roadtrippin: 2007

Friday, July 6, 2007

home sweet home

So we've made it home at last. After 23 days on the road and 6,506 miles we're back to Telford, PA. Overall the trip was pretty great! Lots of new sights, experiences, and even some new friends! And we're already planning the next trip...well not quite. But for now it's back to our lives and regular routines. Until the next trip...au revoir!

heading eastward

Today we drove from Grain Valley, Missouri to Dayton, Ohio covering some 583 miles. It was a full day of driving, didn't even get to stop in St. Louis to see the Arch, just drove by and snapped some pictures. Bypassed Indianapolis as well, no Speedway this trip. Tomorrow we'll be up early and on the road and should arrive back home tomorrow night! It's been a long, adventurous journey, but it'll feel good to be home.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

kansas

We were on the road this morning by 10:30 and on our way out of Colorado into Kansas. Saw Pike's Peak as we were driving, but unfortunately didn't have time to go up. It was a long day of driving. We drove 632 miles and spent 11 1/2 hours in the car. Luckily in Colorado we could ride in the trailer, and then we found out that you can in Kansas as well- you just have to be over 14. The drive through Kansas was quite boring, the scenery was pretty much the same all around; flat farm fields. After the sunset however things got more exciting as the sky was lit up with fireworks. From about 9:15pm until we arrived at our campground in Grainville, Missouri we were watching fireworks as we drove. Tomorrow it's up and on the road early again as we continue east, hoping to reach Columbus, Ohio tomorrow night.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

colorado

Today we drove from Moab, UT to Woodland Park, CO. Visited the Visitor's Center of Arches National Park and then tried to do a scenic drive through Utah on our way to Colorado, but the bridge was out. Found an alternate route and made our way into Colorado. We traveled through Aspen, CO and saw Buttermilk Mountain where they hold the Winter X Games. Took Independence Pass out of Aspen towards Colorado Springs. There was a sign saying that vehicles exceeding 35 ft in length were prohibited (and we're definitely a lot longer than that with the trailer), but there was nowhere to turn around, so it was onward and upward along the narrow cliff roads. Many areas of the road were 20 mph and very windy, then there was the 15 mph Road Narrows signs, where it was 1 lane at the edge of the cliffs around blind curves. It was quite an adventure. We got a lot of shaking heads by cars coming the other way. The elevation reached 12,095 ft and the scenery was spectacular though and we did survive! After that the rest of the drive was mainly uneventful, except for the small town we drove through later where it had snowed, on July 3rd! We had gone from temperatures of 103 degrees in Utah to a low of 49 degrees in the small town in Colorado where it had snowed. Sure was an interesting day! The night was eventful as well. Arrived at our campground in Woodland Park, CO around 9:15 to find that our campsite was a tight squeeze. We had to have the neighbor move his vehicle so that we could fit in our spot, and then it was only with the help of a few friendly fellow campers. Finally got the trailer in the spot and set up, only to have to move it back further in order to open the sliders and make it full size. Got that done, but still weren't able to fully open the sliders, but enough to get to things. Then there was a little more excitement, when Rachel got stung by a yellow jacket. But now we're all safe and sound in the trailer, and on the road all day tomorrow as we make our way back to PA.

Monday, July 2, 2007

weekend in Salt Lake

Saturday we drove from St. Charles, Idaho to Salt Lake City, UT. It was a nice scenic drive by Bear Lake and through Cache National Forest in Utah. Arrived at the KOA in Salt Lake and got settled in. Then Marilyn, Emily, and Zach went over to the Mormon Temple for a tour and Mark got a chance to wash the truck- which had been a mess. You could scrape lunch off the front of the truck- there were that many bugs! After that we headed to Sandy, UT to the Martino-Garrison household for dinner and good times! I was so happy to see my roommate again, even though she'll be in PA in 8 days. We were glad our families got to meet and that they hit it off well. Christian (Gina's little brother) had Zach sleepover that night. The next day we relaxed in the morning and then all met up in Park City, UT in the afternoon for some fun! Everyone rode the alpine slide down the mountain, then some more of us went on the alpine coaster, while the truly daring soared down the mountain on the zipper. After that it was a scenic drive back to the Martino-Garrison house for some more good food and fun! Today we're beginning the long journey back to PA. Tonight we're staying just above Moab, UT. We took scenic drives through Dead Horse Point State Park and caught a glimpse of the gooseneck of the Colorado River and also drove through Arches National Park which provided for many more great photos. Tomorrow it's off to Colorado. Hoping to be back in PA on Friday!

Friday, June 29, 2007

catching up- 6/26--6/29

So it's Friday, June 29th and I finally have internet, so I can update the blog at last. Since Monday we're been quite busy. We spent Tuesday driving from West Yellowstone, MT to the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming stopping at the Yellowstone Grand Canyon along the way. Tuesday and Wednesday nights we stayed at Colter Bay Campground in Grand Tetons National Park, so we were without water and electric hookups. It was nice and shady there and we were right near Jackson Lake which made for some beautiful scenery. We visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Wednesday afternoon to do some shopping and sightseeing. Then Thursday we relocated to Gros Venture Campground at the bottom of Grand Tetons National Park and went horseback riding in the foothills of the Park. Today was another exciting day! We went whitewater rafting on the Snake River. A first for all three kids! The water was pretty cold- only 45 degrees, but it was a lot of fun, just wish the rapids could've been a bit bigger! Tonight we're in Bear Lake, Idaho and it's off to Salt Lake City tomorrow where we'll be spending the weekend.