Viva Las Vegas - the canine perspective, with commentary.....

The 25^th of June was my birthday.  We woke up that morning in a place with a really deep hole in the ground.  My family seemed to be impressed by it.  I couldn’t go on many trails, so I was irked.  Fortunately, we soon left, but then we drove and drove and it got hot.  My family seemed excited and were making phone calls setting up some kind of plan.  I was still hot.  Soon we arrived in a place they called Las Vegas.  Hot, very hot.  Before I knew it, we were inside a nice cool store, and a lovely lady was rubbing my belly.  I overheard people saying this was PetSmart.  Luke said for my birthday they were getting me a spa treatment, complete with a mani/pedi.  Oh my.  What fun that sounds like.  My family went away and left me there.   When they returned, I was clean and brushed with a lovely little bow in my fur.  Happy Birthday Sophie.

The mom's perspective:  Las Vegas was an exciting stop for us because we were able to spend a few hours with Michael’s dad and stepmom and his two stepbrothers and their families.  What a joy it is to see people that we love!  We had such a fabulous time.  Sophie got dropped off at PetSmart for a bath so we wouldn’t have to leave her in a hot RV while we were in the restaurant.  Worked like a charm.  

Starry Night - by Luke

I saw many types of telescopes in Grand Canyon National Park during a Star Party activity. There was a 20 inch telescope! That telescope was so big you had to stand on a ladder to see through it. It also had a black tent like covering to help see the stars.  Another telescope was smaller; it wasn’t as powerful, so it couldn’t see things as far away.  A third telescope was also a 20 inch, but it didn’t have a covering over it.  The last telescope I saw was a bit stubby but you could see what the telescope was looking at on a computer screen.

                I saw many different things in space through the telescopes. I saw many star clusters. Two clusters I saw were M4 and M5. I also got to see Saturn. It was yellow and I was able to see the rings.  I got to see another galaxy called the sombrero galaxy.  It was orange and it looked like a sideways hat. I also saw a nebula with the beginning of a star in the center.  I could see the space dust around the edge.  I saw things over 25,000 light years away.  I couldn't take any pictures because it would interrupt the viewing with the light, but it was awe inspiring.

The Grand Canyon - North Rim

Okay, now everyone be honest.  When you read that I was nervous at Delicate Arch, and then I said we were on our way to the Grand Canyon, you giggled, right?  Well, if you didn't, go ahead and do that now.

My memories of the Grand Canyon are of standing at a small wall with a chain over the top of it and looking out over the massive canyon and being inspired.  Okay, that must be the South Rim Experience.  Yesterday the lovely lady at the campground check in showed me a little trail on the map that we could walk down to see the canyon – our campsite a mere three minutes away.  Wow was I excited.  So off we went.  Turns out we couldn’t take the dog on the little trail, so no problem,  Michael stayed with the dog and I took the kids down. 

I have decided that Michael makes me braver.  We started down the trail (which I lost in about 15 seconds and started taking my little kids right down a wash with loose rocks and everything.  Eagle Scout, I am not.)  We baby stepped down the wash and I looked  up and there was the stinking edge of the Grand Canyon eight feet in front of me.  No rope, no chain, no cute little wall or plaque,  just a drop off that instantly made me nauseated and made me grab my kids like a lunatic.  Scared the dickens out of all three of them – mommy must have had wild eyes, because Luke asks, “Mom are you alright?”  No, son, mommy is about to have a panic attack.  

I was totally freaked out this far from the edge

This picture is taken in that moment.

Five feet from a deadly precipice.  I am getting the shivers just writing about it.

We then scrambled back up just as quickly as our legs could carry us.

We then took another hike to explore the forest, and then went to a great Ranger Program about the Ancient Puebloan people that were once here.  The ranger was so dynamic – we love the Ranger talks, they really make the vacation come alive.  After the talk the Ranger had a whole bucket of clay for the kids to try their hand at making pots.  They had a blast getting ridiculously messy.

Today we woke up early and took a trail to Bright Angel Point and got a fabulous view of the canyon  - the kids were totally in awe.  This time there was a railing.  Funny how a piece of fence and a couple tubes of metal can make me feel secure mere inches from the edge.

Tomorrow we drive to Las Vegas!

Arches National Park

Our family does not do well in the heat.  That is a given.  So planning a trip to Arches National Park on the first day of summer probably wasn’t my best vacation starter plan ever.  I can admit that.  Lucky for us we had a fabulous cloud cover for the whole drive there, and it continued through the evening  of the first day.  

Broken Arch

Sand Dune Arch

On our first evening we hiked to Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch.  We then took a lovely hike back on the campground loop through some of the sandstone fins – which was when we discovered our kids are really pretty good hikers.  

We nicknamed Isa Baby Mountain Goat and Luke is Baby Big Horn.  

Gabi didn’t want to be called anything unless it was related to an Appaloosa.  I tried baby Mustang, but she wasn’t having it.  Oh well.

Squished in between fins

On the trail back to the campground.  The sun was setting.

Taking a break

I think I can, I think I can.....

Because they did so well the first day we decided to brave it and took them on the Delicate Arch trail this morning.  We started around 8 and the clouds were still around, so it was cool.  We found the trail, then lost the trail, then found the trail again.  Even with the odd way up, we still made it – and then we stood there trying to decide if we should walk around the bowl to stand under the arch.

On the trail to Delicate Arch

We sat down and had a snack and finally we just went.  Wasn’t at all as hard as it looked – except for the fact that I am afraid of heights, so it was an act of love that got me over there without showing any fear to my kids.   And that was before I realized that there is nothing behind that arch but a sheer mountain cliff.   

We stayed long enough to take a picture then hiked back, stopping at the Petroglyphs to take a peek.  We then went back to the campsite and collapsed for a few hours – trying to stay out of the heat.  Eventually we emerged and took the chance to go see the Windows and Double Arch and then to Skyline Arch.  What a beautiful place this is!

The bowl around Delicate Arch.  Looks intimidating!!

Here we are under Delicate Arch.  

And there is the back of the Arch.  Umm, that's really high.

Double Arch - that's Michael and the kids on the rock in front - see the little red, white, and blue dots?

Because I know everyone wants to see what they are doing on that rock under double arch!

Isa relaxing on her favorite spot in the campground.

Off we go to the Grand Canyon!  

Rocky Mountain National Park

As we reviewed our adventures from last year, it occurred to us that we have seen lots of beautiful places. Some of those places are a very long drive from our home in Colorado.  And yet there are many gorgeous places right here in our own amazing state that we had yet to visit.  We decided to work on rectifying that situation - so the week after school let out we traveled north to Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was everything that we could have hoped for - and more! (Including a delightful three hour rainstorm where we all got to lounge around in the RV and read books - vacation at its finest!)

Hiking is good for the soul!

We attended a Ranger talk about Bighorn sheep and couldn't believe how big those horns are!

It was time for the kids to get back into hiking mode in preparation for this year's National Park vacation, so we took the opportunity to take some short hikes so they could try out their new hydration backpacks.  One of the hikes ended up being a non hike - it was about 250 feet to this pretty mountain lake, and that wouldn't have been notable at all, except in the end of May when we were there the path was covered in at least two feet of iced over snow.  This was the lovely picture we took at the lake - 

And this is Luke walking on the slick snow pack in his sandals.  He was pretending to slip and slide, until this picture when things got real.  Unprepared hikers - yep, that was us that morning.  Whoops!  Does it count that we brought water and winter coats?  

 How could we have neglected this National Park for so long?  We don't know either - but that will change.  The kids are already demanding that we go up for Elk bugling season and to watch the Bighorn sheep fight in November. The amateur photographer in me has a lot of ideas.....

Arrg! There be PIRATES on the Colorado!

For our last bit of excitement of the summer, we went camping with our fabulous neighbors.  I have to say that throughout my life I have been blessed with some of the best neighbors anyone could ever hope for - and our current neighbors are no exception.  They are some of the best people I know!  We are so lucky. 

Our neighbors Hayden and Lindsay participate in an annual "Pirate Float" down the Colorado with a bunch of their friends, and we elected to tag along this year.  Our other neighbors Travis and Sarah also went.  It was fantastic!  We traveled about three hours west of Centennial, to BLM land and a campground called Radium, which is right along the Colorado River.  Our little Cherry Dr. group camped together, which was great.  In total there were about 40 people in the big group, most of whom were very skilled rafters - and then there was the five of us - clueless.   But boy did we have fun!

The boys went fishing on the first run of the day.  We all went on the second run - we had the raft quite full - the five of us, Travis and Sarah from next door with their bulldog, and Hayden as our captain with his golden retriever.

Michael was the hood ornament!

Lindsay is a master standup paddle-boarder.  The woman is amazing.  Here she is heading down the river trying to straddle their golden retriever and somehow still standing upright.  That adorable dog wanted so badly to be with Lindsay that she kept leaping out of the raft and swimming to her - made the experience a bit more challenging for Lindsay - but left me super impressed. 

 We had the opportunity to go cliff jumping on that run - and everyone in our family jumped except Gabi.  I was probably the most scared - but I couldn't let my six year old think her mommy wasn't as brave as she was!

 It was REALLY, REALLY cold!

The second day we rode in a paddle boat with Sarah and captain Mac and his wife Jenny (who are the fabulous master planners for the whole shebang) - we stopped at the hot spring along the way and Luke had the chance to try the SUP.   Travis paddled and Luke stood up.  Luke thought it was awesome.

Sarah made sure that he got back into the boat.  It was super fabulous to have six people parenting three kids!

Then it was Michael's turn.  He paddled down the rest of the way to where we stopped - fell three or four times, but did really well - and he loved it! 

We saw lots of beautiful bald eagles flying around.  This one cooperated and perched so I could take its picture.

Because Michael was on the SUP, the girls had the opportunity to paddle.  They thought that was so exciting, and managed to help a little!

Our summer officially ends tomorrow, as Michael reports back to work in the morning, but what a amazing way to end it!  We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

Vacation Statistics

Here are this year's vacation statistics!

2013 Alvidrez Family "Wet and Wild" Vacation

Vacation Length:  53 days

Miles Driven: 7,700 +

Average gas mileage:  10 MPG (without using the generator)/8.5 (using the generator)

States Traveled:  27 plus the District of Columbia

We printed this out in Arizona, hung it in the RV,  and had the kids take turns coloring the states as we traveled.  It gave them a good idea of where we were and gave us all a good geography lesson.

Worst Roads:  Louisiana!  I suspect the government has some kind of side deal with tow trucks and tire shops in the state because those roads are ridiculous

Junior Ranger Programs Completed:  4 (Hunting Island, Yorktown, Wright Brothers, Acadia)

Wild Animals seen:  alligator, shark, hermit crab, horseshoe crab, blue crab, raccoon, Chincoteague ponies, deer, minke whale, harbor porpoise, fin whale, harbor seal, gray seal, sea snails, black bear, turtle, wild turkey, daddy long-legs, about a zillion mosquitoes, biting horseflies,  and more bugs than I would care to think about

Cumulative insect bites:  I stopped counting this year - it got depressing after 100

Number of children still immune to insect bites:  1 (Luke), though to be fair Isa was only bitten once or twice while the rest of us were a mess

Favorite Places we Ate: Boondocks in South Carolina, Stewmann's Lobster Pound in Bar Harbor, Maine, Fezzo's in Crowley, Louisiana

Scariest Moment:  The Kansas thunderstorm that shook the RV back and forth next to a rock cliff.

Scariest Moment Runner Up: Nearly being trampled by wild horses

Most unexpected fun:  Seeing the mommy and baby alligator

Worst medical issue: My bike crash in Greenbelt Park where I flew over my handlebars and whacked my head and face into the dirt, pulled a muscle in my leg, and shredded the bottom of my palm.  (And then got back on the bike and rode to the train station and went to the National Zoo, so obviously it wasn't THAT bad)

Parts replaced on the RV:  Six tires, speed sensor, starter, starter solenoid, coil

Places we hiked:  New Orleans, South Carolina, North Carolina, Washington DC, Maine, Kentucky, Kansas

Places we biked:  Maryland, Washington DC, New Jersey

Number of hours spent on a boat: 4 1/2

Funniest Kids Quotes:

Luke:  (After I tried to sneak him a piece of a chocolate bar while riding in the Metro in DC where it was posted that no eating or drinking was allowed)  "It was hard trying to decide if I should follow the law or follow the commandment to honor my mother....."

Isa:  (After looking at the belly of a horse)  Oh, yeah, its a boy.

Gabi:  (After bobbing up and down in Grandma Chris's pool) I'm getting my bottom and my penis wet.   (so much discussion about equine gender and yet...)   :)

Michael's favorites:  Whale watching, playing in the ocean in South Carolina, The National Air and Space Museums

Debbie's favorites:  Whale watching, the horses on Assateague Island, seeing pandas, the beach/ocean, the Statue of Liberty/Staten Island Ferry

Luke's favorites:  Ocean fishing, hearing the canon fire in Yorktown, the National Air and Space Museums, wild horses, whale watching, Washington DC, beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Isa's favorites:  Wild horses on Assateague, Kentucky Horse Park, whale watching, learning to swim, Washington DC

Gabi's favorites:  The fire station, seeing wild horses on Assateague, the Kentucky Horse Park, seeing the alligator, playing in the ocean

In truth, narrowing it down to just a few favorites is simply impossible.  We loved seeing so many of our friends and family, though sometimes briefly, and exploring the variety this great country has to offer.  Michael and I have now traveled in 47 of our country's fifty states (and I think the kids are up to 37), and we are looking forward to conquering North Dakota, Alaska, and Hawaii in the next few years.

Happy travels everyone!