Grand Canyon Grand Adventure Part 5

Day 3

We got up and out later than we wanted to on Tuesday but we just wanted to get to the Grand Canyon before sunset.  At one point during the drive, Route 66 is right next to the highway so when you stop for gas you can check out a little piece of Americana.

When you leave Barstow, you basically go through the bottom of the Mojave Desert.  Lots and lots of openness and then mountains from as far as you can see.  As we entered Arizona crossing over the Colorado River another thunderstorm was right in front of us providing us with a lightning show and later huge cloud formations.

Yes, that is a semi truck on top of a pole!

We finally got to the Grand Canyon sometime around 5 so we had plenty of time to see the sunset.

When I was explaining the Grand Canyon to the children Ashleigh told Ryan that it basically is a big ditch.  When we got to the very first overlook Ryan exclaimed, "It is a big ditch!"  Ashleigh replied, "Ryan, it isn't a big ditch... it's THE big ditch!"  And there you have it...

Grand Canyon Grand Adventure Part 4

Day 2

As our reservations for the Grand Canyon didn't start until Tuesday, we had a day to check out the lovely town of Barstow.  About 3 miles from where we were staying was Calico Ghost Town, the largest silver mine in California.  The children loved taking photos with these silly 'stick your head in here and look I'm a bank robber' type things (what are these called anyway?).

Later we drove down Route 66 which goes right through the middle of Barstow and had lunch at In N Out Burger.  The KOA had a pool so in the hot afternoon, we enjoyed a quick dip.  After swimming, we headed back to our campsite and all of a sudden the wind really started to pick up.  About 15 minutes later, a huge desert rain storm came pounding through town.  It even hailed at one point!  The storm lasted only a short time and then it was gone.  Now it was not only hot but humid however the sky was amazing!  Of course, my children found a puddle to play in.

 
In the evening, as another long day of driving awaited us in the morning, we relaxed after dinner and simply made s'mores.

Grand Canyon Grand Adventure Part 3

Day 1

We left at 7:30 am and got to Barstow at about 4 or 5ish, I think.  Long, long day but we were all excited.  As we left, I was having a bit of anxiety about forgetting something however Dave kept reminding me that we weren't leaving civilization and not to worry so much.

I packed a bin full of snacks (Bunny Crackers, Kid Clif Bars, fruit snacks, cuties and a big bin of grapes) for the children so if they were hungry then they could just reach right in and grab something.  I also reminded them of the trash bag but well that didn't always work. Everyone had a bottle of water too. I wouldn't call it a rule however we the children were allowed to watch two movies during the drive.  Thank goodness for that DVD player!

We took bathroom breaks as needed and had our sandwiches for lunch somewhere outside of Bakersfield up in the Tehachapi Pass area.  I was thrilled when we drove passed Edwards Air Force Base.  At this point, the scenery all looks the same; a whole lot of nothing.  During the day the colors are so dull and washed out but it really is at sunset that the desert seems to come alive with color.

The KOA we stayed at in Yermo (just outside of Barstow) was nice enough.  We had full hook ups so that really was great plus we needed that air conditioning!  Hot, hot, hot in Yermo even at bedtime.  The children and Dave rode their bikes around the campgrounds after we got all set up.  It was good for them to stretch their legs.

Grand Canyon Grand Adventure Part 2

The Grand Canyon is about 13 hours away from our home.  That means we needed two days to get there and on the other side of the return trip, too.  Most of that driving would be in the middle of California and the desert.  While checking out the roads we would be traveling on, I figured out we would be on or near Route 66!  How cool is that?  Well, we love road trips and nostagia and simpler times so this adventure was turning out to be pretty darn awesome.

I found a cool website called Roadside America that let's you plot out some of the best that this country has to offer.  Ghost towns, meteorite fields, and shoe trees... ah, the absurdities you can only find in America.

The Grand Canyon National Park is massive, however when I looked at the map of the South Rim Visitor Center area it seemed that it was similar to the Yosemite Valley.  There's a geology museum, an easy hike, plenty of ranger talks and nature.  Ah, nature. 

Next up... Day 1 & 2.

Grand Canyon Grand Adventure Part 1

Some time in July we kept trying to figure out how to go camping. Dave's schedule just wasn't working for a mid-week getaway and the weekends are always full around here.  So, Dave says, "Let's take a week off and go to, like, the Grand Canyon!" I thought, "Um, right, you funny man."  Then I thought and said, "Well, then I'll check it out." He gave me the dates that would work for his work schedule and then I went to work.

Turns out there is camping in the Grand Canyon and around the Grand Canyon and all over the place and for a really decent price too ($18/night within walking distance to the Visitor's Center is alright in my book). I found a spot that would work for our schedule (Tuesday - Friday) and our travel trailer and booked it. At that point all I could think of was, "HOLY SH!T... we're going to the GRAND CANYON!!!" 

Next it was managing all the details... yikes. 

Grand Canyon Grand Adventure

Day 5 and as Ryan said, "It's getting funner and funner by the minute!"




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Spring Break

We had a very relaxing Spring Break.  It was probably one of the most stress free camping trips we've done.  I'm not sure if it was how we packed or scheduled our side trips or how we just went with the flow (and then the pessimist in me thinks that this trip was the peak of our camping experiences and now we're on the downhill).

On Tuesday, we headed down to Watsonville to Sunset State Beach.  It's a funny little campground situated on a bluff overlooking the ocean and then to the east there are strawberry and lettuce fields.

As soon as we got all set up and dinner was done, we rushed to the beach!

We got to the overlook just as the sun was setting.  Amazing!

The next morning after a leisurely breakfast of pancakes and bacon, we headed towards the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The Aquarium is just so wonderful.  The exhibits made even us as adults go 'Ooooh' and 'Ahhh!'

Just one of the out of this world jellyfish.

The leafy dragon seahorses were my favorite.

We really didn't know that this is how sand dollars look in their natural habitat.

The Aquarium has this super cool wave simulator thingie.  Basically a wave just like one in the Monterey Bay pours over you.  Lots of fun!

Ryan was absolutely thrilled!

Ashleigh loved the touch pools!

The children checking out the Great Kelp Forest.

Cheesy little boy.

Ashleigh with the seahorse statue!

Apparently it is common to "strike a pose" at the Aquarium sign.

Take 2!

On the final day of our camping trip, we figured out the weather pattern (aka the mornings are not windy at Sunset State Beach) and hiked down to the beach.

Reluctantly, we headed back home that afternoon although we are certainly ready for the 2011 camping season to really get going!