Three Little Beers

As a solo parent for the past 10 days, I kept drinking to a thin minimum.  These three beers were personal celebrations, tributes to separate accomplishments. They all tasted especially great given what preceded them.

 The Joshua Tree beer was enjoyed only after traveling over 1000 miles, securing a site in a full campground, setting up the tent, and deciding where in said tent we were all going to sleep.  Dinner was about to be cooked and three little girls were finally going to sleep a night at our farthest and much anticipated destination.

That beer on the shelf of the bathroom was enjoyed amidst four glorious showers that took this crew from dusty and tangled, to clean and appropriate for the El Tovar hotel. Well, as appropriate as this crew gets, that is.

And finally, I lifted one to the journey that covered 2311 miles and ended us back on our block, safe and sound. Cheers.

Guts

Best part about Joshua Tree was the rocks all around that the girls could explore.  As seen here, it took Lucy and Caroline working together to get each other over a gap.  At the same time, Ellie was climbing her own rock behind me, with similar success.  Yes, they can be typical siblings with each other, but I'll take several more adventures like this where they showed serious courage.  (Not videoed was Ellie later clearing the same gap just because her sisters believed she could and she listened.)

So Much Gained

Much of this trip has been an experience of overcoming. Rocks were climbed, boundaries were pushed, and we all grew beyond who we thought we were. So many people told me I was brave for taking this on, but honestly, these girls were braver by far.  

Lucy:

At several key moments, Lucy was clutch in leading by example and showing her sisters how we roll. She was better than any audiobook in her reading of Harry Potter as we drove through hours of desert. Lucy selflessly helped her dear old dad each and every time she was asked, often going ahead and knocking out the to-do before a request was made. For those who know her, that's no surprise. I was amazed with how reliable and how critical it was to the 4 of us working as one. She can't possibly know how much it kept us glued together. 

Caroline:

This one right here, our CWS ("Quiz"), our constant trooper and comic relief, she stepped beyond the little kid role, while retreating to play little kid again if she desired. For hours on end, she and Ellie made up games in the tent and giggled until I swore someone would end up crying. To her credit, no one ever did. At other times, Caroline kept up with those who wanted to stay up, even though everyone knew she was tired. In years past, her mood would have plummeted and we'd all regret pushing her too far. CWS was also a beast with rock climbing, another instance where she was well outside her comfort zone.

Ellie:

For only being 4, Ellie was rarely acting the part. She was the one who ran ahead, who set to what she wanted and steered the group toward it. Ellie was not to be denied. In her mind, we went to Vegas to ride a roller coaster and she'd be damned if some silly height requirement at New York New York was going to kill that dream, even if it meant marching all the way to the other end of the strip for Circus Circus. If it could be climbed, it was.  And if she could watch Frozen a thousand more times, she would. Just try to tell her she can't. I dare you. 

For a dad who misses dinner nearly every weeknight of the school year, this trip was about strengthening my connections to L, C, and E. In that regard, I say complete success. Beyond that, I'm left wanting to make more of the ordinary times we have together. The destinations made this trip special, but most of the best times were a matter of just relaxing and joking with each other in a way that wasn't dependent on context. Looking forward to our typical surroundings and Susie coming home. Just in time to leave for Florida. Sheesh!

Grand

It was crazy to keep the agenda we had, even when we weren't real sure what it was. The Grand Canyon always popped up when we discussed what to do next, so it must be done, I thought. Camping there? Meh, another time. The low temp of 24 tomorrow scared me off and so I started dialing hotels. Turns out, $20 more than some motel well outside the park got us a single room at El Tovar. Last time I was here, I hoped to stay at this hotel so no way was twenty bucks holding me back. The whole crew was stoked for a hot shower and a sit down meal. Having said meal with familiar faces was a true bonus. 

El Tovar:

Cups of ice cream take-out from the restaurant because Ellie said so, and no one argued. Caroline pictured here with an expression that proves she's well past her bedtime. 

Tomorrow (4/2/16), we will enjoy a bit of this canyon and then point the Pilot back toward Denver. Home is starting to sound good. 

Sunrise Over Joshua Tree

The girls were asleep and I debated waking them. Instead, I set up time lapse and let the tears come to my eyes as I missed my partner in crime. The sight was beautiful, but something major was missing from the experience.

No Name

What else would you do when you enter Joshua Tree National Park? Grab your nearest hairbrush and give them your best Bono.

https://youtu.be/vaW1wWt_XDU

Video Update

White Tiger exhibit at Mirage. Thanks Siegfried!  And Roy. 

Dolphin training session. So cool to be right next to the dolphins. Pro tip: Dolphins have no tastebuds so ice cubes work as well as herring for reinforcers. 

Vegas' version of the London Eye. Had to check it out. Ellie passed out on the 30 minute ride, but that kinda news was supposed to stay in Vegas. Oops.

Pool Day

Around 6:30am, Caroline planted both her knees squarely in my back and then kicked one leg over me. There's been a nightly lottery to see who doesn't have to sleep with CWSie. She's sweet and all when awake, but don't get near her over night because she'll go all Kung fu. Then she'll request food. "Can we eat breakfast?" And so the day began. 

The plan to pick a great hotel pool was foiled by the weather yesterday, but no one was accepting that today. Sixty-one as a high (and low fifties before noon) weren't stopping us. The sun was out, the wind was gone, and the pool was open. 

We spent most our time running between the hottub and the big pool, but I had a bead of sweat on my head at one point. Ah, finally. That warm, sunny feeling was there. Who wants frozen drinks? "I do!" Times 3. And a beer.

Best part of lunch was FaceTiming with a certain maternal figure in Australia. She confirmed that we were all doing very well and she seemed happy to be headed into Melbourne to be a tourist today. At one point, Susie asked the girls how the trip ranked between one and ten. L: "25,000!" C: "35,000!" E: "51!!! [Everyone cracks up.] What!?! I don't know big numbers." So, even the Russian judge would give us decent marks so far. (Girls are bathing and thanks to a quick Target trip, we have a hair brush now. Ah, the tangles are coming out. Don't mention that part to the Russian judge.)

Now, we hit the town for one more last night in Vegas.  

Bryce to Vegas

Today started with a trip back into Bryce Canyon to Sunrise Point for coffee, hoodoos, and early morning light. A little further down the road, Natural Bridge was a true highlight of the early hours. 

Then, after a hearty breakfast buffet, the crew decided to get toward Vegas. The weather was turning for the worse and rain or snow were in the forecast for the Grand Canyon, but not Vegas. 

We checked reviews online and the best pools in Vegas were our primary concern. I read the descriptions to the girls and we settled on the Mirage. Now, if we could only keep from being blown off the road by the wind on our way into Vegas. 

Strip-side view of the uh, Strip. Except, the sand was blowing around and pools were closed. "What do we do, girls?" LCE: "We roll with it, Daddy."  Damn right. Actually, we grab some drinks and people watch. 

The nagging problem was that Ellie still wanted to swim. Not even an amazingly close dolphin show would dissuade her. "How come the dolphins get to swim and we don't?!?  It's not fair."

Hey Ellie, how about the rare cats that live at our hotel?

Nope. Still wanted to swim. Let's hope the sights and sounds of Vegas can get her to wait 'til tomorrow to swim. 

Wind? What wind?

Best Video So Far

Thank you Caroline for this gem. We've watched it several times and howled with laughter.

Bryce

10:08 departure from Petrie Ranch. Oops, forgot something at the ranch.  Make that a 10:24 departure. Seeing Hope, Dave, and Syd was, and is always, great. Thanks you three for everything.

Today, the scenery got serious. We made our way through a canyon off the backside of Grand Mesa, and it only got better from there. Bryce topped it all off perfectly (see below). I've seen pictures and heard stories, but the in-person experience was shockingly beautiful. We arrived just before 4:30 and put that 4th grade pass to use after Lucy signed it for the ranger. Then, straight to Sunset Point and Thor's Hammer on the Navajo Loop. The girls were impressed and I loved that we could hike right down into the hoodoos. We waited a long time for the views and now we're just itching to get some more looks tomorrow.

First though, dinner and a night at Ruby's Inn. This was the first tourist lodge at Bryce and now they have beer and a pool. Sure, we have a tent, but lows are below freezing tonight, we're opting for warm, fun, and easy. 

Stop 1: Collbran, CO - Petrie Ranch

Girls were rockstars today and got into the road trip groove right away.  Today's music education included heavy doses of A Tribe Called Quest, early U2, and Nirvana. The latter choice was made by Ellie as she played the whole Nevermind album only because it had a swimming naked boy on the cover. She actually fell asleep blasting Nirvana through her headphones. Go figure.  

We made our way through the mountains without incident and only about 12 potty stops. Fortunately, one of those was at the Dunkin' Donuts in Silverthorne. Four double chocolate donuts and a coffee and we were set, for about 30 minutes more.

Most entertaining stop was at the Parachute, Colorado rest area.  Apparently some Reedies have been here before. Made me feel right at home, sorta.

These are the rocks heading into Collbran. Mesa county's version of hoodoos? Better rock formations to come. 

Happy to be at Hope and Dave's ranch. Girls got to see what shorn sheep give up. The lambs, all 13 of them, were skittish but the girls were impressed by how small and cute they were. Great spot for Easter tomorrow. 

Petrie ranch and sheep at sunset. 

Grand Mesa in the background and sheep corrals in the fore. God's country. Love it. 

Rolling

Car packed and out of the house at 2:05pm MDT.  Off to get the knuckleheads from Marsea's and then westward we go. My thanks to my mom for giving them some Easter fun while I packed. 

Earlier, I talked to my brother-in-law Lee who is taking his family on a similar route, but with an RV and flying back from Vegas. He had one statement for me: "Way too ambitious." We'll see about that. If the way I packed is any indication, he's right. there's a lot in this car that we need, and I am certain there is a lot that we don't. But when you're embracing the unknown, better prepared than not. 

Mother nature, here we come. Show us some love. 

Departure 2:38

About to Roll

our route? something like this.

Mom is in Australia, kids.  I know, we have to manage...manage to have an unforgettable adventure and live it up to the fullest.

One hundred years ago, the National Park Service was born and to commemorate their anniversary, we are setting out to enjoy the parks of the great southwest.  All fourth graders get a free National Parks pass and we are determined to stamp a bunch of pages in ours. That's how it works, right?

We are also determined to call audibles, switch up plans, and fly by the seat of our undergarments. It's the kids' spring break and our family's leader/trip-planner-in-chief is on the other side of the world, so we're planning almost none of this. Except, we fully plan to have a blast and do whatever pleases this crew. Carpe to your mother loving diem.

So, check back if you wish, follow along if you like, and see what happens when a dad takes to the road with his three daughters.

*This blog was created as a way to keep The Mom up to date, but interlopers are expected.*