We spent most of yesterday traveling out of Arizona and headed into Utah. We found a few fun spots along the route. If we break the driving up a bit, it keeps the wild ones from getting too wild. Stop number one, a deer farm. The girls love spotting deer from the rv windows, so when Alan found a place that they could pet, feed and love on all the deer they wanted, we knew they'd be in heaven. Or at least that's what we thought. Seems that these deer recognize a plastic food cup from a mile away and aren't afraid to swarm you. And for those folks who aren't readily holding out a handful of food (i.e. me!!), they'll try to eat your dress. Adaline wasn't so fond of the deer, mostly because they were bigger than her. She'd sneak in behind them every once in a while to pet, but she much preferred the baby goats since they were smaller. Ansley, well, she's not afraid of much. She loved it.
Stop number two, BEDROCK BABY!! This one was probably more for me and Alan as the girls have never even seen an episode of the Flintstones. Sad but true. Call it bad parenting. A totally cheesy roadside attraction that I thought was fabulous. It was actually a little bit better than I was expecting. They had all sorts of buildings. Fred's house, Barney's house, the beauty parlor, the grocery, the jail, the post office, the medical building, etc. They even had a movie theater playing episodes of the Flintstones. And the giant dinosaur like the one Fred worked on in the quarry complete with a slide down the tail.
Late yesterday we arrived in Utah. After spending the last week in desert areas that all seemed to have either high wind warnings or fire bans, the girls were so excited to finally be able to have a campfire.
Today was a little exploring some of Utah's national parks. We started off with a quick visit to Kolob Canyons. It was beautiful.
Then we headed into Zion. I was so excited for Zion as I'd seen amazing photos of this place. Small detail most don't point out about those photos.... they're usually achieved after you've hiked/swam/climbed/a gajillion miles to get them. I'd done a little reading beforehand and saw where there'd be some hiking. Figured out which ones we could do with the kids and thought we'd be ok. Ahhh ye of ignorance. Not so much. The park is insanely busy during the summer months and we had to park in town and catch a shuttle in. Then hop another shuttle that takes you into the canyon. They don't let private vehicles in during peak season so the shuttle actually isn't a bad option. Problem is that where each shuttle drops you off, a hike begins. If you want to see anything good that is. We made one hike to the lower emerald pools and decided that may be the only hike of the day. The littlest has had a cough and the thin air and upward narrow trek was a little more than she cared for. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the park from the main canyon floor. It was still an incredibly beautiful place to visit, even if I didn't quite get to see the spots I'd wished for. The height of the canyon, the colors, the vastness of it all was amazing.
AMY, i AM YOUR GRANNIE'S FRIEND, ANNETTE. SHE SENT ME THE BLOG AND I LOVE IT! THE PHOTOS ARE GREAT AND HONEST, I READ THE BLOG AND I COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT! IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE THINGS I HAVE DONE, AND CONTINUE TO DO! I JUST DID A GREAT WILDERNESS HIKE ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL....WITHOUT LITTLE KIDS, AND IT WAS TOUGH ENOUGH. I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING BUT APLAUD YOU! HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY TIME AND I WILL LOK FORWARD TO MORE PHOTOS! HAPPY TRAILS.....ANNETTE
Posted by: ANNETTE HEMINGWAY | June 19, 2010 at 08:05 AM
I want to visit the Bedrock area!!! So cool!!!!
Posted by: Michelle Guzman | June 19, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Looks like your adventure is going great. I too would have loved to see that Flinstone town. How neat is that!!! Love that you are sharing your journey. I look forward to reading more.
Posted by: Lisa | June 20, 2010 at 09:47 PM
The pictures are fabulous and Adaline looks so cute and grown up.I can only imagine the memories she and Ansley will have and the great photos to remember them by. We are so enjoying watching the journey. Love you and miss you all. Mom
Posted by: Gloria Holland | June 21, 2010 at 08:22 AM
i am SOOOOOOOOO enjoying your summer journey. totally living vicariously through you, amy...
Posted by: gina | June 25, 2010 at 02:02 AM
Too cool! Love all the images - looks like they're having a blast!
Posted by: Corey Sewell | June 25, 2010 at 03:27 PM
At this point your dough should have some bubbles and be a little puffy. Add the olives and stir the dough again. Cover the pot and put it in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours.
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