We went to the country music hall of fame today. Pothoo, we had a great time and think that you and mom should take a vacation here. There is music playing all the time- in every restaurant. We went into a few of the bars, one being The Stage and listened to some bands play but the music was too loud for Sienna's ears. We decided that until we could get her earplugs, we would have to wait on live music in that kind of venue.
Today a musician (David Andersen) came over to our table in the Museum Cafe and played a song for Sienna. She began clapping her hands and reaching out to the guitar. The musician was very impressed that she was clapping to the beat. He said that he has taught a lot of children and the hardest thing to teach is the rhythm and that it is better if it comes naturally. He was also intruiged by her interest in the guitar and music and allowed her to strum the guitar for a second. We were pleased of course, very pleased. http://www.davidandersenmusic.com/index.htm
Tonight we are sitting at home, very tired from a day's exploration. Sienna is sleeping and we probably will be soon.
Tomorrow we are going to the "Little Opry" Nashville Nighlife Dinner Theatre. It is located right next to our campground. It has been voted Nashville's #1 Dinner and a Show. The theme is "The Best of Country Music Show." More on that tomorrow.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Living Wildlife Seen From the Road
Deer
Pheasant
Pronghorns
Longhorn Cattle
Armadillos
Road Runner
3 Coyotes
Jack Rabbits
Snapping Turtles
Wild Turkeys
Horses
Pheasant
Pronghorns
Longhorn Cattle
Armadillos
Road Runner
3 Coyotes
Jack Rabbits
Snapping Turtles
Wild Turkeys
Horses
Marathon trip - 743 mi in one day
On Thursday we had to stop just short of Oklahoma City in a town called El Reno. The winds were 65 mph and too strong to travel safely. Once we got on the road Friday morning we realized that there is not much to see in Oklahoma or Arkansas and discovered that many of the campgrounds in Memphis were under water due to the Mississippi River flooding.
Along the way we saw many fields and roads that were under water. There were road signs and trees blown over and a few houses that had holes in them or the roof's blown off.
We saw the Ozark Mountains as we passed through Arkansas. The didn't seem like much compared to the Sierra Nevadas or Rocky Mountains.
The marathon day of driving was inevitable. We needed to make up some time so that we could enjoy ourselves in Nashville. We drove 743 mi. stopping 5 times for gas. Sienna was happy the whole trip! We arrived at our campground in Nashville at 12:30 am. The campground was filled to maximum capacity with only one site left. This site was left just for us. Thank you to MiMi T and PopPop T for campground help and MiMi B and Pothoo for driving directions!We are very happy with this campground.
We will be in Nashville Sat. and Sunday night. I hope we are able to see some bands play. I am really looking forward to this weekend! This is our last tourist stop before we arrive in MD. It is business from here on out.
Along the way we saw many fields and roads that were under water. There were road signs and trees blown over and a few houses that had holes in them or the roof's blown off.
We saw the Ozark Mountains as we passed through Arkansas. The didn't seem like much compared to the Sierra Nevadas or Rocky Mountains.
The marathon day of driving was inevitable. We needed to make up some time so that we could enjoy ourselves in Nashville. We drove 743 mi. stopping 5 times for gas. Sienna was happy the whole trip! We arrived at our campground in Nashville at 12:30 am. The campground was filled to maximum capacity with only one site left. This site was left just for us. Thank you to MiMi T and PopPop T for campground help and MiMi B and Pothoo for driving directions!We are very happy with this campground.
We will be in Nashville Sat. and Sunday night. I hope we are able to see some bands play. I am really looking forward to this weekend! This is our last tourist stop before we arrive in MD. It is business from here on out.
Sienna - How is she doing?
There have been a lot of questions about how Sienna is doing. She is doing very well. She runs around in the morning while we are preparing for the trip. Once we hit the road, we give her breakfast or snacks. She is a great eater. Snacks include banana, grapes, mozzerella sticks, bagel, black olives, wheat thins, animal crackers, blueberries, strawberries, puffed stars, and the most important snack of all, pulled out only during the most desperate of situations are goldfish crackers. We also have a box filled with books and a few toys. I bought 6 new books before this trip and only pull them out when she needed a distraction. We have taken her swimming at a few of the campgrounds and to the playground at almost every campground. She is getting plenty of play time outside and inside of the trailer. When we are at a restaurant we take turns letting her run around saying “hi” to everyone. She quickly becomes the center of attention and loves every minute of it. We have taken her camping since she was 6 months old. She is familiar with the trailer, the crib and the “drill”. We brought her essential toys and “blankey(s)”. If anything, she is getting used to having too much attention from us.
One milestone that has occurred during this trip is that she said her own name last night. We were saying the “Sss” sound and then I said her name and she mimicked me. She is saying new things everyday. One of my favorites is when she becomes pleased with herself and throws her hands up in victory and says, “I did it!” She is an amazing little BunBun.
She is in now into everything. She's climbing furniture in the trailer, dismantling her crib, and goes for everything she knows we don't want her to play with. She is a very happy girl.
One milestone that has occurred during this trip is that she said her own name last night. We were saying the “Sss” sound and then I said her name and she mimicked me. She is saying new things everyday. One of my favorites is when she becomes pleased with herself and throws her hands up in victory and says, “I did it!” She is an amazing little BunBun.
She is in now into everything. She's climbing furniture in the trailer, dismantling her crib, and goes for everything she knows we don't want her to play with. She is a very happy girl.
April 11, 2008 Amarillo, TX to El Reno, Oklahoma
This morning we were in Amarillo. Slept in until 8:00am and left by 10:00 am. Our plans have changed. Our trip no longer revolves around what we want to see but rather how to make progress through this storm without riding in it.
We enjoyed Amarillo- Brian and Sienna have cowboy/cowgirl boots and hats. We ate at the famous Big Texan Steakhouse and at a Texan BBQ restaurant called Dyers BBQ complete with apricot toast (I’m a big fan).
We are onward to Oklahoma; as far as we can make it. The wind started early this morning in Amarillo. We are driving in sustained winds of 65 mph. Brian and I constantly monitor the direction of the wind and car. I can say that many times we have used the tumbleweeds blowing across the road as our alert/omen to slow down and use the trailer brake, for the wind blowing on the broadside of the trailer is enough to blow us into oncoming traffic.
We made it to El Reno, Oklahoma. Just short of Oklahoma City. I have no idea what we are missing in this state. It doesn’t seem like much. We are just focused on Tennessee at this point. We are going to drive as far as we can until Memphis and then we will take a few days to see what Tennessee has to offer.
Brian is an Elvis fan. We can’t pass thru without seeing Graceland. He says he doesn’t care, but I, being the cultural attaché for this trip will not allow him to pass this opportunity up.
Tomorrow we are headed to Arkansas. Brian thinks we will make it to Memphis but I think we are only making it to Little Rock. Keep in mind that Little Rock has been hit by two storms within one week time and is in a state of emergency. This is not really turning out to be fun anymore. I hope that Memphis or Nashville has some great bands playing. Sienna is going to be up past her bedtime.
We enjoyed Amarillo- Brian and Sienna have cowboy/cowgirl boots and hats. We ate at the famous Big Texan Steakhouse and at a Texan BBQ restaurant called Dyers BBQ complete with apricot toast (I’m a big fan).
We are onward to Oklahoma; as far as we can make it. The wind started early this morning in Amarillo. We are driving in sustained winds of 65 mph. Brian and I constantly monitor the direction of the wind and car. I can say that many times we have used the tumbleweeds blowing across the road as our alert/omen to slow down and use the trailer brake, for the wind blowing on the broadside of the trailer is enough to blow us into oncoming traffic.
We made it to El Reno, Oklahoma. Just short of Oklahoma City. I have no idea what we are missing in this state. It doesn’t seem like much. We are just focused on Tennessee at this point. We are going to drive as far as we can until Memphis and then we will take a few days to see what Tennessee has to offer.
Brian is an Elvis fan. We can’t pass thru without seeing Graceland. He says he doesn’t care, but I, being the cultural attaché for this trip will not allow him to pass this opportunity up.
Tomorrow we are headed to Arkansas. Brian thinks we will make it to Memphis but I think we are only making it to Little Rock. Keep in mind that Little Rock has been hit by two storms within one week time and is in a state of emergency. This is not really turning out to be fun anymore. I hope that Memphis or Nashville has some great bands playing. Sienna is going to be up past her bedtime.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Weather - it happens
During our Westbound cross country trip 2 years ago, we miraculously travelled between two major tornadoes that ripped through Ohio and Illinois and were forced to stay an extra day in Reno due to snow and ice on the Donner pass. We know that weather and it's consequences are inevitable but the weather we are facing over the next three days is terrifying. We have already rearranged our plans to avoid staying in Little Rock, Arkansas due to the tornadoes that tore through that region last week, leaving it in a state of emergency.
Now we are facing severe weather including thunderstorms, hail, shearing winds, flash flooding and tornadoes. The Weather Channel forcasts between 50-70 tornadoes in the region spanning from Illinois through Texas. This storm is east bound. Our choices are to attempt to travel ahead of it (unlikely we will make it since we need to stop and rest or eat), try to travel with the storm (stupid) or wait and travel behind. If we wait here in Amarillo, we are expecting a rough, stormy day of thunderstorms and severe weather tomorrow. There was a tornado that touched down further South in Waco this evening and 4 other tornado watches in Texas. The landscape here is ideal for generating tornadoes.
The storms will be in Western Texas Thursday and Amarillo is right at the edge of the severe weather area. I hope that maybe, just maybe, we wont get anything more than a great lightning and thunder display in the sky. To be continued...
I need to get some rest. Goodnight!
Now we are facing severe weather including thunderstorms, hail, shearing winds, flash flooding and tornadoes. The Weather Channel forcasts between 50-70 tornadoes in the region spanning from Illinois through Texas. This storm is east bound. Our choices are to attempt to travel ahead of it (unlikely we will make it since we need to stop and rest or eat), try to travel with the storm (stupid) or wait and travel behind. If we wait here in Amarillo, we are expecting a rough, stormy day of thunderstorms and severe weather tomorrow. There was a tornado that touched down further South in Waco this evening and 4 other tornado watches in Texas. The landscape here is ideal for generating tornadoes.
The storms will be in Western Texas Thursday and Amarillo is right at the edge of the severe weather area. I hope that maybe, just maybe, we wont get anything more than a great lightning and thunder display in the sky. To be continued...
I need to get some rest. Goodnight!
Amarillo, TX
We arrived in Amarillo, TX around 5pm (CT). It's hard losing an hour due to time zones. We have lost two hours over the past two days. The indoor heated pool and spa close at 7pm (something I was really looking forward to enjoying) but we still needed to eat dinner. I called ahead and arranged for a free limo ride to and from the famous Big Texan Steakhouse Restaurant. Brian heard about this place from the Travel Channel and since we were passin' thru town...why not? It has a great atmoshpere. You can tell you are in Western Texas, everyone had there Wrangler jeans, leather boots and fantastic cowboy hats on. We must have looked naked without ours on. Texan' s show their pride in their state and way of life by wearing their hats, jeans and boots. I think it is to be admired.
The restaurant has several preserved animal species (deer, buffalo, elk, pheasant) proudly displayed above the tables. You can see into the kitchen where they cook the steaks. They have a table on a pedestal in the middle of the restaurant reserved for the poor fool who wants to prove himself by eating a 72 oz. steak in 1 hr's time. the reward is, you don't have to pay for the steak. Sound like an aweful challenge. I am not sure what kind of street credit or braggin right's you gain from this.
Everyone is wearing their western wear and they have a three man band (guitar, violin and standing bass) making the rounds. We asked the band to play us an ode to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and they played San Antonio Rose. We ah-hahed at the end and Sienna clapped and danced and enjoyed every minute of it. She also wandered around the restaurant saying "hi" to everyone. She is outgoing- I wonder where she gets that from (Brian). I love it- it is great to see her reach out to people.
After dinner, I took Sienna to the playground, gave her a bath and now she is sleeping peacefully in her crib.
The restaurant has several preserved animal species (deer, buffalo, elk, pheasant) proudly displayed above the tables. You can see into the kitchen where they cook the steaks. They have a table on a pedestal in the middle of the restaurant reserved for the poor fool who wants to prove himself by eating a 72 oz. steak in 1 hr's time. the reward is, you don't have to pay for the steak. Sound like an aweful challenge. I am not sure what kind of street credit or braggin right's you gain from this.
Everyone is wearing their western wear and they have a three man band (guitar, violin and standing bass) making the rounds. We asked the band to play us an ode to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and they played San Antonio Rose. We ah-hahed at the end and Sienna clapped and danced and enjoyed every minute of it. She also wandered around the restaurant saying "hi" to everyone. She is outgoing- I wonder where she gets that from (Brian). I love it- it is great to see her reach out to people.
After dinner, I took Sienna to the playground, gave her a bath and now she is sleeping peacefully in her crib.
New Mexico - we nearly lost it all!
The most striking feature of New mexico is the red rock and red soil. We didn't venture outside of the campground because of exhaustion so we didn't really get to see what New Mexico had to offer. If Georgia O'Keefe spent a lifetime experiencing inspiration and creating artwork based on this landscape and culture fostered in New Mexico, then I know I have missed it. What I can say is that we had the scariest experience on this trip so far.
We were cruising at 60 mph through a range in New Mexico. I was snapping photos out of the car window (sometimes out of the sunroof) or calculating and forcasting mileage between stops using our Western US map. We had just turned a corner and started over a bridge covering a deep ditch. A gust of wind hit us broadside and we lost control of the trailer. The trailer turned sideways and blew into the other lane (luckily there were no oncoming cars!) and then swung back and over to the shoulder of our lane. It just missed swinging into the guard rail on both sides of the two lane bridge. It was swaying back and forth and our truck was swerving back and forth. While he was straightning out the trailer, our truck was heading straight into the guard rail. Once the trailer straightened out he had to steer the truck away from the guard rail... and just in the nick of time. Brian was able to steer, hand pump the trailer brakes and pump the truck brakes and finally gain control of both vehicles. We were both really shaken up and felt like our heart stopped. Sienna was just sitting there relaxed, as though nothing had happened. We are lucky to escape from that unexpected event unscathed. Brian has impressive driving skills. I think most people would have lost it all.
I would like to note that on our trip to Amarillo, TX, we nearly lost control of trailer 2 more times due to unexpected wind gusts. Although they were scary, none of them compared to the event on the bridge in the open range in New Mexico.
We were cruising at 60 mph through a range in New Mexico. I was snapping photos out of the car window (sometimes out of the sunroof) or calculating and forcasting mileage between stops using our Western US map. We had just turned a corner and started over a bridge covering a deep ditch. A gust of wind hit us broadside and we lost control of the trailer. The trailer turned sideways and blew into the other lane (luckily there were no oncoming cars!) and then swung back and over to the shoulder of our lane. It just missed swinging into the guard rail on both sides of the two lane bridge. It was swaying back and forth and our truck was swerving back and forth. While he was straightning out the trailer, our truck was heading straight into the guard rail. Once the trailer straightened out he had to steer the truck away from the guard rail... and just in the nick of time. Brian was able to steer, hand pump the trailer brakes and pump the truck brakes and finally gain control of both vehicles. We were both really shaken up and felt like our heart stopped. Sienna was just sitting there relaxed, as though nothing had happened. We are lucky to escape from that unexpected event unscathed. Brian has impressive driving skills. I think most people would have lost it all.
I would like to note that on our trip to Amarillo, TX, we nearly lost control of trailer 2 more times due to unexpected wind gusts. Although they were scary, none of them compared to the event on the bridge in the open range in New Mexico.
Petrified Forest
Petrified wood is as hard as stone and sometimes has a marbled quartz-like texture. The wood is a fossil left from the late Triassic period. I read about this area online and I wish that I had time to explore this national park. There are fossils, American Indian petroglyphs, structures created from petrified wood, natural formations of petrified wood and views of the Painted Desert. We drove along the Painted Desert but I was unable to capture any photos of its beauty because we were too far away. I wish I had the time to just emerse myself in all of this natural beauty and wonder. When you travel and see so many things it is easy to become overwhelmed by the desire to just stay and learn and explore what is right there in front of you. There is so much that I barely get to see day to day. I am thankful for this opportunity and I am logging what I would like to explore again.
Meteor Crater & Petrified Forest
We saw the meteor crater in Arizona. It is 570 ft. deep and 3/4 mi. across. It is an impressive and hardly unchanged piece of land considering the impact occured 50 million years ago (dinosaurs were still roaming the earth). With this piece of evidence left behind, it is nice to know that NASA is monitoring the skies. There was a $30 charge to see the meteor crater which gives you the priveledge of walking through the museum. It was a welcome break from the drive so it was worth it.
Arizona is packed with sites to see. We could have spent a week travelling around to see all of the natural wonders this state has to offer. Took a quick detour (following a misleading tourist trap sign) through a small town to see the Petrified Forest National Park. We have some photos of petrified wood and Brian bought a few pieces as souveniers.
Onward to Albuquerque.
Arizona is packed with sites to see. We could have spent a week travelling around to see all of the natural wonders this state has to offer. Took a quick detour (following a misleading tourist trap sign) through a small town to see the Petrified Forest National Park. We have some photos of petrified wood and Brian bought a few pieces as souveniers.
Onward to Albuquerque.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Where are you Albuquerque?
We have entered into Mountain time zone.
We are STILL driving. This is turning out to be a really long day; much longer than anticipated. We are weary and tired. I can't even think about getting in the car tomorrow. Brian's hands are aching and his eyes are bloodshot. Sienna is complaining in the backseat. I hope we have a chance to unwind tonight.
I just want to say thank you for leaving your comments. They really keep us going during times like these. We look forward to reading your comments.
We are STILL driving. This is turning out to be a really long day; much longer than anticipated. We are weary and tired. I can't even think about getting in the car tomorrow. Brian's hands are aching and his eyes are bloodshot. Sienna is complaining in the backseat. I hope we have a chance to unwind tonight.
I just want to say thank you for leaving your comments. They really keep us going during times like these. We look forward to reading your comments.
April 7, 2008 Dust in the Wind
The wind storm carried on through the whole night. The wind gusts were shaking the trailer and I was afraid it might tip over. My heart was racing and pounding and I couldn't sleep. At about 2:30am I put my ipod on, tried to ignore the noise and eventually fell asleep.
We have driven 1,406.6 mi. so far. Until yesterday we were averaging 9.8 mpg for the trip. For the round trip to Pheonix we averaged 21 mpg (not towing the trailer). Today there is such a strong tailwind that we are avering 15 mpg while towing the trailer! We are at 6,000 ft. elevation (just outside of Flagstaff) and climbing. There will be 30 mph winds pushing us all the way to Albuquerque. It is going to be a very stressful drive trying to keep the trailer on the road.
We are almost the the meteor crater. Pictures to come...
We have driven 1,406.6 mi. so far. Until yesterday we were averaging 9.8 mpg for the trip. For the round trip to Pheonix we averaged 21 mpg (not towing the trailer). Today there is such a strong tailwind that we are avering 15 mpg while towing the trailer! We are at 6,000 ft. elevation (just outside of Flagstaff) and climbing. There will be 30 mph winds pushing us all the way to Albuquerque. It is going to be a very stressful drive trying to keep the trailer on the road.
We are almost the the meteor crater. Pictures to come...
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Happy Birthday Johnny
Happy Birthday to you! Hip Hip Hooray...Hip Hip Hooray! For he's a jolly good fellow which nobody can deny.
April 6, 2008 Flagstaff, AZ
Sunday 9:30 PM
Flagstaff is cold and windy. Too windy to really enjoy the outdoors. Right now we are getting wind gusts up to 60 mph. The trailer is rocking and it is a little scary. It feels like the trailer might tip over. As exciting as a wind storm is, I do hope that it calms down soon.
Dan, just wanted you to know that I am fully enjoying the Otter Pops.
This morning we got up early and went to Pheonix to spend time with Brian's family. They made us a great BBQ lunch. Sienna loved watching the kids play and also took a dip in their pool. We had a great time visiting with them and were thankful to be able to spend time with them before leaving the west.
Cara and Scott - Thank you for having us for lunch! Kristy and Len, thanks for coming to see us. We look forward to seeing you guys on the East Coast sometime. You are welcome anytime.
Tomorrow we are headed to Albuquerque, NM. Along the way we are going to see the meteor crater, petrified forest and views of the painted desert.
Flagstaff is cold and windy. Too windy to really enjoy the outdoors. Right now we are getting wind gusts up to 60 mph. The trailer is rocking and it is a little scary. It feels like the trailer might tip over. As exciting as a wind storm is, I do hope that it calms down soon.
Dan, just wanted you to know that I am fully enjoying the Otter Pops.
This morning we got up early and went to Pheonix to spend time with Brian's family. They made us a great BBQ lunch. Sienna loved watching the kids play and also took a dip in their pool. We had a great time visiting with them and were thankful to be able to spend time with them before leaving the west.
Cara and Scott - Thank you for having us for lunch! Kristy and Len, thanks for coming to see us. We look forward to seeing you guys on the East Coast sometime. You are welcome anytime.
Tomorrow we are headed to Albuquerque, NM. Along the way we are going to see the meteor crater, petrified forest and views of the painted desert.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
April 5, 2008 Flagstaff, AZ
Today we are headed from Las Vegas to Flagstaff. We got an early start this morning (on the road by 9am) but ended up making a lot of stops.
We drove over Hoover Dam, made a pit stop in Kingman for lunch, and stopped at the Grand Canyon Deer Farm (near Flagstaff) where Sienna hand fed corn niblets to deer. It is very windy and cold here in Flagstaff. It's a harsh difference from the 80 degree temps. in CA and Vegas. We can see the snow capped Rockies from our campground and the Grand Canyon is only about 40 min. from here. We contemplated camping at the Grand Canyon but it is too early in the season.
Tomorrow we are headed to Pheonix for the day to see Brian's cousins and their family. We might even be able to catch up with Shawn, Danny and Andie. We will be here through tomorrow night before we pack up and head to Albequerque.
We drove over Hoover Dam, made a pit stop in Kingman for lunch, and stopped at the Grand Canyon Deer Farm (near Flagstaff) where Sienna hand fed corn niblets to deer. It is very windy and cold here in Flagstaff. It's a harsh difference from the 80 degree temps. in CA and Vegas. We can see the snow capped Rockies from our campground and the Grand Canyon is only about 40 min. from here. We contemplated camping at the Grand Canyon but it is too early in the season.
Tomorrow we are headed to Pheonix for the day to see Brian's cousins and their family. We might even be able to catch up with Shawn, Danny and Andie. We will be here through tomorrow night before we pack up and head to Albequerque.
Friday, April 4, 2008
April 5, 2008 Plans
We are heading to Flagstaff, AZ. It will probably be a 5 hr drive and we are going to see the Hoover Dam. We are all exhausted and so I will try to upload additional photos tomorrow.
April 4, 2008 Las Vegas
The first thing that popped into my head this morning was, "I wonder how many people got married last night?" We headed to the strip around 10 am. We went to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Brian played poker and Sienna and I wandered the around the mall. Brian had a conference call at 1 pm so we headed back to the campground to cook lunch. After lunch, I took Sienna to the pool. After the conference call, we went back to the strip.
We ate lunch at the rainforest cafe. Sienna loved the atmosphere. They had moving cheetahs, elephants and butterflies, tropical fish tanks and a simulated lightning storm every 20 min. Brian played Poker at MGM and Sienna and I wandered around the casino. We became bored after an hour, collected Brian and his winnings and headed to Paris and Bally's. There were plenty of shops to for Sienna and I to see. Brian entered a poker game at Bally's. By the end of the night (8pm), Brian won $135. He may have won more if I didn't ask him to move tables so often. Either way, I finally got to see the Vegas lights. It is impossible to see all of the sites of Vegas in one day. The first day didn't count for us because we didn't venture to the strip until the second day. Anyhow, I am glad I can cross this off my list. I can't say I am really impressed with this place but I am glad I saw it.
We ate lunch at the rainforest cafe. Sienna loved the atmosphere. They had moving cheetahs, elephants and butterflies, tropical fish tanks and a simulated lightning storm every 20 min. Brian played Poker at MGM and Sienna and I wandered around the casino. We became bored after an hour, collected Brian and his winnings and headed to Paris and Bally's. There were plenty of shops to for Sienna and I to see. Brian entered a poker game at Bally's. By the end of the night (8pm), Brian won $135. He may have won more if I didn't ask him to move tables so often. Either way, I finally got to see the Vegas lights. It is impossible to see all of the sites of Vegas in one day. The first day didn't count for us because we didn't venture to the strip until the second day. Anyhow, I am glad I can cross this off my list. I can't say I am really impressed with this place but I am glad I saw it.
April 3, 2008 Mojave Desert and Death valley
Today we drove through the Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley. It was what you might expect from a desert; hot, dry and dusty. We saw tumble weeds and joshua trees, huge piles of dirt and rock and the ocassional dry lake.
Did you know that Death Valley is the lowest point on earth? It is 282 feet below sea level and also holds the record for the highest temperature recorded in the western hemisphere (134 degrees). That was just a little factoid to give significance to this part of the trip.
We arrived at the Las Vegas Oasis RV Park around 11am. We are pleasantly surprised by our campsite. We have a premium site, which gives us a small grassy lawn located steps from the clubhouse and pools/spa. We have already decided to stay an extra day in Vegas to get a break from the drive. Brian has plans to play poker and I want to see the lights of the city.
We took Sienna to the pool. She loved it of course. Brian played a cash game of poker hosted at the clubhouse and broke even. When he returned from the game, I went to soak in the hot tub. Looking forward to tomorrow. We are headed to the strip.
Did you know that Death Valley is the lowest point on earth? It is 282 feet below sea level and also holds the record for the highest temperature recorded in the western hemisphere (134 degrees). That was just a little factoid to give significance to this part of the trip.
We arrived at the Las Vegas Oasis RV Park around 11am. We are pleasantly surprised by our campsite. We have a premium site, which gives us a small grassy lawn located steps from the clubhouse and pools/spa. We have already decided to stay an extra day in Vegas to get a break from the drive. Brian has plans to play poker and I want to see the lights of the city.
We took Sienna to the pool. She loved it of course. Brian played a cash game of poker hosted at the clubhouse and broke even. When he returned from the game, I went to soak in the hot tub. Looking forward to tomorrow. We are headed to the strip.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Plans for April 3, 2008
This evening we are staying in Barstow, CA. We got in around 6:30 pm, unhooked the trailer and went out to eat at Dinapoli's Firehouse Restaurant. They had great service and great food.
I hope we have time to drive on Route 66 or stop and see some of the Mojave National Preserve. Tonight we are actually sleeping in the Mojave Desert. There is plenty of dust here and landscape is dotted with Joshua trees.
Our plans for tomorrow
We are approx. 2.5 hrs. from Las Vegas. Tomorrow we are getting an early start. We plan to stay at the Vegas Oasis RV Park. We hope to get there early, set up camp and settle in for the day. We are taking a break from the long drive.
Brian has plans to test his skills and play Texas Hold 'Em at one of the casinos. I am looking forward to just seeing the Vegas lights, seeing the sights, and get a feeling for the city I have seen so much about in movies.
I hope we have time to drive on Route 66 or stop and see some of the Mojave National Preserve. Tonight we are actually sleeping in the Mojave Desert. There is plenty of dust here and landscape is dotted with Joshua trees.
Our plans for tomorrow
We are approx. 2.5 hrs. from Las Vegas. Tomorrow we are getting an early start. We plan to stay at the Vegas Oasis RV Park. We hope to get there early, set up camp and settle in for the day. We are taking a break from the long drive.
Brian has plans to test his skills and play Texas Hold 'Em at one of the casinos. I am looking forward to just seeing the Vegas lights, seeing the sights, and get a feeling for the city I have seen so much about in movies.
Santa Margarita KOA 4/1/08
Last night we stayed at a KOA campground in Santa Margarita, CA near San Louis Obispo. We decided not to venture to Pismo Beach or even into San Louis Obispo because of the steep grade leading down into that valley. After parking the trailer at the campground in Santa Margarita and driving in to San Louis Obispo we realize that it was a wise decision. i don't think we would have made it out of the valley while towing the trailer.
I hesitate to write this because I am not sure I want to remember this forever but....I could not sleep last night. There was a group of men staying at the campground who became wildly drunk and were yelling and cursing and roaming around the campground. At one point, they had even started up some kind of motorized tool. It sounded like a chainsaw but Brian suggested that it may have been a weed wacker. Either way, I was really nervous about what might happen. Brian and Sienna slept just fine but I was unable to relax. Everytime I fell asleep, I would hear the yelling outside and my heart would lurch out of my chest and I would jolt awake. I am hoping for a nice, quiet, peaceful rest tonight.
I hesitate to write this because I am not sure I want to remember this forever but....I could not sleep last night. There was a group of men staying at the campground who became wildly drunk and were yelling and cursing and roaming around the campground. At one point, they had even started up some kind of motorized tool. It sounded like a chainsaw but Brian suggested that it may have been a weed wacker. Either way, I was really nervous about what might happen. Brian and Sienna slept just fine but I was unable to relax. Everytime I fell asleep, I would hear the yelling outside and my heart would lurch out of my chest and I would jolt awake. I am hoping for a nice, quiet, peaceful rest tonight.
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