Day 3

I have no idea what time the night finally cooled off a little bit but it was enough for us to all sleep without sweating profusely so that was good. The humidity was mostly gone so it was an improvement for sure. I was up before the sun to write and get things organized to drive to a spring I'd been wanting to visit since our first trip. The two kids with me were still sound asleep so I decided to do a quick hike on the nature trail across from the campsite.

The trail was short and had a view of a waterfall quite a bit away. The sun was just pup over the trees lighting everything up like this spiderweb! The spring below was beautiful and it was obvious people had plowed a trail down there to see it better or even swim in it. People weren't respecting this park in the least. I was very proud of myself to be able to identify a Texas persimmon - 4H study with kids paid off!


Brayden was up reading by the time I got back so I grabbed some muffins I'd pulled from the freezer when we left and headed to Grammie's RV to heat them up. By the time they started smelling good Laney and Brayden were knocking on the door trying to find me.

After our bellies were full we headed to the nearby Perdenales Falls trail to explore the rocks and water. You could tell the water was low but it worked for us with more access to all the rocks! There were signs everywhere about flash floods - I could only imagine how crazy this spot gets with one of those heavy pop-up summer storms.

Lola was first to get in the water - it was HOT!

The kids climbed all over trying to find a way to get to the waterfall. They found caves,  giant fish swimming upstream, and lots of fossils embedded in the rock.

We all ended up in the water with Lola to cool off. Laney especially loved the little minnows nibbling on her legs.








We were all hot by this time and ready to swim elsewhere since swimming wasn't allowed here. Lola went to take a nap while we hopped in the car and headed to Hamilton Pool Preserve. About 5 miles from the area we started seeing signs "reservations required". At first I thought it was for camping spots but I didn't remember there being a campground there. We kept seeing more of the same sign so I knew once we pulled in we weren't going to be able to go in today. The lady at the gate told us they were booked into August. Bummer. I'd read about this place but had never gone to the actual park website. We'll just have to leave it on the list for next time because it must be amazing!

The kids asked to head back into Austin for some bookstore time so we got back on the road. I was happy to drive and be out of the heat (at this point my car say 100). My kids devour books so a highly recommended bookstore called "Half Price Books" is a place for us for sure. It was overwhelming at first but the kids finally settled on a couple books each. Patrick also recommended we try his favorite legit Mexican restaurant too so Grammie treated us to an early dinner there. And oh, it was THAT good.

We enjoyed the quiet ride home with kids' noses in books - one of my favorite things. By the time we made it back to the campsite it was well over 100 so there was no question we would head back down to the water. We decided to follow the trail a little further today to a different spot. Within a few seconds the kids were submerged with instant relief on their faces. It felt like bathwater but it was cooler than the air!



We played with the currents awhile then headed down to a calmer pool. Grammie and I became skipping rock suppliers for the kids. I think the highest skips was 8 today! Laney even skipped rocks successfully a few times!

Ryan did handstands and tried out some new hairdos while Laney and I coaxed dragonflies to land on our fingers. Brayden was still searching for the perfect skipping rock. He tried to talk Ryan into swimming across the currents to the opposite shore but she ignored him until he stopped asking. They need each other to feel brave for sure.




Once our fingers were wrinkly again we headed back up the trail to change.








We noticed this strange bush on the way down so I thought someone might be able to identify it for us. A 3-4" yellow tubular flower with these strange green fruit/nuts. The stem is super soft and fuzzy too.

When we got back I saw I needed to readjust the car to be ready to leave in the morning. There's always something to do! I took a little time to edit pictures from the day - one of my least favorite things! It was hot too so once the gnats started buzzine around us I gave up and headed to the RV.

I needed to wash some dishes so it's one more luxury not to have to heat up water. If there are hookups I can just walk over to the RV and have instant super hot water there! I have no idea how, but two kids were still hungry so they ate while we talked about our next few days on the road. They are all long, but the will get us to the west coast faster.

It was getting darker so Ryan, Grammie, and I took Lola for a walk and our dishwater to the sink. It was the perfect time to run into a bunch of deer. We walked slowly and quietly as they noticed us then bolted away after trying to act like statues. When we were almost to the sink Ryan grabbed me as if she'd seen a bear! She pointed into the woods and there was an adorable fox just off the road - a first for us! She was excited to get back to the RV and tell the others after our report of seeing fawn the night before.

We played a game for about 15 minutes until I was ready to sleep. I took the rain fly off in an effort to let what little air there was circulate through our tent. We didn't even say goodnight and were all asleep within seconds.

Day 12

Our goal was to leave the park by 9am to get on the road for another long drive. As I was getting the car ready, Dave popped out of the tent and was already getting it cleared to be put away. It's Day 12 and he's gotten into the middle of the pack up groove! Once we packed all we could we cooked a few bagels for our driving breakfast and magically two kids popped out of their tent. Brayden got to work on finishing his junior ranger book and we had the tent packed up in no time.







After meeting up with Grammie we pulled into the Visitor's Center for junior ranger time but Grammie just kept on going. The ranger we met was actually born in Pensacola at Baptist Hospital but had graduated from Florida so he had a few word to say to Brayden who was wearing his FSU sweatshirt. After checking their books he had the kids recite the pledge and almost slipped in, "...and I promise to be a lifelong Florida fan" at the end but Brayden caught on.



After grabbing a few groceries and gas we were on the road. Grammie and I were both a little nervous about the availability of gas as we'd heard rumors of the possibility of Wyoming running out because of the influx of visitors for the eclipse.

Before too long we were at the border of our next state. Often we are the only car that stops at these signs but today we had to wait in line to get our picture!

We had a very uneventful trip to our next spot in the very southern part of Wyoming. Until the last 10 miles we were on the interstate battling tractor trailers and giant RVs for lanes with miles and miles between cities. Once we made the turn south at Rock Springs we were so happy to see the landscape changing. It reminded all of us instantly of Utah. And it reminded Dave of Star Wars.

We were met by one of the biggest character hosts I've ever met who escorted us to our site and proceeded to tell us all the things we could do in the short time we had there. One of the things I was most excited about was a HOT, FREE shower!!  We hadn't had this luxury in almost a week!

Ryan helped us set up the tents in what I now know is called the high desert then we headed down to the water to cool off as it was currently 90 degrees. We asked the host as we were getting set up what the overnight temperature looked like and he shocked us with 46 as his answer. I'm not sure I've ever experienced a swing in temperature like that. Grammie and I sorta didn't believe him.



Our host mentioned the temperature of the water being pretty warm so we all put on our suits and scrambled down the side of our rocky slope. I'm not sure what high desert residents consider warm, but this water definitely was not even remotely on the not cold side. It was freezing!  That didn't stop these three from doing the plunge after a little coaxing though!

While Brayden and I skipped the flattest rocks I've ever seen, Ryan gave Laney the clay spa treatment. Lola even splashed around a little bit before settling on the towel to watch the crazy kids.

Once we were all watered out we trekked back up the rock and while Grammie started dinner we all took much needed showers.  The facility was not the best we'd ever been in but the desire to have a hot shower outweighed everything. Except I didn't quite get a hot shower. Since there was only one shower in the ladies room I helped the girls then took mine. I suppose perhaps the hot water tank only has a capacity for one adult and three kids to have a hot shower as mine was moving toward as cold as the lake we were just in. I refused to wait and took about a 20-second shower and returned to the site with a grimace. I was given first dibs on the shower at the next site instantly!

And there is our little tent on the left in this beautiful place!

After dinner I curled up in the chair in the middle of our area and watched pieces of the sunset while the kids played Nerf war all around me. The view was practically 360 degrees of beautiful rock formations.

We decided to play a few card games with our leisure time before bed while Grammie watched for awhile. By the time we were finished he night sky was pitch black with a billion stars staring back at us. I couldn't wait for the sunrise.

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 21

When Grammie had checked in the night before, they'd told her about a quick hike to the lighthouse on the point so of course Laney wanted to go there.  In our experience with lighthouse visits it seems less than half are open for people to walk in or up but I knew we would all enjoy the hike.  The girls and I headed to Grammie's lodge to meet the others and set out to our hike.

The desk attendant showed us an alternate dirt road way in case the bugs or water would be too much so we decided on that path for the way there.  I just couldn't believe the amount of wildflowers all along the road.  These grow wild and I can barely keep any alive in our yard without sprinklers!

As soon as we got within view, the kids were drawn to the rocks so we sat and enjoyed the view with our snacks.  Practically before I could take a bite of my apple, they were gone in search of pools and beaches and more rocks.

Next we headed over to the lighthouse to see it and the beautiful view at the point.  There just happened to be a sailboat coming into the channel as we sat and soaked it all in.

And these two were off way down below deep in conversation hatching plans to change the world.

While Laney basked in the sun.

Until this guy showed up.  She thoroughly enjoyed throwing a few peanuts and raisins to him for his mid-morning snack.  He was keeping quiet about the whole thing in order to have the whole snack buffet to himself!

With our rock jumping experts we headed to explore the rocks and head back along the water to the lodge.  At one point Ryan fell and scraped her knee though so after Grammie made everything better she decided we should go back the way we came.

Once at the lodge we checked out the dock then headed to the game room for a few minutes as Ryan had been itching to play ever since she saw it!  We couldn't play all that long though because there was a naturalist program down at the beach.  We learned a lot about loons and wood frogs.  Laney and I had seen a black squirrel at our campground, but apparently they are as common and as much nuisance as brown squirrels at home.  Once they mentioned that I seemed to remember a lot of black squirrels the year before at Niagra Falls.


At first I thought the kids were crazy to want to swim, but once I stuck my toe in it was quite nice.  I started to head to our campsite to grab bathing suits but quickly realized my car was back at the lodge. Grammie offered to let the kids swim in the pool and that was all it took for us to leave!  While I hopped on the wifi to update the blog, the kids swam and played for an hour.  Sometimes a pool is just what they need!

After another visit to the game room, we headed to a place the naturalists had suggested as well as several signs as we drove in.  It was supposed to have the "World's Best Fish and Chips".  I'm not sure it was the best in the world, but it was very, very good.  Especially with a Canadian beer after a long day!

After the kids had some ice cream, we headed back to our campsite to get organized for the travel day ahead and start packing up.  The wind was picking up so I knew rain was on the way. We'd had a bunch of days without rain, so it wasn't too terrible depressing!

Quote of the Day: Laney - "There is a pee spot over there in the rocks!" letting the other children know where to go if they needed to.