Day 13 - Las Vegas, NV to Panamint Springs, CA

Day 13 - 187 miles, Las Vegas, NV to Panamint Springs, CA

We had to take a few last hours at the MGM Grand Lazy River before leaving Vegas and heading to Death Valley. 

At the Death Valley Sand Dunes we hit 122 degrees and had to pull Jack back from hiking away with his camera. Signs told us to pull off the blacktop if stopping the car and to turn off the A/C to avoid overheating.  Man is 122 degrees HOT!

We camped at Panamint Springs on the edge of Death Valley and the registration office warned us to wear shoes at all times because of Mojave Red and Mojave Green rattlesnakes and gold and red scorpions.  We bought some firewood from campground patrol guy and he told the kids some stories about the snakes and scorpions in that area.  He let us know that the desert critters generally run at people, not away from them.  They are not more afraid of you then you are of them.  Luckily we didn't meet up with any but we were dive bombed by a few bats.

Outside was alright but it was REALLY hot in the tent.  Still, having been given the local wildlife rundown the hot tent did not seem so bad.  We had hot dogs and made s'mores and all drank a ton of water.  It was fun but we were packed up and ready to go by 7:00AM.  Ahhhhh, sweet A/C!

Day 12 - Grand Canyon and the Freemont Experience

Day 12 - Grand Canyon and the Freemont Experience

Since we had spent the entire day yesterday at the MGM Grand pool complex we never booked a tour to the Grand Canyon...so we had to drive ourselves.  It was cool to go back over the Hoover Dam, with Jim this time, and through Joshua Tree State Park.  The 20 or so miles of unpaved, ungraded roads were not as cool, but we made it to the Skywalk which was really, really awesome.  The Skywalk hangs over the Grand Canyon and has a glass bottom so you can see right below your feet.  It took the kids (and adults) a few minutes to relax and walk normal.  No cameras allowed but we did buy a picture to post later.

After the Skywalk the free shuttle took us to Guano Point (also breathtaking) and then the Hualapai Ranch for dinner, which was really good and included in our entry price.  Bonus. 

The Grand Canyon West is on Hualapai Nation land and the ranch had all sorts of displays and activities, wigwams, roping practice, horseshoes, and horse rides.

On the way back to the hotel we went by Freemont Street and the Golden Nugget to see the slide through the shark tank.  It was a lot of fun but now everyone is asleep except me and I need to pack.  We camp in Death Valley tomorrow.

Day 10 and Day 11 - Las Vegas

The Eagle has landed!  After the kids and I spent the day at the MGM Grand pool's huge Lazy River we picked Jim up at the airport at about 10:45PM Pacific Time.  The temperature was 104.

The Lazy River was so much fun the first day that the kids wanted to go back with Jim.  We rented rafts and ended up there from 10 to 5 with premium seats right on the river.  A fun day all around made even better because Crystal, who is in town visiting her family, spent the day with us.  Crystal played with the kids for hours and must have gone around the 10 minute river with them 25 times...and they LOVED it!  It was so great to see her after almost a month!

Tomorrow the Grand Canyon!

Day 9 - Winslow, AZ to Las Vegas, NV

Day 9 - 320 miles, Winslow, AZ to Las Vegas, NV

Jack was so funny.  He chatted his way all around La Posada talking to the dog owners.  Tristan and I watched trains at the on-site station and Jack and Griffin played chess.

We stopped at Standin on the Corner park to "Take It Easy" and then headed to the Meteor Crater, which was way cool!

The trip to Vegas took us over the Hoover Dam and we were flagged for search by security (it was either the roof carrier or the look of this shady bunch).  Then we got the MGM Grand (just) in time for our reservation at the Rainforest Cafe for dinner.

Tomorrow night Jim flies in and the kids are super excited to see him!!!

Day 8 - Santa Rosa, NM to Winslow, AZ

Day 8 - 385 miles (but they felt long), Santa Rosa to Winslow

So driving through the Sandia mountains in New Mexico the temperature went down to 60 and the kids asked me to turn on the heat.  I was thinking of everyone sweltering in DC.

I had booked a room at the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ because it has two train stations attached (for Tristan), Amtrak and the Santa Fe Railway.  It allows well-behaved children and pets only, so I was a little nervous.  It is a lovely hotel and gardens with wood floors and native decorations...the kids could not believe there was no pool and only a small TV.  I think the giant wooden chess board and all the trains won them over though.  Also, dogs are walking around everywhere, which is cool.

We made very short stops at the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert and then accidentally ate in the "finest restaurant in the Four Corners area."  They told me when we checked in the the hotel restaurant might be tough because the hotel was full and so they made a reservation for me.  They didn't tell me it was called the Turquoise Room.  The kids actually enjoyed it though and Griffin tried the Squash and Chili Blossoms and liked them.

The tooth fairy visited Griffin last night!  We head to Vegas today and plan to stop in downtown Winslow and then Meteor Crater on our way.  Still a five hour drive!  I am ready for a few days without driving.

Day 7 - Shamrock, TX to Santa Rosa, NM

Day 7 - 305 miles, Shamrock, TX to Santa Rosa, NM

First let me say that the salsa they serve with chips in New Mexico is not the same as on the East Coast, so don't dig in like Jack and I did unless you want to taste fire.

We did A LOT today and I am beat.  So here are the stops...

1)  The Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum...we all liked it a lot.  It was big and interesting and fun.

2)  Groom Leaning Water Tower...photo op but that's about all.

3)  Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere...pretty impressive.

4)  The Bug Farm...a gaggle of VW bugs face planted in the dirt.  Stop and sign a bug...we did.  A very nice biker group gave the kids a paint marker and they went to town.  They signed and signed and signed.

5) The Big Texan Steak House...we loved this!!!  No one ate a 72 oz. steak but Jack ate an impressive steak and they gave the kids nice cowboy hats.  There was a shooting gallery, a creepy, haunted hallway, and everything was BIG.

6)  Cadillac Ranch...my first thought...thank goodness we didn't bring spray paint.  My second thought..how did Jack find a full can of spray paint!  My third thought...how did Jack climb to the top of that Cadillac so fast.

7)  Mesalands...New Mexico has great scenery and dinosaur fossils and we drove through another big storm.

8)  Santa Rosa, NM and dinner at the Silver Moon Cafe on Old Route 66.  Really excellent New Mexican food.  We are beat but it was a good day and we hit the pool to unwind.  The kids miss Dad and are excited to see him soon in Vegas!

Day 6 - Fort Smith, AR to Shamrock, TX

Day 6 - 407 miles, Fort Smith, AR to Shamrock, TX

It was a fun car day.  Just as we hit Oklahoma City Tristan said, "Mom, I'm starting to be a little bored on our trip."  This was the first time he mentioned being bored.  He is so good. 

Jack was in information gathering mode.  He ended most questions with "If you don't know the answer then tell me what you think, Mom, and why." 

Griffin plans out what he will do in the car each day and checks each thing off as he goes.  Read to Tristan.  Check.  Play DSi. Check.  Make new checklist.  Check.

We stopped at the Route 66 Museum and visited the smallest diner I've ever seen.  So ready for bed!

Day 5 - Fort Smith, AR

Day 5 - Fort Smith

So, this is a really cool town!  Who knew?  We went to Fort Smith Historic Site and saw the famous gallows and the Trail of Tears Overlook.  We stopped at the Hangin' Judge Saloon because it was 100 degrees and then walked to the Trolley Museum (trolleys still run but it was way too hot--sorry T).  There is a cool little old fashioned amusement park with old World's Fair rides and we had a soda fountain Cherry Coke at the Palace Drug Store.  I'm glad we took the day to relax a little but tomorrow we have to pick up the pace.

Day 4 - Memphis, TN to Fort Smith, AR

DAY 4 - 286 miles, Memphis, TN to Fort Smith, AR

Departure:  10:30 AM

Arrival: 6:00 PM

We started the day with a kid-friendly (read: quick) tour of Graceland.  It was still too much for Tristan as the picture below demonstrates.  I had the Elvis Number One Hits CD playing all morning but the kids were most interested in the jet, the Lisa Marie and the role Elvis played in Forrest Gump.  Another huge thunderstorm as we entered Arkansas and then we stopped for lunch at Nick's Barbecue and Catfish.  Jack loved the ribs and shrimp. 

The Ozarks were a really pretty drive.  Still trying to decide whether to spend a day in Fort Smith or push forward to Oklahoma tomorrow.

Day 3 - Pigeon Forge, TN to Memphis, TN

DAY 3 - 421 miles, Pigeon Forge, TN to Memphis, TN

Departure:  11:30 AM

Arrival: 6:45 PM

We made it across the state and stopped in Nashville for lunch.  Our incentive was a new Penguins of Madagascar - Search for the Golden Squirrel was was coming on at 7PM and we made it just in time.  Then we did a driving tour of Memphis.  The kids wanted to see the Bass Pro Shop (I don't know why) and I wanted to see the Gibson Guitar Factory. 

Day 2 - Pigeon Forge

We took our time this morning and then spent the day tubing in the river behind the Inn.  Free tubes for guest to borrow and rapids that made me just a little nervous.  The kids had a great time.  We also went to the Smokey Mountain Cat House and the Dixie Stampede, which the kids loved.  Tomorrow we head towards Memphis.

DAY 1 - 562 miles, Nags Head, NC to Pigeon Forge, TN

DAY 1 - 562 miles, Nags Head, NC to Pigeon Forge, TN

Departure: 12:00PM, planned - 12:15PM, actual

Arrival: 9:00PM, planned - 11:22PM, actual

Stops: 2 for bathroom, 1 for gas

It wasn't as bad I thought it might be. The kids were amazing! Since we started with two weeks at the beach (thanks to our families) we were in good mental shape. First a week in Avon, NC with my family and then one in Nags Head with Jim's family. Both stays were in beautiful homes with swimming pools, game rooms and of course, the beach. Needless to say, we were all as rested and relaxed as possible.

The trip started uneventfully enough. We drove through an amazing storm outside of Raleigh were the temperature dropped 22 degrees in two miles and Tristan thought he spotted a Snornado (Tornado).

It did rain for most of our drive but we made good time and were only 46 miles away 8:40PM. And the drive was pretty through the mountains. Then we hit traffic. A rock slide (we heard when we got to the hotel) had closed one of the two lanes and it took us two hours to go 22 miles. Then the Foothills Parkway was closed, so another detour.

The kids were so good and patient. I was thinking of Jack's input on doing the trip in the first place "Gee, Mom, I loved to spend a month in the car with you (big fake smile that borders on total fear).  Jack was the best on the first day.  I could tell Tristan was strained when he couldn't fold a piece of paper the way he wanted and started to cry about the situation. Jack had an ear ache but he was a total trooper.

We checked into the Creekstone Inn in Pigeon Forge and the kids feel asleep almost instantly. I changed them into PJs and brushed their teeth while they were sleeping. The motel is cute with a balcony over a big creek where people are tubing. The kids are dying to go in so I will sign off for now. Tonight we go to the Dixie Stampede, whatever that is...Griffin found it online and begged to go. Funny he didn't mention Dollywood but that works for me :)

XOXOXO Beth