Day 50

I woke up at 3 quite cold so I sneaked a little bit of Brayden's quilt and was able to go back to sleep. The girls were stretched out and looked perfectly warm. About an hour later I woke up with Ryan glued next to me so I slid a little more covers from Brayden and covered her up too. I was just happy he was not mad about sharing or maybe he didn't know yet!

The time change is taking some adjustment. I'm used to waking up around 5am and getting a few things done before the kids wake up. This morning I didn't wake up until 7am and the kids slept in until 8:30! I reminded them that was 10:30 in California and they all said 10:30 should be the new normal.  I'm not sure they could fit school in with getting up that late!

While they were snoring away a momma and her young one came through the campground. They walked right in front of our tent. Laney was going to be mad she slept through it!

Since the kids slept in I took some time to catch up on editing pictures and writing. Since we were down in the canyon the air stayed cool and the sun didn't reach the tent until the kids were waking up.
They were excited this morning because it was a breakfast they had been looking forward to since the beginning of the trip. When it's hot and I don't want to cook on the stove or over the fire I let them each buy a box of cereal for us to eat for breakfast. We don't usually eat cereal at home so these sugary boxes are coveted for all the days they are filled.

Our next stop was Cadillac Ranch. This is an art installation that is a tribute to the old cadillacs with fins in the back. They are often painted specific colors for commercials or special days but otherwise they want the public to have fun adding their own touches. I wanted to surprise the kids with this stop that Dave would have loved but Laney spotted it the day before. You have to walk up close to really appreciate it though!

Someone handed the kids their spray paint so they started marking up the cars with innocent smiley faces and "Hi".  After our Carhenge visit a few years ago I learned to have a Sharpie with you for signing too!

It was hot but there was a very strong breeze that helped us not to sweat like crazy. We pointed the car east and continued on through Texas. After about 30 minutes we stopped at the Slug Bug Ranch - a nod to Cadillac Ranch. I made sure to get a few "punch buggy" slugs in before my kids could! 

We listened to a few podcasts for the next few hours while we made our way east to Eisenhower State Park. It was 104 degrees and we were all looking forward to a little relief in the water. I reserved a site right next to the swimming beach so we could have easy access and enjoy the afternoon cooling off. As we checked in I noticed a sign that the swimming beach was closed. Apparently they were doing construction on the path down to the beach so they had closed it for today only. The ranger said if the "Keep Out" signs were gone we were welcome to go down and swim.

Our fingers were crossed as we drove toward the day use area but it didn't help. The signs were up in front of the path and we all sighed thinking of the hot afternoon and night we had ahead of us. We decided to get the tent set up and play some games before cooking dinner. The view reminded me of Oregon!

We heard people down at the swimming area and as we looked down over the cliff sure enough there were people in the water. I went back and forth in my head trying to decide if we should follow them and get some relief. We were all dripping and pretty miserable. I really really wanted to swim but decided instead to be the person I want the kids to grow up to be and pay attention to the sign. Either they will grow up and think I was just lame or perhaps they will take this lesson to heart.


I decided to cook the taco dinner Brayden wanted along with the much anticipated dutch oven dump cake. It was boiling hot and I was seriously dripping now - I had to watch out for sweat dripping in the food!! We had a delicious dinner and dessert to end the night. As we were eating I asked the kids if they were up for a long drive the next day. Brayden knew we only had a 5 hour drive to our next spot so his face lit up knowing I was asking if they just wanted to go home the next day. It would be a minimum 12 hour day in the car but they didn't bat an eye. They answered before I could even finish asking. This is the first year Dave hasn't driven all the way home with us so I think that was part of it but we also have our house waiting as well as all their friends.

Attitudes shifted considerably with the decision to drive home the next day. Ryan mentioned she was thinking about taking a cold shower before bed and Laney and I joined her. Brayden wasn't up for the challenge so he just changed into travel clothes for the next day. When the girls and I walked into the bathroom there were two scorpions waiting on us. I'd never seen one before outside of a zoo so I froze for a minute to decide what to do.

One of them ran (they were SO fast!) to the side which gave us enough room to slip by to the showers so we did a shower inspection for more before developing our plan. We posted one person outside the showers to keep an eye on these guys while the others showered. If you can call it that. Laney and I could only stand it for about 15 seconds and Ryan just washed her hair. We all felt much better though! It wasn't long before they ran toward the showers and we were going to have to spend the night in the shower!  The fast guy ran to the wall so we shuffled to our next obstacle to figure out how to get around him. I put down our shower bag between us and him and we slid by before grabbing the bag and running out. I knew one thing - we wouldn't be visiting this bathroom in the middle of the night!

By the time we got back to the campsite we were all getting hot again but knowing we only had a few more hours we were all just resolved to trying our best to sleep at least a little bit. I scrolled through Facebook to get my eyes tired and ended up finally falling asleep after 11.

Day 46

We had a discussion with the kids the night before about when we would get up and leave the hotel. They, of course, wanted to sleep in. We talked them into getting up early so we could have some time at our next stop instead. It was only 2 more days we would have Dave with us so I wanted to maximize our fun time for sure.

We dragged the kids out of bed to get down to breakfast when it started. We were mostly packed up so we knew it could be a quick exit. They got their normal crazy hotel carb overload and 30 minutes of tv before we were ready to go and searching for Grammie to say goodbye. She was spitting from us this morning so we wouldn't see her or Lola for 2 weeks.

Leaving by 8am we were hoping to get to our spot by late afternoon to be able to enjoy a few hours. We had a long drive today but thanks to Dave's research we had a few interesting stops along the way. Our first stop was the world's tallest thermometer. It is 134 feet tall to record the hottest temperature every recorded in Death Valley in 1913. It was a tough shot to get everyone and the thermometer! For the record it has to be 158 degrees outside to fry an egg.















Just a few minutes later we were in Nevada and getting back off the interstate for our next stop. It was bright and very hot but totally worth it! This was called the Seven Magic Mountains and is an art installation by artist Ugo Rondinone. As we approached I couldn't get over the contrast in the art and the landscape.

Of course the kids had to add their own rocks to the rock garden!

 Since we were so close to Las Vegas we decided to drive to the welcome sign and down the strip. Dave and I got engaged here after I ran one of my marathons and he's been back a few times since on the annual Clarke family trip. It was slow going with all the people but it was neat to see how much it has changed since I'd been there. The kids thought it reminded them a little of Times Square with all the huge stores and digital displays. We had to get a picture at the sign to send to Dave's brother since they are headed out here for good!



We dipped into the bottom of Utah and decided to stop at a local spot for pizza. If you are ever in St. George Utah stopping at 700 Degrees is a must - the pizza was delicious and the service was outstanding. The kids would probably say they enjoyed the unlimited small batch soda the best!

After another few hours of driving through the canyons and Kaibab National Forest we finally made it to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is the place that started all these trips. Eight years ago I decided to take the kids to the Grand Canyon and ended up doing a whirlwind trip of 18 states in 32 days. I was excited to get back even for just a few days. Dave and I had visited the South Rim 17 years ago and I knew he'd enjoy the stark contrast of the North Rim.

We were able to steal a peek or two at the canyon but I wanted to save the full view for the next day on our hike to the lodge. After we set up we walked to the general store for a few things where Ryan found an interesting game that she wanted to buy with her trip money. By the time the kids ate it was too dark to play so we played a round of Squarrels instead.

The kids had brought giant glow sticks from home and finally decided to break them to light them up today. They wanted me to film a sword battle but it was so dark it would have just looked like two glow sticks dancing. Brayden had the idea to do some time lapse photography with them though that worked. I didn't even have to adjust the settings for time lapse since it was so dark the camera needed the time anyway.

The kids have been finding the numbers "222" everywhere since that will be our new address so that was the first success. Laney made a heart and Ryan made an infinity symbol too. Everyone was getting pretty grumpy by this point so I declared it bedtime. We had a whole new day tomorrow to explore, learn, and be together.          

Day 32

I was up early to write before the kids started moving.  I wanted to get several days posted as I wasn't sure what our facilites would be like at the next stop.  Before 8am, most of the campgrounds we've been to have been very quiet with only the earliest of risers up along with me.

Once the kids finally dragged themselves out of bed, I made some french toast with lots of our raspberries and peaches.  I packed everything up while the kids spent the morning with their new friends.  All of them were pretty bummed we were leaving already.

After a quick stop at the lighthouse at the point, we hopped on the road to make it to our next place with some daylight hours to play.  Three hours later we were greeted with the spectacular view of the Mackinaw Bridge.  Unfortunately there was some construction going on at the beginning of the bridge so we didn't get to experience the full window-down effect of a crazy tall bridge, but we did still enjoy it very much.  

After a quick stop at the welcome center to get some tips on things to do during our stay, we headed to our campsite to set up.  I'd made our reservations so long ago at all these stops that I forget which sites I'd picked.  Once we backed into our site I was a little disappointed I didn't reserve the site across the way with power.  Until I noticed our view.

I would like to apologize in advance for the pictures forthcoming of this same bridge over and over at different times during the day.  Ever since Brayden built one of these suspension bridges, I've just been fascinated by them!

Once we were set up we headed to do some of the touristy things around the small city that wouldn't take very long.  Our first stop was the very cheesy Castle Rock!  The kids get a kick out of seeing Paul Bunyan and Babe so once Ryan spotted them on the brochure, we had to go.  And who can beat climbing a gagillion steps for $1?!  The view was nice if you looked past the interstate below!

The welcome center lady also mentioned a splash pad and park down by the marina so we headed there next.  These kids have monkey bar competitions on every playground back home, but they just couldn't get across this spinning version without a little help from me!  Laney just wanted to crawl on top of the slide the whole time causing much frustration from other parents there.

We searched for a few minutes for the splash pad finally finding it on the actual dock of the lighthouse.  It was a little difficult to spot since it wasn't running continuously.  All three kids had been bouncing-up-and-down-excited about going there until they actually felt the temperature of the water.  Even Brayden who can sweat just waking up in the morning didn't want to stay for more than 2 minutes.  

Instead they made their towels into capes and ran around the grass!  

I took the opportunity to learn about the reason the dock is called the "Chief Dock".  Before the Mackinaw bridge there was a huge boat that would transport railroad cars from a train at Mackinaw City through the Straits of Mackinac to St Ignace where we were standing instead of making the loop around through the Upper Peninsula. It was so interesting to learn about the ingenuity and the precise way this boat needed to operate.  It also was designed to break up ice in the straits during the winter.  

Laney wanted us to all walk down to the lighthouse at the point. She is fascinated with lighthouses and especially with the lives of the keepers.  It might just be the life in general of families in the early 20th century that she enjoys so much, but she is definitely interested in the solitude of the keeper families as well. So we headed that way with capes on. The Amish families at the end weren't sure what to make of this strange crew of children!

After getting back dressed, we went in search of some ice cream of course.  I believe Ryan might be getting a little tired of ice cream as she decided on raspberry sorbet for her cone. Laney's ice cream was a bit soft so her mess today was monumental!  I was too busy trying to help catch and clean it all to get a picture, but trust me it was bad.  

We were walking back down the street to our car when we noticed two guys setting up for a show in the parking lot.  My kids can always spot these things from a miole away so we just had to stop. These guys definitely didn't disappoint with fun for the kids and jokes for the adults.  

Laney and Ryan even got in on the fun!  In this picture he's giving them instructions on what NOT to do when the pins are being tossed around them.

Ryan refused to look at what was happening!

By the time the show finished the sun was getting low so we all changed into pants and put on our sweatshirts.  The welcome center staff let us know there would be fireworks tonight!  The kids were thrilled to have a chance to see more, I was less then thrilled with the 10pm start time.  We are on our summer trip though, so flexibility is essential to a relaxed mom and happy kids.  Imagine how happy I was when the announcement came over the speakers that the show was delayed 20 minutes!  Just be flexible.

The wait was worth it as fireworks burst out all around us at the end of the National Anthem. The show was wonderful and long and colorful.  I had two girls leaning up against me gently clapping at their favorites and another big kid smiling through it all.  

After the big finale, we all yawned and hopped in the car to get back to the campground.  We were welcomed home by a beautiful view of the bridge covered in lights.  By the time we made it to the bathroom and into pajamas, I was too exhausted to get a picture.  Another night.

Day 15

Well, of course it rained but not especially hard and all and by the time I went to bed it had basically stopped.  I forgot to tell my brain to wake up for the sunrise so we all ended up sleeping in until well past 7.  How nice!!  We tried to call Dave as I had a very tiny signal, but he couldn't talk and by the time he could our signal was gone.  The kids were ready to move on to the next park, so we packed up quickly and were on our way.  

Our first stop was a copper mine as this area was a major source for copper in the early 19th century. We ended up having a private tour as we timed it just right to be the only ones ready.  The kids thought the tour guide reminded them of Dad because he had a beard and a baseball hat on.  And when he introduced himself - his name was Dave!

 Our first stop on the tour was downstairs in the building to learn what copper looks like.  We felt the difference between the basalt and basalt with copper.  It was SO heavy!

Next we put on our hard hats and were ready to head to the mine shaft.  The kids were so excited when they saw we get to ride in this!  It's definitely not related to the mining, but still fun!

 
Inside we learned about how copper was mined, the life of a miner, and so much history.  Our guide was awesome!  As in all of our cave & mine tours before, there was a point were the guide lit the candle just like they would have had back when they were first mining.  He blew it out to show us how it would look if their candle went out.  Laney just refused to let it be dark!  She was so scared and since she had control with her light on her helmet she just kept turning it on.  Finally I had her come be next to me wrapped in my arms and she allowed it.  She still had to have her hand on the light button though!

At the end of the shaft we ended up at this beautiful overlook.  It was actually to show us below where the plain basalt would be dumped, but the view was great too!

The kids learned a bunch and enjoyed the tour so much, they each tipped our guide a little bit and we got on our way.  And just look what we found?!  Fresh strawberries and local maple syrup?! Yes please!

Just as the gps said we were about 30 minutes away, we entered what seemed like a forest with dense, tree-lined roads full of curves.  My favorite!  All the kids were reminding Laney to keep her head up as she was playing her ds.  I just turned up the music and drove.  I kept smiling thinking I was going to get to drive it tomorrow back out too! We drove into Fort Wilkins State Park which is tucked on a little peninsula that juts out into Lake Superior.  Our campsite was nice with a view and walkway down to the water.  It was sprinkling (of course) while we were setting up, so we headed to the camp store for quarters for laundry.  Three minutes later when we walked out it was sunny so we turned around and headed to the fort next door.

There was so much for the kids to do and learn about here!  This fort was built as a result of the copper mining boom to keep the peace between the miners and the Chippewa nation who had sold the land to the U.S.  They learned about life as a married enlisted family, how the officers and their families lived, how the troops were all fed, what practicing medicine was like, as well as what people did without electricity, running water, email, etc.

We heard some small rapids nearby so the kids enjoyed a few minutes of "pooh sticks" with pinecones and sticks.

What is it that attracts kids to canons so much?

Next up? We had to go find some Michigan ice cream.  The flavors were tasty, but nothing to scream about so we're going to try again.  My kids are not only playground, campground bathroom, and science museum snobs, now their ice cream snobs too?!

On our way back from the small town nearby, we stopped at the lighthouse overlook for a view.  The pictures today have been taken with my phone so I'm sure it looks like nothing spectacular, but it was very pretty.  This lighthouse you can only get to by boat for a tour.

The kids would rather throw rocks today than go see a lighthouse anyway.

Once we got back to the campsite, I started on the wonderful task of laundry.  We settled in by the fire for potato soup for dinner and one of our neighbors graciously brought us a dutch oven with the rest of their peach cobbler inside - delicious!  Brayden says it's not as good as Mrs. Darcy's though! 

Once I got a load of laundry finished, we read a couple chapters by the fire and one more snuggled in bed.  The kids need their rest tonight as apparently they have been working on a big show to be performed at the playground in the morning.  Laney said it's a little bit dangerous so I'm not sure how much I'm going to like this one!