Sequoia National Park

We drove to Sequoia National Park today.  We had quite a scare on Route 5, a truck that was carrying tractor tailor tires, lost two on them on the highway and they flew into us. Thankfully, no one was hurt but the Suburban did sustain some minor damage.and so did the cargo tray.

When we finally made it to the park, it was amazing to see the giant sequoia trees. I have read about them in books, seen numerous photos and videos of them, but until I actually stood in front of the largest tree world, you have no idea how big, "big" can be.

We made it to the park about an hour before the visitors center would close, so we went directly to the center to learn about the park.  The girls were able to get their souvenirs and then off we went to the various looks outs up the mountain.  Thankfully, Doug took pity on me and drove up the mountain.  The views were breathtaking, and it was amazing to literally watch the environment change as we got higher and higher. We made it to the hiking area that lead us to "General Sherman" the largest tree (by volume).  Sadly, my back did NOT like the steepness of the hike, so Doug being the awesome husband that he is offered to hike back up to the car and come and get me.  I am very thankful for that!!!!

We then ate dinner a the John Muir Lodge, where we ate outside and got to view some deer grazing.  It was so nice and peaceful.  We ended our evening back at the campground, we had NO hookups at this site so I was very worried out not having air conditioning.  Luckily it was cool enough and we were all able to sleep comfortably.

Sight Seeing

Today we were complete tourists!  We started out going to the California Science Center to see Space Shuttle Endeavor.  Doug totally geeked out, as were the rest of us!!!  They had capsules for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo Missions there as well, along with a real external fuel tank for the shuttle, the last on in assistance.  They plan to build an exhibit over the next 3 years to house the complete shuttle in it's launch position.

After we left there we were all very hungry so we  drove to LA  and ate at El Cholo.  They had the most amazing Mexican food I have ever had.  The manager was surprised to hear that we were traveling from Maryland, and sent us complimentary table made guacamole.  It was so good!

Once we stuffed ourselves, we drove to see the Hollywood sign.  It was not fun traveling up the twisty, turney, narrow streets to get a good view.  I feel really bad for those people who live there, they have tourists all day long trying to navigate through their neighborhood to get a picture of the sign (like us, and the many others we saw doing the same thing).

Then we drove to the Hollywood Walk of fame, past the  Mann's Chinese Theater, through Beverly Hills, and ended up at Venice Beach.  That is where Doug finally got to put his feet in the Pacific Ocean,  Something he has wanted to do since he was 14 years old, when his family came out west but ran out of time.  He even filled a bottle of sand to bring home with us.  I am sure I can figure out something crafty to make for him.    I will say that it was cool being in the Pacific Ocean (especially since just 2 months ago we were in the Atlantic Ocean), but in my opinion, Ocean City is nicer than Venice Beach. It is cleaner and has a much better atmosphere.  Driving in LA is NOT fun at all either, too many aggressive drivers who have no idea how to use a  turn signal or obey traffic lights.  I would not want to drive through the city in a Suburban again if I did not have too.

Once the sun had set we headed back to the camper.  We made a stop at a Walmart to re-stock so we can head to our next destination tomorrow.

I am exhausted, and the camera is in the car so I will post pictures tomorrow or whenever we have good WiFi.

Disneyland

Today was AWESOME!  We had the best day today!!  It started off in Tomorrow Land with a ride on Hyper Space Mountain, which is even more awesome now that it is all based on Star Wars.  Then we did a few other rides in that part of the park.  While we were walking around I pointed out to Maddie that there were Storm Troopers and she went over to get a picture with them.  One asked her for her ID and she said that she did not have one, so they both kidnapped her, they walked her over to a corner of the park, Doug was in a store when this happened, and he looked out and saw Maddie being escorted by 2 Storm Troopers so he came running out to watch.  The next thing I knew we had a crowed of people videotaping and taking pictures of her.  It was awesome!  Eventually one of them "released" her.  It was awesome, and she LOVED it!  Then we were talking to one of the cast members about how much Maddie loves Star Wars, and she arranged for us to get a VIP meeting with Chewbacca.  We did not have to wait in line, Chewy came over and hugged each of us and then we had our picture taken.  It was amazing.  We also got a photo with Boba Fet .

We pretty much got to ride most of the rides that we wanted, a few we had to skip because the lines were too long. We did get a fast pass for the Indiana Jones ride, which saved us a good half and hour wait.  That ride was pretty cool. The It's A Small World Ride here is much nicer than the one at Magic Kingdom. The castle outside is much more elaborate and in some of the counties they have  Disney Characters singing along with the children.  Sleeping Beauty's castle is beautiful, but so small in comparison to Cinderella's in magic Kingdom.

 We got to see both the mid day parade and the light parade. We tried to view the fireworks bit is was so crowded that we ended up walking in circles in a 4 person human chain non-stop as they went off so we could see them.  We were all singing along with the music that they played. It was definatley something we will always remember.

After fireworks we went back to Tomorrow Land to finish up some shopping, including making a custom light saber for Doug.  Both Hailey and Maddie helped design it.  So now he has a "Ravens" purple light saber for his Man Cave!

It was a wonderful day, but we are so tired and our feet hurt.  It was amazing.  Even though Disneyland is smaller than Magic Kingdom, I personally liked it much better.  It not only has a "retro" atmosphere, but was more laid back and it was easier to navigate.

It is late, I am exhausted and we have another busy day planned for tomorrow so I am going to bed!

California Here We Come!

We made it to the west coast! We traveled through mountains and deserts and enjoyed the scenery (until I fell asleep ).  Doug safely drove over 6 hours to Anaheim Harbor RV park, which is a glorified parking lot with hook ups for the camper, but is only 4 minutes from Disneyland.  After we got set up and settled we decided to go into Downtown Disney to do some shopping and have dinner.  It was a wonderful way to spend the evening.  We bought some souvenirs and gifts for a few close friends, and Maddie bought her back to school outfit, a R2D2 Dress (I love my nerdy girl).  Hailey had fun playing Poke'mon GO and watching other people play it too!  We had a great time people watching and listening to the live music.  We went to dinner at The Jazz Kitchen , which was all decked out in New Orleans style!  The food was incredible, and Doug had the mist awesome Bloody Mary ever!!!!  It was made with Maple Bourbon and had bacon!!!!  Downtown Disney in California is much more low key than Orlando but it is very nice and definitely has that "Special Disney Charm."
Now we are relaxing and preparing for tomorrow.  I can't wait to spend the day in Disneyland!

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.