Since this road trip, I tell ya. IMO, Cruz can call him whatever he wants, so long as they stay best buds.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Dad, Daddy, Dadda, Dax
Since when has Cruz called him Dad instead of Daddy, or even by his first name, Dax?
Since this road trip, I tell ya. IMO, Cruz can call him whatever he wants, so long as they stay best buds.
Since this road trip, I tell ya. IMO, Cruz can call him whatever he wants, so long as they stay best buds.
The mini tour of the not-so-mini Zion Canyon
A hop, skip and jump from the Grand Canyon is Zion National Park in Utah. The temperatures climbed as we descended into the canyon, such a stark contrast to the north rim.
We only drove through the canyon but the juant was enough to take our breath away. Seeing the canyons from a different vantage point might have placed this higher on the list of favorite stops.
Of course, having homemade burgers and pie next to the canyon helps.
P.S. I've been requested to post more pics of Cruz despite him blocking the views, so here you go!
We only drove through the canyon but the juant was enough to take our breath away. Seeing the canyons from a different vantage point might have placed this higher on the list of favorite stops.
Of course, having homemade burgers and pie next to the canyon helps.
P.S. I've been requested to post more pics of Cruz despite him blocking the views, so here you go!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Awww shucks
Day 6: It's been a whiz camping on the go, and throughout the trip our Little Guy is gettin' all sorts of looks and compliments. I have say I wholeheartedly agree with them. :) 
It's freakin' huge!
That's my big take away from the Grand Canyon. So much to see and do, so little time. Although, 2 hours seems like an eternity when you're hiking with a toddler by the name of Cruz. We hiked the rim trail (paved, super easy, with a stroller), about 3 miles. The views were - needless to say - spectacular. One feels so little compared to this world wonder. We are but a grain of sand...
Here are some snaps from our day. The campground was great and we will definitely be back again one day.
P.S. not sure the glass skyview platform exists...
Here are some snaps from our day. The campground was great and we will definitely be back again one day.
P.S. not sure the glass skyview platform exists...
Monday, June 25, 2012
Petrified National Forest at Sunset
We almost changed course and almost didn't go, but I am so glad we did. I don't know what was more enjoyable: seeing Dax geek out over the geology and history of the forest of rock/petrified wood and sediment, or this enchanting sunset at the end of our park tour.
It was a kiss from the sun until we see her again tomorrow, when we make our we are way to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Muah!
It was a kiss from the sun until we see her again tomorrow, when we make our we are way to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Muah!
Day 3: The Numbers
Wow...we've been in the car for almost 12 hours. Cruz is peacefully sleeping in the camper while Dax and I enjoy a beer at the KOA in Arizona a few hours away from the Grand Canyon. Now that you know we are safe, you can relax too :).
Cruz was an exceptional kid after this long long car day. He did get bored, as you see in the pics. Overall, though, we couldn't ask for a more enthusiastic travel bud.
Without further ado, here is a numerical rundown of our trip and day. Enjoy!
- Total miles traveled: 1,071. Today: 422.
-Gas: $236.13. Gas mileage: 14 to 17.5 mpg. Driving slow makes a great difference apparently.
- Number of times Cruz asked, "Are we going camping?" Too many to count. His very own version of "Are we there yet?" is WAY cuter and less annoying.
- Slug bugs spotted: Mommy-2, Dax-2, Cruz-0. Yes he does play.
- # of apps or business ideas we came up with: at least 3.
- Elevation as we passed the continental divide: 6,352 ft. Highest elevation reached: over 8,000.
- Tumble weeds crossing the road: 1.
- Hours behind Texas time: 2 (we time traveled; they don't do daylight savings time here.)
- Temperature in Apache National Forest: a blissful 84 degrees. "I forgot what 84 feels like," said Dax.
- Total # of Laura-Dax fights so far: 1. This is a win! :)
- Total # of Laura naps in the car: 1 (I'm being a very good co-pilot!)
Last, but not least, not a partridge in a pear tree, but a bald eagle, we saw today. The oldest one in Arizona was perched high above us at Luna Lake. A volunteer let us gaze through her spotting scope to see it.
Sigh, I am tired. Going to sleep soon. But have to say we love the trip and our little camper.
- Number of times we plan to criss-cross the country again in the future: the road only knows...
Cruz was an exceptional kid after this long long car day. He did get bored, as you see in the pics. Overall, though, we couldn't ask for a more enthusiastic travel bud.
Without further ado, here is a numerical rundown of our trip and day. Enjoy!
- Total miles traveled: 1,071. Today: 422.
-Gas: $236.13. Gas mileage: 14 to 17.5 mpg. Driving slow makes a great difference apparently.
- Number of times Cruz asked, "Are we going camping?" Too many to count. His very own version of "Are we there yet?" is WAY cuter and less annoying.
- Slug bugs spotted: Mommy-2, Dax-2, Cruz-0. Yes he does play.
- # of apps or business ideas we came up with: at least 3.
- Elevation as we passed the continental divide: 6,352 ft. Highest elevation reached: over 8,000.
- Tumble weeds crossing the road: 1.
- Hours behind Texas time: 2 (we time traveled; they don't do daylight savings time here.)
- Temperature in Apache National Forest: a blissful 84 degrees. "I forgot what 84 feels like," said Dax.
- Total # of Laura-Dax fights so far: 1. This is a win! :)
- Total # of Laura naps in the car: 1 (I'm being a very good co-pilot!)
Last, but not least, not a partridge in a pear tree, but a bald eagle, we saw today. The oldest one in Arizona was perched high above us at Luna Lake. A volunteer let us gaze through her spotting scope to see it.
Sigh, I am tired. Going to sleep soon. But have to say we love the trip and our little camper.
- Number of times we plan to criss-cross the country again in the future: the road only knows...
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Who needs Disneyland when you have El Paso?
I write this as I get a desperately needed pedicure in the burbs of El Paso. My legs were begging for a pedi after my calloused feet tortured them all night. I'm so embarrassed because the nice lady dug out mounds of dirt from my toe nails and I'm not even 3 days into our camping trip. What nimble fingers this one has as she works her magic. I wish she could do something about my horrendous flip flop tan. My feet are nearly as good as new!
Anyway, here in El Paso, we are stopping in the unofficial largest collection of Star Wars toys in Texas - Uncle Vito's house. It's a Gonzalez thing that I've learned to love.
So tonight, we get to sleep in a real bed, bathe in a real tub, eat at a real table, and play amongst real Star Wars nerds.
Anyway, here in El Paso, we are stopping in the unofficial largest collection of Star Wars toys in Texas - Uncle Vito's house. It's a Gonzalez thing that I've learned to love.
So tonight, we get to sleep in a real bed, bathe in a real tub, eat at a real table, and play amongst real Star Wars nerds.
You know you're road trippin' in Texas when:
- You drive close to 500 miles and you are still 3 hours away from the border!!!
- It is still 90+ degrees in the shade.
- You can swim in a spring-fed pool just down the road, and complete the afternoon with bluebell popsicles.
- Your friends are just a stone's throw away in the next tent.
- You can look at the stars, moon and planets from a giant telescope hours away from Austin and still be on campus at the University of Texas at Austin.
The first stop of our whirlwind Road Trip 2012 was Davis Mountains State Park in Ft. Davis. Mountains in Texas?! It was quite the site. Add in about a gazillion stars after dark (sunset is after 9 pm) and the view is nothing less than magical.
I convinced Los Horns (our friends in Austin mostly comprised of Dax's college buds) to come with us for our first leg. While we can always get together in the hot hot heat of Austin, having them be a part of our adventure was awesome, with child-led babysitting an added value. I will miss them all dearly as we move on.
This first stop set a high bar for the rest of our trip. As we exited the park, ready to take on the Grand Canyon and more, we were reminded that there's no place like home in Texas. And we'll definitely be back!
- It is still 90+ degrees in the shade.
- You can swim in a spring-fed pool just down the road, and complete the afternoon with bluebell popsicles.
- Your friends are just a stone's throw away in the next tent.
- You can look at the stars, moon and planets from a giant telescope hours away from Austin and still be on campus at the University of Texas at Austin.
The first stop of our whirlwind Road Trip 2012 was Davis Mountains State Park in Ft. Davis. Mountains in Texas?! It was quite the site. Add in about a gazillion stars after dark (sunset is after 9 pm) and the view is nothing less than magical.
I convinced Los Horns (our friends in Austin mostly comprised of Dax's college buds) to come with us for our first leg. While we can always get together in the hot hot heat of Austin, having them be a part of our adventure was awesome, with child-led babysitting an added value. I will miss them all dearly as we move on.
This first stop set a high bar for the rest of our trip. As we exited the park, ready to take on the Grand Canyon and more, we were reminded that there's no place like home in Texas. And we'll definitely be back!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Trickin' up the teardrop
Laziness and procrastination have not gotten the better of me as we prepare for our 2 week-long road trip to Wyoming this summer. I have been working on really really important details, like ways to trick up the teardrop so it feels like home. :)
Step 1: change all the brass hardware to stainless steel.
Step 2: curtains! They are multifunctional, blocking sunlight while giving out camper a cozy feel.
I was immediately overwhelmed with the choices of fabric for this project. There was Route 66 and camping novelty pieces, modern retro looks (think Ikea) and standard patterns...oh my!
Much to my relief, Dax actually chose for me! He went with my dominant pattern...or style: shabby chic! After a quick google search, I was off! While I still have trouble cutting fabric, I got lucky by ordering the right amount to make them fit. Took me about 2 hours total. I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself!
To hang them, we used some small cafe rods from Wally World (that we had to trim to fit).
Aren't they lovely?
Step 1: change all the brass hardware to stainless steel.
Step 2: curtains! They are multifunctional, blocking sunlight while giving out camper a cozy feel.
I was immediately overwhelmed with the choices of fabric for this project. There was Route 66 and camping novelty pieces, modern retro looks (think Ikea) and standard patterns...oh my!
Much to my relief, Dax actually chose for me! He went with my dominant pattern...or style: shabby chic! After a quick google search, I was off! While I still have trouble cutting fabric, I got lucky by ordering the right amount to make them fit. Took me about 2 hours total. I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself!
To hang them, we used some small cafe rods from Wally World (that we had to trim to fit).
Aren't they lovely?
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