feed bags while the chariot was being repaired.
We still had a good chunk of daylight left after the repair, so we saddled up and rode out west to see the great Four Corners, which evidently isn’t in the geographically correct location. But can you imagine what a hassle it would be to move all those stores and repave all those streets and rebuild that gargantuan covered parking lot, which keeps your car cool in the sweltering heat?? All those exquisite hotels and fine dining establishments would have to be rebuilt and relocated. I can’t imagine the expense it would incur.
Or not…
Just pour a new or (dare I say it??) maybe improved slab of concrete, build something other than the current pathetic hovels, pave a mile of roadway, put in a restaurant…any kind (with forks, maybe?), maybe hang a shingle outside one of the little shops and call it a visitor’s center, and they could really go hog-wild on the accommodations and build one.
Or just make a decent camp ground. Who on this entire planet would wanna stay in this stinking armpit? Where, exactly, does the tent go? We couldn't camp here for some odd reason.
Anyway, I do realize Farmington is west of Bloomfield, which is the wrong direction, but there is a reason we stayed there. Almost Four Corners is about 3 hours round trip if you take the short road. But what kinda fun is the short road? We made our own trail, which included a detour to the south for about a ton of miles, until we realized we were going the wrong direction. Then we had to go back the other direction another ton of miles and finally made it to Almost Four Corners and barely made it back to Farmington at dark. Not exactly a Navigating Badge moment.
Detour or no detour, we made it to our destination and back with all our brain cells and most of our blood, so a lovely day!!
We still had a good chunk of daylight left after the repair, so we saddled up and rode out west to see the great Four Corners, which evidently isn’t in the geographically correct location. But can you imagine what a hassle it would be to move all those stores and repave all those streets and rebuild that gargantuan covered parking lot, which keeps your car cool in the sweltering heat?? All those exquisite hotels and fine dining establishments would have to be rebuilt and relocated. I can’t imagine the expense it would incur.
Or not…
Just pour a new or (dare I say it??) maybe improved slab of concrete, build something other than the current pathetic hovels, pave a mile of roadway, put in a restaurant…any kind (with forks, maybe?), maybe hang a shingle outside one of the little shops and call it a visitor’s center, and they could really go hog-wild on the accommodations and build one.
Or just make a decent camp ground. Who on this entire planet would wanna stay in this stinking armpit? Where, exactly, does the tent go? We couldn't camp here for some odd reason.
Anyway, I do realize Farmington is west of Bloomfield, which is the wrong direction, but there is a reason we stayed there. Almost Four Corners is about 3 hours round trip if you take the short road. But what kinda fun is the short road? We made our own trail, which included a detour to the south for about a ton of miles, until we realized we were going the wrong direction. Then we had to go back the other direction another ton of miles and finally made it to Almost Four Corners and barely made it back to Farmington at dark. Not exactly a Navigating Badge moment.
Detour or no detour, we made it to our destination and back with all our brain cells and most of our blood, so a lovely day!!
Day 16, Bloomfield, New Mexico
Time to move on down the trail. First thing on our list was to visit Fruita, which was my hometown when I was six and seven years old. My grandmother, aunt and mom had a flower shop in this small town, so I have a soft spot for this little corner of Colorado. We drifted through town and had a nice lunch, even though the soda fountain was no longer there. Then we took a picture with the infamous Headless Chicken that supposedly lived for months without its head.
After my trip down memory lane, we went to Delta to look at the Baker house. It’s still there and is still painted the exact colors it was way back when. Which is kinda creepy really but makes it easy to find!! (By the way, it is NOT the picture below! ;o))
We were finally finished with all the nostalgia and it was time to put some miles behind us. We decided to take the Million Dollar Highway through Ouray, Durango and Silverton. It’s not the quickest highway in the world, but it is a beautiful drive through remarkable mountain country. There were zillions of abandoned mines and chutes and all kinds of mining junk scattered from one end of the highway to the other. We were up at 10,000 feet above sea level for most of the day. Gasping for breath.
One kinda ironic thing about the Million Dollar Highway is that they found no need to spend a dime on guardrails. Maybe they shoulda named it the White Knuckle Highway. Or maybe the Stay in Your Lane or Plunge to Your Death Highway.
Toward the end of our journey we passed a soda spring. It didn’t stink like Glenwood Springs, which was a plus.
Day 15, Grand Junction, Colorado
Again, great plans for this day!! But first we have to stop by the house again to pick up stuff we left there last night. I know what you’re thinking! I know what you’re thinking!!
But no, we picked up our treasures and two minutes later were back on the road. We spent the day in Glenwood Springs. We started by taking a gondola up to the top of the mountain. We had lots of nervous giggles the whole way up, but we made it unharmed. Then we toured the caverns for over an hour and learned all kinds of new words about cavern formations. I would list them all, but I can’t remember one of them.
In the evening we took the gondola back down the mountain, drove into town, and considered swimming the hot springs. The price has gone up considerably since I was a kid, so we skipped it and settled for a look. And a smell. The smell was kinda everywhere. The Glenwood Springs Stench.
Tia and I decided shopping would make us feel better, and we were right. We bought a few trinkets and found a couple of good books, so we were in heaven. We fed the boys, so they were happy, too.
Then time to head back to base camp. This was our earliest night in so far, and we kinda didn’t know what to do with ourselves. We started a fire while it was still daylight…which kinda lost something. And we had no marshmallows.
Oh well, off to bed. ;o)
But no, we picked up our treasures and two minutes later were back on the road. We spent the day in Glenwood Springs. We started by taking a gondola up to the top of the mountain. We had lots of nervous giggles the whole way up, but we made it unharmed. Then we toured the caverns for over an hour and learned all kinds of new words about cavern formations. I would list them all, but I can’t remember one of them.
In the evening we took the gondola back down the mountain, drove into town, and considered swimming the hot springs. The price has gone up considerably since I was a kid, so we skipped it and settled for a look. And a smell. The smell was kinda everywhere. The Glenwood Springs Stench.
Tia and I decided shopping would make us feel better, and we were right. We bought a few trinkets and found a couple of good books, so we were in heaven. We fed the boys, so they were happy, too.
Then time to head back to base camp. This was our earliest night in so far, and we kinda didn’t know what to do with ourselves. We started a fire while it was still daylight…which kinda lost something. And we had no marshmallows.
Oh well, off to bed. ;o)
Day 14, Grand Junction, Colorado
We had great plans!! We were going to visit Fruita and find the Reynolds farmhouse and the city house. We were going to maybe have a soda at the soda fountain if it was still there. We had great, great plans.
But first we needed to stop by Uncle Kyle and Aunt Bonnie’s house to pick up some stuff and maybe have a bite for lunch.
Long story short, we were there all day again. Until dark. I just love those people!!
But first we needed to stop by Uncle Kyle and Aunt Bonnie’s house to pick up some stuff and maybe have a bite for lunch.
Long story short, we were there all day again. Until dark. I just love those people!!
Day 13, Grand Junction, Colorado
We left Moab and raced to Grand Junction to see all my relatives at our family reunion. I hadn’t seen them in ages and ages. We spent the day at Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Kyle’s house, and had the best time ever hanging out with the family and meeting the new ones. We made fast friends with Kevin and his family. They live in Boise, and hopefully we will be able to see them more often than once every 10 years; we could ratchet it up to once every 5 years or so and double our visits. ;o)
The highlight of the day was getting to see Granny Baker. She is such a wonderful lady and has been such a loving grandma for a bunch of youngins. I have fond memories of Christmas parties at the Baker house and making plate art at the ripe age of three…or at least I have evidence of it.
We literally spent the whole day at the reunion, and it was absolutely wonderful!!
Day 12, Moab, Utah
First things first, breakfast!! We headed a few blocks into town and ate at Old Smoky’s Restaurant. Just a little diner with old tables and chairs… and great food! The menu claims that Elvis ate there, which I suppose could happen. But who cares really? The food was great and the people were the best!
After filling our bellies, we headed to Grand Canyon. It’s only a short drive from Williams to the rim, and the trip was amazingly green. Again, I had expected a dry, toasted desert with bleached bones of all the people who ran out of gas before they got there, but it was nothing like that at all!! The hills around us were covered in trees that were about 20 feet tall, and every square inch of ground was covered in green. It was an awesome drive.
We got to the rim at about noon and expected to be lobsters in about 30 seconds or less, but we brought the cloud cover with us and the cool temperature, so all was good. Since the weather was cooperating we were able to spend hours and hours gazing into the great abyss, and it really is a beautiful, wonderful place! I’m certain my brain has stretch marks from trying to soak it all in.
There is an awesome visitor’s center there, and we traipsed across the grounds to “use the facilities” and check things out. On the way back across the grounds we spotted (I hope I get this right the first time… ;o) ) an elk grazing alongside the barrier fence. She was just munching along happily and wasn’t paying a bit of attention to all the tourists snapping what years ago would have been rolls and rolls of film. I am so thankful for digital cameras. I have no idea how many pictures I have taken of my finger or the floor, all while winding the film in the camera. I’m dating myself, I know.
One of the sites to see was a lookout tower. It had stairs winding up to the top, which is three stories. Thankfully they give you a break on each floor so you can catch your breath, which really is a necessity at 6,000 feet above sea level. I was gasping for air like I had just run the Boston Marathon. Of course one has to maintain composure while trying to maintain consciousness, but that can really be a challenge at times. I found the best thing to do was pretend to be looking out one of the observation windows, but all the time I was really only putting my forehead up against the cool glass and watching my labored breathing make little storm clouds on the window.
We left Grand Canyon and headed to Utah. And I found that flat, dry, crusty desert I had been expecting. Just before dark we drove through Monument Valley and caught some of the rock formations right inside the park. Unfortunately dark came upon us just 10-15 minutes in, so we only saw the first few. But they were really, really spectacular.
Before we left for breakfast we had made reservations at a privately owned campground in Monticello, Utah. We had a goal and we were going to have a bed in a cabin, and we really needed the sleep at that point. Unfortunately, when we arrived to get our cabin and snuggle into our warm and cozy sleeping bags, we found the place to be the nastiest little dive this side of the Mississippi. We checked out the bathroom facilities to see if maybe they were tolerable, but no. Those were even nastier.
So we kept trekking down the road and finally found a hotel room in Moab, Utah. It was midnight by that time, and Tia just flopped on the bed and passed out fully clothed. It really was a long and tiring day, but those are the best days when the tiring part of the day is play!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Day 11, Williams, AZ
We finally get to leave Las Vegas!! Now I don’t have anything personal against Vegas, but if you aren’t gambling, the place is the rip-off capital of the world. They charge you for every little tiny thing. Unless you’re leaving a pile of money in the casino, then everything is on the house. Anyway, I was glad to move on. Been there, done that.
So we headed back to Boulder City, but this time just to visit Starbucks for a few minutes, then on to Hoover Dam. They aren’t kidding – it’s a big dam!! We drove across the dam and parked on the Arizona side, which is free but in the hot sun, and the sun was out in full force in this particular area. We hopped out and trundled across the top of the dam, which is magnificent! The doors on the restrooms, elevators and gift shop are all brass, and there was a lady out there polishing one of the doors. The never-ending job.
Turns out they’re building a bridge above the dam. It’s not quite complete yet, but you can buy a postcard in the gift shop with a picture of the completed bridge… Guess you can’t trust them either!!
Once we got out of the valley and up on the plains-ish area, the weather cooled down yet again and the drive was very enjoyable. And surprisingly green!! I guess they must have had a few days of rain or something, but there were very few bare spots. Almost all of the surrounding hills and mountains were covered with tree-bushy things and sage and all kinds of green stuff. It was everywhere. Nothing like what I was expecting.
We stopped in Kingman, Arizona, next to get a map at the tourist office, but it was closed. Hazards of being late-in-the-day travelers. We did manage to grab a few feet of Route 66 though, so the stop was well worth it!!
We were hoping to make it further, but by dark we were only in Williams and decided to make camp there. We checked out the local KOA, but they claimed to be “full”… despite the empty cabins sprawled all around the edge. Grrr. Anyway, we came back to town and found a hotel with a room and a bed and decided to make camp there for the night.
All in all an excellent day.
So we headed back to Boulder City, but this time just to visit Starbucks for a few minutes, then on to Hoover Dam. They aren’t kidding – it’s a big dam!! We drove across the dam and parked on the Arizona side, which is free but in the hot sun, and the sun was out in full force in this particular area. We hopped out and trundled across the top of the dam, which is magnificent! The doors on the restrooms, elevators and gift shop are all brass, and there was a lady out there polishing one of the doors. The never-ending job.
Turns out they’re building a bridge above the dam. It’s not quite complete yet, but you can buy a postcard in the gift shop with a picture of the completed bridge… Guess you can’t trust them either!!
Once we got out of the valley and up on the plains-ish area, the weather cooled down yet again and the drive was very enjoyable. And surprisingly green!! I guess they must have had a few days of rain or something, but there were very few bare spots. Almost all of the surrounding hills and mountains were covered with tree-bushy things and sage and all kinds of green stuff. It was everywhere. Nothing like what I was expecting.
We stopped in Kingman, Arizona, next to get a map at the tourist office, but it was closed. Hazards of being late-in-the-day travelers. We did manage to grab a few feet of Route 66 though, so the stop was well worth it!!
We were hoping to make it further, but by dark we were only in Williams and decided to make camp there. We checked out the local KOA, but they claimed to be “full”… despite the empty cabins sprawled all around the edge. Grrr. Anyway, we came back to town and found a hotel with a room and a bed and decided to make camp there for the night.
All in all an excellent day.
Day 10, Vegas still…
Okay, so this visit was getting a little long and boring. I had some loose ends to tie-up with the van, so I decided to drag the kids with me and let them do laundry. I’m so nice I can hardly stand it. Another quick trip to Boulder City and back to Vegas complete with healthy van, fed brood, and clean skivvies. Life is good!
The weather was still unusually cool with a nice breeze blowing the heat out, so we decided to check out the pool, which was way too chilly for my liking. The sun was behind the clouds and it was very nice and relaxing to sit in the lounge chair and soak up some rays. It was the perfect temperature – not too hot and not chilly one bit.
That evening we decided it would be a great time to check out Death Valley. We left town at about 6:00 p.m. or so. A few miles out of town we passed a highway sign with a mule on it. What, they have wild mules out in the desert?? I dunno because we didn’t see any, but that’s what was on the sign, honest. Or does that sign mean 'Warning - Wild-ass desert, next 10 miles'? I still dunno.
As we headed across the desert to get to Death Valley we noticed that there were very dark clouds on the horizon. How funny would it be to get out to Death Valley and have it rain?
So we got out to Beatty, right at the edge of Death Valley, and it was pitch black dark. No moonlight, no nothing. We turned off on the little road that goes into the park and immediately the road started to deteriorate. Not exactly a good sign. Then we passed an abandoned car. Not exactly a good sign. Beatty, Nevada, sits at 3,000 feet above sea level. The lowest point in Death Valley is somewhere around 272 feet below sea level. Needless to say, we started going downhill at a rather marked rate, and the brakes started to heat up. Not exactly a good sign.
At this point we were totally freaking each other out with ghost stories and stories of rabid vampire coyotes jumping through the windshield and people dying of thirst out in the park – stuff like that. Then a moth came into our headlights and Tia screamed like she'd seen a vampire coyote. Made us all laugh til we couldn’t breathe. We continued on with the creepy stories, and we jumped every time a bush stirred in the wind. Not exactly candidates for bravery badges.
Then the road became even worse. It took all of about 20 seconds to turn tail and head back home. On the highway.
But still… How many people can say they’ve been to Death Valley in June? When it was 80 degrees? At night? And it rained?? and they were attacked by rabid vampire coyote-moths and lived?!?! ;o)
The weather was still unusually cool with a nice breeze blowing the heat out, so we decided to check out the pool, which was way too chilly for my liking. The sun was behind the clouds and it was very nice and relaxing to sit in the lounge chair and soak up some rays. It was the perfect temperature – not too hot and not chilly one bit.
That evening we decided it would be a great time to check out Death Valley. We left town at about 6:00 p.m. or so. A few miles out of town we passed a highway sign with a mule on it. What, they have wild mules out in the desert?? I dunno because we didn’t see any, but that’s what was on the sign, honest. Or does that sign mean 'Warning - Wild-ass desert, next 10 miles'? I still dunno.
As we headed across the desert to get to Death Valley we noticed that there were very dark clouds on the horizon. How funny would it be to get out to Death Valley and have it rain?
So we got out to Beatty, right at the edge of Death Valley, and it was pitch black dark. No moonlight, no nothing. We turned off on the little road that goes into the park and immediately the road started to deteriorate. Not exactly a good sign. Then we passed an abandoned car. Not exactly a good sign. Beatty, Nevada, sits at 3,000 feet above sea level. The lowest point in Death Valley is somewhere around 272 feet below sea level. Needless to say, we started going downhill at a rather marked rate, and the brakes started to heat up. Not exactly a good sign.
At this point we were totally freaking each other out with ghost stories and stories of rabid vampire coyotes jumping through the windshield and people dying of thirst out in the park – stuff like that. Then a moth came into our headlights and Tia screamed like she'd seen a vampire coyote. Made us all laugh til we couldn’t breathe. We continued on with the creepy stories, and we jumped every time a bush stirred in the wind. Not exactly candidates for bravery badges.
Then the road became even worse. It took all of about 20 seconds to turn tail and head back home. On the highway.
But still… How many people can say they’ve been to Death Valley in June? When it was 80 degrees? At night? And it rained?? and they were attacked by rabid vampire coyote-moths and lived?!?! ;o)
Day 9, Vegas some more
This was Get-the-Van-Fixed Day. So I drove to Boulder City and got the AC fixed. Unfortunately this took just about the whole day, but again the weather was really nice and cool, and the people at the repair shop were very accommodating, so the day that could have been so dull was actually very tolerable.
That night the kids and I drove down The Strip and looked at all the amazing lights in town. I have no idea how much electricity flows through that town every night, but I know it’s a bunch.
There are some amazing buildings in Vegas, with new ones going up that dwarf the glass towers that are there now. We were fortunate enough to get stuck in traffic right in front of the Bellagio and we caught the show at the water fountain. Now that was way cool!!
That night the kids and I drove down The Strip and looked at all the amazing lights in town. I have no idea how much electricity flows through that town every night, but I know it’s a bunch.
There are some amazing buildings in Vegas, with new ones going up that dwarf the glass towers that are there now. We were fortunate enough to get stuck in traffic right in front of the Bellagio and we caught the show at the water fountain. Now that was way cool!!
Day 8, Las Vegas, Nevada
This was really going to be a boring drive – Bakersfield to Las Vegas. It actually really was kinda not so bad. The rain still seemed to be following us, so the weather was surprisingly tolerable, even with no air conditioning.
We decided to make a stop at the halfway point at a little ghost town called Calico. It was a silver mine that survived a handful of years in the late 1800’s. Mr. Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm bought the town many moons ago and restored the buildings that were in the best condition, about one-third of the town, and then built replicates of the rest from old photos and such.
This is one of my favorite spots, now that I know it exists. The wood planks in the old buildings are silky smooth from all the foot traffic. There is even an old school house!
We finally made it to Las Vegas late that night. Since it was so late, we just found a hotel and called it a night. We ended up staying at the South Point hotel. Nice place. Wonderful bed!!
We decided to make a stop at the halfway point at a little ghost town called Calico. It was a silver mine that survived a handful of years in the late 1800’s. Mr. Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm bought the town many moons ago and restored the buildings that were in the best condition, about one-third of the town, and then built replicates of the rest from old photos and such.
This is one of my favorite spots, now that I know it exists. The wood planks in the old buildings are silky smooth from all the foot traffic. There is even an old school house!
We finally made it to Las Vegas late that night. Since it was so late, we just found a hotel and called it a night. We ended up staying at the South Point hotel. Nice place. Wonderful bed!!
Day 7, Bakersfield
Sunday morning and we were packed and ready to hit the road nice and late in the morning. ;o) I love leisure travel. This day we needed to put some miles behind us on some rather uninteresting roads. We jumped onto I-5 and headed straight to Bakersfield.
The highway is lined with trees of all kinds of nuts and oranges and stuff like that, so really it is interesting actually. But the fields where they used to grow I-don’t-know-what are now barren. There are signs along the road that say “Congress-Created Dust Bowl”. Wish I had a clue what they were talking about. Something to do with water, obviously. The canals are pretty much dried up. Really creepy.
It seems like the farmland in California has gone feral.
The highway is lined with trees of all kinds of nuts and oranges and stuff like that, so really it is interesting actually. But the fields where they used to grow I-don’t-know-what are now barren. There are signs along the road that say “Congress-Created Dust Bowl”. Wish I had a clue what they were talking about. Something to do with water, obviously. The canals are pretty much dried up. Really creepy.
It seems like the farmland in California has gone feral.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Day 6, Costanoa KOA/Santa Cruz
So, time to leave Manchester Beach. Tons of fun there, really. We enjoyed our third lighthouse on the Pacific Coast while at Manchester Beach called Point Arena Lighthouse. On the advice of the locals, we decided to backtrack a few miles in order to avoid more emesis basins and Curlicue Highways. So back we went, over hill and dale, and finally made it back to Highway 101. Oh Sweet Deliverance!!
The kids weren’t so much into looking at stuff – they just wanted to get the heck down the road. We made no stops and looked at nothing tourist-trappy until we got to the Golden Gate Bridge. We made a short stop at Fort Baker at the foot of the western side of the bridge to take a few pics, and off we went. Three minutes tops. Then we had a nice drive over the bridge and a look at Alcatraz.
Highway 101 winds through some really nifty parts of San Francisco. I got a peek at one of the trolleys as it was coasting down the cross street. Besides that, we really didn’t do much in town. The boys saw some fancy cars for sale and tons of them on the road, so they were in testosterone nirvana.
After getting through town, we had an impossible decision to make. The campgrounds we liked were along the coast, which was on Highway 1. The dreaded Highway 1. But that’s where the campsites were. We decided to give it a go, and fortunately the drive was awesome and the campground had an empty spot! (and a lighthouse, Pigeon Point Lighthouse)
The kids weren’t so much into looking at stuff – they just wanted to get the heck down the road. We made no stops and looked at nothing tourist-trappy until we got to the Golden Gate Bridge. We made a short stop at Fort Baker at the foot of the western side of the bridge to take a few pics, and off we went. Three minutes tops. Then we had a nice drive over the bridge and a look at Alcatraz.
Highway 101 winds through some really nifty parts of San Francisco. I got a peek at one of the trolleys as it was coasting down the cross street. Besides that, we really didn’t do much in town. The boys saw some fancy cars for sale and tons of them on the road, so they were in testosterone nirvana.
After getting through town, we had an impossible decision to make. The campgrounds we liked were along the coast, which was on Highway 1. The dreaded Highway 1. But that’s where the campsites were. We decided to give it a go, and fortunately the drive was awesome and the campground had an empty spot! (and a lighthouse, Pigeon Point Lighthouse)
Monday, June 8, 2009
Day 5, Manchester Beach still
We decided it was a good idea to stay another day in Manchester Beach. Just a day to chillax and unwind.
In the morning I found branches and pinecones all over our campsite, which was really remarkable since the groundskeepers had kept the site spotless. Then I found the offending critter munching merrily up in tree about 20 feet above me. He was mowing on a pinecone and tossing the crumbs over his shoulder.
He had obviously done some farming previously and those bundles of cones were his rejects. Those things could knock you out, I'm not kidding you. Musta weighed 3 pounds each if they weighed an ounce.
We spent that night on the beach again. Beautiful day, peaceful night.
In the morning I found branches and pinecones all over our campsite, which was really remarkable since the groundskeepers had kept the site spotless. Then I found the offending critter munching merrily up in tree about 20 feet above me. He was mowing on a pinecone and tossing the crumbs over his shoulder.
He had obviously done some farming previously and those bundles of cones were his rejects. Those things could knock you out, I'm not kidding you. Musta weighed 3 pounds each if they weighed an ounce.
We spent that night on the beach again. Beautiful day, peaceful night.
Day 4, Manchester Beach, CA
After a totally restful night in a real bed in a real house with real walls and real toilets, we started our day with a meeting of the minds. We were supposed to spend two days at Prairie Creek, but it was still dumping rain. It was dumping to the point that there was no way we were going to be able to hike or see any of the giant trees we had come so far to see. Honestly though, the kids weren’t upset in the slightest. Trees, schmeeze… they didn’t care. So we decided to get a refund on our campsite and move along to Manchester Beach.
It has been proven by four out of five tourists to be hazardous to your health to travel on an empty stomach, so we started our journey with a breakfast in Orick at the Palm Inn. Nice little country café with the most polite staff on the planet. They were so sweet and had stayed late the night before and fed us dinner, so we went back for breakfast. Same cook, same waitress. Do these people ever sleep??
Highway 101 had been the road less traveled, so we started with that for the day. I have to tell you though, I was quite the pain about missing the trees. You could see quite a few from the road, but there were those bigguns somewhere in the woods, and I didn’t get to see them. I was so ticked that I had started to make plans in my noggin for another trip just to see the trees in a couple of years. Honestly, I was a bear. A cranky, crabby, pouty bear with no buffet.
Then we spotted the Avenue of the Giants!! A long and not-too-windy road that meanders through the real giants of the redwoods. There is very little brush growing in these groves, so hiking is easy and a pleasure. There are too few words in the English language to describe these trees. They tower above you so high that you literally lose the tops in the sky. To stand and look at one, you can probably only see about one-fifth of the girth of the tree. It’s a journey in itself just to walk around the base of a giant redwood. I could live there. My greatest joy was that the kids all ended up saying that the forest was much more spectacular than anything they thought it would be. They were thoroughly impressed. Job done. ;o)
This is a fallen redwood and if you look with a microscope you can see Kris on the right side of the stump.
There was a neat little junk shop/tourist trap alongside the road with a Gravity House in the back. We walked in at 5:00, just when the shopkeeper was about to close up. He humored us and gave us 15 minutes to check out their gravity contraption, which totally made me wacky. My mind just couldn’t get a grip on how I was supposed to stand upright while the walls were crooked… The mind is an evil and twisted thing. This stop was Tia’s idea and was a total blast.
At the end of the Avenue of Giants is a nice little scenic highway that runs right along the cliffs. It’s called Highway 1. I hate Highway 1. The 43.9 miles we drove on that God-forsaken highway took us all of three hours. I had one stroke and three heart attacks on the drive, and the kids were so quiet you could hear a gnat belch. We had to stop once to let the brakes cool off since they were smoking. Every 20 feet was a switchback or hairpin turn that was at tops a 10-mph turn. Uphill, downhill, around and around. Hurl.
Anyway, we finally made it down the highway into the KOA at Manchester Beach. We enjoyed a dinner of ribs, box taters, and peaches. Then we rambled down to the beach to take a peek at the ocean. The hills on the bluff were completely carpeted in wildflowers. The ocean was something to see. In this area it crashed on the beach instead of rolling in like it had in Seaside. And there was a seal playing just a few feet out in the waves. There was also another lighthouse, the second on our trip so far.
It has been proven by four out of five tourists to be hazardous to your health to travel on an empty stomach, so we started our journey with a breakfast in Orick at the Palm Inn. Nice little country café with the most polite staff on the planet. They were so sweet and had stayed late the night before and fed us dinner, so we went back for breakfast. Same cook, same waitress. Do these people ever sleep??
Highway 101 had been the road less traveled, so we started with that for the day. I have to tell you though, I was quite the pain about missing the trees. You could see quite a few from the road, but there were those bigguns somewhere in the woods, and I didn’t get to see them. I was so ticked that I had started to make plans in my noggin for another trip just to see the trees in a couple of years. Honestly, I was a bear. A cranky, crabby, pouty bear with no buffet.
Then we spotted the Avenue of the Giants!! A long and not-too-windy road that meanders through the real giants of the redwoods. There is very little brush growing in these groves, so hiking is easy and a pleasure. There are too few words in the English language to describe these trees. They tower above you so high that you literally lose the tops in the sky. To stand and look at one, you can probably only see about one-fifth of the girth of the tree. It’s a journey in itself just to walk around the base of a giant redwood. I could live there. My greatest joy was that the kids all ended up saying that the forest was much more spectacular than anything they thought it would be. They were thoroughly impressed. Job done. ;o)
This is a fallen redwood and if you look with a microscope you can see Kris on the right side of the stump.
There was a neat little junk shop/tourist trap alongside the road with a Gravity House in the back. We walked in at 5:00, just when the shopkeeper was about to close up. He humored us and gave us 15 minutes to check out their gravity contraption, which totally made me wacky. My mind just couldn’t get a grip on how I was supposed to stand upright while the walls were crooked… The mind is an evil and twisted thing. This stop was Tia’s idea and was a total blast.
At the end of the Avenue of Giants is a nice little scenic highway that runs right along the cliffs. It’s called Highway 1. I hate Highway 1. The 43.9 miles we drove on that God-forsaken highway took us all of three hours. I had one stroke and three heart attacks on the drive, and the kids were so quiet you could hear a gnat belch. We had to stop once to let the brakes cool off since they were smoking. Every 20 feet was a switchback or hairpin turn that was at tops a 10-mph turn. Uphill, downhill, around and around. Hurl.
Anyway, we finally made it down the highway into the KOA at Manchester Beach. We enjoyed a dinner of ribs, box taters, and peaches. Then we rambled down to the beach to take a peek at the ocean. The hills on the bluff were completely carpeted in wildflowers. The ocean was something to see. In this area it crashed on the beach instead of rolling in like it had in Seaside. And there was a seal playing just a few feet out in the waves. There was also another lighthouse, the second on our trip so far.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Day 3, Prairie Creek, Redwood Nat Park
We got up late and decided to take a look at the lighthouse at Bullard Beach before we left. It’s really kinda neat. It no longer functions (I think there is only something like one functioning manned lighthouse in these days of technology) but they have it all restored. It really is the perfect storybook lighthouse.
We stopped just north of the California border to have a bite to eat, and while we were dining it dumped rain. I haven’t seen rain like that in many, many moons. And it brought lightning with it, too.
After crossing into California, it was a relatively uneventful drive to the Prairie Creek campground, where we were informed by the ranger that we need to secure all of our scented items into the bear box located at the campsite. "Bear box" was all we heard. We tried to camp there, really we did. It was dumping rain and for goodness sake we had a bear box at our campsite!! What the heck, man?? We pretended to make camp in the van and there were a bunch of nervous chuckles exchanged about what we were going to do when the bear climbed into the van to find the scented toothpaste. Then we gave up and decided to drive around.
You would not believe what we found on the way into town to grab dinner. Sure enough, it was a cabin!! Took us about 20 seconds to vote on that one and secure a room. We made a quick trip back to the bear-infested campsite to get our lotions and soaps, and spent the rest of the night relaxing in a full-fledged house with moose (meese? mice?) hanging out in the back yard. We left the bears alone for their all-they-could-eat buffet.
Thanks to my dear friend, Beth, I must clarify the above info. The critter in the picture and the critter described are not the same, although somewhat similar if you stand way far back and squint. They were obviously not meese, but elk. Obviously. (sheesh) (and Beth, glad I could provide entertainment for you ;o) )
We had a wonderful night. Inside.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Day 2, Bullard Beach, OR
Woke up to rain in Astoria. Quite a bit of rain, and it just kept raining and raining. We packed up camp with wet everything. What a mess.
Our first stop was in Seaside, where the boys showed Tia and I where they had spent the previous summer with Grandma. It was a lovely town and there weren’t a whole gob of people there yet. We spent a few minutes on the beach and a few nanoseconds in the water. The weather was just not cooperating though, so we had to leave earlier than we would have liked. Subway warmed us up and filled our bellies.
Every few miles we pulled off the road to take a look at the gargantuan rocks sticking up out of the ocean. There really was quite a few of them scattered along the coastline, and they seemed to travel in flocks. I read somewhere that Haystack Rock is the third largest rock of that type in the world. I suppose someone somewhere has the job of Rock Measurer of the Planet, and he decided it was pretty darn big, and I concur.
Newport Aquarium is quite impressive, although it seems to me that they are always rather small compared to zoos. I suppose that’s not an equal comparison. In all fairness though, the aquarium was worth seeing. It had some jellies that were floofing around in their tanks. I wonder how they know where in the heck they’re going? I love jellies.
Somewhere along 101 we tripped over the Sea Lion Caves and decided to check them out. There are some good reviews and some really horrid reviews on the caves, so I was torn whether to spend the money to see them or not, but due to an extreme amount of peer pressure I gave in. And it turned out to be money well spent. There were two observation points with views of very fat and happy sea lions. Before you get to the viewing decks you can hear them hollering from below and they sound like a bunch of Harleys. I really thought it was motorcycles making the noise, really. The second part of the self-guided tour is a 200-foot elevator ride down to the cave, which claims to be the largest sea cave in the world. Now I haven’t seen many sea caves in my time, but this was a gargantuan cave, so I would not be surprised if it was true. The center of the cave had a large rock protruding up out of the sea, and slathered on the top were a bunch of sea lions and one huge male. This tour was Tia’s favorite attraction/event in Oregon.
Then we pulled in late to our campsite at Bullard Beach. It was still just the dreariest weather, so we were thrilled to have a yurt. After roasting marshmallows, we were visited by the cleaning crew, otherwise known as a raccoon. He made sure our spot was clean, and then lumbered off into the woods. I loved him!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Astoria, OR
We made it to Astoria! What a beautiful place!! Hummingbirds everywhere. We rarely see them, but they fight constantly and so we hear them all the time. They are totally entertaining.
We stopped at Pike's Place Market yesterday for lunch and had humbow. Yu-uuumm!!
Then on the way down we got an awesome look at St. Helen's. It's been almost 30 years. The mountain was beautiful.
Then crossed the Columbia on the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Longview. Don't think I'd ever been on it before.
Stopped in Astoria to see the Astoria Column, which was really, really tall. They have stairs that spiral up the inside, but it was closed so we couldn't go up. Which was a good thing!! ;o)
Anyway, it's Tuesday morning and we are getting ready to head out. Will check in down the road!! Love to all!!!
We stopped at Pike's Place Market yesterday for lunch and had humbow. Yu-uuumm!!
Then on the way down we got an awesome look at St. Helen's. It's been almost 30 years. The mountain was beautiful.
Then crossed the Columbia on the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Longview. Don't think I'd ever been on it before.
Stopped in Astoria to see the Astoria Column, which was really, really tall. They have stairs that spiral up the inside, but it was closed so we couldn't go up. Which was a good thing!! ;o)
Anyway, it's Tuesday morning and we are getting ready to head out. Will check in down the road!! Love to all!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Night Before
So, we're ready to go. As ready as we're gonna be, anyway. Everything I don't have, I have forgotten, so.... I won't be getting it. ;o)
The van looks kinda funny. Really funny, as a matter of fact. That's okay, we love it anyway. Actually, it fits in with the family better now that it looks dorky.
We have packed our toothpaste, skivvies and swimsuits. Everything else we can live without for one night and buy the next morning.
We plan to set sail at about 10:00 a.m. It is vacation after all, which by definition should NOT involve an alarm clock.
The van looks kinda funny. Really funny, as a matter of fact. That's okay, we love it anyway. Actually, it fits in with the family better now that it looks dorky.
We have packed our toothpaste, skivvies and swimsuits. Everything else we can live without for one night and buy the next morning.
We plan to set sail at about 10:00 a.m. It is vacation after all, which by definition should NOT involve an alarm clock.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Eleven days to go and horse is lame
So we took the van into town today. Just had to do a few errands. We needed to make copies of the van key, get the full-size spare mounted and placed underneath the van, and visit the health club to suspend the membership. All in all, probably 3 miles - 5 tops.
The first stop was the car shop. They were awesome and got me right in to try the spare out and make sure it fit with the new rim, pull it off, and get it snugged underneath the van. Then off we went and got the key copied. So far really, really dull and boring. Just like I like it!
But no....
Then off to the health club - in and out of there in under five minutes. On the way out, we decided to go back to the shop and pick up the mechanic and let him listen to the funny noise the van had been making for the past couple of weeks. He hopped in and looked at me like I was a car repair junky and he was my supplier. Honestly, it kinda felt that way, too...
Anyway, one block to the stop sign, one block to the stop light. Man, the car in front of us is smoking! Take a left (insert groan I was hoping he would hear) and one block to next stop light. Car Repair Man then says something along the lines of "ya, that's a problem". While sitting at the light, we notice that the aforementioned 'car in front of us' was still smoking like a house on fire, but it was no longer in front of us. As a matter of fact, there was no one in front of us. I think it was the burning sensation in my eyes that made me wonder if maybe the source wasn't a bit closer.
So, three blocks later and we were back at the shop. We parked in the same spot, which was now sporting a bright green puddle. After looking under the hood, Car Repair Man diagnosed my van with a broken a/c hose. He disconnected everything and we were thankfully able to drive home. He was even kind enough to wash all the gook off the engine so we wouldn't asphyxiate on the way home.
So probably next week after the long holiday weekend we will get the a/c repaired and hooked back up. Six days before we hit the trail. Does that make me nervous? Why, noooo. (YEEEESSSS!)
I wonder what last-minute thing drove Grandma crazy just a few days before they planned to leave? It definitely wasn't the air conditioner. I wonder if they were even able to sell their house and property, or if they just had to leave it. I really am blessed to live in this era. I'm certain beyond doubt I'm not as tough as Grandma was. Complaining about air conditioning issues seems like complaining that the gold is too heavy. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
The first stop was the car shop. They were awesome and got me right in to try the spare out and make sure it fit with the new rim, pull it off, and get it snugged underneath the van. Then off we went and got the key copied. So far really, really dull and boring. Just like I like it!
But no....
Then off to the health club - in and out of there in under five minutes. On the way out, we decided to go back to the shop and pick up the mechanic and let him listen to the funny noise the van had been making for the past couple of weeks. He hopped in and looked at me like I was a car repair junky and he was my supplier. Honestly, it kinda felt that way, too...
Anyway, one block to the stop sign, one block to the stop light. Man, the car in front of us is smoking! Take a left (insert groan I was hoping he would hear) and one block to next stop light. Car Repair Man then says something along the lines of "ya, that's a problem". While sitting at the light, we notice that the aforementioned 'car in front of us' was still smoking like a house on fire, but it was no longer in front of us. As a matter of fact, there was no one in front of us. I think it was the burning sensation in my eyes that made me wonder if maybe the source wasn't a bit closer.
So, three blocks later and we were back at the shop. We parked in the same spot, which was now sporting a bright green puddle. After looking under the hood, Car Repair Man diagnosed my van with a broken a/c hose. He disconnected everything and we were thankfully able to drive home. He was even kind enough to wash all the gook off the engine so we wouldn't asphyxiate on the way home.
So probably next week after the long holiday weekend we will get the a/c repaired and hooked back up. Six days before we hit the trail. Does that make me nervous? Why, noooo. (YEEEESSSS!)
I wonder what last-minute thing drove Grandma crazy just a few days before they planned to leave? It definitely wasn't the air conditioner. I wonder if they were even able to sell their house and property, or if they just had to leave it. I really am blessed to live in this era. I'm certain beyond doubt I'm not as tough as Grandma was. Complaining about air conditioning issues seems like complaining that the gold is too heavy. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thirteen days to go
We accomplished the mission and secured a car-top carrier. It ain't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but it's functional. Thanks to my dear brother, it will now ride atop the van instead of inside. Inside kinda defeats the whole purpose of the carrier.
We took the AAA membership for a test drive recently, and thankfully it passed. We were driving home through a canyon the other day and ran over a football-sized rock. The new tire didn't take too kindly to the rock, and we ended up disabled on the side of the road in very nasty weather. Thanks to the poor tow truck driver, we got back to town safe and dry. When I say "we" I mean me and the boys, but not the truck driver. I now am a firm believer in AAA.
Everything significant is pretty much done. We have all the major camping supplies purchased and have tested all the equipment out to make sure it will function properly. Everything that is left can either be purchased over these last few days, or more likely will be purchased on the road. I would leave tomorrow at dawn if I could, but I have determined to wait. I'll stick to the plan - it's a good plan.
My grandmother was born in 1911. As far as I know she was never involved in a wagon train, but I know she was involved in the Dust Bowl. Her and my grandfather and their children, I think there were two at the time, had to move from Kansas to Colorado because one of their children had asthma and staying in the dust would have been fatal for him. So they moved somewhere in Colorado and felt like they'd moved to paradise. They all lived in a tent and I suppose Grandma cooked over a campfire. I kinda feel like I'm living a memory of my grandma by going on this trip, even though I have all the modern conveniences of the present day, like a propane stove, an 8-man tent that actually repells water, and the ability to go home at any moment. But the spirit is still there. My grandma was tough as nails, as sweet as honey, and as soft as silk. No... not silk. Grandma didn't have any silk. She was soft like a cotton quilt that has been washed hundreds of times - that kind of soft.
After Grandpa got paid the $2.00 for his first week of work, Grandma bought one of her children a pair of shoes for ten cents. Five percent of your weekly wage for a pair of shoes, with a work day that was determined by the sun instead of the clock. They were awesome people.
We took the AAA membership for a test drive recently, and thankfully it passed. We were driving home through a canyon the other day and ran over a football-sized rock. The new tire didn't take too kindly to the rock, and we ended up disabled on the side of the road in very nasty weather. Thanks to the poor tow truck driver, we got back to town safe and dry. When I say "we" I mean me and the boys, but not the truck driver. I now am a firm believer in AAA.
Everything significant is pretty much done. We have all the major camping supplies purchased and have tested all the equipment out to make sure it will function properly. Everything that is left can either be purchased over these last few days, or more likely will be purchased on the road. I would leave tomorrow at dawn if I could, but I have determined to wait. I'll stick to the plan - it's a good plan.
My grandmother was born in 1911. As far as I know she was never involved in a wagon train, but I know she was involved in the Dust Bowl. Her and my grandfather and their children, I think there were two at the time, had to move from Kansas to Colorado because one of their children had asthma and staying in the dust would have been fatal for him. So they moved somewhere in Colorado and felt like they'd moved to paradise. They all lived in a tent and I suppose Grandma cooked over a campfire. I kinda feel like I'm living a memory of my grandma by going on this trip, even though I have all the modern conveniences of the present day, like a propane stove, an 8-man tent that actually repells water, and the ability to go home at any moment. But the spirit is still there. My grandma was tough as nails, as sweet as honey, and as soft as silk. No... not silk. Grandma didn't have any silk. She was soft like a cotton quilt that has been washed hundreds of times - that kind of soft.
After Grandpa got paid the $2.00 for his first week of work, Grandma bought one of her children a pair of shoes for ten cents. Five percent of your weekly wage for a pair of shoes, with a work day that was determined by the sun instead of the clock. They were awesome people.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
5 weeks and counting...
So much can happen in just two short weeks.
First of all, we met the nicest Jeffrey from Pioneer Square and we took a load of cooking/camping gear off his hands. Some of the stuff is completely foreign to me and I'm sure it will be used totally improperly. Kinda like the dinglehopper from Little Mermaid. But to Jeffrey I am sincerely greatful for all the camping gear-type treasures.
The chariot has had a facelift and runs like new. First we put on new brakes, so we can stop. That's always handy. Very. Then new tires. Four of them. The air conditioner blows at 40 degrees, and the serpentine belt is brand spankin' new. Of course I had to put a second mortgage on the house to get it all done, but done it is. And in a very timely fashion thanks to Dawn. "Thanks, Dawn."
We have purchased a tent and it is HUGE, like 10x15 feet huge. It sleeps eight supposedly, but it will sleep four with room to spare. Kris says he's bummed because it doesn't have a vestibule. Some people are just impossible to please. ;o) Anyway, we have put the tent up twice now for practice and just to make sure the blasted thing is all in one piece, and thankfully it seems to be in superb working order. The rain fly on it is a rather startling orange, so you'll be able to track our progress from the Hubble telescope, no problem.
This week is for wrapping up the sleeping gear and securing a car-top carrier. Hopefully we will accomplish the mission!
First of all, we met the nicest Jeffrey from Pioneer Square and we took a load of cooking/camping gear off his hands. Some of the stuff is completely foreign to me and I'm sure it will be used totally improperly. Kinda like the dinglehopper from Little Mermaid. But to Jeffrey I am sincerely greatful for all the camping gear-type treasures.
The chariot has had a facelift and runs like new. First we put on new brakes, so we can stop. That's always handy. Very. Then new tires. Four of them. The air conditioner blows at 40 degrees, and the serpentine belt is brand spankin' new. Of course I had to put a second mortgage on the house to get it all done, but done it is. And in a very timely fashion thanks to Dawn. "Thanks, Dawn."
We have purchased a tent and it is HUGE, like 10x15 feet huge. It sleeps eight supposedly, but it will sleep four with room to spare. Kris says he's bummed because it doesn't have a vestibule. Some people are just impossible to please. ;o) Anyway, we have put the tent up twice now for practice and just to make sure the blasted thing is all in one piece, and thankfully it seems to be in superb working order. The rain fly on it is a rather startling orange, so you'll be able to track our progress from the Hubble telescope, no problem.
This week is for wrapping up the sleeping gear and securing a car-top carrier. Hopefully we will accomplish the mission!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
We have 7 weeks to prepare to be gone for 3 months. EEEEK!!
Passed out and hit my head... sorry about that.
Anyhoo, preparations are under way. Had to put my health club membership on hold for the summer. You know the health club membership I haven't even had for a week?? Yah, that's the one. They looked at me like I had an eye in the middle of my forehead. I paid for a year in advance to get the reduced rate, so I bet they were thinkin' I was there to cancel.
Their bookkeeping system is so advanced, they asked me to hold-off on that supsension until the first part of May... because they were less likely to lose my information if I waited. BUT I was advised to not wait too long, or it might not get processed by June 1st. So my assessment of the situation is that I have a 30-second window on May 3rd at approximately 2:30 a.m., at which time I can submit my request for a hold and not risk being too early or too late. The only challenge being that the building is closed. Technicalities everywhere I turn... ;o)
Now comes the part of getting the chariot roadworthy. New tires have been ordered and will be in next week. New shoes for the horse, that's always good. Then I have to get a new belt thingy, and my dear brother says to bring the old one in case I get stuck out in Sticksville with a broken belt and they can't get a new one til next year. It's so awesome having a brother who has broken down in Sticksville. The bigger issue here is that my air conditioner is broken. That's a grand to get fixed, and I don't mean 'grand' like a grand ball or a grand piano. I mean a grand like a bazillion dollars. Kris says we can make it without it, but Sticksville brother says that would be unwise, which is his way of telling me not to be a tard. Outside of those repairs there will be a lube/oil/filter/wiper blades/laying-on-of-hands right before we go. Oh, and the van will break 200,000 miles about 30 minutes into aforementioned journey. Nothing like living on that razor-sharp edge... ;o)
Passed out and hit my head... sorry about that.
Anyhoo, preparations are under way. Had to put my health club membership on hold for the summer. You know the health club membership I haven't even had for a week?? Yah, that's the one. They looked at me like I had an eye in the middle of my forehead. I paid for a year in advance to get the reduced rate, so I bet they were thinkin' I was there to cancel.
Their bookkeeping system is so advanced, they asked me to hold-off on that supsension until the first part of May... because they were less likely to lose my information if I waited. BUT I was advised to not wait too long, or it might not get processed by June 1st. So my assessment of the situation is that I have a 30-second window on May 3rd at approximately 2:30 a.m., at which time I can submit my request for a hold and not risk being too early or too late. The only challenge being that the building is closed. Technicalities everywhere I turn... ;o)
Now comes the part of getting the chariot roadworthy. New tires have been ordered and will be in next week. New shoes for the horse, that's always good. Then I have to get a new belt thingy, and my dear brother says to bring the old one in case I get stuck out in Sticksville with a broken belt and they can't get a new one til next year. It's so awesome having a brother who has broken down in Sticksville. The bigger issue here is that my air conditioner is broken. That's a grand to get fixed, and I don't mean 'grand' like a grand ball or a grand piano. I mean a grand like a bazillion dollars. Kris says we can make it without it, but Sticksville brother says that would be unwise, which is his way of telling me not to be a tard. Outside of those repairs there will be a lube/oil/filter/wiper blades/laying-on-of-hands right before we go. Oh, and the van will break 200,000 miles about 30 minutes into aforementioned journey. Nothing like living on that razor-sharp edge... ;o)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Walsh Tribe USA vacation.
We are not gone yet so there is nothing to post. But we are getting ready to get ready.
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