So here are some notes and annecdotes from our trip.
Mileage - 1 week we drove 1600 miles. thank god the mileage was unlimted.
Best Lines -
Sarah - 3 years old - walks up to the bus waiting to take people back to the main area at the grand canyon after walking for over 1 mile. I tell her not to get on because we are going to sight see at hermits rest, the last stop, and she cries in a high pitched 3 year old voice. "Why are you making me walk past the bus?" Stomping her feet.
She was better after she had hot cocoa and a Cinnamon bun.
Brooke - 6 years old - "Cousin Maggie, can i borrow your i-phone?" She had it figured out after one night with the phone. amazing.
Pat - no age given - "You're putting on the damn shirts and I'm getting a picture whether you like it or not."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9th - Colorado Springs, Co
We drove back to Colorado Springs today. What a bummer. This was the most awesome trip I've been on in a long long long time. Plenty of fun stories and pictures.
Will miss all of my family very much!!!!
We are lucky in that we get to catch Brooke's first soccer game tomorrow morning!!!!
Will miss all of my family very much!!!!
We are lucky in that we get to catch Brooke's first soccer game tomorrow morning!!!!
April 8th - Pagosa Springs, CO
We are glad we came here. Bravo Lisa!!! The hotel has about 20 mineral spring pools on the property so you can just hop from pool to pool. The pools were awesome. Some were hotter than others. One was called the lobster pot and we couldn't even put our feet in it it was soo hot. There is also an entry into the river that runs past the hotel property but we were not brave enough to do it. Since there are springs the area does smell. Brooke covered her nose most of the time. The rooms were nice, basic but very roomy. They also give you bathrobes for walking around the property.
Lisa and I had adjoining rooms so it was a blast having the kids come in and run around. I also got free computer work done on my computer. Thanks Mark!!!
Sue, Maggie and I had massages at the spa at the springs. Wonderful!!! A must if you are staying in Pagosa.
We went to dinner at this place called J.J.'s. I ordered pasta pomodoro which came out in a red cheese sauce. I ate pieces of everyone meals. Thankfully the kids didn't finish their dinners. Enough said about this place.
Had breakfast this morning at the Rose Restaurant in town and it was fabulous. Definitely a place everyone should have breakfast and/or lunch.
Lisa and I had adjoining rooms so it was a blast having the kids come in and run around. I also got free computer work done on my computer. Thanks Mark!!!
Sue, Maggie and I had massages at the spa at the springs. Wonderful!!! A must if you are staying in Pagosa.
We went to dinner at this place called J.J.'s. I ordered pasta pomodoro which came out in a red cheese sauce. I ate pieces of everyone meals. Thankfully the kids didn't finish their dinners. Enough said about this place.
Had breakfast this morning at the Rose Restaurant in town and it was fabulous. Definitely a place everyone should have breakfast and/or lunch.
April 7th - Farmington, NM
We came here to visit the 4 corners; where 4 states meet. I had seen a sign earlier in the day that the 4 Corners Monument was closed but thought they just meant the Monument itself. Nooooo, they meant the whole area was closed. We arrived there to see construction fences and heavy equipment. We didn't even stop for a photo at the gate. Oh well. We will just have to come back another time.
Well what can I say about Farmington, NM; not much because there isn't much there. Thank god the hotel had an indoor pool because at least the kids got to go swimming. Yippee. The bartender does make a great Margarita.
Well what can I say about Farmington, NM; not much because there isn't much there. Thank god the hotel had an indoor pool because at least the kids got to go swimming. Yippee. The bartender does make a great Margarita.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Grand Canyon, Tusayan, AZ
What can I say about our hotel? We are close to the Grand Canyon and the rooms are large and clean. The food needs alot of help and the sports bar downstairs needs a bit more organization. I'm glad we are this close to the Canyon entrance (5minutes).
The breakfast at our hotel was marginal. Sue said, "Food for the masses." I really only need tea. Tomorrow when we leave we are going to McDonald's. Pretty sad.
The Grand Canyon is unbelievable and breathtaking. We felt insignificant! The canyon is a host of amazing colors, browns, reds, and whites. We arrive and get lost. Miss the road to the visitor center. We end up at the end of the Canyon where the hotels are. We hop on the buses for the Greenway trail or Rim Trail. The trail only allows the park buses. You can get on and off the buses as many times as you want. There are 9 stops going towards the Hermit Pass. We stayed on the bus until the 2nd to last stop then got off and walked to a mile to the Hermit Pass. It was wonderful!!!
The best line of the day was, "Why are you making me walk past the bus?" from a completely tired 3 year old who had just walked a mile.
The Pass was fantastic! There is a store and coffee shop which was nice. We all got hot chocolate and then walked around the area. After a rest we got on the bus and headed back to the village. We had a nice casual lunch at one of the lodges, cafeteria style. After lunch Lisa and Mark drove us to the Red Feather Lodge so we could walk down in the Canyon. We went to the Blue Angel Trail which is supposed to be somewhat easy but a little steep.
We started down the trail and it seemed easy but then we turned a corner and the trail was full of ice with a steep cliff on one side. I walked down this path like a grandmother in orthopedics. At one point a man came across the path and told me it wasn't that icy. Little did he know I'm afraid of unprotected edges. He held out his and I grabbed it like it was the only thing keeping me from falling off the cliff. I think I crushed his hand. Oops.
We went down another half a mile or about a half hour before Sue called it. The view was fantastic but the trail was terrifying. As we were all debating whether to turn around something caused a tree above us to crack loudly. We took it as a sign to head back up. Then as we started up the trail the wind gusts picked up. We had to stop every 100 ft or so to catch our breaths. We drank lots of water at each stop.
This was the most exhilarating hike I've ever done. You should try it when you come here.
The breakfast at our hotel was marginal. Sue said, "Food for the masses." I really only need tea. Tomorrow when we leave we are going to McDonald's. Pretty sad.
The Grand Canyon is unbelievable and breathtaking. We felt insignificant! The canyon is a host of amazing colors, browns, reds, and whites. We arrive and get lost. Miss the road to the visitor center. We end up at the end of the Canyon where the hotels are. We hop on the buses for the Greenway trail or Rim Trail. The trail only allows the park buses. You can get on and off the buses as many times as you want. There are 9 stops going towards the Hermit Pass. We stayed on the bus until the 2nd to last stop then got off and walked to a mile to the Hermit Pass. It was wonderful!!!
The best line of the day was, "Why are you making me walk past the bus?" from a completely tired 3 year old who had just walked a mile.
The Pass was fantastic! There is a store and coffee shop which was nice. We all got hot chocolate and then walked around the area. After a rest we got on the bus and headed back to the village. We had a nice casual lunch at one of the lodges, cafeteria style. After lunch Lisa and Mark drove us to the Red Feather Lodge so we could walk down in the Canyon. We went to the Blue Angel Trail which is supposed to be somewhat easy but a little steep.
We started down the trail and it seemed easy but then we turned a corner and the trail was full of ice with a steep cliff on one side. I walked down this path like a grandmother in orthopedics. At one point a man came across the path and told me it wasn't that icy. Little did he know I'm afraid of unprotected edges. He held out his and I grabbed it like it was the only thing keeping me from falling off the cliff. I think I crushed his hand. Oops.
We went down another half a mile or about a half hour before Sue called it. The view was fantastic but the trail was terrifying. As we were all debating whether to turn around something caused a tree above us to crack loudly. We took it as a sign to head back up. Then as we started up the trail the wind gusts picked up. We had to stop every 100 ft or so to catch our breaths. We drank lots of water at each stop.
This was the most exhilarating hike I've ever done. You should try it when you come here.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Day 2 - Monument Valley, Utah - View Hotel
YOU MUST GO HERE!!! This is the most beautiful stunning, grand, incredible, desolate, and magnificent place on earth.
We arrived at about 2pm. Checked the front desk but check in isn't until 4pm. How do you fill up 2 hours in an area where there isn't much to do at the hotel? You take a 2.5 hour private tour of the Monument Valley with a Navajo guide. This is the most incredible tour ever. We saw John Fords point where he would contemplate his movies. We saw these Buttes that are indescribable to some3one who hasn't seen them. They took us into the restricted area of the reservation (you must have a Navajo guide to do this). More than worth the $65.00 for the trip.
As one guide explained the significance of the area the other would play the flute which just adds to the ambiance. We saw Anasazi ruins and petraglyphs, wall writings, at one site. Amazing. Great pictures. At another site, the eye, they had us lie back on a rock and look up through an arch which is shaped like an eye and the contours and color of the surrounding rock give it eye lashes. While we were there our guide, Larson, shouted towards one area and the echo kept returning even after a minute. Lovely.
The next stop was at a place that is shaped like an ear. We climbed a sand dune across from the ear arch to get some great pictures and then climbed the dune closer to the ear arch for even more impressive pictures.
The other sites included one with the picture of a Navajo with a headdress and an eagle. The pictures are due to the different minerals leaching out of the stone and weathering of the stone.
We went to a place which they consider a "Hogan". A Hogan is a structure representing a woman's belly. The stove pipe is the belly button. The 9 posts are the 9 months of pregnancy. You must enter the Hogan clockwise or else bad spirits follow you. The structure was a stone arch with a hole in the center. They had us lean against a rock and look up at the hole and Larson played a song on the flute. Then Misa sang us 2 songs; one in Navajo and one in English.
Then Larson took us 4 wheeling in a vehicle that isn't really made for 4 wheeling. Loved it!!!! We were bouncing around the seats.
We visited 4 or 5 more sites which were all spectacular. The only issue with the trip was the wind. We are visiting during the windy season. I had sand in places where .... My hair was so matted I had to wash it twice and condition it twice. Our tour was only supposed to last 2.5 hours but we were out for more than 3 hours. Our tour guides were awesome.
The View Hotel is 5 star. While it doesn't have a pool, you don't need one. You don't want to be in a pool. Also it only has wifi in the lobby and the same is true. You don't want to be in your room all day. You need to be outside seeing this slice of heaven. The rooms are large and well done. Navajo blankets on the bed.
Our rooms were Star Rooms on the 3rd floor. They were perfect for viewing the stars. I had no obstructions except for the clouds that eventually came in. While I do not know the stars (constellations) I found still found a few easy ones. Loved it!!!! Called the front desk to find out when sunrise was and it was a civilized 7am. Slept beautifully in a very comfy bed.
6:45am woke up in time for sunrise. Called Sue and she came over for coffee. The only disappointment was they didn't have a regular tea bag. Lisa eventually made it over with the tea bags. We sat on my balcony and watched the reds stream across the sky as the sun rose. The buttes went from sitting in darkness to be bathed in the red light. Gorgeous!!! Also, watched as some of the people who live in Monument Valley commuted down these rutted dirt roads towards civilization.
There are 10 families who are allowed to live in the Valley because they were here when the treaties were signed and they were given leases for 300 years. The leases can be passed down through the families. However none of the families have running water, indoor bathrooms and heat. They have wood stoves, and outhouses. For all the hardship they live in one of the most incredible places on earth.
If it is a choice between Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon go to Monument Valley!!!! Also check out Mystery Valley. People have just started to visit it.
We arrived at about 2pm. Checked the front desk but check in isn't until 4pm. How do you fill up 2 hours in an area where there isn't much to do at the hotel? You take a 2.5 hour private tour of the Monument Valley with a Navajo guide. This is the most incredible tour ever. We saw John Fords point where he would contemplate his movies. We saw these Buttes that are indescribable to some3one who hasn't seen them. They took us into the restricted area of the reservation (you must have a Navajo guide to do this). More than worth the $65.00 for the trip.
As one guide explained the significance of the area the other would play the flute which just adds to the ambiance. We saw Anasazi ruins and petraglyphs, wall writings, at one site. Amazing. Great pictures. At another site, the eye, they had us lie back on a rock and look up through an arch which is shaped like an eye and the contours and color of the surrounding rock give it eye lashes. While we were there our guide, Larson, shouted towards one area and the echo kept returning even after a minute. Lovely.
The next stop was at a place that is shaped like an ear. We climbed a sand dune across from the ear arch to get some great pictures and then climbed the dune closer to the ear arch for even more impressive pictures.
The other sites included one with the picture of a Navajo with a headdress and an eagle. The pictures are due to the different minerals leaching out of the stone and weathering of the stone.
We went to a place which they consider a "Hogan". A Hogan is a structure representing a woman's belly. The stove pipe is the belly button. The 9 posts are the 9 months of pregnancy. You must enter the Hogan clockwise or else bad spirits follow you. The structure was a stone arch with a hole in the center. They had us lean against a rock and look up at the hole and Larson played a song on the flute. Then Misa sang us 2 songs; one in Navajo and one in English.
Then Larson took us 4 wheeling in a vehicle that isn't really made for 4 wheeling. Loved it!!!! We were bouncing around the seats.
We visited 4 or 5 more sites which were all spectacular. The only issue with the trip was the wind. We are visiting during the windy season. I had sand in places where .... My hair was so matted I had to wash it twice and condition it twice. Our tour was only supposed to last 2.5 hours but we were out for more than 3 hours. Our tour guides were awesome.
The View Hotel is 5 star. While it doesn't have a pool, you don't need one. You don't want to be in a pool. Also it only has wifi in the lobby and the same is true. You don't want to be in your room all day. You need to be outside seeing this slice of heaven. The rooms are large and well done. Navajo blankets on the bed.
Our rooms were Star Rooms on the 3rd floor. They were perfect for viewing the stars. I had no obstructions except for the clouds that eventually came in. While I do not know the stars (constellations) I found still found a few easy ones. Loved it!!!! Called the front desk to find out when sunrise was and it was a civilized 7am. Slept beautifully in a very comfy bed.
6:45am woke up in time for sunrise. Called Sue and she came over for coffee. The only disappointment was they didn't have a regular tea bag. Lisa eventually made it over with the tea bags. We sat on my balcony and watched the reds stream across the sky as the sun rose. The buttes went from sitting in darkness to be bathed in the red light. Gorgeous!!! Also, watched as some of the people who live in Monument Valley commuted down these rutted dirt roads towards civilization.
There are 10 families who are allowed to live in the Valley because they were here when the treaties were signed and they were given leases for 300 years. The leases can be passed down through the families. However none of the families have running water, indoor bathrooms and heat. They have wood stoves, and outhouses. For all the hardship they live in one of the most incredible places on earth.
If it is a choice between Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon go to Monument Valley!!!! Also check out Mystery Valley. People have just started to visit it.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Day 1 - to Durango, Co
Left the Springs about 9am and made our first stop at 9:10am at Starbucks. I'm with a Starbucks crowd on this trip. They do have excellent hot chocolate! Back on the road. The car is not big enough. We should have rented the rv. Next time.
Stopped in Blanca, CO which lies just below Blanca Peak beautiful place. We ate at this small roadside diner, Lu Cafe. The food was excellent. Very basic but tasted great. The girls loved being out of the car. Sarah wanted to walk so Lisa, Mark and Maggie took turns taking her outside. Asked the waitress how far we were from the dunes and she said about 20minutes.
Back in the car finally figured out that Sue's gps was still on east coast time. The gps said we weren't getting there until 2pm and if was noon. Who said weren't bright!?
Arrive at the Dunes. The wind is gusting to 45mph. We didn't know this until we got out of the car at the foot of the dunes and had trouble keeping the car doors from slamming shut. The Dunes are magnificent. There is a plain or beach of sand that stretches for a 1/4 of a mile then the dunes rise up. The wind wasn't too bad when we first started but when we were on the plain the sand was pinging off of our faces. I could feel the sand in my shoes. Half the party turned back but Lisa, Maggie and I pressed on. I'm here and I'm getting to the top of a dune! The hike only took about 10 minutes. Walking up the dune was a great workout. Not only are we sinking in the sand but we are also at a higher altitude. I stopped to try to catch my breath, facing away from the wind. Took pictures with Lisa's camera. I didn't dare take out my nikon.
Walked back to the parking lot and took some pictures from within the scrub trees. Everything is dormant right now waiting for the water to return. There are rivers running under the sand and every so often you would see wet sand like at the beach. Amazing. Will post pictures as soon as Maggie teaches me how to do it.
After a quick pit stop at the visitor center we are back in the car and off to Durango, Co. Supposedly a 2 hour rider. we are all taking turns sitting in the last row. Actually the ones who can fit in the back row are taking turns. Mark and Lisa are exempt. I can't really see much out the back so I watch a movie.
I stop watching when I feel the car turning for the second time. What is Sue doing up there? I look out and we are on a switchback. This is the most awesome view I have ever seen. The valley below stretches for miles and you just look out over this expanse of snow covered land dotted with rivers and trees. Breathtaking! Then I realize we are turning again and Sue is applying the breaks more heavily now. Gulp! This is a roller coaster ride! We finally reach the valley floor and breath a collective sigh of relief. We stop in a town at malt shoppe. Lovely chocolate shake. The chocolate chip cookie I bought is gobbled up by the hordes in seconds. I think they liked it. Sue is stealing my chocolate shake. Just like old times.
Finally make Durango at 6pm. The hotel is very nice. We all get rooms on the first floor. I have a king size bed. Love it. We go to dinner at Ken and Sues' in downtown Durango. awesome food. We just have lighter fare since we have been eating in the car all day.
More later! Must eat breakfast. God forbid I skip a meal!
Stopped in Blanca, CO which lies just below Blanca Peak beautiful place. We ate at this small roadside diner, Lu Cafe. The food was excellent. Very basic but tasted great. The girls loved being out of the car. Sarah wanted to walk so Lisa, Mark and Maggie took turns taking her outside. Asked the waitress how far we were from the dunes and she said about 20minutes.
Back in the car finally figured out that Sue's gps was still on east coast time. The gps said we weren't getting there until 2pm and if was noon. Who said weren't bright!?
Arrive at the Dunes. The wind is gusting to 45mph. We didn't know this until we got out of the car at the foot of the dunes and had trouble keeping the car doors from slamming shut. The Dunes are magnificent. There is a plain or beach of sand that stretches for a 1/4 of a mile then the dunes rise up. The wind wasn't too bad when we first started but when we were on the plain the sand was pinging off of our faces. I could feel the sand in my shoes. Half the party turned back but Lisa, Maggie and I pressed on. I'm here and I'm getting to the top of a dune! The hike only took about 10 minutes. Walking up the dune was a great workout. Not only are we sinking in the sand but we are also at a higher altitude. I stopped to try to catch my breath, facing away from the wind. Took pictures with Lisa's camera. I didn't dare take out my nikon.
Walked back to the parking lot and took some pictures from within the scrub trees. Everything is dormant right now waiting for the water to return. There are rivers running under the sand and every so often you would see wet sand like at the beach. Amazing. Will post pictures as soon as Maggie teaches me how to do it.
After a quick pit stop at the visitor center we are back in the car and off to Durango, Co. Supposedly a 2 hour rider. we are all taking turns sitting in the last row. Actually the ones who can fit in the back row are taking turns. Mark and Lisa are exempt. I can't really see much out the back so I watch a movie.
I stop watching when I feel the car turning for the second time. What is Sue doing up there? I look out and we are on a switchback. This is the most awesome view I have ever seen. The valley below stretches for miles and you just look out over this expanse of snow covered land dotted with rivers and trees. Breathtaking! Then I realize we are turning again and Sue is applying the breaks more heavily now. Gulp! This is a roller coaster ride! We finally reach the valley floor and breath a collective sigh of relief. We stop in a town at malt shoppe. Lovely chocolate shake. The chocolate chip cookie I bought is gobbled up by the hordes in seconds. I think they liked it. Sue is stealing my chocolate shake. Just like old times.
Finally make Durango at 6pm. The hotel is very nice. We all get rooms on the first floor. I have a king size bed. Love it. We go to dinner at Ken and Sues' in downtown Durango. awesome food. We just have lighter fare since we have been eating in the car all day.
More later! Must eat breakfast. God forbid I skip a meal!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Altitude makes the walsh girls a little coocoo!!!
We arrived safely and on time in Denver. There was no delay out of Boston. We had a fun time at the hertz counter. Thank you Citibank!
We are all adjusting to the altitude. I had a headache for a short time. Sue is woozy. Even before the wine. Ha Ha! Kids are loving their cousin Maggie. She hasn't stopped running around the house.
Big Daddy has taken charge. In order to be on the road by 9am we are limiting morning showers. We call him "Da' Man"
The Walsh girls are in serious trouble. First, directional problems at an airport the size of a small shopping mall. Couldn't find the hertz counter. Drove around 3 times. I sent Lisa down a dead end road. Finally, after 2 circles around the airport we found the right road.
Second, my credit card was denied at the hertz counter. What a freakin day? Big Dog Daddy to the rescue.
Third, about to start wii rock band. For those of you who don't know my family we sound like dying cats meet the muppets when we sing.
Except for Maggie!!!
We are all goofy due to the lack of oxygen!!!!
This going to be one interesting week!!!
We are all adjusting to the altitude. I had a headache for a short time. Sue is woozy. Even before the wine. Ha Ha! Kids are loving their cousin Maggie. She hasn't stopped running around the house.
Big Daddy has taken charge. In order to be on the road by 9am we are limiting morning showers. We call him "Da' Man"
The Walsh girls are in serious trouble. First, directional problems at an airport the size of a small shopping mall. Couldn't find the hertz counter. Drove around 3 times. I sent Lisa down a dead end road. Finally, after 2 circles around the airport we found the right road.
Second, my credit card was denied at the hertz counter. What a freakin day? Big Dog Daddy to the rescue.
Third, about to start wii rock band. For those of you who don't know my family we sound like dying cats meet the muppets when we sing.
Except for Maggie!!!
We are all goofy due to the lack of oxygen!!!!
This going to be one interesting week!!!
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