But, it is a dry heat!

Good morning from Lake Powell! We arrived yesterday afternoon after a couple of great days at the Grand Canyon.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon on Friday evening. Came in the East Entrance. These parks get ya! You think you are there and then you have another 27 miles to go till you destination. The drive was gorgeous. Parts of it were right at the rim. Others were thru the scrubby forest that is the typical site up there. Our campsite was right in the park. It was a quick walk or shuttle ride to any of the outlooks. Rick and I had been at the North Rim 19 years ago. Neither of us had ever been to the South Rim. It is much busier, but still gorgeous! The kids were amazed. When we were driving to the park, we drove past Little Colorado Canyon and they thought that was our destination. They couldn't imagine what they were in store for!

We woke the kids up at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to go down and watch the sun rise over the canyon. It was amazing how many people were doing the same thing! They decided it was well worth it. On our shuttle ride to El Tovar Hotel for breakfast - oldest in the park, we saw bull elk and mule deer out for their early morning munch. There had also been a chorus of coyote the night before at the campground. We did a little bit of hiking along the rim that day. In the evening we went to a Slide show and presentation - the 18th Annual Grand Canyon Star Party. Atronomers from all over the country were there. One gave a half hour talk and then they had about 75 telescopes set up in the parking lot. We got to see Saturn, Jupiter, star clusters, binary stars, etc. The Milky Way was just amazing up there away from all of the city lights. So, the kids got to see the sun rise and the sun set that day!

Then yesterday we left for the short ride to Lake Powell. I think Stephen is mesmerized by all of these canyons and rocks. He just sits out there and watches the sun play on the rocks! The lake is much lower than it was when we were here for our honeymoon. They have told us that it is a mile and 1/4 walk to Rainbow Bridge now. Before you got off the boat and it was right there. We are leaving early this morning to go up there. It was 101 degrees yesterday and supposed to be the same today. Want to get there before it is too bad. That way we can park in a canyon somewhere and enjoy the water during the worst heat of the day.

Kids got to experience coin operated showers for the first time yesterday! Pretty funny!

We have a change of itinerary. We have scrubbed Moab and are going to Bryce and Zion instead. Moab was a long drive and out in the middle of the desert and 110 degrees. Not sure we want to do that in a pop up. We were lucky enought to get a campground near Zion for the 3 nights over July 4, so will be there the nights of July 2, 3, 4.

Well, off to get the boat! Will try and do more pictures next time!

Pictures at last!

The boys relaxing back at the campground after a long day on the road - Durango, CO.

Small findings that show us all the different kinds of beauty out there. This was a small cactus about 6 inches tall at one of our picnic spots in Mesa Verde.

Rick, Stephen and Melissa at "Cliff Palace" at Mesa Verde. Ruins are about 800 years old. Many theories as to why the Indians left, but no one knows for sure.

These are the ramps to the casinos along the Mississippi RIver in St. Louis. No gambling going on for a few days.

Missy Moo here!

HELLO PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA THIS IS MELISSA SPEAKING TO TELL YOU ABOUT OUR AWSOME TRIP SO FAR! YESTERDAY WE WENT TO MESA VERDE AND SAW CLIFF DWELINGS. IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF HIEGHTS DO NOT DO IT. I WAS SCARED AT FIRST BUT SOON GOT OVER IT AND SAW SOME WAY COOL STUFF LIKE A CORN COB THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN 800 YEARS. BECAUSE WE LIVE AT SEA LEVEL YOU MIGHT GET A LITTLE ALTITUDE SICKNESS. THAT IS HOW I WAS. TOMORROW WE LEAVE FOR THE GRAND CANYON STATE - ARIZONA. SARA AND OWEN LISTEN. I THINK THIS IS PRETTY COOL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL I AM COLLECTING STATE QUARTERS AND I HAVE DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, CONNETICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VIRGINIA, NEW YORK, TENNESSEE, LOUISIANA, ILLINOIS, ARKANSAS, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, OREGON, NOTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, WASHINGTON, WYOMING, IDAHO, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I HAVE ALL 50 STATES. THE HARDEST ONES TO FIND ARE GOING TO BE HAWAII AND ALASKA. SO I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE DOING WELL AND CLAIRE AND EMILY I WILL SEE YOU AT ORIENTATION.

I BID YOU ALL A WELL AND HAPPY SUMMER.
MELISSA MAGNUSON!!!

Awesome beauty!

I guess we last posted in La Junta, CO. We left there and headed for our first camping spot. Coming into CO and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains was amazing! Once we were up in the mountains, we estimated that we could see at least 50 miles. The sky was a deep blue and NO junk in the atmosphere. We ended up having to pull off at a scenic lookout to cool the truck and camper brakes. While we were there, the clouds came in and the heavens opened up: wind, hail, sleet, rain and 30 degree drop in temp! The semi brakes were just steaming from the cold water as they went down the mountain!

Our campground is about 12 miles outside of Durango. Our site is right on the river and it flows quite quickly - wouldn't want to try and swim in it. The sound is great for sleeping. There is a ton of stuff to do in the campground, but we ventured out to Mesa Verde. Thanks to Randy and Erbie for the campground recommendation!

Mesa Verde is gorgeous, but not for the feint of heart! Melissa and I had some issues with the heights, roads, etc. But, we conquered! Once you enter the park, it is another 15 miles to the main Visitors Center and then another 5-6 to the guided tours. The road winds along the side of the mountains and goes up and down many times. Overall, at least 1000 foot change in elevation as you wind thru the park. Wasn't at all sure we were going to get Melissa to do the tour, but she finally agreed. Mostly because I wanted to go so badly! She gained a new confidence in herself and is very proud of her accomplishment. She was even the first down the Kiva at our next ruins.

So, now we are back at our campground and getting a fire going. Stephen did some of his "homework" and declared that the high schools must not realize that they have a life!! Tomorrow may be a day of rest for us since we have been on the go for the last 5. May venture into the town of Durango, but may wake up and decide that we need to go up yet another mountain and explore the silver mines!!

Days are warm and in the 80's, last night was down in the 40's. Had to turn on the heat for a few minutes this morning. If we rest tomorrow, will try and figure out how to post pictures!

Finally connected!!

Oy! First we don't have internet for a few days and then I can't get into the blog!

So far we have driven close to 2, ooo miles. Forget to check final mileage for tonite! The drive has been great up to this point. Mostly clear skies, except for a severe storm this evening just as we came into Colorado. We sat for about 1/2 hour as the worst of the storm passed. Then plowed on to La Junta, CO.

Our first night we stopped over in Evansville, Indiana. The manager showed the kids a magic trick and now Melissa thinks he is the nicest manager. The second night was in Fort Scott, KS. It was dark, not a nice neighborhood and not a new hotel by any stretch of the imagination. But, we have discovered that there is very little for very long distances in the "Bread Basket" of the country!! When you find food, you eat. When you find gas, you buy it. When you find a hotel, you sleep. Unbelieveable how much open space there is in Missouri, Kansas and so far eastern Colorado. Tonite, we are in a nice hotel and Pizza Hut delivered. So we did not have to get in the car again!!!

There are times when you can see for miles and miles and the road is as straight as a pin! The farms and ranches are huge! I can't even imagine how many acres. Many of them have a few oil rigs drilling. There have been a couple with windmills. I thought there would be more of those with the wind thru Kansas. There are huge cattle farms and they are right down the road from huge slaughter houses. You know when are approaching a town because you can see the grain/feed silos from miles away.

We tried to stop at the arch in St. Louis, but there wasn't any parking anywhere for folks with a camper. Quite a bit of the parking along the river was under water. Perhaps that was where we supposed to be. The ramps into the casinos were under water as well. No gambling for a couple of days!! So, we took pictures from the car windows and moved on!

We did make a little side trip to Mansfield, MO to see the Rocky Ridge Farm. This is where the Little House books were written. It was a pretty little farm. The kids thought it was interesting that they added rooms as they could afford them. Ronica, your post card is on it's way!!!

Today we drove thru Greensburg, KS. This is the town featured on the Discovery Channel that was flattened by a tornado last year. They are rebuilding a comletely "green" town. Still lots of devastation, but they are making progress.

Tomorrow we leave the plains and move into the mountains. We have about 6 hours to go tomorrow before we get to Durango. The drive has been pleasant. The kids have even enjoyed the scenery. Not as tough to sit still when you have such beauty to look at!! Til next time!!

The Countdown begins...

Well, the camper is packed, the kids are packed, the truck is running great and I have finished work for the next month!!! It is strange to think that I will not be back until July 21! Now I have to let go and relax. I have an awesome staff and know that they will be just fine. Such a mother hen! Next thing is I need to pack. Lots of piles...no organization. Rick decided that he did not want to leave until tomorrow morning, so that gives me a bit of a reprieve.

Will and Katherine have been briefed. The cats did not even hide from them while they were here. Pretty amazing! Stephen just mowed the grass and dirt, so Will may not even need to mow during the next 4 weeks.

Well, more errands, more packing and then we are off. Will post again from the might Mississippi!

Anticipation!

Well, we have packed the camper and are making piles, lists, etc. to be sure that we have everything. You would think that we will be out in the middle of Siberia and there won't be stores, people or food!! I have a feeling that Rick will get home from work on Friday and say, "OK, let's go!" I'll be ready just in case.

Melissa is walking around the house with her Camelback on and worrying about the cats being without us for so long. Stephen is getting in lots of last minute texting because his phone is staying home. Just found out the other day that Auntie Missy will joining us in the Grand Tetons for a few days! We are all very excited about that!

Hopefully, we will be able to figure all of this blog stuff out and send pictures of all of our adventures! Stephen will probably be able to take care of that.

Thanks for visiting our Blog. Keep checking back!!