It saddens me to say that today is the last day of our trip. We will be leaving our hotel room shortly, head to Knoxville for Groceries and a TV, then the Smokies for another cancelation and a meeting with a ranger so I can volunteer, and then lastly to our new home. Sarah is ready for that, but I still would like to be on vacation.
Anyways please keep in touch and visit this blog as it will be updated, at least, weekly.
Anyways please keep in touch and visit this blog as it will be updated, at least, weekly.
The highest point in our trip was 10,000 FT in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Today was our lowest at about -200 FT in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.
In Indiana we stopped at Lincoln Boyhood National Monument to add another cancelation to my National Park Passport. Stopping at all these great National Parks has made us appreciate and enjoy the United States and it's history.
Mormons... If you are not familiar with the history of the Latter-Day Saints, you should read or listen to "Under the Banner of Heaven." After listening to that book on our trip we had to stop at the Mormon Welcome Center in Missouri.
After staying in a nasty hotel in Topeka, Kansas (it was the only place with rooms when we got into town because there was some wrestling convention) we went to Brown vs. Board of Education National Monument. It had an amazing video telling the history that led up to desegregation.
Today we went to Rocky Mountain National Park. We didn't stay very long at all… We drove most the day so we were a little burned out from the car. We did see these Elk though.
In Utah we visited all the National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Arches, and Canyonland. It is astounding how diverse Utah's geology is.
Mexico and Las Vegas are very similar. Our highlights are staying at the MGM Grand and watching the Dancing Fountains at Belagio. Providence hated Las Vegas, the place scared her.
After the amazing trip with Kenny in Mexico we went to Sequoia National Park. It was ginormous. Not only did we see the Four Guardsmen, as shown above, we were lucky enough to see a Coyote as well as a bear and it's cub. We really enjoyed that park, especially Sarah since she has always wanted to go there.
For Providence's Birthday we were at Joshua Tree National Park, quite possibly my favorite place yet. Pence seemed to enjoy it more then all the other places as well. We did a lot of climbing on "jumbo rocks."
When we last met we were snowed in at Flagstaff. We were able to go out the next day to three National Parks; Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki Ruins, and Grand Canyon. They all were unbelievable.
Kenny and I went to Mexico!
We are settled in San Diego with Kenny and Rachel Jensen. We arrived yesterday and will do most of our touring today. So far this is what we have seen.
The Petrified Forest was a bummer, hence the thumbs down. The park was closed because of snow. On our way from Grants, NM to the Petrified Forest we traveled an average of 25 MPH because of the snow and ice on the road. We saw plenty of accidents and were almost in one, as two cars behind us nearly plowed into our rear after a sliding swerving stop. We are now in Flagstaff hoping we can get into the Grand Canyon tomorrow.
The Continental Divide Trail! I was able to put a few miles on this amazing trail. It was a blast since the trail is not well worn which make navigating a little bit of a challenge. Half of the section I hiked was on Lava Rocks.
Providence is giving her last wishes to Smokey the Bear. He was found as a cub clinging to a tree after a forest fire swept through Lincoln National Forest. Once Smokey passed away he was buried here in Capitan, NM, near where he was found.
Here we are in Caprock Canyons State Park in Quitaque, TX. Providence loved the ancient playground, Jerry loved his six-mile hike through the wind blown canyons, and Sarah loved it when she saw other human beings. The mornings were in the low 40's and the afternoon's jumped to the mid 70's.
We decided to stop at the Oklahoma City Memorial where the fatal terrorist act was committed against the Alfred P. Murrah building in April 1995. There are two large walls representing the time the explosion happened and the time it ended. In the middle of the two walls is a reflecting pool that Providence enjoyed.
We crossed New Mexico's state line, and it was really stinky. Providence is waiting for the bus to come pick her up with a few of Roswell's aliens.
Last night we stayed at Mount Magazine, Arkansas on the highest Mountain in the State. It was extremely windy! Sarah and I both thought the outer shell of our tent was going to rip. This morning we did a quick hike. We are now hoping to make it to Texas by nightfall.
Our first sign to head West! After unpacking Monday morning and returning the Uhaul, we headed out for our 3 week road trip to california. Please keeping checking for updates.
Here is the house we have chosen. When we drove up to this place around 10:00 pm Sunday we were amazed and excited. Once we saw the inside our excitment wasn't so grand. This place needs some love! Good thing we can give it some.
