Day 12: The Great American Road Trip

So today we left Las Vegas at 9 am and it was already 92 degrees outside. Can you even believe that?  I am pretty sure I could not live in that heat all summer long unless I was in the water non-stop.

 We visited the Hoover Dam and our dads did the Dam Tour.  The boys are too young so we only did the power plant tour.  A little bit of history for you... The Hoover Dam was built in 5 years under budget and faster than originally planned in the 1930's for less than a million dollars.  The bridge that now spans above it took 5 years to build at a cost of 10 million dollars.  Hmmm, when did we function better as a country???

 We left the Dam and headed to Arizona for the Grand Canyon.  The boys began working hard to earn their badges.

J and I are talking about taking this same trip again in 10 years with the boys.  I can't wait to do this same picture above and put them side by side in a frame.  I love my boys- all 5 of them!

Day 11: The Great American Road Trip

We have officially passed the halfway point of our trip and I am happy to report that I have not lost my sanity or my temper yet!  I just told my dad and J's dad how truly lucky we are to have parents that not only get along but that can spend 17 days together in close proximity.  Our boys are so blessed to have strong role models in their lives.  When J and I did our marital counseling 12+ years ago the priest told us the only thing we had going for us was our parents commitment to their marriages- he called that one right for sure.  (I do however feel we had and continue to have other things in our corner as well) 

So this morning we headed back to the family hotel in Henderson and the boys and I played in the pool all day!  It was so much fun.  You should know that the temperatures reached the 120's today. 
Here is the temp on our way to see Spider Man at 4:00 this afternoon. 

 Can you even believe that?  127 degrees.  Summer in Vegas is like CRAZY- but you would not believe all the people that are here!  I cannot for the life of me figure out why people would come to the bloody desert in the summer? 

So Spider Man was a bit scary for my little man so he and I hit up the arcade and his big brother joined us afterward.  Then we stayed at same hotel/casino/movie complex and had a buffet dinner.  Love the buffets and this one was only $14! 

Tomorrow we are off to the Hoover Dam so the grandpas can do the Dam Tour, (I just love that play on words) and then onto the Grand Canyon.  The good news is that it is supposed to be hotter tomorrow....  Holy cow batman I may melt!

Day 10: The Great American Road Trip

Before we left Bryce Canyon this morning we decided to check out a waterfall just up the road.  Our hope was that the kids could swim in this, but when we arrived the trail down had been washed out.  So J. forged a new path and we walked up the river bed to the bottom of the waterfall.  This was probably one of my best moments of the trip.  The water was freezing but the boys absolutely loved it.

 After we left Bryce Canyon we headed 2 hours south to Zion National Park.  We did not begin our trip with this park in mind but added it after several people along the way recommended it and I am thankful to them.  This park is amazing.  The road that runs through the park is truly an engineering feat and took 5 years to build in the 1920's.  I am convinced that most amazing things were done the 20's and 30's in the USA.  We will definitely visit this park again and hike through it for sure.   But not in July or August as the temperature in the park today was 115.  HOT, HOT, HOT!

 3 hours south of Zion is Las Vegas and that is where we are staying for 2 nights.    Our base camp is actually 15 minutes outside of Vegas in Hendersen.  J and I got a room on the strip at the Luxor for $40.  I have to say that the Luxor isn't really that bad.  You know me the hotel snob- I am growing up! This is the view from our room door. 

 So J and I didn't really know what to do with ourselves.  Our days have been so planned out that we floundered for a bit with having no set plans or directions.  We toyed around with seeing a show but then opted just to walk the strip.  We ate at the Bellagio and it was fabulous as always.  I have only been to Vegas in the summer one time before and two things stand out for me now.

1.   English speakers are the minority.  It is like every person here is vacationing from another country.  I certainly hope they are visiting other places other than Vegas!  
2. The line to Bellagio Buffet is THE best place to people watch.  You would not believe the outfits, hairstyles, mismatched couples.  That was truly a show for us this evening.  I so wish that I had a tiny camera on my sunglasses to document the things we saw.  You have to see it to believe it!

They added the Washington Monument- shout out to DC.

So before we walked the strip we were thinking about bringing the boys to see the pirate show at TI and the Bellagio water show tomorrow.  That would be a big H*!! no.  If you have not been to Vegas in a while the pamphlet people are out in full force.  I truly think this takes away from the fun that this city has to offer and pulls out the sleazy side.  There is no way that we will be touching foot on the strip with my boys.  We will drive through tomorrow night to see the lights and then they can return when they turn 21. 

Day 9: The Great American Road Trip

Per my friends advice we added Bryce Canyon in Utah to our trip.  We were originally planning on staying there 2 nights but I figured we would be able to see it in one day allowing us to add on Zion National Park also in Utah as recommended by several people we have met on this trip.  Bryce Canyon is definitely a must see. 

As we toured the park there were several walkways that lead right up to the edge.  My dad is not a bif fan of heights so I was shocked and proud when he made his way all the way to the end of on of this walkways.  A. did his best ranger support as he held PaPa's hand leading him out.

We arrived to Bryce around 3pm and the boys were psyched to earn another Jr Ranger Badge so we worked hard to complete their tasks.  Including the boys and I attending a 1.5 hour rim walk with a ranger.  WOW talk about friggin' torture.  Obviously the people that plan that activity and require children to attend a ranger talk have no idea that 1.5 hours is ridiculously long.  

Tommorrow we head to Zion National Park.

Day 8: The Great American Road Trip

Last night we stayed at The Flying Saddle Resort right outside of Jackson, WY.  It was such a nice hotel.  The view from our room was unbelievable. 

We arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah today and are staying at a Home 2 Suites by Hilton- It is fabulous!! Nitka is in love with the hotel as it has very Scandinavian type furniture so she is feeling at home. 

It has a full kitchen including a dishwasher.  That will be helpful for washing our water bottles (up to this I have been doing it by hand)  Also the laundry is $0.50 a load.  Thank goodness I decided to check it out and do laundry here.

We decided to eat at Tuscanos Brazilian Grill.  Great choice!!  The Grandpa's loved it!!
Here's a shot of down town.

Tomorrow we are off to Bryce Canyon National Park!!  The boys are excited to get another badge.

Day 7: The Great American Road Trip

Well I am happy to report that my 4 year old fully understands the process of a bed bug check for a new hotel room.  You see when we first arrive to a room, J. and I go in an inspect the room and I spray everything with Lysol.  We arrived to our location this afternoon in Alpine, WY and A. says, "Okay Mommy, we will stay here while you check for bed bugs."  Hopefully, I have not scarred him for life.

Today we traveled from Yellowstone through the Grand Tetons.  They were nice but I definitely prefer Yellowstone.  The Jr Ranger program was intense and I completed much of the "homework" for it so feel free to quiz me on the wildlife or glaciers of the Tetons.  I am educated now. 

We ate a late lunch at the Mangy Moose Saloon in Teton Village.  I am not a skier and probably never will be - but for those of you that are, this is a wonderful resort town.  The mountain is RIDICULOUS!  There was a Tram that could take you to the top but we opted not to because it was already cold and rainy on the ground so 4000 ft up would have been a nightmare for the boys.  Maybe next time...

I am happy to report that so far my checking on hotels through Trip Advisor has paid off.  We are staying in a very nice hotel with excellent ammenities and great restaurant/bar.  The kids had a late dinner in the room with grandpas while J. and I dined across the walk at the bar.  Tomorrow we drive 4.5 hours to Salt Lake City, Utah.  Hmm... not quite sure what exactly we will do there yet.

Sorry no pics today, they are still on the camera and everyone is sleeping, or should I say snoring!!!  Yeah being in a room with 5 guys has it's challenges. 

Day 6: The Great American Road Trip

Day 6: The Great American Road Trip

You know what I would like to know?  I would really like to know why on vacation wake up a the crack of dawn.  Again I was wide awake by 6:30.  This is not cool. 

Today we did the Grand Loop at Yellowstone and saw magnificent things.  If you have never been here, you need to come.  I wouldn’t stay here for a week but 3 days would do fine.  We saw just about every wildlife you can imagine as well as all  of the geological wonders this park has to offer.  

I really need to give a shout out to my boys L and A.  They are troopers, we were in and out of the car from 10 am – 7:30 pm with minimal whining and great attitudes.  This is an enormous trip for my guys and they are really handling it well!

They also became Junior Rangers at Yellowstone.  They had TONS of stuff to complete but we were able to pull it off in one day!  Next time we come back- I am so swimming in one of the rivers!

Quote of the day: "How could people see things like this and still not believe in God?"