Tuesday, 30 March 2010, Day 20

We started the day at Monument Valley, Gouldings RV Park. Last night as dinner was being made (club rollup "sandwiches"- Yummy!), the kids went out for a hike. They found an arch (if you enlarge it you may be able to make out Grant on the top and Hope and Luke sitting on a ledge in the shot from the RV). They gave us walkie talkie updates (and picture requests), and we issued the safety warnings!

This morning we watched the sun rise over the valley (as we lay under all the blankets in bed!). Then we headed for the Navajo visitor center. We decided to move on without a tour, and because of the length of the RV we were not able to drive into Monument Valley further.

However, we have really enjoyed the RV, and although we could have easily stayed in a hotel several times on cold nights, we all preferred just staying in the RV. For those who are curious, we have stayed in a lot campgrounds at $10 to $20 a night, some with power and a dump station, most without. A few free spots on BLM land, and other spots (although those are harder to find on the fly and not always accessible in an RV). Then we have stayed in a range of RV parks from basic -power/water/sewer ($18 and up), to "resorts" with full cable TV, heated swimming pools, showers, laundry, WiFi, playgrounds, one even had a fishing pond, game room, and workout room ($30 to $55 depending on location and time, average about $40). The resorts usually charge a few dollars extra for each person more than 2 people, so we are above base rates. When we were in Moab, we ran into the Jeep Safari, and that was one of the higher rates. Not too bad when you consider that if we stayed in a hotel we would usually require two rooms at probably twice the price each, and would have to eat out. So far we have eaten out maybe 2 or 3 times a week on average. For the first week, we did not eat out at all. We have not made any reservations anywhere, and we only had to change plans a few times. Fuel mileage, not so much, but overall we have really enjoyed the RV.

In an RV, you really are "King of the road" or at least you feel like it at times!

Today we covered the second most miles for a day, 330 miles. However it was longer as none of it was on interstate, and was all on rural highways and byways, with a few small towns along the way.

We also crossed the continental divide, and now the water flows to the Rio Grande.

29 March, 2010 , Monday Day 19

We headed up to Mesa Verde National Park this morning. Certain parts of the park were still closed due to snow, but we were able to get into some nice sites and see some of the others.

One of the things that has impressed me (Greg) is that although we think about our country being quite young, there is a lot of history and sites older than the age of our country. At Mesa Verde, we visited one primitive site that was estimated to date to 600 AD, or 1400 years old. Most cliff dwelling type sites we have visited, including Mesa Verde, date to about 1200 or 1300 AD.

Grant is shown on the ladder coming out of a "Kiva" which is an enclosed room (often underground or in a cave) that was used for a variety of purposes, including weaving and ceremonies.

The museum (winter visitor center) was really well done. Our family has been talking about the "Chewed Bread" recipe especially. Kids - you may want to enlarge the picture and ask your parents to make it for you - or not!

After leaving Mesa Verde, we headed down to the "awesome" four corners monument (on Indian land), which turned out to be a "Family Vacation" kind of moment. We decided to get out and take a picture anyway, as a regular flow other poor souls rolled in for the same "highlight" experience. We turned it into a good laugh and drove on to Monument Valley for the night. More on that in the next post.

Sunday

Sunday March 28, 2010 Day 18




We enjoyed the last several days of rest, laundry, and even a few haircuts by Amanda. The kids played "life size" Chess under the bluffs along the Colorado river yesterday. After the rest, even Red was ready to get back on the road. This morning we went to Moab Community Church for Palm Sunday. Next Sunday for their Easter Sunrise Service, they are loading up and going to Arches National Park, which would be awesome. After Church we made a few provision stops and headed down the road to Cortez, Colorado in preperation for Mesa Verde tomorrow. The kids are getting along well (most of the time), and enjoy doing a variety of things in the motorhome including reading.

25 March 2010, Thursday Day 15

As I write this, Grant asked a common question heard in the RV, "where are we going tomorrow?" We often are not even sure what we are going to do until it is done. God has provided some great adventures, and wonderful places to stay. Like life, it is often not what we expect, or even what we wanted, but as we follow God, His way is perfect.

After our first breakfast out, (Amanda has been a moving gourmet cook), it was Arches NP. We did several hikes in the cool park. (Another Jr. Ranger program- school never stops!). (Enlarge the picture of the single arch and you will see Amanda and the kids in the arch, which puts it in scale). The close up picture is of the "cryptobiotic soil"; living soil made of mosses, lichens, and other living organisms that is part of God's masterful creation of life in the desert. If it is damaged, it can take up to 250 years to reform! Then on to Dead Horse State Park for the night (near CanyonLands National Park -Hope renamed this "Candyland National Park"!)

26/27 March 2010, Day 16/17

We awoke to light snow falling! Since it was not sticking yet, we made a quick stop at CanyonLands visitor center then headed for lower ground at Moab. (Greg has NO interest in trying chains and snow/ice in this rig!) The weather has really been quite accommodating for the trip, and we needed a break anyways. We have found the Sabbath principle to be a great help on this fast moving trip, so at least once a week we try to sit for an extra night. Today, we have been catching our breath, laundry, schoolwork, reading and resting. Tomorrow we will visit a church in Moab, before moving on to Mesa Verde area (subject to change of course!)

24 March, 2010 - Day 14

We are now completing two weeks on the road, and things are flowing smoothly. With the pace and amount we have seen, sometimes it is hard to remember the where and when. We are nearing 2000 miles traveled. A little bit of "if its Tuesday This must be Belgium...". Fortunately, we have the "Captain's Log". It started as joke,... "Captain's log... star date ...., make it so Mr. Zulu". (You quickly understand why in the movie "RV" the horn plays the Star Trek theme). However, the log has proved quite helpful, and we have expanded it to include a plant and animal log, as well as a park/museum log. In addition to notable Big Horn Sheep, and Condor, today we added Prong Horn Antelope to the nature log.

Today we drove through parts of Capitol Reef, as we made our way to Arches/Canyon Lands/Moab Utah. Only saw a handful of cars the whole morning. Made a great lunch stop at Goblin State Park, which was like a rock mushroom garden gone crazy! The kids loved exploring and climbing around while Amanda made lunch. (Grant) - It was really cool going through the mazes and climbing up towers that looked like mushrooms! (Greg)-As we neared the Moab area, we confirmed that the National Park campgrounds in this warmer area were full (we are also running into people on spring break), so we stumbled across the Sand Flat BLM campground, aka "Slickrock" (for those mountain bike riders and 4Wheelers). It was "way cool" and only about 2 miles from Moab. If you enlarge the picture by double clicking on it, you will be able to make out that the specs on top of the petrified sand dune rocks are actually the kids taking a hike around the campground! Walkie talkies come in handy to call them back for dinner!

23 March, Day 13

Up to Bryce after staying in a warmer location. The park is beautiful, but still with a lot of snow. The Ranger said it was 25 degrees when they opened the visitor center at 8am. Go up to some of the higher points in the park, add the wind at some of the viewpoints, and it was... exhilarating! The kids of course wanted to go out and play in the snow! Too bad we did not think to bring snow clothes! While here, the kids figured out where Disneyland got the idea for the rocks on the Thunder Mountain ride! The kids also continued to add to their Jr. Ranger badge collection. After leaving the park, we dropped out of the high country on Scenic route 12, and through the Escalante/Grand Staircase National Monument. VERY COOL drive up to Boulder Utah. Along the way, we hit the Escalante visitor center, as well as a state petrified forest park (the petrified forest was not worth recommending). Back up to the high country, with a summit of 9600 ft (I tried not to think about the fuel mileage of all the climbs!). Once we reached the area of Capitol Reef National Park, no RV/Campgrounds were open (we are really ahead of the crowds in this area!), but we did find the year round campground in the park to have space and be quite nice (it was still 43 degrees inside by morning, practically tropic!).

PS. For those looking for "Red", he has been in several of the pictures, including one in this post, but you might need to enlarge the picture by double clicking on it to find him.

Day 11 / 12, Sunday / Monday, 21/22 March 2010

Off to Zion National Park. Made it into the park campground and settled in to watch a movie. The Movie was RV. For those who have seen it, you will know why afterwards we felt bad for laughing so hard and making so much noise in a campground. Especially after a week and half in an RV. We loved Zion, and it is hard for the pictures to show Gods creation in full staggering beauty.

A favorite hike was up a small slot canyon that narrowed down to a crack. While on the hike we also saw a big horn sheep! Not to mention the fact that there was a full rock tunnel cave that went all the way under the road, that we hiked through.

(Amanda's thoughts)-So, we watched RV last night and laughed our heads off. It was funnier than the first time we saw it because now it means something to us! We still have plenty of food in the cupboards. Greg said I over-prepared, but I can say that the only thing I wish I had brought was a wooden spoon. I could have left many of the kids books at home since it is very hard to read while traveling and when we are stopped we are usually sightseeing.

I made meatloaf one night, we barbecued fish on another, and had elk steaks on another. It has been gourmet all the way. The microwave and oven make it less rough than camping. It's also warmer at night inside. I haven't seen a Trader Joe's yet, but I did get the store listing from the internet, so hopefully we'll find one before I run out of the essentials.

We are really having a great time. The National Parks have been amazing. The Junior Ranger program has been very educational and has given the plenty of activities for the road. SO, note to parents, at any US National Park or Monument you can ask for the Junior Ranger booklet. It is full of park information and it makes a great souvenier.

My favorite part of the trip has been Zion. The magnificent colors of the rock cliffs and the patterns in the sandstone rocks is awe inspiring. We praise God for his mighty hand in creating this for us to enjoy. We are on the outskirts of Bryce tonight. There was a little too much snow to stay in the park(3 to 4 feet!), even though the campground was open! There really wasn't a place for the kids to play outside except in the snow and we didn't bring our snow clothes! Thanks for traveling with us. More later. -Amanda

Day 10, Saturday, 20 March 2010

We headed on up the road and stopped at the bridge on the Colorado River, at the Visitor Center for the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and Glenn Canyon NRA. Quite surprising to look down from the bridge and see a pair of Condors (a first for us). Based on some advice from the center, we went down to Lee's Ferry, where people used to cross the Colorado and today put in for river rafting trips down the Colorado. This trip is starting to feel a little bit like a Louis Lamore tour with the historic river crossings, lava flows, cliff dwellings and remote canyons! We found a great campground and got a site overlooking the river (we could hear it!). Instead of "Vermillion Cliffs" Hope nicknamed it "A Million Cliffs", which actually fit even better! Hope also loved the bike ride down to watch the boats launch, the historic sites, and along the river. The kids enjoied riding the bikes and scooter all over while we sat and caught our breath a bit.

Day 9, 19 March 2010

Despite the GPS, we found the Sunset Crater National Monument. The kids enjoyed the visitor center and are doing the "Jr. Ranger" program everywhere possible. This area of Arizona has had a lot of volcanic activity, and we have learned how that has impacted the land and the people. It was threatening to snow, but thankfully it did not, and the roads were clear. (there is still several feet of snow in some places we are visiting).

(By Grant) Then it was off to Walnut Canyon National Monument, where Indians lived in a more "cliffy" area. We got our Jr. Ranger Badges.

(By Luke)It was cool to go into the cliff dwellings where Indians used to live on a cliff looking into the canyon.

(By Greg) - Although the picture doesn't show it, the dwellings were actually high on the canyon wall. If you look carefully in the next picture you can see some dwellings about 1/3 down from the top.

Next we drove on to the Grand Canyon.

(By Luke)

The Grand Canyon

It is deep in a canyon in Arizona filled with cactus and streams.

It is wonderful to see the rocks and the sand everywhere in the Canyon.

We went to the Canyon on the 19th, two days until spring.

We looked in the Canyon, a long way down, to see the streams of water, flowing down, down.. down.... down!

(By Greg) - Since we are winging this trip, and did not have reservations anywhere, we moved on out of the park for the night. We don't know who all those crazy people are visiting the park with snow on the ground and spending the night in an RV under threat of snow and 17 degree temperatures, but we did not end up being one of them!

Day 8, 17 March 2010

(By Grant) - After leaving Phoneix, we stopped at Montezuma's Castle. It was cut out of the side of the cliff in an Indian neighborhood. The Indians evacuated around 1400 A.D. We went to Sedona, but there was no room to stay. So we went on to Flagstaff and stopped there for the night. Some snow still on the ground.

Day 4 /5 After having a church service in the RV (the singing fell into the "joyful noise" category, but the message was from the Bible), we stopped at the Palm Spring Springs Tramway, taking it up to over 8500 feet. The tram rotates 720 degrees on the way up, and we all thought it was a pretty good ride. Greg was especially glad to finally ride it after looking at it literally several hundred times while flying to and from the plant all those years. Then it was back to Joshua Tree National Park, where we camped at Jumbo Rocks Campground. The kids learned about different desert plants and animals, as well as basic geology on hikes and at the visitor centers.

The kids only got minor scrapes and abrasions despite hours and hours of scrambling around! Amanda tried not to look as the kids climbed every rock they could find!

The Kids also enjoyed the "Jr. Ranger program", and several nights of star talks by dad.

Day 6/7 After 2 nights at Joshua, it was on to Yuma, via a road across the San Andreas fault, and next to the Salton Sea. Amanda even took a turn behind the wheel. We enjoyed a meal with some freinds in Yuma, and stayed next to the Colorado River with the die hard snow birds. It was up to 90 plus degrees on Wednesday. Then it was off to Mexico for a visit to San Luis, RC Sonora. Good thing we had our passports, or we would still be enjoying the tacos! (we had to stop at the favorite taco stand for lunch!). We then headed to Phoenix area for the night. There were several "RV Movie" moments, especially the St. Patricks Day dance at the RV park! Too rich an experience to describe! Thursday's adventure will be in the next post.

Day 2

Day 2

We hit the road and made it to Joshua Tree National Park. Only it was Friday, and the campgrounds at the park were all full, so headed out to the BLM land to join other park refugees, as well as off roaders, remote controlled airplane flyers, and even the odd ultralight flyer who "buzzed" the area. Below, Red enjoys basking in the Sun on free BLM land.

Day 3

Today we went to Joshua Tree National Park and did a nature walk near Indian Cove.

It was great to see God's creation. We even knew the answer to one of the "mysteries of nature" posted about the Yucca Moth and the Yucca Plant. Something the evolutionist cannot explain very well. How two species dependant on each other for survial came into being. We know it was not by some impossible chance, but by a highly intelligent, specific design, to make us stop and say "Wow, God is amazing".

We decided to detour to Palm Springs for the weekend and return to the park once it emptied out during the week. Driving an RV in high wind requires some coordination

Well, it is only day 3, but we think we are getting this RV living down. We set up at an RV park for the night in Cathedral City, near Palm Springs. It is amazing what you can get at Walmart!

We're Off!

Well, we did not get too far, but we did depart after getting the final things off the list. We stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Smiths for the night and a bowl of ice cream! Thanks to our house sitters for taking care of things and the dog. We did bring a "pet", hey kids out there, can you find our pet "Red"? He is going to sit in the sun on our dash and see things with us. Watch for him.

Counting down!

Well, we're still here. This trip is so flexible, we don't even know when we're leaving! We hope to be off next week.