Hoover Dam and Las Vegas, Nevada

After arriving in Las Vegas at 3 in the morning with one of our brakes smoking, we set up and tried to get some rest. We finally got everyone going around 10am, and needed to fix our brakes before we could go any further. The office recommend a guy that lived in the park and was very reputable. I called him and he said go enjoy your day and I will take care of everything. So, we did. By the way, at 10am it was already 104 degrees outside. We drove to the Hoover Dam and could only stay for about an hour. It was so hot, we saw it and left. On the way back, made a pit stop at Lake Meade then went back to the RV resort and jumped in the pool to cool off.

Above, we're standing on the dam so you can't really see it, and below is looking the other way towards Lake Meade. The color difference you see on the rocks is where the water should be. They are currently 100' below normal water levels and are starting to panic a little. Everyone has been talking about the monsoon rains set to come in the next two weeks.

We parked at New York, New York(Thanks Janice for the recommendation). It was overwhelming walking the strip. By the time we got to Caesars Palace, we were all tired of walking. There is so much to see and especially with the kids, you cant really do everything you would like to. But we all got to see many things, weather we wanted to or not. By the way, if your hungry, you better eat on the strip or before you get there. It cost us $65 for four slices of pizza, a calzone to share and 3 drinks at the food court at Caesars Palace. OUCH! Mike and I could not relax the whole time, always watching the kids and making sure they were okay. Josh didn't really care for as much, but Sarah loved it. Mike and I will definitely be back without the kids one day.

Caesars Palace

I don't know who enjoyed this more. Mike or the kids?

Next Stop: Grand Canyon, Arizona

Redwoods National Forest, San Francisco and Hollywood, California

Entering California, we made a little detour through the Redwood National Forest. We really wanted to see them, and we did, but if we had a known all the curves and roads traveling in the R.V. down the coast, we might not have done it. These tress are amazing and huge. 

If you ever wanted to live in a tree, this would be the place to do it.

The pictures shown here are not the biggest trees we saw. There were several along the way that were bigger than the RV along the road. If you've never been there, the road winds through the forest and your passing semi's going the other way as the the road twists and turns through this imaginary forest where a full size motor home and tractor trailer look like toys compared to these things. They really are unbelievable until you see them for yourself. The pictures that we posted here are the same woods that Return of the Jedi was filmed in. We chased an Ewok for a few minutes but had to get back on the road... Headed for San Francisco... Don't ever... drive... from... the Redwood forest... to San Francisco... on Hwy. 101... In an RV!!!! 

-Brutal-

 We were so excited to take this route because it was going to take us right over the highly anticipated "Golden Gate Bridge". Well after driving 10 hrs up and down mountains, through twists and turns, OMG it was truly miserable, we finally got to the bridge! Yay!

 Below is the most we ever saw of it in two days, even after driving across it. (I'm not kidding)

 And now, are you ready for the most memorable part of the bridge that we experienced after we drove across it still full of this massive excitement that had just been corrupted? At the Golden Gate Bridge, you go through the toll plaza after the bridge instead of before it. The toll plaza is completely unmanned and there are blazing signs blinking "Don't Stop - Automatic toll by plate - Keep moving" so in our sea of emotions we run right up to the middle of the toll plaza at about 40 MPH and then realize "Oh Snap!" we're not going to fit through that gate! LOL, its funny now, but let me tell you... It wasn't, funny then. Towing the Camry that we can't back up, in a full onslaught of traffic.... WOW. Well we crept up to this gate, opened up the RV windows, folded in the mirrors on the bus and crept through that thing at a top speed of 0.002 MPH, and cleared the gate by about 1/2 of an inch on each side. Didn't put a scratch on Old Betsy (That's what we're calling her now). Sorry I don't have a pic for you. Things were a little intense right then.

The city was a lot better but anything near the water was plagued by "The Fog". Alcatraz Prison (above)

China Town was really cool for the first two blocks. There was really no need for the other five. One thing that I have seen enough of on this trip is souvenirs made in China. Especially at the Mt. Rushmore Memorial gift shop in the National Park (That's another story for later).

We ate lunch at Pier 39 and explored the shops. The food was fantastic! We had the clam chowder in a bread bowl, some clam strips and I had a local beer. The street performers near the water in San Fran were some of the best I've seen so far. They not only showed considerable talent but were also very gracious & humble. The waterfront in SF gets two thumbs up from us. Its roomy, relaxed, and very friendly. The rest of the city inland... not so much.

After leaving San Francisco, headed to Las Vegas, Nevada, we made a pit stop near Los Angeles. This was Sarah's stop. We stopped at Wal-Mart in Santa Clarita, 30 minutes North of Los Angeles. Sarah, Josh and I took the Camry and headed to Los Angeles. Mike stayed back and napped. Driving blindly, not really knowing where I was going, my nerves were already shot. The traffic was horrible to top it off. Needless to say, after approaching signs that said Hollywood, I made Sarah choose what she wanted to do and all she really cared about was seeing the stars on the Hollywood Boulevard. So, thats what we did. I was not impressed with Hollywood, whatsoever. It's a been there, done that and wont do it again. Too many creeps, druggies and the city was nasty. Not what you see in the movies. We walked the strip one side and came back the other and made our way to the car. It took us an hour to get back, which should have taken only 30. Mike was well rested and was glad he didn't go, but I would have preferred if he did. 

On our way to Las Vegas, Nevada

Seattle, WA and the Northern Pacific Coast

Our family agrees that we have never seen anything that matches Montana's majestic scenery and beauty, but its time to move on. We still have 3,500 miles to drive and only about a week and half to get home. So, its off to Seattle Washington, and the Northern Pacific Coast (Cape Disappointment) State Park.

We started in Seattle at the Public Market. It was awesome! I so wish we had something like this in Ruskin (no that wasn't a joke). To have fresh seafood, and farm fresh fruits and vegetables, along with handmade artisans from the locally grown ingredients and having a competition among the artisans was just very cozy and refreshing. Not at all what I expected from the city of Seattle.

As many of you know already, I'm a seafood nut to begin with. Everything was so fresh, all you could smell was salt sea water. Not even the hint of any fish smell, and this was at an open air market.

At Pikes Place Seafood (one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle) the workers throw the fish that's bought and holler out as they do so. They do this so enthusiastically that it often calls for cheers and applause from the constant crowd of spectators. 

Next was the gum wall that Sarah insisted on seeing. I thought it was disgusting, but she seeming to think that it was intriguing.

 Josh and I rode the Great wheel and got a birds eye view of Seattle and the bay (see below). 

After Seattle, we headed to the coast, Cape Disappointment State Park. Finally, we had finally made it to the Pacific coast! and by the way, that's not a black & white picture that's just what it looks like there. 

 We toured an old lighthouse built in 1889, and met a few old salty dogs... 

Well then, it's off to the Redwoods and San Francisco. We'll try to post again real soon!

Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana

After leaving Yellowstone National Park, we headed up to Glacier National in West Glacier Montana. On our way through Montana, the fields were covered with free range cattle. Of course, we couldn't leave Montana without putting some on the grill. About an hour from our destination, we found a local butcher and bought two of the biggest rib eye steaks that I have ever seen. It's going to be hard to buy steaks from the grocery store from now on. It was pricy but let me tell you, it was well worth it.

The next morning we headed to Glacier National West Entrance and after looking at the map, we decided to go Logan's Pass. We knew we could only spend half the day there so we can get ready to move to out next destination. The trail we wanted to see was closed due to snow and avalanches still blocking the roads, so it left us with no choice to hike Avalanche Trail. It was a 4 mile hike round trip and it was spectacular. The pictures can do it no justice. 

On the way to the trail, some rapids off the river

Panoramic view 

Chipmunks trying to steal food

After the long hike, Erica relaxing and enjoying

the scenery.

Next stop, Seattle, Washington and the Northern Pacific coast.

Yellowstone

This place is Huge! We ended up staying at a campground on Hebgen Lake in West Yellowstone Montana. We traveled in & out of Wyoming several times while exploring the National Parks; Yellowstone & Grand Teton. These parks are the size of a small state, and just when you think that you just witnessed the most beautiful landscape scene in your life, you round another corner or reach the peak of another mountain. I've never said the word "Wow" so many times in two days.

We were not prepared for the temperatures that we experienced here. When we arrived the temperature was 42 deg. and there was a sustained 20 mph wind coming off of the glacial runoff filled lake. Burr.

View from our camper across Lake Hebgen

On the first night in town we ate at Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon. I don't say this lightly, it was the best pizza I've ever had. The next morning we got up and entered YNP via the West entrance.

Like I said, YNP is just one spectacular view after another.

And while at the continental divide there was no way that these Floridians could resist playing in the snow. Just for a bit until we could no longer feel our hands and toes.

Of course we visited Old Faithful

Natural hot springs

 and ran with the Bison

The highlight of the day was when Josh and I (Mike) climbed down a very steep bank about 200 ft. to sit out on a ledge and get this shot. It was an incredible vantage point.

The two full days we spent in Yellowstone National Park were unforgettable. We look forward to coming back to see more. Someday

Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore. Hill City, South Dakota

Wow! What a trip so far. The one thing that we have done differently than what I had planned is that instead of driving one day and sightseeing every other, we have been driving half of the distance each day. We have been leaving our campsite in the afternoon instead of the following morning. I drive until about midnight or until everyone has fallen asleep. Then I just pull into a rest area, Wal-Mart, or Flying-J, close the blinds, lock the doors and get some rest. Then like clockwork, I awake at about 5am and get back on the road. Its not long before Erica's up having coffee with me and enjoying the new landscape that we weren't able to enjoy during the previous evenings drive. On our way to Mount Rushmore, we made a detour through Badlands National Park. It was a 27 mile detour, but well worth it.

Badlands National Park

After arriving at the R.V. Resort, we made dinner had a nice fire, then got a good nights rest.

Rafter J R.V. Resort

Mount Rushmore is very cool, but I must say, it looks more impressive in pictures then in person. We can say, been there and done that.

Mount Rushmore

On our way back to town, we made another pit stop and put the kids on horses for a little South Dakota trail ride while Erica and I went into town (Hill City) for a little wine tasting. The Red Ass Rhubarb wine was good, but the Lawrence Elk Black Currant was awesome! I know what you're thinking... of course we went back and picked up the kids.

The weather here is weird. Its sunny and clear skies one minute then raining and foggy the next. The kids experienced their first hail storm. Next stop, West Yellowstone, MT.

Alburnett Iowa (Jeff & Heather's)

First I just want to say Thank you to everyone in Iowa for their hospitality and friendship. We all had a really great time and feel fortunate to have you in our lives. I know that your farm equipment is your livelihood and they do work hard, but we sure had fun playing with them!

After all, combines are technically off road vehicles.

And Erica said call her when you've got more hay to bale. She made short work of those 54 - 800 lb. bales and loved every minute of it!

Josh is now determined to invent a four wheeler that you don't have to stop to put gas in. He's been talking about some "on the fly" refueling system???

Well, its off to Mt. Rushmore to see the faces. We'll never forget our first visit to Iowa and hopefully there will be many more, seeing as we have family there and all...

Mammoth Caves, Kentucky

After arriving at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp Resort, we set up and immediately went to enjoying the amenities. The kids gave me a hard time for the name of the park, but as you can see in the pictures, we all had fun. 

The start to our day of exploring started with lots of rain. That didn't stop us from getting ready and going. We went to Mammoth Caves National Park and went on one of three tours. We choose the Domes and Dripstones that was 280 feet below the earths surface. It was very exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. If you are claustrophobic and scared of heights, I do not recommend this. But if you love adventure, which our family does, it's awesome.