Day 1
We started our vacation driving down to Monticello to see Thomas Jefferson’s home. The kids really enjoyed his clock in the entry way which showed time and days for the whole week. They also marveled at his library.
Mommy and Daddy enjoyed looking at the kitchen and took lots of pictures of the island and cabinetry.
Next, we walked down to an archeological dig going at the location of the old stables where the kids asked questions of the archeologists. They were shown items that had been found that day and were told how the location was known.
We proceeded to tour recreations of several of the slave and workers buildings and homes to see what life was like back then for both slaves and freemen. The kids also learned how tin cups were made, how a blacksmith used his tools and how they cut timber and made it into boards.
We continued on south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. As it started becoming dark, we saw three deer, one black bear, and one dead rattle snake.
Day 2
We left the hotel and proceeded down the Blue Ridge Parkway. We really lucked out on the timing of our trip. People along the Parkway said the leaves had just started turning two days before. There was not a lot of variety in colors, but what was there really highlighted the views.
We saw Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and admired the viaduct built around the mountain.
We left the hotel and proceeded down the Blue Ridge Parkway. We really lucked out on the timing of our trip. People along the Parkway said the leaves had just started turning two days before. There was not a lot of variety in colors, but what was there really highlighted the views.
We saw Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and admired the viaduct built around the mountain.
Next we went to Linville Falls and hiked Erwin’s Trail (1.6 mile loop) to look at the falls.
After the hike, we rushed to Spruce Pine, NC to go to a gem mine. We stopped at Rio Doce Mine about 2 minutes before closing. The lady was shutting off lights outside as we pulled into the drive way. She saw Daddy’s hesitant expression as he really wanted to show the kids gem mining but knew it was late. She walked over with a smile and said she did not have plans for the evening and would be happy to stay open. She explained that they purchase ore from mines around the world and mix the ores so that each bucket would have a large range of ore. They were lapidaries who cut and polished stones in the back room. We purchased a 5 gallon bucket of gem ore (which came with two stones of our choosing cut and polished). We proceeded to sluice the ore to hunt for better quality stones. A man (her husband?) came by after about 15 minutes and started looking at our cast off rocks. He handed Daddy three rocks, explaining that we should probably keep them. The first one was a sapphire, the second was a garnet, and the third was a mineral that looks really good when polished. Mommy was allowed to choose the two rocks to have cut, then each child was allowed to pick a stone of their choosing to have cut and polished. The couple who operated the store told us that they head to Florida for the winter Oct 31 and would mail us the rocks to Grandma and Grandpa Summers before they left. We can’t wait to see how they turned out. We were allowed to keep all the rocks that we wished to take with us.
Day 3
Refreshed from a night of camping, the kids took turns exploring a stream and following ducks while others showered and packed up.
Refreshed from a night of camping, the kids took turns exploring a stream and following ducks while others showered and packed up.
Then we headed out toward Atlanta. Unfortunately, as we got closer, the traffic got slower and more congested. Our plans had been to go to the Georgia Aquarium in the afternoon. When we got there we found a sign saying the Aquarium closed at 4:00 that day. It was 4:11. Since we had already paid for parking, we decided to go across the plaza to the World of Coca-Cola.
Day 4
Determined to see the aquarium, we returned the next morning. It was well worth the wait! The kids were in awe of the whale sharks, rays, dolphins and all the exhibits.
Determined to see the aquarium, we returned the next morning. It was well worth the wait! The kids were in awe of the whale sharks, rays, dolphins and all the exhibits.
After seeing all that sea life, we decided seafood was the obvious choice for dinner.
Unfortunately in our rush Dad left his pocket knife.
Due to the long time delays, we shortened the trip across the south and made a beeline to Austin. No stops were made except for gas and meals
Unfortunately in our rush Dad left his pocket knife.
Due to the long time delays, we shortened the trip across the south and made a beeline to Austin. No stops were made except for gas and meals
Day 5
After spending the night near Jackson Mississippi, we got on the road early. While driving through Shreveport Louisiana, the trailer we were following hit a bump and a cascade of rocks hit the road. 10,000 miles on the car and we are heading to have the crack in the windshield repaired.
Day 6
Day 6 consists of a trip to urgent care for Jael and repairing the windshield. We went to a mall to get ear rings for someone who forgot them (Tekla) and so someone could acquire an additional Starbucks mug. While at the mall, the youngest two burned some energy at the kids area.
After spending the night near Jackson Mississippi, we got on the road early. While driving through Shreveport Louisiana, the trailer we were following hit a bump and a cascade of rocks hit the road. 10,000 miles on the car and we are heading to have the crack in the windshield repaired.
Day 6
Day 6 consists of a trip to urgent care for Jael and repairing the windshield. We went to a mall to get ear rings for someone who forgot them (Tekla) and so someone could acquire an additional Starbucks mug. While at the mall, the youngest two burned some energy at the kids area.
Day 7
Just hung out and relaxed today
Just hung out and relaxed today
Day 8
We received a custom tour of the Blanton Museum of Art by Professor Woody. (Thanks Uncle Woody)
Daddy really liked the furniture on display
We received a custom tour of the Blanton Museum of Art by Professor Woody. (Thanks Uncle Woody)
Daddy really liked the furniture on display
Mommy liked the acrylic tiling in the entry way.
Jael liked blown glass vases and lights.
Tekla liked the Roman statues.
Saoirse and Cai liked the butterflies on the wooden airplane.
Next, we went to the Bullock Texas State History Museum where we learned about the details of Texas history.
Day 10
We left Austin and drove down to San Antonio to see the Alamo.
We left Austin and drove down to San Antonio to see the Alamo.
Afterwards, we drove down to Del Rio to see our good friends the Glasscocks. Afterwards we overnighted at Amistad National Recreational Area. Hmmm. That’s a lot of afterwards.
Day 11
Tekla woke up to horribly swollen eyes after petting a dog the night before and frequently rubbing her eyes.
After hiking around the lake, we packed up camp and headed out on the road. We drove all day, getting to Big Bend National Park late. We saw a really large millipede on the road, which we stopped to let the kids see.
Day 11
Tekla woke up to horribly swollen eyes after petting a dog the night before and frequently rubbing her eyes.
After hiking around the lake, we packed up camp and headed out on the road. We drove all day, getting to Big Bend National Park late. We saw a really large millipede on the road, which we stopped to let the kids see.
We set up the tent in the dark, then drove the restaurant in the park. Driving back from the restaurant, we saw so many foxes on the road the kids were no longer interested in them.
Day 12
We started the day off with a drive up to the visitor center. On the way, we saw a tarantula in the rood. On the return to the camping area, we saw a coyote.
We started our hiking plans aggressively with a 6 mile round trip hike along the Rio Grande cliff tops. We brought a bottle of water for each of us to make sure we would stay hydrated. The expected temperature was to be ~ 78F, so we were not concerned about the heat on our walk. At what we thought was about half way into the walk, Cai was done. We could see we had more elevation to go before coming back down. After much discussion, Mommy, Cai, and Jael decided to walk back to the van and drive to the other end of the trail to meet us. Daddy, Tekla, and Se continued on, taking Jael’s water bottle to supplement the other three bottles. Mommy and Daddy swapped bags with Daddy only taking the one camera/lens set up and sending the rest of the photography items back with Mommy.
Day 12
We started the day off with a drive up to the visitor center. On the way, we saw a tarantula in the rood. On the return to the camping area, we saw a coyote.
We started our hiking plans aggressively with a 6 mile round trip hike along the Rio Grande cliff tops. We brought a bottle of water for each of us to make sure we would stay hydrated. The expected temperature was to be ~ 78F, so we were not concerned about the heat on our walk. At what we thought was about half way into the walk, Cai was done. We could see we had more elevation to go before coming back down. After much discussion, Mommy, Cai, and Jael decided to walk back to the van and drive to the other end of the trail to meet us. Daddy, Tekla, and Se continued on, taking Jael’s water bottle to supplement the other three bottles. Mommy and Daddy swapped bags with Daddy only taking the one camera/lens set up and sending the rest of the photography items back with Mommy.
After walking more than double the distance they had initially gone when the others turned back, we came upon another hiker (with no shirt and flip flops). Asking him how far we had to go to the other parking lot, he explained that he had hiked about 4 miles from the parking lot. This news alarmed us greatly as to how he could have hiked 4 miles on a 3 mile one way trail. Daddy decided to call Mommy to let her know about the disturbing news only to hear her cell phone ring in the back pack Daddy was carrying. To say the least, the three on the trail were more than a little worried.
We came upon another set of three hikers who looked like they actually knew what they were doing (decent hiking shoes, actual worn brand name equipment) and so we inquired with them the distance. They told us 3 miles to the parking lot, and wanted to make sure they were almost to the other parking lot. Hmmmmm, does not seem like either party is accurately judging the distance or the trail signs are off on distance. We confirmed with them which trail everyone was on and where the trail would come out. The hikers were nice and offered to take photos of us. On we trudged, making intentional plans to conserve water, in case it really was 3 more miles, somehow.
After about half a mile more, we finally came out on the other side to a much relieved Mommy, Jael, and Cai. If that trail really was 3 miles in length, then the point at which the rest turned back was about ½ to ¾ of a mile into the hike.
After a long break in the shade with many bottles of water (the temperature was not high, but the sun was brutal). learned now that Saoirse still had half a bottle of water left, even though everyone else was out. We decided to drive the park. We stopped first at Tuff Canyon, which is cut through a volcanic layer as tough as modern concrete. The canyon is narrow because of the hardness of the rock.
After a long break in the shade with many bottles of water (the temperature was not high, but the sun was brutal). learned now that Saoirse still had half a bottle of water left, even though everyone else was out. We decided to drive the park. We stopped first at Tuff Canyon, which is cut through a volcanic layer as tough as modern concrete. The canyon is narrow because of the hardness of the rock.
Mommy, Daddy and Saoirse hiked all the way to the bottom to look around. In the bottom, in the cool shade was a really large bee hive built into the recesses of the canyon. Cool water was pooled in the shade where it had not evaporated.
Our next stop was Santa Elena Canyon, which is an impressive cut through by the Rio Grande through an uplifted mountain ridge.
On the way back from the canyon, we saw two tarantulas crossing the road and two desert bighorn sheep.
Day 13
We packed up the camping gear and left Big Bend, driving north to Carlsbag, NM. The caverns received mixed reviews from the party. They younger two thought it would be “cooler”, the older two wanted to look around more.
Day 13
We packed up the camping gear and left Big Bend, driving north to Carlsbag, NM. The caverns received mixed reviews from the party. They younger two thought it would be “cooler”, the older two wanted to look around more.
Day 14
We drove up to Petroglyphs National Monument, arriving as they were closing, we walked Boca Negra Canyon Trail. We stayed in a hotel close to the Monument to allow us to come by early the next morning.
We drove up to Petroglyphs National Monument, arriving as they were closing, we walked Boca Negra Canyon Trail. We stayed in a hotel close to the Monument to allow us to come by early the next morning.
Day 15
We went by the Visitors Center to talk with the Ranger and learn about the trail options. We chose to hike the Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail, which has about 400 petroglyphs to view over its 1.5 mile length. Along the way, we saw darkling beetles and were able to discuss how the darkling beetle survives in the desert.
We went by the Visitors Center to talk with the Ranger and learn about the trail options. We chose to hike the Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail, which has about 400 petroglyphs to view over its 1.5 mile length. Along the way, we saw darkling beetles and were able to discuss how the darkling beetle survives in the desert.
We drove to Holbrook Arizona to stay at a KOA. Due to the heavy rains in the area, they warned us against camping in a tent, so we rented two cabins for two nights.
Day 16
We had a pancake breakfast at the KOA, then set out for Petrified Forest National Park. We drove the north to south route through the park, starting with the Painted Desert. One aspect of our travels we had not anticipated was a question asked if we had any rocks. Daddy answered yes and the Ranger started to ask what types. Daddy finally pulled out the big bag of rocks from the gem mine stop earlier in our trip. The Ranger wrote a long note and handed it to us to show if anyone stopped us later.
We hiked the Painted Desert Rim Trail (1 mile in length) from Tawa Point to the Desert Inn.
Day 16
We had a pancake breakfast at the KOA, then set out for Petrified Forest National Park. We drove the north to south route through the park, starting with the Painted Desert. One aspect of our travels we had not anticipated was a question asked if we had any rocks. Daddy answered yes and the Ranger started to ask what types. Daddy finally pulled out the big bag of rocks from the gem mine stop earlier in our trip. The Ranger wrote a long note and handed it to us to show if anyone stopped us later.
We hiked the Painted Desert Rim Trail (1 mile in length) from Tawa Point to the Desert Inn.
After walking around the Desert Inn, we loaded up and headed the Peurco Pueblo. In the parking lot, before beginning our hike, a raven came and landed near our van and the kids finally got to see one up close. The raven was basically begging the kids to feed it and was clearly not intimidated or scared of any of us.
Our next stop was Newspaper Rock. One rock with over 650 petroglyphs on it. The kids really enjoyed being able to use the telescopes installed on the viewing platform to look at the petroglyphs.
It started raining then, so not many pictures were taken of the rest of the trip. We drove to see the Blue Mesa, then hiked out to see the Agate Bridge. We stopped at the Jasper Forest to contrast the color differences between the Agate Bridge and the Jasper Forest. The Daddy, Saoirse, and Tekla hiked the Crystal Forest Trail (3/4 of a mile loop) to look at all the petrified trees. Next we stopped to look at a Studebaker along the old Route 66 route and read up about how the park had changed from the Route 66 days to present.
Our final stop was at the Petrified Forest Visitor Center where the kids turned in their Junior Rangers books and picked up a Junior Rangers Paleontologist book to work on during their road trip.
Day 17
We loaded up from the cabins and had another pancake breakfast before heading out.
Our first stop on the way was Meteor Crater. Just off of the interstate, we took photos of the old Meteor Crater Museum, from back in the Route 66 days. The road was gated and locked because the building was falling down, but still very unique. The kids really enjoyed the meteor crater and experimenting with the effects that different sized objects hitting different plants at different speeds would have.
Day 17
We loaded up from the cabins and had another pancake breakfast before heading out.
Our first stop on the way was Meteor Crater. Just off of the interstate, we took photos of the old Meteor Crater Museum, from back in the Route 66 days. The road was gated and locked because the building was falling down, but still very unique. The kids really enjoyed the meteor crater and experimenting with the effects that different sized objects hitting different plants at different speeds would have.
Our next stop was Walnut Canyon National Monument. The narrow canyon was home to many cliff dwellings. While the canyon use to have a lot of walnut trees (and hence its name) due to changes in water flow from the creation of a dam upstream at Lake Mary, all of the walnut trees are gone.
Day 18
After talking with the kids about Meteor Crater and letting them watch videos about the differences between meteor craters and volcanic craters, it only seemed right to make the next at Sunset Crater. Sunset Crater was a larger volcanic crater created in a range of old volcanoes. The ranger station and Junior Ranger Program talked about the differences in types of lava flows and lava formations.
After talking with the kids about Meteor Crater and letting them watch videos about the differences between meteor craters and volcanic craters, it only seemed right to make the next at Sunset Crater. Sunset Crater was a larger volcanic crater created in a range of old volcanoes. The ranger station and Junior Ranger Program talked about the differences in types of lava flows and lava formations.
Next, we went to Wupatki National Monument to look at Ancestoral Puebloan homes built on the flat plains, instead of on cliffs. The houses were very unique and constructed differently than in the cliffs. They were still very defensible, but more as a fortress, than as a distant hard to attack retreat. Some of the photos show how small the doors were compared to modern doors.
We drove up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and checked in at the campground. We had not made reservations as we expected to be there in the office season. We learned at the campground that the South Rim of the Grand Canyon does not have an off season. They are usually packed to capacity year round. Luckily for us, a couple days before our arrival, there had been a really large thunderstorm. The storm was so severe that tents were being damaged and the hale was so thick it was freezing to the campers and vehicles, thick enough it needed to be chipped off. The majority of the people at the campground choose to leave and many canceled their reservations, so there were 22 camp sites available when we arrived (out of 318 camp sites).
Day 19
Waking up early the next morning, Daddy, Jael, and Tekla drove to the rim to get photos of the sun rise.
Waking up early the next morning, Daddy, Jael, and Tekla drove to the rim to get photos of the sun rise.
After returning to camp and getting everyone up, the exploring started in earnest, including attending two Ranger Programs.
During the day, we saw many elk and mule deer in the park.
At night, we had a fire and cooked turkey dogs, hot dogs and marshmallows
During the day, we saw many elk and mule deer in the park.
At night, we had a fire and cooked turkey dogs, hot dogs and marshmallows
Day 20
We headed out of the park and drove through the Vermillion Cliffs area, stopping at Navajo Bridge. While at the Navajo Bridge, another visitor told us that there three California condors under the bridge, so everyone went to look. We also stopped at Blanch Russell’s rock house, at the base of the Vermillion Cliffs.
We headed out of the park and drove through the Vermillion Cliffs area, stopping at Navajo Bridge. While at the Navajo Bridge, another visitor told us that there three California condors under the bridge, so everyone went to look. We also stopped at Blanch Russell’s rock house, at the base of the Vermillion Cliffs.
We proceed on to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We knew going in that all services were closed except for the gate to pay (of course :().
Coming out of the park, we saw a coyote.
After several nights of fast moving and camping, we decided to take it easy for two nights in Kanab Utah to do laundry and rest up.
Day 21
Daddy and the kids headed to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to look around and burn some energy. Mommy stayed at the hotel to have quite time and do laundry (not sure if that counts for work time or resting). The rest of the day consisted of sitting at the hotel playing cards.
After several nights of fast moving and camping, we decided to take it easy for two nights in Kanab Utah to do laundry and rest up.
Day 21
Daddy and the kids headed to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to look around and burn some energy. Mommy stayed at the hotel to have quite time and do laundry (not sure if that counts for work time or resting). The rest of the day consisted of sitting at the hotel playing cards.
Day 22
We checked out of the hotel and drove up to Zion National Park. One the big locations Daddy really wanted to go to was the Narrows. The only time Daddy had been to the park before was during peak tourist season and the park was so full that he could not even get onto a shuttle to go to the drop off point. Mommy said she had no interest in wading in 50-54 F water with an outside air temperature of 56 F.
While hiking up the river, we saw a potato bug, which none of us had ever seen before.
Daddy set off with the four kids with the understanding that if they needed to turn back they would. The kids made it to two turns before the actual Narrows so Daddy went one up to get photos while the kids waited then all headed back. (As a full disclaimer, Daddy did carry Cai after the first wading because the water was almost up to Cai’s waist and Daddy knew that Cai did not have enough body mass to stay warm. Jael carried the camera.) The kids once again completed the Junior Rangers Program.
We checked out of the hotel and drove up to Zion National Park. One the big locations Daddy really wanted to go to was the Narrows. The only time Daddy had been to the park before was during peak tourist season and the park was so full that he could not even get onto a shuttle to go to the drop off point. Mommy said she had no interest in wading in 50-54 F water with an outside air temperature of 56 F.
While hiking up the river, we saw a potato bug, which none of us had ever seen before.
Daddy set off with the four kids with the understanding that if they needed to turn back they would. The kids made it to two turns before the actual Narrows so Daddy went one up to get photos while the kids waited then all headed back. (As a full disclaimer, Daddy did carry Cai after the first wading because the water was almost up to Cai’s waist and Daddy knew that Cai did not have enough body mass to stay warm. Jael carried the camera.) The kids once again completed the Junior Rangers Program.
After Zion, we drove up near Bryce to stay in a hotel.
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