Wyoming is the last state in the fifty states that rhyme...

Day 12: Idaho to Wyoming.  Waking in a parking lot in Idaho Falls, Idaho is not entirely what I envisioned when we were planning this RV adventure. But you learn a lot of things rather quickly while on the road and among those things is to be adaptable. Things change. Weather changes. Kids nearly get heat stroke. And some team members need to depart for a bit. You just go with it and it makes everything better for everyone. Anyhow, you also learn that most W@lmart's lets you sleep in their parking lot. For free. So when you are going to be arriving late and leaving early there is absolutely no need to pay for a campsite. But still, it seems strange. (At the first one outside of Denver, D Money called and the woman told her multiple times that it was fine but we had to sleep in the RV - as though the housewares or camping department were an option. We were also informed that we needed to buy something. Done and done.) But yes, Tuesday - our day 12 - was a whirlwind. Literally. We woke up early under the blue glow and headed out to conquer Wyoming! First though, we had to make it through a bit of Idaho. And that meant deep ascents. Followed by minor ascents. And more deep ascents. At this point in the journey though, JM Oakes was pretty much an expert RV driver - knowing when to downshift and when to let it right. I think he almost stopped to pick up a CB radio at one point to talk to the other "truckers"...

 

All of the rollercoaster driving was well worth it as we headed into Grand Tetons. Wow. Mountains. Majestic is an understatement. These were peaks that simply made us all just stare in wonder. Well, most of us. Harper wanted to run wild through the foliage and pick flowers (which is so not allowed in national parks in case you were wondering). But yeah, Grand Tetons. More than worth the trip. Another place on my list of parks to return to and spend some time really exploring and hiking and breathing in the mountain air (which in my mind smells minty, but in actuality does not. kind of a disappointment...)

JM Oakes - The amazing driver/photographer/child carrier caught in a picture

 

 

 

And then on to Yelllowstone (or Jellystone as I like to call it). I was personally hoping we could throw out a picnic basket to entice a bear (namely Yogi and Boo-boo) to visit us, but my efforts were deemed a bit much. And alas we did not see a bear - grizzly, black, or otherwise - during our time in Wyoming. Yellowstone in June is pretty much like D!sney World, well, anytime. Insanity. Bad drivers. Confusion and meltdowns galore. But the weather was lovely. After circling the lot and unsuccessfully running anyone over, we parked and stepped out to take a look at Old Faithful. At first glance, it is just some smoke billowing out of the ground. But then it erupts, and well, that is remarkable. (I actually didn't see it, but Mere, Spencer, and D Money did and they all say it was incredible). While they watched hot water shoot hundreds of feet into the sky, I retired to the waiting rig to do puzzles with the young minions and wonder what day it was and which time zone we were in (seriously this gets complicated).

After our brief visit to Old Faithful we reversed our loop and headed back south and then east to get to our campsite before midnight. Finding a place to stay in this area was rather difficult, but after several phone calls and diligent internet searches (with very spotty service), we were able to secure lodging at the fine Abs@roka Bay RV Park in Cody, WY.  We arrived to learn that fires were not allowed and wi-fi passwords were some odd combination of braille, Hebrew, and pig Latin. But as far as sleeping and having a place to dump our "black water" (ie. sewage), it was all good. While I had envisioned roaming Bison and the occasional bear crossing our path in Wyoming, none were to be seen. And I had to settle for this...

The only bear we saw in Wyoming

 

 

In the morning we embarked on another exciting adventure to the place where "Under God, People Rule". Otherwise known as, South Dakota. But that will have to wait for another post...

And this is where I found them...

Day 8.  The meetup in Zion.  After literally running to catch my airplane at JFK I arrived in Salt Lake City just after 10am and embarked on a five hour road trip down to Zion to catch up with the crew. While I was driving, adventures were being had in the city of Virgin and at the lovely RV park right outside of Zion National Park.  I arrived around 4:30pm to find the crew lounging outside of the RV. I have never been so thrilled to be in 103 degree temperatures in my life. While the kids ran around playing with a caterpillar, I was able to relax and hear a bit about the adventures I had missed. D Money and I took a little jaunt down to the river while Mere cooked up an amazing welcome back dinner of sweet potato fajitas and roasted corn salsa and I tried to pretend I was not exhausted. 

 

Day 9. Zion. An idealized, harmonious community; utopia. That was where we headed on Saturday morning. Utilizing both the RV and the rental car we were able to make it to the park in record time before the record heat set in. Zion is indeed a gorgeous place. We meandered down a 1.75 shady trail - and I do mean meander because anyone with kids knows that four year olds have two speeds - slow as molasses or sprinting like Us@in Bolt. All three kids were fascinated by, of all things, the squirrels. As well as the water. After emerging from the first hike, we headed to another "easy" hike that we quickly realized would not be easy with the twins in the, by then, scorching heat. So Mere and D Money herded the twins back to a lodge for some ice cream and local brews (for the adults, not the kids) while JM Oakes and I forged ahead with Spencer. If this hike was easy, I would definitely question what is considered hard. (And for the record - any hike that is prefaced with a sign indicating that people fall off this trail and die is not something I want to be taking H and C on any time soon..) We made it to the Emerald Pools and then rejoined the gang at the lodge before heading back down to the waiting RV and SUV. Zion is a place that requires time. And energy. And calm. I am not sure most of us had any of that to give at that moment, but I would enthusiastically return at any time (maybe when it is less than 100 degrees out) to check out more of what the park has to offer.

 

Then on to Richfield, Utah's best kept secret (or so they told us) - the K@A. It was, um, interesting. But if I can lay my head and let the kids swim in the pool for a bit then I am not complaining. It was kind of amazing how things changed from Saturday night to Sunday with a packed campsite emptying out and there being actual silence for a bit.

 

Day 10. Bryce Canyon.  A supposed 2.5 hour drive in the rental car with seven of us packed in turned into a nearly four hour drive with me at the helm due to motion sickness, strange little towns, and the readaptation back to a regular vehicle after spending over a week in an RV where movement was much less restricted. And then we arrived with overtired kids and a bit of a reluctance to do too much. But then, well, then I walked up to the amphitheater and I can honestly say I was awe struck. There was something so visually stunning about the rock formations that I was literally moved - and not just by the small child repeatedly jerking on my arm asking where the play ground was located. We opted to follow the Navajo Trail. A rather steep decline of switch backs which seemed okay going down, but on the latter part of the loop were rather hellish. It was hot and the going was slow. H and C were troopers and while they were clearly exhausted and on the brink of heat stroke they pushed through (with the help of water and power@ade and promises of fun things in the future). As difficult as it was, I would do it again in a minute. And I am pretty certain the other individuals in the group over the age of 10 would as well... After making it back to the car, we drove to a few of the scenic overlooks. (As much as I love the national parks, it would be way more convenient if all of the cool stuff was closer together...just saying). Once more pictures were taken and incredible views were absorbed, we headed back to our beloved Richfield K@A for a night of playing at the park, eating dinner, and just relaxing. After the long day in Bryce, we ditched the plan to head to Arches (huge disappointment, but most logical given the temperatures and the small travel companions). We threw around some ideas about what to do the following day and decided to sleep on it and make a decision in the morning. 

 

Day 11. Utah to Idaho, no U-da-ho. We woke up to another gorgeous Utah morning and opted to take a down day. Meaning we took the kids swimming, did some laundry, showered, and then started to drive. While the gang drove up to Salt Lake City, I followed behind in the rental car for the nearly three hour drive. We reconvened in a BigK parking lot and decided to head up into Idaho for the evening. Returning the rental car was interesting. After depositing the car seats and other random items into the RV, we drove to a gas station where the RV crew stood in wait since the airport was not accommodating to the height of our house on wheels. I took the 4 minute ride to the airport and deposited the rental that I managed to rack up 1000 miles on in three days and then took a ridiculously priced cab back to the RV where we headed north into potato country. Idaho is absolutely stunning. Not that I expected otherwise - I guess I just never really thought about it. We, as in JM Oakes, drove north for several hours until we reached another beloved W@almart parking lot in Idaho Falls where we spent the night listening to the consistent and ever present train horn in the background under the blue glow of the store sign.

Epic Update: Part II

And here we go again... 

Day 5:  After the somewhat traumatizing trip through the mountains to get to Mesa Verde, the gang decided to forgo taking in the sites of Mesa Verde and head to the Four Corners Monument where they were literally able to visit four states simultaneously. And really, when else is that possible (except in those dreams where you can fly)?! After the whirlwind tour of several feet of Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona, the adventure continued into Arizona where the fearless adventurers spent the night beside Lake Powell which offered lovely views and quick access to Lower Antelope State Park.

Day 6: On to Lower Antelope. Home of absolutely breathtaking rock formations and color gradations. And maybe some antelope, but only the lesser ones apparently...

At this park, visitors are only allowed inside for two hours with a guide. Yet two hours was enough to see some breathtaking sites and gorgeous rock formations.  Spotting of three dinosaur tracks in lower antelope was definitely a high point (at least for the kids). 

  

 

  

 

Then the group trekked to Horseshoe Bend in the intense heat (110 degrees) for a spectacular view. Heat stroke was imminent, but lucky crisis was diverted with umbrellas, cold water, and JM Oakes' ability to run uphill holding both heavy camera equipment and a nearly 40 pound child. That's right, not only can he drive an RV like a trucker, he can also run uphill in sand in extreme heat. Definitely a worthy travel companion!

After the hikes in Lower Antelope and to Horseshoe Bend, the entourage headed over to Jacob Lake for the night. A mere hour from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, I have been told this was hands down the best camp sight. It offered a reprieve for the heat that Harper deemed "unbearable" and the night sky was incredible with clear views of the Milky Way.

 

Day 7 brought an excursion to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, along with bison sighting, and mostly importantly for the twins, the location of two lizards at one of the most impressive natural features on Earth. Apparently things were a bit harrowing while trying to corral the smallest members of the crew from launching themselves off the side of the canyon in their desperate efforts to see the flowers. I am relatively sure this portion of the trip gave Meredith a few grey hairs. The prerequested parachutes, helmets, life vests, and teethers  had not arrived in time, so the task of keeping the littles safe from their own lack of fear fell to the others. Clearly they did a magnificent job as expected.

 

 

 

Following the Grand Canyon excursion, the group once again packed into the RV to head north into Utah for a little R&R before attempting to take in Zion.