Day 20 - 8/12

Had good weather all day today.  No wind, rain, or storms what so ever.  Good thing as we took the self guided Monument Valley Tour which was a 17 mile trek thru the desert southwest.  I am glad we had the jeep, but you would not believe the cars other people were driving.

Anyhow, Monument Valley was really nice.  Only 4 of us made the trek as Mom was feeling bad in the morning so she stayed back to rest.  When we returned, she was feeling better, so we turned around with her (me, Sharen and Mom) and did a short fly through.  Mom could only take so much off road driving so after a short time we left the area and went around a little by paved road.  I think she was glad to make the trip though.  Hovever please notice the death grip on the jeep while trying to sightsee.

Tomorrow we head off for southern Arizona to visit with Sharens Aunt and Uncle.

Location Update #3

Location - Monument Valley 8/11/10

Haven't had an internet connect for the last several days.  So tonight in Monument Valley, we had a connection so I used the time to update the last several days of travel information.  As you can see by the map we are in the travel home portion of the trip.

Day 19 - 8/11

Today we traveled to Monument Valley and got set up, then headed out for a quick look around.  And guess what it rained and blew, boy did it blow.  Now we can say we have been in a dust storm.  There are a few people here who are camping in tents, NOT A GOOD IDEA.  Anyhow, it stopped and we headed into town to do a little grocery shopping and to take some pictures of the storm.

Day 18 - 8/10

Today we all were able to see the Grand Canyon. It is oe thing to see it in movies, and quite the other to see it in person. Best way to describe it is “GRAND”. I am so glad we were able to make it out here to see this.

Today Mom learned a new trick – How to go 4-wheelin’ in the wheelchair. Not to mention the proper way to pop a wheelie and ride on 2 wheels. You are going to have to ask her opinion on both of these, as I am not sure if she was screaming or laughing!

Tomorrow it is off to Monument Valley to take Dad to see the “Cowboy Rocks”. If we get there early enough we will be able to do a quick tour before dinner and then another one the following day.

Ran across this critter during an evening drive after dropping off Mom, Dad, and Josh at the RV - as they wanted to rest for the rest of the day.  See what they missed!!

Day 17 - 8/09

Today we left Nellis AFB (Desert Eagle Campground) and headed for the Grand Canyon Campground. On the way, we made a pit stop at the Hoover Dam for several hours. In order to get to Hoover Dam we made a run down Las Vegas Blvd to drive down the strip. 300+ pictures later we were on the highway.

Everyone had a great time. Matter of fact, Mom and Dad were the last to the RV. Had dinner in the Hoover Dam parking lot and then left for the Grand Canyon. We arrived at the campground around 2200 and got hooked up.

Tonight is the first night that the skies were cloud free along with minimal “city lighting. Wow, there are actually a whole lot of stars in the night sky. It has been years since I have seen so many (last time was in the bridge, on a mid-watch while underway of the coast of Scotland) and Joshua has never really seen it.

While at Hoover Dam, Joshua and I were having a little fun. “Dad, lets get tickets for the Dam tour!” – is what started it and it continued for a while with others:

- Dad, can I get a Dam souvenir?

- Let’s go to the Dam Gift Shop.

- This is a nice Dam tour.

- Look at those Dam pictures.

- Can we go down the Dam steps.

- Since Mawsie is in the wheelchair we can use the Dam elevator.

- That was a nice Dam movie.

- ……. And others that are just too numerous to mention.

And we were only encouraged by our Dam tour guide who, after asking if we read the photography policy on the way in, had instructed us to take all the Dam pictures we liked!

Tomorrow, we will spend the day at the Grand Canyon. Should be another fun one.

Day 16 - 8/08

Today was a big travel day, with the final destination being Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) which is located on Las Vegas Blvd in North Vegas. On the way we swung by the Great Salt Lake for a quickie picture or 20, made a stop at the Bonnivelle Salt Flats (and got a couple zip lock baggies of salt), made the run down the back country (where there is nothing). On the way down the back country we stopped along side the road, pitch black, and got Dad to get out of the RV to get a picture by a road sign (see below). After pictures it was a short 2 hour hop to the campground.

Day 15 - 8/7

There is no real reason to say what the 5 of us had done today, just let it suffice to say we did it twice.  Afterwards Mom and Dad headed back to camp to rest, and we continued thru the park on the southern loop.  Got back to the RV about 2100 and started to pack up for tomorrows run.  Hopefully tomorrow evening will find us at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.  After we leave here tomorrow morning, not sure of when we will have internet access again.