Canyon Tour - Day 1

Day1: Flight out to Vegas and Hoover Dam. Night in Williams, AZ on Route 66.

Miles logged - 1916 in air. 215 in car. Total = 2131

Anna was thrilled to be going on an airplane with Daddy instead of Daddy going on a work trip without us. So thrilled in fact that she fell asleep in the car on the way to the airport! She woke up and was a trooper on the airport parking shuttle, through security, and waiting to board.  She was pretty content to read on the plane or look out the window until we were able to turn electronics on.   She chilled out watching a movie for awhile and of course there was some snacking.

 

We landed in Las Vegas, and she immediately told us she wanted some chicken nuggets from the chicken nugget place.  Unfortunately, there is only one chicken nugget place for her with her dairy allergy – McDonalds.  We picked up our bags, our rental car, and headed out of the airport to find lunch.  We had Chipotle, and tried our best to entice her with yummy burrito goodness but to no avail.  So we picked up chicken nuggets on the way out of Vegas for her to munch on in the car.

Traveling with a fully potty trained toddler is not something we had experienced yet.  We’ve done short trips including spring break earlier this month but this trip we would be on the go the whole time.  We decided to use pull ups for a little extra protection, just in case.  Turns out – we didn’t need it.  She did great.  She told us when she had to go, and she often gave us enough warning to find her a bathroom.  She even rocked the pit toilets in the parks and a straight up outhouse here and there. Oh – and don’t forget the airplane potties. She certainly didn’t on the return flight when she insisted that she needed to use it during boarding….

Standing on the old bridge looking towards the new bridge

 

Where all the magic happens

 

The Hoover Dam

 

We got to the Hoover Dam shortly before it closed but we were just going to walk around to take some pictures so closing time didn’t matter to us.  Especially since we had just stopped at a gas station for a potty break (see previous paragraph for explanation). We parked in the free lot,“hiked” down to the bridge, crossed over from the Arizona side to the Nevada side, and back again.  There were a ton of cool photo ops in the reflections on the water of Lake Mead. I might have taken a few pictures.


 

 

Nevada Side

Lake Mead

 

 

 

Half way point on the bridge

 

Arizona side

 

After our exploration of the dam – we got Anna to say “Wow, that’s a big Dam!” a few times for our entertainment.  Luckily, the word didn’t stick.  We then started our drive towards Williams, AZ where we would spend the night on Route 66.  When we pulled into the small town, I felt like we were in Radiator Springs from Cars. We looked for Lightning McQueen and his buddies but didn’t find them.  Good thin Anna was asleep. ;) Our hotel was nice and we’d easily recommend it to friends. The next morning on our way out of town, both Allen and I commented on the opportunity  we missed the night before to take some pictures of the neon lights on the main drag. Next time.

Up next Day2: Grand Canyon National Park.  Night spent in Marble Canyon, AZ because the road was washed out and we couldn't get to Page, AZ.  Miles logged - 185 in car.  Total = 2316

 

Canyon Tour

We are home after 8 days, 3 states, 4 National Parks, 1 dam, 1 zoo, at least 20 miles hiked, and over 2000 pictures taken. (2222 to be exact) Awesome, awesome trip.

Day1: Flight out to Vegas and Hoover Dam. Night in Williams, AZ on Route 66. Miles logged - 1916 in air. 215 in car. Total = 2131


Checking out the Hoover Dam.

Day2: Grand Canyon National Park.  Night spent in Marble Canyon, AZ because the road was washed out and we couldn't get to Page, AZ.  Miles logged - 185 in car.  Total = 2316


On the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Day3: Drive to Zion National Park and sightsee/hike.  Night in Springdale, UT.  Miles logged - 120 in car. (including 1.1 miles in a tunnel!) Total = 2436

Day4: Zion National Park hikes. Night in Springdale, UT. Miles logged - none Total =2436

Day5: Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park and sightsee. Night in Bryce Canyon City, UT. Miles logged - 87 in car.  Total = 2523

Day6: Sunrise in Bryce. Hike in Bryce. Drive to Arches National Park and sunset in Arches. Night in Moab, UT. Miles logged - 276 in car.  Total = 2799


Queen's Garden Hike in Bryce.

Day7: Hike in Arches National Park. Night in Moab, UT. Miles logged - none Total = 2799

Day8: Drive to Salt Lake City and Hogle Zoo. Night in route to CLT. Miles logged - 250 in car. 1727 in air. Total =  4776 (1133 car)

Pictures and daily details to follow.



Watchtower at the Grand Canyon.

Spring break is for the birds

Here are a few pics from our annual TN trip with Allen's family.  One of our highlights was visiting a bird sanctuary/zoo. 

Anna was in heaven with all the parrots.

Being brave.

 

Cousins with Gram.

 

One of the birds "bit" Anna so she was a little bit more reserved towards the end of trip.
Here she is using her cousin as extra protection between her and a caged bird.

Swimming all by herself.

A Costume Review (& a sneak peek!)

 

 



Yep, you read that right! We are expecting a little one to arrive in mid October!
 

Happy Easter