Hoover Dam & Vegas

Today we left the Grand Canyon and headed to Lake Mead RV Park in Nevada.  It was about a 4 hour drive and Doug got us here safely.  We have an awesome lake view campsite.  We ate a quick lunch and went straight to Hoover Dam.  Maddie was so excited, not to see the Dam but to see the places mentioned in her Percy Jackson books, she can be such a book nerd!

We took the tour of the damn, which was pretty cool and Doug did a lot of explaining to  Maddie about electricity and why the dam was built in the first place.  We then went to all of the exhibits, including the "Dam Snack Bar".  While walking around the outside of the dam, she actually made a friend who was also a Percy Jackson fan, the two of them were squeaking about the books and characters.  It was way too funny!

I have to admit that the design and attention to detail of the dam is amazing, along with the size of the dam is incredible. But I also could not keep thinking about the negative impact that building the dam had on the environment as well.  I guess Doug's eco-friendly views are rubbing off on me.

After we left the dam we made the 35 min. drive into Vegas and went to see the sights on the strip.   It was fun and Doug and I  enjoyed seeing everything there was to see.  Hailey got a little overwhelmed by it all and Maddie was totally into it. Both girls were taken back by some of the outfits some people wore, but is was all together a good evening.  We ate dinner, did some souvenir shopping, and got to see an Elvis Impersonator (who was very good!).

Now we are back in the camper all cozy and getting ready to pull out to our next adventure tomorrow.

Grand Canyon

We spent two days (July 9-10) at the Grand Canyon.  WiFi at the campground was horrible so I am posting now.

The Grand Canyon continues to be one of my most favorite places we have traveled.  I was actually excited when we pulled into the park. I couldn't wait to see everything again!!!  (I am such a Geek-LOL).  We got into camp early enough to set up and get to Mather Point and we hiked a little over 2 miles along the outer rim.  Words can not describe the beautiful scenery.  It is truly amazing how breathtaking it all is. I continue to be awed and scared of heights, which makes enjoying all of it tricky at times.  Especially when both Hailey and Maddie are fearless of heights and want to push to see more. On our hike we made a new squirrel friend who graced us with some adorable photos.

It was very hot on our hike, and when we finally made it to the water station I was so happy to be ale to refill my bottle that I accidentally tripped and wiped out on the trail.   I now have pretty bad abrasions on one leg and some nasty bruises on both.

We made it to the Hopi House, which Maddie and I explored and El Tovar restaurant, where we decided to have dinner.  We ate lunch there the year before and LOVED it, this time was just as wonderful.  We all stuffed ourselves including amazing desserts, their flour-less chocolate cake was incredible!  We then took the bus back to the campground for the evening.

The next day we decided to take the red shuttle bus line to Hermits point and explore.  It was amazing, beautiful and very high up.  I really enjoyed myself as did everyone else.  It was very windy so I kept having to take my hat off at the edges of the canyon so I wouldn't loos it.

Maddie had a blast taking pictures, some she plans to enter into the Maryland State Fair in August. Her and I both liked the artistic look of the dead trees against the skyline and canyon.

We had lunch at Bright Angel Lodge where Doug challenged Hailey to drink his left over horseradish sauce.  He offered her $100 to do the whole thing, but after her righteous attempt, gave her $20 to stop trying (she managed to down 2 good sized mouth fulls).  I have to admit it was funny to watch her face turn red and eyes get big as the burn settled in.

After lunch we took the orange shuttle bus line out to all of the various view points.  This is where all three of them started to get rather bold and go out to the edge of a few areas, which scared me out of my mind.  So I was the butt of many jokes this afternoon.

We went back to the camper for a few hours to relax before the 8:30pm Ranger Presentation about Mountain Lions.  That was interesting, and I learned a lot about Mountain Lions as well as preservation of the many animals in the Grand Canyon.

The next time we visit I want to go to the North Rim to explore as well as actually go into the canyon. That will probably be once I can retire.

We Keep Heading West

We have spent the last 2 days mostly in the car, with Doug driving, the girls watching movies, and reading or on their phones, and me reading.   I have finished 3 books and have started my 4th today.

Yesterday we drove a lot!  We even took a quick side trip through Greensburg Kansas.  Doug, wanted to see the town after watching the television series abut how they rebuilt it after a horrible tornado that wiped it out in 2007. We then made it to  Tucumcari New Mexico and stayed at a KOA.  It was a long drive, close to 10 hours in the car and it was HOT outside, it reached 108 degrees. We all enjoyed swimming in the pool while we did some laundry, since we have been on the road for a week. We met some nice people, another family touring the US like us but in a tent.  I would NOT want to be them in this heat. There are a lot of rabbits around here, like squirrels back home.  Hailey keeps pointing them out like she points out squirrels too.

This morning we even ate breakfast at the campground, it was nice to have something more than cereal and fruit.  Then we were back on the road.   We did stop at a WalMart for an oil change for the truck and to get some groceries.  The weather continued to be hot, but it only got to 100 today.  After driving 8 hours Doug needs a break so we have pulled into a rest stop in Arizona.  We met a nice couple who had the most adorable tear-drop camper that have been camping for a month cross country like us, only they are from California and are on their way home.

We are about 2 hours from the Grand Canyon, where we will be or the next two days.  I am actually excited about going back there.  The last time we visited, I was having issues with my back, this time I am much more able to enjoy myself.

The WiFi service here is not the best so I will not be posing any pictures today.  I am not sure how it will be in the Grand Canyon either, if I remember correctly it was very spotty as well. So I will post more when I can.

Botanica Gardens

We woke up this morning to a swarm of creepy flying bugs that had attached themselves to the side of the camper.  After the massively loud thunder storm the night before, I was not in the mood to get up  close and personal with bugs of any type, especially big ugly ones that fly and attach themselves to you.  We found out that they are may flies, I call them annoying!

Anyway, todays destination for exploration was the Botanica Gardens in Wichita. Hailey loves flowers, and enjoyed the gardens we toured in North Carolina so much that she picked this for us to visit.  I am so glad that she did!  It was beautiful, and although it was extremely hot outside, most of the garden was in the shade.

One of the best parts of the trip was watching the wildlife.  We saw lots of birds, koi fish and squirrels.  Doug even seemed to make friends with one of them who was begging for food.  I was amazed to see that the squirrels in Kansas were brown, and not grey like at home.    We also went into the butterfly garden and got up close and personal with some beautiful butterflies. Everything was just so beautiful, and peaceful.

After we left the gardens we went to a little cafe about 10 minutes away, called the Copper Oven.  The food was great, and all of us have a nice time just talking about what we saw at the gardens and making plans for tomorrow.

Once we made it back to the camper we were greeted by the swarm of mayflies still attached to our camper, only this time upon closer examination (by Doug and Maddie), we found out that they were mostly exoskeletons and and few molting bugs,  I still say gross!  Yuck!!  I am not a fan of the may fly!

It was still early so we put on our bathing suits and headed to the swimming beach area.  The girls had a blast cooling off in the lake,  Doug and I enjoyed relaxing, and I started my third book of the trip.   Now we are all making preparations for tomorrows 11 hour drive to New Mexico.

St. Louis Arch

Yesterday we went to the St. Louis Arch.   It rained for part of the trip so we got wet in spite of having umbrellas to use.   We were lucky enough to find a place to park the camper, but it was admittedly in a not so great neighborhood. Nevertheless, we made it to the Old Courthouse, where they had a brass band playing patriotic music for the holiday.  We then went to Angelo's Tavern for a late lunch.  The burgers were  awesome!!!!  After eating, we made our way to the arch, luckily the rain had subsided. Hailey was getting very nervous as we approached the arch, she was scared of the enclosed car we had to get into in order to get to the top viewing area.  She did face her fear and made it :).  I, on the other hand, had a little issue with the height as always, I tried to squeeze Doug's arm a little too tightly on the way up.  Once we got to the viewing deck, I could look out but not down.  It was really cool.  We could see the whole city including the Cardinals Game that was going on. I am so glad that we did this.  Doug enjoyed it, even though he had done it on his cross country trip as a child.

We got into Lake if the Ozarks State Park last night around 9pm after a 5 hour drive.The internet service was nonexistent, which is why I am writing this today.  The girls were very tired and a tad emotional, You gotta love having teenagers! We had a quick dinner and decided to get some well deserved sleep and skip visiting Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

This morning we took a quick hike along Lake of the Ozarks before leaving.  It was so pretty, but very hot and humid.  Then we made our first trip to the store to restock the camper with food , drinks, and the socks that I forgot to pack.  We then went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch before making the 5 hour trip to El Dorado State Park in Kansas. We got in safely and were setting up when the camp host informed us that even though we booked and paid for our site back in February, that we owe a parking fee!!!  We have never had to pay an additional parking fee for out tow vehicle at any campsite.  No where on their website did it mention the fee either. Both Doug and I were definitely unhappy with that!  I will be contacting reserve america tomorrow so I can complain.

I am too tired to post pictures, so I will make it a priority to do so tomorrow since we are staying at this  campground tomorrow night as well.

Marengo Cave

Today we had to get up early and head out on a 5 hour drive to get to Marengo Cave in Indiana.  The girls and I slept most of that time while Doug drove.  The cave itself was pretty cool.  We did both walking tours, it took a little over 2 hours to do both.  We were able to see some beautiful rock formations.  Our tour guide Will will funny as well so  that make the tours that much more enjoyable. I will post pictures below of some of what we saw.

After we left Merango we still had a three hour trek to Mt. Vernon RV Park in Illinois, where we are now.  That drive was a bit more exciting.  About half way there, it got very dark outside with a storm moving in, and then we got tornado warnings on our cell phones.  We pulled into a truck stop and waited about 40 min for the storm to pass.  The wind was really going making the light poles sway, and the lightening flashes were so close it made us jump a few times.

Once the storm passed us, we headed back to the highway which was then covered with debris from the trees.  I am very glad Doug did not try to tough it out, and we stayed safe.

Now we are settled in the campground happily enjoying our evening. We have another jam packed day tomorrow so we plan to go to sleep pretty early.

National Museum of the US Air Force

Yesterday we spent over 10 uneventful hours in the car and ended up at John Bryant State Park in Ohio.  We had a nice night by the campfire complete with "smoreoes."

Today we spent the day touring The National museum of the US Air Force.  We saw lots of  planes including the very first mass produced biplane that they Wright Brothers made all the way to stealth fighters. My favorite parts included a tour of a Space Shuttle Training Module and going aboard several "Air Force One" planes including the very first one that FDR flew in after he created the US Air Force  and the one JFK flew on.

Since we have traveled so extensively to so many different air and space museums, the girls kept commenting about how we have seen a lot of the same type of things before.  It was funny when we were looking a "Apollo" capsule and  Maddie said we say the number eleven at the Smithsonian.   I guess we are total "Space Geeks".

Both girls were able to relate some of the stuff that they learned in school to the WWII and the Cole War  exhibits, but both mentioned that they just "skimmed over it."  Doug and I were glad that we could give them more information.

It was a really cool museum, and we could have easily spent more time there, but we were getting tired and the girls were "airplaned out",

Anyway we got back to the campground and enjoyed dinner and are currently sitting around the fire.  Maddie is reading, Doug is researching more interesting facts about the museum and Hailey is on her phone as usual.

Tomorrow we need to get up early for a 5 hour drive to our next destination.