Las Vegas, Nevada to Victorville, California; 211 miles
OLIVIA: Well, I just hit my head really hard, and now it hurts and i'm kinda dizzy so i'm gonna keep this short and sweet. Vegas was amazing, and I really want to go back. The Mojave I have decided is a fake desert because it has lots of plants, no visible cacti and not that much sand, plus it has mountains. !!!! We went to some great outlet shops, and had quite the adventure finding a starbucks. oh, and the forum shops at caesars palace were also really neat. i saw my first FAO schwartz, and FAO schweetz (look it up!) I'm currently watching Pirates of The Carribean on TV, so I'm going to get going and get some ice for my head. Goodnight everybody
SCOTT: Before we leave Las Vegas completely, Olivia and I realized that part of our reaction to it was context. We had spent a few days wandering around natural goodies, often where you could see for miles -- if not farther -- and your eyes and brain could soak in and savor things, dwell on them, commit them to memory. Las Vegas, particularly along the strip, doesn't give you a chance to really see anything or focus on it. You're constantly bouncing from one excess to the next. And it never ends. You never soak anything in, you never pause on anything, because you might miss the next big thing. After Las Vegas, it was on to Calico, a ghost town -- if that's possible when the old buildings have been taken over by touristy shops -- that once had 5,000 or so residents working in its gold and silver mines. Decided to call it a day in Victorville so we could do laundry, replenish our reading materials and just relax a little. The temperature is cooler here, and when we reach the coast Thursday we may even have to wear more clothes. Maybe it will be cool enough to put the top down (don't get to say that too often). Good night, Kim and Cindy and Billy. Good night everyone who used to work at The Times...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Day 5
Tuba City, Arizona, to Las Vegas, Nevada :) 495 miles
OLIVIA: WOW, what a day. from Tuba City we went to the Grand Canyon (my first time there) and we went to the little Colorado river canyon (very cute!) and then we went to London Bridge, but between those two things we drove past a replication of the Flintstones village, and to a rest area that was amazingly hot. we also went to a gas station that had a melted Popsicle on the sidewalk and it was just really, really sad. London Bridge was just plain old weird. Then on our way to Hoover Dam, we passed a billboard that read "Try one.... A full automatic" the dots (...) were a picture of a very large gun on the board. IT WAS WEIRD. We went to Hoover Dam, and passed the police checkpoint. phew. now we're at the MGM Grand Hotel on the strip in Vegas and we have a pretty nice view of the airport and a little strip off the main strip :) Goodnight Andrew.
SCOTT: Today was big-time culture shock. It began in Tuba City, which I believe is the country's largest Navajo community. It ended on the strip in Las Vegas, which is the largest something. Largest concentration of Elvis impersonators. Largest assortment of high-rise casino-hotels. Easily the largest concentration of untanned tourists who probably shouldn't be wearing what they're wearing. In between was a drive along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It was the first time I'd been there and it didn't snow. My other times there were in February, driving to spring training in Arizona. And I had to show Olivia the London Bridge. Can't remember why it wound up in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, but it's there. Strange. The other big thing that marked the day was the heat. It was still 104 at 7 p.m. when we rolled into Las Vegas. The air conditioner was on most of the day, and the top stayed up. Driving down the road the windows of the car were hot to the touch. Not warm. Hot. But a good day. We spent about 100 miles of it driving Route 66. Olivia was behind the wheel much of that time. Tomorrow morning we'll wander the strip -- she reminded me that I promised her some time at The Forum Shops -- then hit the road. Thunderstorms may be moving in, so we'll move out, heading west. West to California, west to the coast, west to the cooling breezes of the Pacific. Still not sure where we'll be on The Fourth. Maybe Monterrey or San Francisco. We'll see. Good night, Elvis. Good night, Wayne Newton. Good night, fellow tourists...
OLIVIA: WOW, what a day. from Tuba City we went to the Grand Canyon (my first time there) and we went to the little Colorado river canyon (very cute!) and then we went to London Bridge, but between those two things we drove past a replication of the Flintstones village, and to a rest area that was amazingly hot. we also went to a gas station that had a melted Popsicle on the sidewalk and it was just really, really sad. London Bridge was just plain old weird. Then on our way to Hoover Dam, we passed a billboard that read "Try one.... A full automatic" the dots (...) were a picture of a very large gun on the board. IT WAS WEIRD. We went to Hoover Dam, and passed the police checkpoint. phew. now we're at the MGM Grand Hotel on the strip in Vegas and we have a pretty nice view of the airport and a little strip off the main strip :) Goodnight Andrew.
SCOTT: Today was big-time culture shock. It began in Tuba City, which I believe is the country's largest Navajo community. It ended on the strip in Las Vegas, which is the largest something. Largest concentration of Elvis impersonators. Largest assortment of high-rise casino-hotels. Easily the largest concentration of untanned tourists who probably shouldn't be wearing what they're wearing. In between was a drive along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It was the first time I'd been there and it didn't snow. My other times there were in February, driving to spring training in Arizona. And I had to show Olivia the London Bridge. Can't remember why it wound up in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, but it's there. Strange. The other big thing that marked the day was the heat. It was still 104 at 7 p.m. when we rolled into Las Vegas. The air conditioner was on most of the day, and the top stayed up. Driving down the road the windows of the car were hot to the touch. Not warm. Hot. But a good day. We spent about 100 miles of it driving Route 66. Olivia was behind the wheel much of that time. Tomorrow morning we'll wander the strip -- she reminded me that I promised her some time at The Forum Shops -- then hit the road. Thunderstorms may be moving in, so we'll move out, heading west. West to California, west to the coast, west to the cooling breezes of the Pacific. Still not sure where we'll be on The Fourth. Maybe Monterrey or San Francisco. We'll see. Good night, Elvis. Good night, Wayne Newton. Good night, fellow tourists...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Day 4
Moab, Utah, to Tuba City, Arizona; 426 miles
OLIVIA: Well, this day sure had a lot to offer. It all started off with an early visit to Arches, again, so I could get some much-needed photos. Then we headed out and went toward Newspaper Rock, which was actually pretty cool :) Then we headed to Mesa Verde and explored the road and a few very short trails, and I'm proud to say that I was able to rescue an empty water bottle from an ancient ruin... it just didn't look right. My dad and I both rescued water bottles from national parks today. His was in Arches. After Mesa Verde, we hit the road to head to 4 corners. There was quite a bit of nothingness and road construction. Those two should never mix. We did 4 corners, and headed out toward somewhere in Arizona, as far as we could get really.. and there was more construction. it was no fun. Hot, hot air in a black car with the windows down and no wind and the top up so you don't get sunburned and the car off.... IT GETS HOT!..... so do the seats when you go to get out of the car, to go explore, and the sun is aiming right down on it. Anyway, after 4 corners, it was a straight shot to Tuba City, which actually has nothing to do with Tubas, it translates into Twisted Waters.... what a bummer. Goodnight Andrew.
SCOTT: A full day, highlighted by wildlife, delittering, and long, long stretches of road through big-view country. The wildlife started with a couple from north of Seattle also driving a top-down Mustang in Arches. They were on their way home. Then came the lizards. And a really big cockroach. The delittering started with a water bottle I saw in Arches, just sitting by itself on the red rock, looking as out of place as tourists do. I grabbed it to dispose of later. In Mesa Verde, as we were looking at one of the excavated pit houses -- that are surrounded by metal railings so you'll keep out, a woman dropped her water bottle inside the railing. oops. olivia was able to squeeze through the top part of the railing and reach down and retrieve it. the crowd -- maybe a half-dozen people -- applauded appreciatively. Arches first thing in the morning was as good the second day as it had been the first. Newspaper Rock in canyonlands was spectacular for what it is, ancient rock art. Mesa Verde gave Olivia a glimpse of cliff dwellings and pit houses and a better understanding of the folks who built and lived in them. Four corners is interesting, even if surveyors or someone has taken GPS readings and discovered that the true four corners are 17 miles away from the four corners as we know it. but no one seemed to care. Tuba City is interesting, the largest navajo community in arizona. we'll explore a little in the morning before heading to the grand canyon. good night, linda and george and jean and ray...
OLIVIA: Well, this day sure had a lot to offer. It all started off with an early visit to Arches, again, so I could get some much-needed photos. Then we headed out and went toward Newspaper Rock, which was actually pretty cool :) Then we headed to Mesa Verde and explored the road and a few very short trails, and I'm proud to say that I was able to rescue an empty water bottle from an ancient ruin... it just didn't look right. My dad and I both rescued water bottles from national parks today. His was in Arches. After Mesa Verde, we hit the road to head to 4 corners. There was quite a bit of nothingness and road construction. Those two should never mix. We did 4 corners, and headed out toward somewhere in Arizona, as far as we could get really.. and there was more construction. it was no fun. Hot, hot air in a black car with the windows down and no wind and the top up so you don't get sunburned and the car off.... IT GETS HOT!..... so do the seats when you go to get out of the car, to go explore, and the sun is aiming right down on it. Anyway, after 4 corners, it was a straight shot to Tuba City, which actually has nothing to do with Tubas, it translates into Twisted Waters.... what a bummer. Goodnight Andrew.
SCOTT: A full day, highlighted by wildlife, delittering, and long, long stretches of road through big-view country. The wildlife started with a couple from north of Seattle also driving a top-down Mustang in Arches. They were on their way home. Then came the lizards. And a really big cockroach. The delittering started with a water bottle I saw in Arches, just sitting by itself on the red rock, looking as out of place as tourists do. I grabbed it to dispose of later. In Mesa Verde, as we were looking at one of the excavated pit houses -- that are surrounded by metal railings so you'll keep out, a woman dropped her water bottle inside the railing. oops. olivia was able to squeeze through the top part of the railing and reach down and retrieve it. the crowd -- maybe a half-dozen people -- applauded appreciatively. Arches first thing in the morning was as good the second day as it had been the first. Newspaper Rock in canyonlands was spectacular for what it is, ancient rock art. Mesa Verde gave Olivia a glimpse of cliff dwellings and pit houses and a better understanding of the folks who built and lived in them. Four corners is interesting, even if surveyors or someone has taken GPS readings and discovered that the true four corners are 17 miles away from the four corners as we know it. but no one seemed to care. Tuba City is interesting, the largest navajo community in arizona. we'll explore a little in the morning before heading to the grand canyon. good night, linda and george and jean and ray...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
day 3...
Brigham City to Moab, Utah, 356 miles.
SCOTT
Did a little bit of Canyonlands today and all of Arches. I think you could spend time in Arches every day of your life and probably see something new each time. Amazing rock formations. Even Olivia was impressed. We put the top down for the first half of the drive through Arches so we could see the tops of the formations. Nice. We put the top up for the second half of the drive because it was, well, hot. 96 in Moab around 6 p.m. Started the day talking with a couple motorcycling to Las Vegas. Asked if they wanted to trade rides for the day. They smiled and declined. So we headed out, driving south to and through Salt Lake City -- fortunately Liv found a Starbucks for us -- then southeast up into the hills. Some beautiful country, if more than a little moonlike in places. Liv was feeling much better today, mostly because she's getting over her cold, but partly because the surroundings were more interesting. Even saw an Ikea store. In Moab, we stopped at a rock shop recommended by Jean. Nice. She has a slab of Utah picture stone from this shop that's very cool. I think she got the best one they had. Moab is even more touristy than a year ago. Every storefront on the main drag is a place to either eat, drink or buy gifts. But we found a Starbucks at the grocery store, and it opens at 5 a.m. Tomorrow: South from Moab and into Canyonlands again, then south some more. At some point, we'll set foot on the Four Corners (where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah come together), but not sure yet how we'll get there. Mesa Verde is sounding pretty good, and it's a place we could see some ancient native ruins if we decide against going anywhere south of Flagstaff. We'll figure it out tomorrow. Liv's not feeling so hot right now. She was downloading photos from her camera to her laptop and they somehow all were deleted, from both the camera and the computer. She lost it all. She's not happy. Understandably.
Good night Steve and Noreen and Bob and Linda...
OLIVIA
So everything today was cool, but yeah, i'm not too happy right now, so it looks like were going to arches ... again!
SCOTT
Did a little bit of Canyonlands today and all of Arches. I think you could spend time in Arches every day of your life and probably see something new each time. Amazing rock formations. Even Olivia was impressed. We put the top down for the first half of the drive through Arches so we could see the tops of the formations. Nice. We put the top up for the second half of the drive because it was, well, hot. 96 in Moab around 6 p.m. Started the day talking with a couple motorcycling to Las Vegas. Asked if they wanted to trade rides for the day. They smiled and declined. So we headed out, driving south to and through Salt Lake City -- fortunately Liv found a Starbucks for us -- then southeast up into the hills. Some beautiful country, if more than a little moonlike in places. Liv was feeling much better today, mostly because she's getting over her cold, but partly because the surroundings were more interesting. Even saw an Ikea store. In Moab, we stopped at a rock shop recommended by Jean. Nice. She has a slab of Utah picture stone from this shop that's very cool. I think she got the best one they had. Moab is even more touristy than a year ago. Every storefront on the main drag is a place to either eat, drink or buy gifts. But we found a Starbucks at the grocery store, and it opens at 5 a.m. Tomorrow: South from Moab and into Canyonlands again, then south some more. At some point, we'll set foot on the Four Corners (where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah come together), but not sure yet how we'll get there. Mesa Verde is sounding pretty good, and it's a place we could see some ancient native ruins if we decide against going anywhere south of Flagstaff. We'll figure it out tomorrow. Liv's not feeling so hot right now. She was downloading photos from her camera to her laptop and they somehow all were deleted, from both the camera and the computer. She lost it all. She's not happy. Understandably.
Good night Steve and Noreen and Bob and Linda...
OLIVIA
So everything today was cool, but yeah, i'm not too happy right now, so it looks like were going to arches ... again!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Day 2
OLIVIA:
Sooooo today was, in one word, boring. Eastern Washington was just a lot of nothing, except for the occasional irrigation system, or crop duster. Eastern Oregon was just about the same, save for the occasional strange town, roadwork, or run-down cement mill. Idaho was even worse, it was straight and hot and oh yea, did I mention that as of last night I am sick with a very bad cold. (Probably caught it from mom) So the whole car ride today my head felt like it was going to explode, and my eyes kept on watering. Anyway, it was a long, tiring trip and im glad to say it was our longest day. :)
SCOTT:
Today: 646 miles from The Potholes in Eastern Washington to Brigham City, Utah. Slow in Oregon, where the speed limit is 65, faster in Idaho and Utah where it's 75. And no state troopers in sight.
There's an area along Interstate 84 as you're heading south in Idaho and then Utah where you're about a mile high for what seems like days and at times it seems you're the only person on the road. It would be interesting to go through there during the winter, when the "severe storm area" and "beware of choking dust and sand storms that will sandblast your car in seconds down to the metal" warnings probably mean more than on a cloudless, 85-degree day in June. We wound up in Brigham City for the night. Tomorrow, it's up early and speed south through Salt Lake City to the Provo area, and then head southeast from there to Moab. After a swim in the Great Salt Lake, if we can find it through the clouds of bugs. Today's chapter for the scratch 'n sniff book is asphalt. Hot asphalt. Ahh. I didn't feel great most of the day knowing Liv was feeling bad. Tomorrow should be better, with more to see and do. Good night, Mel and Judy.
Sooooo today was, in one word, boring. Eastern Washington was just a lot of nothing, except for the occasional irrigation system, or crop duster. Eastern Oregon was just about the same, save for the occasional strange town, roadwork, or run-down cement mill. Idaho was even worse, it was straight and hot and oh yea, did I mention that as of last night I am sick with a very bad cold. (Probably caught it from mom) So the whole car ride today my head felt like it was going to explode, and my eyes kept on watering. Anyway, it was a long, tiring trip and im glad to say it was our longest day. :)
SCOTT:
Today: 646 miles from The Potholes in Eastern Washington to Brigham City, Utah. Slow in Oregon, where the speed limit is 65, faster in Idaho and Utah where it's 75. And no state troopers in sight.
There's an area along Interstate 84 as you're heading south in Idaho and then Utah where you're about a mile high for what seems like days and at times it seems you're the only person on the road. It would be interesting to go through there during the winter, when the "severe storm area" and "beware of choking dust and sand storms that will sandblast your car in seconds down to the metal" warnings probably mean more than on a cloudless, 85-degree day in June. We wound up in Brigham City for the night. Tomorrow, it's up early and speed south through Salt Lake City to the Provo area, and then head southeast from there to Moab. After a swim in the Great Salt Lake, if we can find it through the clouds of bugs. Today's chapter for the scratch 'n sniff book is asphalt. Hot asphalt. Ahh. I didn't feel great most of the day knowing Liv was feeling bad. Tomorrow should be better, with more to see and do. Good night, Mel and Judy.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day 1
OLIVIA :
220 miles from Woodinville to the Potholes in Eastern Washingon. The most un-scenic 220 miles I've experienced in a long time. It was pretty! but we went over Stevens Pass, and I've gone over that pass a few too many times. The most eventful thing the whole day was right when we left, first we had to go back for the paper, then we had to go back for the bills to take to the post office! I guess dad was just a little excited to get on the road. :) We left around noonish and got to Grandma's house around 5, so it was a long day. Tomorrow is our longest day.... supposedly, but it should be pretty fast and straight so we'll see how it goes. For now were gonna go get some dindin, and eat, sleep, then wake up early tomorrow morning and do it all over again. Goodnight Andrew :)
SCOTT:
Hey, Liv, you're stealing all of my lines. Hmmm. OK, another highlight of the day came in Eastern Washington between Quincy and Ephrata, where cow wafted through the car. Not just any cow. A really aromatic cow. We thought maybe we should do a book, call it "smells of the road." a scratch 'n sniff. But sales would probably stink. Liv was right about the drive, though. We've done it so many times that, while scenic and enjoyable, it rarely offers much in the way of new and exciting. There wasn't even enough snow at the top of the pass to have a snowball fight. Sigh. Tomorrow is another day, though, and a long one. Probably close to 700 miles worth of driving as far south into Utah as we can manage before we collapse. Goodnight Andrew...
220 miles from Woodinville to the Potholes in Eastern Washingon. The most un-scenic 220 miles I've experienced in a long time. It was pretty! but we went over Stevens Pass, and I've gone over that pass a few too many times. The most eventful thing the whole day was right when we left, first we had to go back for the paper, then we had to go back for the bills to take to the post office! I guess dad was just a little excited to get on the road. :) We left around noonish and got to Grandma's house around 5, so it was a long day. Tomorrow is our longest day.... supposedly, but it should be pretty fast and straight so we'll see how it goes. For now were gonna go get some dindin, and eat, sleep, then wake up early tomorrow morning and do it all over again. Goodnight Andrew :)
SCOTT:
Hey, Liv, you're stealing all of my lines. Hmmm. OK, another highlight of the day came in Eastern Washington between Quincy and Ephrata, where cow wafted through the car. Not just any cow. A really aromatic cow. We thought maybe we should do a book, call it "smells of the road." a scratch 'n sniff. But sales would probably stink. Liv was right about the drive, though. We've done it so many times that, while scenic and enjoyable, it rarely offers much in the way of new and exciting. There wasn't even enough snow at the top of the pass to have a snowball fight. Sigh. Tomorrow is another day, though, and a long one. Probably close to 700 miles worth of driving as far south into Utah as we can manage before we collapse. Goodnight Andrew...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
tentative trip schedule...
as was the case last summer, this tentative schedule probably will change considerably as we work our way south. death valley may be out (mom says it'll be 120 degrees, there will be no on around, the car will break down, we'll run out of water, and then we'll die. that would force liv to miss her sophomore orientation. not good).
phoenix may also be out, depending on how long it takes us to see and experience all of the cool stuff in utah and northern arizona. but a dip in jack and jackie's pool would sure be nice.
that said, here's the tentative schedule:
Friday, June 26: woodinville to the potholes in eastern washington(183 miles)
Saturday, June 27: the potholes to ogden, utah (667 miles)
Sunday, June 28: ogden to moab, utah (268 miles) (canyonlands, arches, etc?)
Monday, June 29: moab to flagstaff, arizona (243 miles) (4 corners, arches, canyon de chelle?)
Tuesday, June 30: flagstaff loop back to flagstaff via the grand canyon (218 miles) (the meteor crater?) (or continue on to sedona, another 30 miles? or maybe on to montezuma's castle and well?)
Wednesday, July 1: flagstaff to phoenix via sedona (168 miles)
Thursday, July 2: phoenix to las vegas (328 miles) (hoover dam, meteor crater, lake havasu city and london bridge(!)
Friday, July 3: las vegas to santa barbara, california, via death valley (438 miles)
Saturday, July 4: what to do? where to be?
Sunday, July 5: santa barbara to monterrey (249 miles)
Monday, July 6: monterrey to mendocino (283 miles) (or san francisco?)
Tuesday, July 7: mendocino to gold beach, oregon (281 miles)
Wednesday, July 8: gold beach to cannon beach (286 miles)
Thursday, July 9: cannon beach to woodinville (221 miles)
and then it's time to start planning the next trip...
phoenix may also be out, depending on how long it takes us to see and experience all of the cool stuff in utah and northern arizona. but a dip in jack and jackie's pool would sure be nice.
that said, here's the tentative schedule:
Friday, June 26: woodinville to the potholes in eastern washington(183 miles)
Saturday, June 27: the potholes to ogden, utah (667 miles)
Sunday, June 28: ogden to moab, utah (268 miles) (canyonlands, arches, etc?)
Monday, June 29: moab to flagstaff, arizona (243 miles) (4 corners, arches, canyon de chelle?)
Tuesday, June 30: flagstaff loop back to flagstaff via the grand canyon (218 miles) (the meteor crater?) (or continue on to sedona, another 30 miles? or maybe on to montezuma's castle and well?)
Wednesday, July 1: flagstaff to phoenix via sedona (168 miles)
Thursday, July 2: phoenix to las vegas (328 miles) (hoover dam, meteor crater, lake havasu city and london bridge(!)
Friday, July 3: las vegas to santa barbara, california, via death valley (438 miles)
Saturday, July 4: what to do? where to be?
Sunday, July 5: santa barbara to monterrey (249 miles)
Monday, July 6: monterrey to mendocino (283 miles) (or san francisco?)
Tuesday, July 7: mendocino to gold beach, oregon (281 miles)
Wednesday, July 8: gold beach to cannon beach (286 miles)
Thursday, July 9: cannon beach to woodinville (221 miles)
and then it's time to start planning the next trip...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
