Wednesday, July 9, 2014
We went back to Molly Bs for breakfast and then connected with Ang's aunt in Iowa. We made plans to have dinner with them and stay at their house tomorrow night, so that meant we had time to explore Rocky Mountain National Park a little more before heading out. We chose a hike that went past Alberta Falls to Mills Lake. It was almost three miles one way with a significant gain in elevation. The girls were getting a little tired on the way to the lake but seemed to regain some energy at the lake itself. The hike back was mostly downhill, and they did better with that. It was a truly beautiful hike. I think we've agreed that we prefer the mountains that have trees and lakes the best. We were really proud that they made it nearly six miles on our hike. Attie was asleep before we even pulled out of the parking lot after the hike.
We are currently driving now and plan to hopefully get part of the way through Nebraska tonight before finding a hotel to stop in for a little rest. Tomorrow we will do the other half of the 12 hour drive to Cedar Rapids, IA where we will enjoy some time with family. Bob and Lois have invited us to spend the night at their house and have dinner with them so we plan to do that. We will get up early on Friday morning to head home. We miss family and especially our puppies, so we are looking forward to getting home after what has been a wonderful but long vacation. We are very grateful to all of you who helped take care of the dogs and our garden while we were away. If we can ever repay you, we hope you won't hesitate to ask.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Loveland and biking
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
We woke up at Estes Park Campground. In the morning we had breakfast at a place called Molly Bs. It was sooo good. There was a parade in downtown Estes Park that we watched and then we walked around the downtown area and got some homemade taffy...yum. We then headed in to Loveland to April's house. The girls and Ang spent the day with her. They had lunch and swam and mostly got caught up on over two years of updates!! Scott finally found a mountain biking trail (Halls Ranch) he really enjoyed near Lyons, CO. After a full day we had a really nice dinner at an Italian restaraunt in Estes Park and got ice cream on our way back to the campsite.
We woke up at Estes Park Campground. In the morning we had breakfast at a place called Molly Bs. It was sooo good. There was a parade in downtown Estes Park that we watched and then we walked around the downtown area and got some homemade taffy...yum. We then headed in to Loveland to April's house. The girls and Ang spent the day with her. They had lunch and swam and mostly got caught up on over two years of updates!! Scott finally found a mountain biking trail (Halls Ranch) he really enjoyed near Lyons, CO. After a full day we had a really nice dinner at an Italian restaraunt in Estes Park and got ice cream on our way back to the campsite.
Off to the Rockies
Monday, July 7, 2014
We drove most of the day and entered Rocky Mountain National Park around 7:30. It was so much cooler here, and we were relieved to get some relief from the 100+ degree weather in Utah. We gained so much elevation there was even snow in some spots. We made our way through the park and found a camping spot in Estes Park campground. We then went and had some barbecue for dinner and then headed back for a good night's sleep at the campground.
We drove most of the day and entered Rocky Mountain National Park around 7:30. It was so much cooler here, and we were relieved to get some relief from the 100+ degree weather in Utah. We gained so much elevation there was even snow in some spots. We made our way through the park and found a camping spot in Estes Park campground. We then went and had some barbecue for dinner and then headed back for a good night's sleep at the campground.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Moab and Arches
We woke up in Moab. Scott woke up early to ride the Slickrock bike trail before it got too hot. Scott enjoyed the bike trail, but it was too hot to ride for long (and he was too out of shape). Mom and the girls slept in and eventually walked into town for breakfast and checking out the shops. We met up again closer to noon.
After Scott grabbed a bite to eat too, we headed to Arches National Park. The girls signed up for the Junior Ranger program there and we began checking out the rock features. It was 100 degrees so we liked the shaded areas most and limited our hiking. However, the last hike we did was Sand Arch (?) and it had 50+ foot rock walls with alleys between them with soft sand floors. It was like a cool sand playground in the shade surrounded by tall rock walls. We climbed the rocks and walked around in the sand barefoot. A few spots were narrow and didn't get much sun so the sand was nice and cool. We also checked out the hidden arch at the end, but the whole area was pretty awesome. This was everyone's favorite. We then had to return to the heat to get back to the van.
We swam when we got back to the hotel so everyone was cool again. Eventually we grabbed dinner and some ice cream and returned back to the hotel to settle down for the night. Although there are many cool rock features, we may decide to escape the 100+ temps. Colorado tomorrow?
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Moab
I posted some pictures of Zion, Bryce, Grand and Antelope Canyons in a previous post if anyone is interested.
Today we got up and decided we would go a little out of our way to stop at Four Corners Monument so we could add New Mexico to the list of states we've been to. We then headed to Moab Utah where we plan to stay in a hotel for two nights. It has an outdoor pool and is right in town so Ang and the girls can shop, swim and relax while Scott checks out the mountain bike trails in the area. Everyone is looking forward to the next few days.
We found a sushi restaurant for dinner that was excellent and the girls and Scott swam for a little bit before heading off to bed. We do plan to tour Arches national park while we are here and possibly do a whitewater rafting tour down the Colorado river. On Monday we will start making our way back with a stop in Loveland to see April for a night and Iowa to see Bob and Lois. We hope to be home by the 11th depending upon how many miles we are able to put on in one day through Nebraska.
Today we got up and decided we would go a little out of our way to stop at Four Corners Monument so we could add New Mexico to the list of states we've been to. We then headed to Moab Utah where we plan to stay in a hotel for two nights. It has an outdoor pool and is right in town so Ang and the girls can shop, swim and relax while Scott checks out the mountain bike trails in the area. Everyone is looking forward to the next few days.
We found a sushi restaurant for dinner that was excellent and the girls and Scott swam for a little bit before heading off to bed. We do plan to tour Arches national park while we are here and possibly do a whitewater rafting tour down the Colorado river. On Monday we will start making our way back with a stop in Loveland to see April for a night and Iowa to see Bob and Lois. We hope to be home by the 11th depending upon how many miles we are able to put on in one day through Nebraska.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Arizona - Antelope and Grand Canyon
Friday, July 4, 2014
Mom went for a dip to cool off. We packed up and headed into Page for our Upper Antelope Canyon tour. The trip to the slot canyon was reminiscent of the prior days route...lots of sand and bumpy. Once at the canyon, we were led to various viewpoints and photo opportunities. The canyon was really beautiful and hopefully we have a few photos that capture it.
We had a nice lunch and then loaded up for the Grand Canyon south rim. We checked out the views and took many more pictures. The cameras had a good workout today.
We returned near Page late. We headed back to Utah to nearby Big Water for the only hotel we could find for the fourth (as of several days ago). We were happy to clean up and get some cool rest tonight.
Mom went for a dip to cool off. We packed up and headed into Page for our Upper Antelope Canyon tour. The trip to the slot canyon was reminiscent of the prior days route...lots of sand and bumpy. Once at the canyon, we were led to various viewpoints and photo opportunities. The canyon was really beautiful and hopefully we have a few photos that capture it.
We had a nice lunch and then loaded up for the Grand Canyon south rim. We checked out the views and took many more pictures. The cameras had a good workout today.
We returned near Page late. We headed back to Utah to nearby Big Water for the only hotel we could find for the fourth (as of several days ago). We were happy to clean up and get some cool rest tonight.
Bryce Canyon
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Scott woke up early and hiked part of the Fairytale trail down into the canyon. There were many awesome features (fins, windows, hoodoos).
We packed up camp and headed to Sunrise Point to check out the view. We then moved on to Sunset Point to do a morning hike. We hiked the Navajo loop. It had many switchbacks as the trail climbed back between the cliffs.
We then took a "shortcut" on an unimproved road. We got to check out another bridge feature and lots of cool scenery and even saved some time. Mam hated it and it was a bit rattling at times, but mom would definitely do it again :-)
We arrived at our new destination near Page, Arizona. We setup camp at Lake Powell where it was again in the 100's. We headed to the beach and quickly learned about the thorns along the beach and in the sand at the campsite; keep shoes on. After we cooled off a bit, we went into town to get groceries for grilling. We had a good meal and then settled down. It was too hot to sleep, but eventually we fell asleep...mostly.
Scott woke up early and hiked part of the Fairytale trail down into the canyon. There were many awesome features (fins, windows, hoodoos).
We packed up camp and headed to Sunrise Point to check out the view. We then moved on to Sunset Point to do a morning hike. We hiked the Navajo loop. It had many switchbacks as the trail climbed back between the cliffs.
We then took a "shortcut" on an unimproved road. We got to check out another bridge feature and lots of cool scenery and even saved some time. Mam hated it and it was a bit rattling at times, but mom would definitely do it again :-)
We arrived at our new destination near Page, Arizona. We setup camp at Lake Powell where it was again in the 100's. We headed to the beach and quickly learned about the thorns along the beach and in the sand at the campsite; keep shoes on. After we cooled off a bit, we went into town to get groceries for grilling. We had a good meal and then settled down. It was too hot to sleep, but eventually we fell asleep...mostly.
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