Day 6

The time change is officially messing up my sleep. Even with being up until after midnight I woke up ready to go for my morning run at 5am. This is 4am where we currently are. What happens when we change to Pacific Time??? I tried my hardest to go back to sleep but after 30 minutes I gave up and went to the patio to finish all the days so far and get them ready to post to the blog. I had a friend with me most of the time taking care of all the bugs that were bothering me.

Once I was finished Ryan was walking toward me so we decided to wake up Laney and get busy packing up. My idea of waking her up would be "Good morrrrning Laneeeeey" in a sing song voice. Ryan's idea was letting all the air out of her sleep mat. Guess which one goes over better for morning-wants-to-sleep-in-Laney?  We were packed up within about 20 minutes so the girls went to play chess while I changed and drove closer to Grammie's spot.


She already had bowls of watermelon ready because she knew I was wanting to get on the road early. We had a 7 hour drive today - the 2nd longest of the trip. It was through a section of the Lincoln National Forest which I was thrilled about but there were also long sections back on good 'ol I-10.

Once we downed our fruit and bagels, the kids helped Grammie pack up and we were back on the road in no time. There are several memorable drives in the past 7 years and our trek through Lincoln National Forest is one of them. Our drive 7 years ago took us on a northern pass from Roswell and today's would take us a more southern route that was a fun drive as well as a beautiful one. This route was quite a bit more commercial but it was very enjoyable still to say the least.

With a few stops for gas and a bunch of hours on the road, we finally made the turn south for the 40 minute drive toward the Chiricahua National Monument. This part of the drive was interesting because I kept seeing things in the distance thinking it would be the campground and we would drive right past it. It was 104 outside so I was hoping for at least a tree to put the tent under.

We pulled into an empty parking lot at the visitor's center and Grammie thought they'd closed the park and forgot to tell us! We found it was actually open, checked in, and bought some postcards and stickers at the gift shop. I also remembered I'd brought the kids' National Park passports so I grabbed those out of the car for them to stamp.

We pulled into our campground and I was instantly thrilled. It was a tiny, quiet little campground with perfect little spots all nestled in the trees. It had rained while we were in the visitors center so the temperature was a lovely 72 degrees. Much better than 104!

After we both set up we had a quick dinner and got back on the road for the scenic drive. I'd had it on my list to do but the pictures in the visitors center reminded me why! The views were absolutely spectacular and again there is no way I can do them justice with my photos. Around every turn there was something else to see. I'm just glad noone was behind me!




















We first hiked part of Sugarloaf trail. Grammie noticed there were no dogs allowed on the trail - likely because of the mountain lions - so the kids and I hiked in about a third of a mile to the CCC tunnel. The trail was very nice and the views were even better.  Next time I would definitely hike to the top of the mountain!






Next we stopped at the Echo Canyon trail to go to the Grotto area. We saw lots of lizards out finding their dinner as we walked. The formations on the trail simply defied physics.

Once we made it to the Grottos the kids were thrilled to be able to climb all around the nooks and crannies that had been created by so many years of water. I wanted to climb up but decided to let the kids have this moment. I'll be back with Dave for sure.

Last we visited Massi Point - the end of the scenic drive. We just happened to drive in just as the sky was turning pink behind the mountain. It looked like there was a fire in the valley behind the mountain. After taking a few pictures we explored the nature center learning about some legends and skirmishes of history.

The drive home wasn't quite as spectacular as it was getting pretty dark. I was tired even though the kids claimed it was only 7:45. We are still having time zone conversations after all these years!  The girls and I retired to the tent to write, read, and enjoy the lovely 65 degree night.

Day 3

The three adults started this day by bringing our laptops out while the children slept. Dave began working early so he would be able to go on a hike with us to the waterfall later that morning. We all devoured a breakfast of potatoes, fruit, bagels, and eggs then mostly packed up and showered.

We picked the 2 mile waterfall trail thinking it would take us about an hour to go down and back. We would be able to get on the road and Dave would be able to finish his work day as we drove. As we walked out to the trail head we were greeted with this beautiful view!

 And that was the last time that lens worked with the camera. It was a favorite lens of ours and had been just about everywhere with us for the past 11 years. Thankfully, Dave had thought to bring an extra lens along so we'll be able to use that one, but it is definitely a little more difficult to work with.

We started down the trail and were then greeted with a very large red sign warning us of the strenuous, rocky trail ahead. Over the years we'd finished all sorts of rocky and strenuous trails so we weren't deterred in the least, but I quickly realized it wouldn't be something we could do in an hour.

Our fearless, furry leader took the job of navigating us through the rocks taking frequent detours thanks to her keen sense of smell. We kept trying to teach her to look for the trail markers on the trees but she just wasn't getting it. She kept lookout while the kids climbed all around off the trail too.









We made it down to the waterfall and were all in awe of the rock wall surrounding us. It was a 100-ft rock wall whose middle had just collapsed leaving a waterfall and pool full of boulders. And where there are boulders, there will be children climbing them!

Here is Cedar Falls:

It doesn't look all that impressive until you add the kids in the picture for perpective! Shortly after this the girls got soaked when Grammie kept telling them to move to the left!

And Lola just waited every so patiently as they played.

Normally on our hikes we don't have much of a schedule so the kids are used to being able to freely climb around and explore. With Dave on a work schedule we had to get back so the kids had to pick only one spot on the way back to climb around. They chose to go through the rocks and water instead of going across the bridge with my warning, "You need to keep up or catch up". Only to find out they beat us to the other side!

The walk up was especially difficult for all of us, but we made it! The kids talked about going to the pool while we packed up but knowing we would be finished within about 30 minutes decided to just get sprayed by Grammie's hose and get on the road. They even drank from the hose like real-life 70s kids!

Brayden was especially excited to get to ride with Grammie today, to pick out his own snacks from her stash, and do many of the activities in his bag she'd put together for him. I was excited to have two girls in the card with us and no fighting!!

After a few hours we were nearing the state line but there was NO SIGN!! There was a sign welcoming us to Cherokee Nation, but nothing for Oklahoma. So the kids took a picture at our state park once we got there.

Reason #344 why we love Gramme coming with us - she brings fish and shrimp for dinner! We feasted like kings and queens on Joe Patti's shrimp and fish grilled, quinoa and rice, salad, and baked beans. And if that wasn't enough some famous white chocolate chip cookies that were simply awesome. With all that I was ready for a long nap.

But with this big, beautiful field right by our campsite we just had to initiate Grammie to camp ball! Laney had a plan already for teams. Since Dave was more like a kid than an adult, Grammie and I would be team captains. Grammie picked first by taking Brayden, then I took Dave. She looked at me like I was cheating, then grabbed Ryan for her team and Laney went with us to go bat.

With Grammie's softball pitching expertise I knew it would only take her a few minutes to get used to our homemade balls. She only hit Laney a few times before giving her a few she could hit. At least they were pretty soft! My team ended up scoreless that inning and our rivals scored four before we got them out. The remaining innings were scoreless and with the old people no longer being able to see the pitches so we called it a game. Grammie/Brayden/Ryan 4, Jen/Dave/Laney 0.

We don't have many good pictures because this is what happens when you give the kids the camera.

Shortly after the end of the game we quickly planned the next day since there was supposed to be more rain coming early in the morning. We hoped to be packed up and on the road early with a long drive ahead of us. We tucked into our respective sleeping areas for the night and I wrote and edited pictures until my eyelids were heavy. Late night computer time is the best sleep medicine!

Day 18

I peeked out the window of the tent and saw some pink over the water so I hurried out, grabbed my camera and headed down to the beach. Our spot was directly in front of the beach area so I decided to sit and enjoy the quickly changing sky.

 

The temperature had dropped to 58 overnight and the fog was sitting heavily on the water. I stuck my toes in and the water felt very warm! I made a mental note to ask the kids if they wanted to swim later.

Once Brayden and Ryan woke up I started breakfast and we watched the chipmunks scurry around the campground. They enjoyed them so much they decided to get out their notebooks and make notes for a book to write about a chipmunk and family.

We met at the visitors center before it opened so we headed down one of the nature trails. The trail was very nice and we were at the lake before we knew it. The kids climbed all over the rocks and splashed in the water for a little while until they found a little dead fish to give a proper burial. Ryan spotted a photography contest while we were at the trail head so she was snapping away trying to find some good shots.

  

 

Once we made it back to the visitors center, the kids enjoyed a program about amphibians and reptiles. It was a little young for them but they seemed to enjoy it once Grammie and I got into it. The instructor had a frog and a painted turtle they loved!

 

While Grammie and I walked around the museum exhibits, all three happily colored and worked crosswords puzzles about the nature in the area. There was so much information in this room with physical artifacts to sort through, displays of each habitat in the park, and information about many of the animals.

Once Brayden spotted the kid's scavenger hunt though, our peace was invaded and they were frantically searching for the answers to the clues in the museum. When they received their prize we headed to lunch at another local spot recommended by the staff. The kids had fish and chips again and Grammie and I split a lobster roll and scallops - delicious!

I'd read about Brenton State Park in one of the travel books I used to plan as a must see place so once our bellies were full we started that way. The drive was about an hour and we crossed a beautiful bridge along the way. I made a note to return to the little town of Newport some day as it looked like a fun place to stay for a weekend.

We reached the park and were treated to an extraordinary view of the ocean from a point originally discovered by the Portuguese. The kids are always thrilled to be able to scurry all over the rocks at a place like this!  Grammie and I walked around the rocks checking out the view and the sea life all around us. Many people were arriving for sunset which had to be an unbelievable view.

  

After the kids returned from the rocks they searched for heart rocks and we headed around the point to the other side and to the monument to learn. There were large concrete posts positioned all around the monument which we read where to symbolize some of the points on the compass as well as the Portuguese flag. The southern most point of Portugal also has a park very similar to the one we are standing on!

It was mandatory that I do laundry this night so we drove back to the little down a few miles from our campground in search of ice cream. We found some delicious scoops a few feet over the border in Connecticut!

Laney was super excited to get back to Grammie's apartment to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and the kids with me were so very excited to start laundry with me so we parted ways at the laundromat.  Fortunately, the ceremonies were on one of the televisions there too so while our clothes spun around the machines we watched some of the countries be introduced. The summer Olympics are definitely our favorite and we hate to miss them on these trips!!