So last I wrote we were going for a last hike in Bryce Canyon hanging with the Hudus. The scenery was amazing, but the kids renamed the Peekaboo trail...peekapoop trail because we followed very poop filled horses for our entire five miles.
We headed to Grand Canyon North Rim. I had found a free campsite right outside the park, but decided to check with the Forest Service people where I was shown a map where we could camp for free on the rim of the Grand Canyon with no one around. I explained that when driving on rough roads the bus sounds like bolts are going to fly off and she assured me we could do it. We felt like we had completely scored and the map looked quite clear. Anyway, after an hour and a half and a Very harrowing navigating experience with prescribed forest fires and taking the bus through huge puddles, we did find our site at a really fabulous overlook. The Grand Canyon was right there...no fences, no people. We stood there for a few moments and heard people drumming on another canyon point and proceeded to turn around and go camp right back at the original boring spot I had first found. We were too freaked out about Quinn's desire to play baseball that close to the edge and being that far out and isolated In a 20 year old bus, and we didn't want to make the hour and a half ride in the morning.
On the way to the park in the morning, we saw buffalo...thought we would have to wait for more northern environs. At the park, We hiked a little less than mile into the Grand Canyon, and we encountered MORE poop, mule this time, much to the kids chagrin. We hiked about three miles around the edge as well and Tom and I both feel like we need to go back and hike the canyon. I want to go across and Tom wants to go across and back...next trip.
Because we don't plan this trip ahead, we wound up arriving at Zion National Park on Friday, July 3rd. This happens to be the busiest of Utah's parks. We were hungry and not at all certain we would be able to find a camping spot. We debated not even going and cruising right through, but we found a brew pub and after a beer and food, we were in much better states of mind. An RV park had a spot available a half mile from the Zion visitor center and we jumped on it. RV parks now feel very luxurious because our fridge only works if we are plugged in. It is the little things. Tom got up early and did the Angel Falls Landing trail which he said made Katahdin's knife edge look pretty safe. The skies were overcast all day which really kept the temps pretty comfortable. I was able to go and do an overlook trail and I was able to run much of it with only minimal rib discomfort...Whoohoo. The kids swam a ton and made friends with sisters and played with them most of the day. We had s'mores with their family for the fourth and had a really nice visit. The girls exchanged addresses to be pen pals and the parents offered a spare room outside of Vegas if we come back that way.
Watching the Women's World Cup was very important to Tom and the kids and on looking at the map, it seemed that the only place we could guarantee this, was Vegas and this happened to coincide with our friends the Mulligans stay there. Maggie stepped out of the bus in the Ex calibur parking lot and said, "I miss Maine!" Anyway, I had done a ton of research about kid activities in Vegas and thought we would have fun. On the map it all looks so close and we can walk...usually...Vegas is a complete maze!!! And felt a bit like a hell we couldn't get out of or find what we want...at least we had lovely company! Maggie's flip flop broke so I carried her around while Tom and Patrick went to get shoes out of the bus, but we ended up seeing the Bellagio Fountain four times because they got lost in the maze on their way to meet us. None of my research bore fruit, but we finally found Margaritaville to watch the game and get out of the crowds. Thank goodness for a fabulous game, a strong margarita, and great company.
As we headed north into Nevada, we watched these crazy lightning storms all around us. Pretty amazing, and thankfully we never experienced the brunt. We camped near the highway right next to a beautiful pond that we didn't see until the morning.
The next morning held many firsts- first vomit (Quinn car sickness), kids first time to California, first time we were inspected for what we were bringing into the state, first gas over four dollars a gallon. We found a beautiful campsite on a lake just before the Yosemite entrance which was crazy backed up with traffic. Quinn and I skipped stones, Tom and Quinn played baseball, Maggie played by herself happily and did some math. I got to read some. We had an early dinner and headed into the park. We hiked around Tenaya lake and took in the granite rocks. On our drive back to our campsite we got stuck in stand still traffic. There had been a number of thunderstorms and A large rockslide was blocking the road outside the park. Everyone was walking around outside their cars conferring on how long this was going to take. When the ambulance went through, we decided that we would bail on our lovely campsite and head to the eastern side of the park. The drive and ensuing sunset were Spectacular, but as it grew darker, and I could make out the several thousand feet drop offs to our right, the adrenaline was pumping. The kids were so tired and we ended up just popping the top on a pullout to the side of the road across from a hotel. The kids kept saying, "Why can't we just stay there?" I explained that when we decide to splurge on a hotel, we will check in early and check out late...not arrive at ten o'clock only to get up and hike very early to beat the crowds. We roused the kids early and hiked five miles of the Mist Trail. They did so great! The waterfalls and stairs were both marvels.
The crowds and the kid's Junior Ranger tasks were leaving Tom a bit crabby. We decided to beat feet to Kings Canyon. During that drive, Quinn was in meltdown mode and Tom and I agreed we needed a break from our traveling. We arrived at Kings Canyon National Park and asked for the closest campground with room...they all had room. We had left the crowds behind! We found a great sight. I went exploring and only a trail away was a restaurant with beer and pizza! The next day was a driving free day. We walked to see the majestic sequoias, (Tom likened this to walking through a living, breathing cathedral), got fresh food, played ball, laid on our hammock. I even got a three minute shower! The day felt very luxurious.
This morning we woke to thunderstorms and temps in the 40's. My Maine packing of warm clothes finally paid off. We drove to Sequoia National Park, checked out many more trees. I wimped out about driving the bus through one. We walked up 339 steps to Moro Rock. The kids seem to hike much faster on steps than plain old trail. There was another harrowing mountain road drive. We are still unable to put the bus on lower gears and have to be very careful of overheating our breaks.
Traveling with the Internet is truly incredible...a far cry from all of my other cross country treks. I am able to plug in best restaurants in Lemoore, CA and find an amazing Taqueria. We stopped and are now headed to camp in the Arroyo Seco for the night wherever that is...free camping near the coast of Cali!!! Yikes, drove a long way for a road closure. The glory of traveling without a plan...now at a site perched on the side of a mountain....very scary, hope it will be less so tomorrow and we even paid for this one!
We will be hanging with our cousin Colleen in Carmel tomorrow!!!
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