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Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
New Orleans
Colbie says New Orleans it was scary. The gift was cool and pretty.
Callen says no was fun and full of life and spirit. I got a Lucky Hot dog from a street vendor. We shopped a lot and saw people performing on the street.
Kayla says it was the most exciting and lively city I've ever been and I loved it. Except walking 7 blocks in the dark back to the RV.
We woke up in Canton, TX at the #1 RV park in Texas. We left around 9:00am and drove until 5:00 when we landed in New Orleans. We drove down to Jackson Square which didn't work out so well in the RV. We went back towards the interstate and found an awesome French Quarter RV park. They let us park for $25 The girls noticed they had a huge gate, tall brick walls with spikes on top of the walls. On one hand a little frightening, on the other, a little safe. We took a taxi to the French Quarter and the girls mouths dropped. Their shock wore off as the shopping began. They got masks, beads, jewelry, headbands, shirts, etc. We had beignets, hot dogs on the street, Hurricanes and took an awesome pizza back to the RV. After a scary 7 block walk in the dark we were happy to see our RV safe and sound. We are headed Yo Biloxi MS where we hang our hats (and masks) tonight. -
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Callen says no was fun and full of life and spirit. I got a Lucky Hot dog from a street vendor. We shopped a lot and saw people performing on the street.
Kayla says it was the most exciting and lively city I've ever been and I loved it. Except walking 7 blocks in the dark back to the RV.
We woke up in Canton, TX at the #1 RV park in Texas. We left around 9:00am and drove until 5:00 when we landed in New Orleans. We drove down to Jackson Square which didn't work out so well in the RV. We went back towards the interstate and found an awesome French Quarter RV park. They let us park for $25 The girls noticed they had a huge gate, tall brick walls with spikes on top of the walls. On one hand a little frightening, on the other, a little safe. We took a taxi to the French Quarter and the girls mouths dropped. Their shock wore off as the shopping began. They got masks, beads, jewelry, headbands, shirts, etc. We had beignets, hot dogs on the street, Hurricanes and took an awesome pizza back to the RV. After a scary 7 block walk in the dark we were happy to see our RV safe and sound. We are headed Yo Biloxi MS where we hang our hats (and masks) tonight. -
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Location:New Orleans,United States
Friday, July 22, 2011
Driving through New Mexico
I woke up to a campfire ready for breakfast tacos. The grass behind the RV was flat from where the deer slept all night. We made breakfast tacos, vegetarian breakfast tacos and eggs with cheese to ensure everyone would be happy. The microwave ( piece of poo) burnt the bacon so bad the whole RV stunk. So, we went for a 2 mile hike on Knifes Edge Trail to let it air out. I had to carry Colbie the last 1/4 mile but other than that everyone did great. It was time to pack up and leave and we were sorry to go. On our way out the doe came to say bye and the 9 point buck was sitting near the trees. We returned the car in Durango and been driving through Indian Reservations all day.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So long Mesa Verde
Today we woke to a 5 and 9 point walking past our site. The air was cool and we had to get our sweaters to sit out and enjoy the morning air. Really it was just me and Colbie doing this. Kayla and Callen were goofing off in the RV (not getting ready) and Kevin quickly scared every deer within a 5 mile radius when he hit his head. In his defense he was actually bleeding this time. After assessing the damage we decided to go on with the day. We went to The Knife Edge Cafe at Morefield Village for a pancake breakfast. You order pancakes only or with sausage from the screen window then sit outside and wait where you eat at the picnic tables. The pancakes where actually quite yummy:).
After hitting the gift shop we went up to the park for our 10:30 tour. It took an hour to drive to Chapin Mesa where we were touring Cliff Palace first. It was a hike down on uneven step stones and 5 ladders, but very cool and the largest of the cliff dwellings. The scary excitement was when a boy around 8 years old fell head first off the wall. He was okay. We finished that tour and went to our next tour which was Balcony House. We had an experience in the restroom over there, it was a little stinky and mommy was gagging uncontrollably. Apparently the walls are paper thin and when I came crashing out I had an audience. Kayla did better than I but when Callen went in she was letting out something between a shriek and a loud cry the whole time that was quite entertaining. When we started our tour we really had no idea what we were in for. They described steep stairs down, squeezing through two rock walls, a 32' vertical ladder up the cliff face, through an alcove, crawling on our hands and knees through a 12' long tunnel, up a straight ladder on another cliff face only to end up at the worst part. When we victoriously made it up the final ladder we saw what appeared to be tiny rock steps that were literally carved in the cliff boulder. Not only that but they curved around in a switch back sort of way. All you could hear was, "WATCH COLBIE!" "COLBIE, Hang on!" "Callen, Kayla BE careful!!" and of course, "click, click, click" of my camera. Even Colbie was relieved when we made it to the top saying, "That was exhausting!" We realized we had climbed up a 60' open cliff face with step stones and two 10' ladders.
After the excitement at Balcony House we rewarded ourselves with lunch and another gift shop. Colbie was so excited to find another penny machine. After eating and shopping we took a self tour of Spruce Tree House. It was a long steep hike but the house that has had the least amount of restoration to it. It is 90% in it's original state. The girls went down a ladder into a Kiva and Colbie thought that was cool. She wanted me to stay up top so she could describe it to me. After hiking back up we were pretty exhausted. We went through the museum where Colbie loved the dioramas and Callen loved it all. After Spruce Tree we drove the Mesa Top Loop. We saw pit-houses and many cool overlooks. Callen became quite the photographer. My legs were tired, daddy and Kayla had their afternoon crank and Colbie couldn't walk another step. So, I sent Callen on her own if I could see her the whole time. She reported back and probably thought her fam were losers:). It was actually only 2 or 3 pit-houses I sent her own, no overlooks.
We headed back to the campground and stopped at the Ranger station so Callen could become a Jr. Ranger. Colbie showed off her book and took her pledge yesterday. We came back to the site, had dinner at our picnic tables (pasta) and then Colbie set out the s'mores stuff. She was so excited she helped set up and encouraged me to start a fire since Kevin was gone running. I actually built a pretty good fire. After dinner we went for a walk and saw about 10 deer (bucks, does and a little baby). We were only 4' away at times and no matter how many times we "shushed" Colbie it didn't work. She had to say, Hi Deer!" It was a fun day. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
After hitting the gift shop we went up to the park for our 10:30 tour. It took an hour to drive to Chapin Mesa where we were touring Cliff Palace first. It was a hike down on uneven step stones and 5 ladders, but very cool and the largest of the cliff dwellings. The scary excitement was when a boy around 8 years old fell head first off the wall. He was okay. We finished that tour and went to our next tour which was Balcony House. We had an experience in the restroom over there, it was a little stinky and mommy was gagging uncontrollably. Apparently the walls are paper thin and when I came crashing out I had an audience. Kayla did better than I but when Callen went in she was letting out something between a shriek and a loud cry the whole time that was quite entertaining. When we started our tour we really had no idea what we were in for. They described steep stairs down, squeezing through two rock walls, a 32' vertical ladder up the cliff face, through an alcove, crawling on our hands and knees through a 12' long tunnel, up a straight ladder on another cliff face only to end up at the worst part. When we victoriously made it up the final ladder we saw what appeared to be tiny rock steps that were literally carved in the cliff boulder. Not only that but they curved around in a switch back sort of way. All you could hear was, "WATCH COLBIE!" "COLBIE, Hang on!" "Callen, Kayla BE careful!!" and of course, "click, click, click" of my camera. Even Colbie was relieved when we made it to the top saying, "That was exhausting!" We realized we had climbed up a 60' open cliff face with step stones and two 10' ladders.
After the excitement at Balcony House we rewarded ourselves with lunch and another gift shop. Colbie was so excited to find another penny machine. After eating and shopping we took a self tour of Spruce Tree House. It was a long steep hike but the house that has had the least amount of restoration to it. It is 90% in it's original state. The girls went down a ladder into a Kiva and Colbie thought that was cool. She wanted me to stay up top so she could describe it to me. After hiking back up we were pretty exhausted. We went through the museum where Colbie loved the dioramas and Callen loved it all. After Spruce Tree we drove the Mesa Top Loop. We saw pit-houses and many cool overlooks. Callen became quite the photographer. My legs were tired, daddy and Kayla had their afternoon crank and Colbie couldn't walk another step. So, I sent Callen on her own if I could see her the whole time. She reported back and probably thought her fam were losers:). It was actually only 2 or 3 pit-houses I sent her own, no overlooks.
We headed back to the campground and stopped at the Ranger station so Callen could become a Jr. Ranger. Colbie showed off her book and took her pledge yesterday. We came back to the site, had dinner at our picnic tables (pasta) and then Colbie set out the s'mores stuff. She was so excited she helped set up and encouraged me to start a fire since Kevin was gone running. I actually built a pretty good fire. After dinner we went for a walk and saw about 10 deer (bucks, does and a little baby). We were only 4' away at times and no matter how many times we "shushed" Colbie it didn't work. She had to say, Hi Deer!" It was a fun day. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Mancos,United States
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Smore time!
Making S'mores at the campsite. Didn't even use the microwave:)
Breakfast in Morefield Village
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Location:Mancos,United States
Mesa Verde
We left Durango after an awesome white water rafting trip. Colbie cried in the morning because she didn't want to go, then cried when we had to get off the water. It was so cool. Actually the water was 45*. Thankfully no one fell in, Kayla came close on one of the Class III rapids.
We got our car, hit City Market and Sonic and headed to Mesa Verde. Mom drove the car with the girls and daddy drove the RV.
The drive was great until we got to the park then Kevin was happy to park the RV and let Kimber drive the car thru the cliffs and Mesa tops.
The park is beautiful. We saw three deer just driving to our campsite.
We are level today, thankfully. Colbie woke up in the corner of the RV at the last place because we were leaning.
We made it to Mesa Verde in time to drive over to Wetherhill Mesa and tour Long House. It was a hike with steep terrain and ladders and every one did great.
Colbie got to sit up front with the ranger.
We went back to the visitors center and Colbie and Callen made pennies and Colbie became a junior ranger. Callen couldn't do her book on the 45 min drive because she got car sick and was throwing up.
We ate an awesome dinner at a five * restaurant and it was very yummy. We went back to our beautiful campsite and made smores. Today we have finished our pancake breakfast and heading in for two tours and a lot of exploring:).
Oh btw-Kaylas showers use 2/3 of the fresh water so she has been banished to the community showers. She and Kevin head out every evening. Father/daughter bonding. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We got our car, hit City Market and Sonic and headed to Mesa Verde. Mom drove the car with the girls and daddy drove the RV.
The drive was great until we got to the park then Kevin was happy to park the RV and let Kimber drive the car thru the cliffs and Mesa tops.
The park is beautiful. We saw three deer just driving to our campsite.
We are level today, thankfully. Colbie woke up in the corner of the RV at the last place because we were leaning.
We made it to Mesa Verde in time to drive over to Wetherhill Mesa and tour Long House. It was a hike with steep terrain and ladders and every one did great.
Colbie got to sit up front with the ranger.
We went back to the visitors center and Colbie and Callen made pennies and Colbie became a junior ranger. Callen couldn't do her book on the 45 min drive because she got car sick and was throwing up.
We ate an awesome dinner at a five * restaurant and it was very yummy. We went back to our beautiful campsite and made smores. Today we have finished our pancake breakfast and heading in for two tours and a lot of exploring:).
Oh btw-Kaylas showers use 2/3 of the fresh water so she has been banished to the community showers. She and Kevin head out every evening. Father/daughter bonding. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Morefield Village, Mesa Verde NP
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thoughts on Carlsbad
I got so caught up in tge beauty of the park that I Forgot to mention when we returned to the RV the CO2 was beeping and the generator was dead. A few naughty words then a call to Mike in Orlando and we are back up and running. We probably left too many devices plugged in (could have also been the hot water heater) and it drained the generator. Low generator battery triggered CO2
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:7 Rivers Hwy,Carlsbad,United States
Leaving Carlsbad
Wow! Carlsbad Caverns was amazing. The cave was huge and the formations were everywhere. Draperies, popcorn, columns, ponds, stalactites and stalagmites to name a few. We hiked treacherous terrain for 1 mile then dark pathways for another 2 miles. We were happy to take the elevator up 800 feet instead of hiking back out. Colbie did great until the last 1/2 mile or so. The park is done to perfection from an untrained NP eye, first class and beautiful.
-Callen and Colbie showed off their completed Junior Ranger Booklets and took their pledge to get their badges. The park rangers were quite impressed with Mommy's bound trip book their booklets were in:).
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
Carlsbad eve
We made it to the bat flight with about 15 minutes to spare. It was neat. They sort of trickled out over 30-45 min but I'm sure it was tens of thousands in all. We will walk the cave in the morning.
The drive today was neat with the wind farms then turned a little creepy around the Texas/Mexico/New Mexico borders. We were the only vehicle on the straight dessert road for miles. When I wasn't watching out the window for the caravan of Mexican drug lords I was scanning the beautiful land thinking of "The hills have eyes" movie.
Tomorrow we will explore caverns, aliens and UFOs.
-
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The drive today was neat with the wind farms then turned a little creepy around the Texas/Mexico/New Mexico borders. We were the only vehicle on the straight dessert road for miles. When I wasn't watching out the window for the caravan of Mexican drug lords I was scanning the beautiful land thinking of "The hills have eyes" movie.
Tomorrow we will explore caverns, aliens and UFOs.
-
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Leaving San Antone
We said our sad goodbyes and even managed a quick stop to see Aunt Karen. We are headed up through Texas to White City, NM. We are hoping to make it in time to see the bats leave the cave for their nightly feast (creepy).
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tezel Farm
Today we drove up to Bandera to the Flying L Ranch. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was and the water park was great. The kids had a blast, got pink cheeks and noses, and wore themselves out. Tomorrow we hang out at the farm.
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
We are back in business...Opa found the short fuse and fixed the driving lights. Currently over the spooky bayou
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Rollin Rollin Rollin
Well, lost the deposit somewhere near Baton Rouge. Stinkin pole, no driving lights, hanging out at the local WalMart at 4am. Whoot whoot
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Aydell Ln,Walker,United States
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
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