Bill and Eileen's Travels

Monday, September 3, 2018

Moab Ut. (8/6 - 8/9) POST 7

Monday morning we part with Magnus in the parking lot and we head west to Moab Utah. What a beautiful ride through the Colorado mountains. This state has enormous mountains and beautiful vistas.

We stopped for lunch near the Colorado River. We had to drive through two roadside rests until we found one that was big enough an had some space.

In Moab we stayed at Moab Valley RV Resort on the north end of town. The place we used to stay was turned into a motel.

Soon after we arrived we had neighbors pull into the site beside us. It was a family from Paris France. They had a son who was 11 or 12 and a daughter about Sebastian's age. Mom and Dad and Grandma were all traveling in a RV Rental. I have forgotten the names but Seb and the young boy had a lot in common with regard to the Rubix Cube. Even though there was a bit of a language barrier they got along very well. We were to see them again at our next stop. Very nice people enjoying our beautiful country.

Next morning we rallied the troops and went to Arches NP. We went to the main desk a got the Junior Ranger information for the kids then headed up into the park. We walked the main trail back to Landscape Arch with hundreds of other people on a very hot midday. Even though this trail is easy the heat takes the strength right out of you. After returning to the car we drove to the lower viewing point for Delicate Arch. It was a hot day but we had great hikes and at the end of the day the kids received their second badge for the Junior Ranger Program. We returned to the campground and hit the pool.

That evening we had a good Dutch Oven Style dinner along the Colorado River before boarding a boat for a three hour cruise along the river. On the way up the river our narrator told us the history of the Moab area, then after it turned dark they illuminate the canyon walls along the river, played music, encouraged us to relax and enjoy the beautiful sites. This was our second time on this ride and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. Very Relaxing. I think the kids were expecting a little more with the lighting though. Maybe something like Stone Mountain Laser show. I do think everyone had a great evening.

On day three we drove toward Canyonlands to a dinosaur park along the highway. We learned that there are a considerable number of digs in this area. They have a trail that takes you through the various timeframes of the past, with lifelike models of many of the dinosaurs. This was very realistic and very well done. We enjoyed it very much. At the end of the tour they have a 3-D museum that demonstrates eight or nine of the dinosaurs from the past. The last one was a shark attack that scared the S--- out of half the people in the room. Very realistic.

After our return from Dino land we all went into town for lunch and some tourist shopping.

I think Moab and Arches was a hit for the kids and we met some really nice people from France.

Arches NP Goat riders!

It is a dead end!

Our first break in the shade!

This is Sebastian interviewing this rock formation. Required for the Junior Ranger program!

Not much shade under this dead tree!

Sofia and Stuffie lead the way!

Sunning himself.

Landscape Arch!

Hot but Happy Hikers!

This young doe needed a good meal. She ignored us all!

Junior Ranger booklet in hand.

My beautiful daughter!

Delicate Arch in the background!

Delicate Arch!

Swearing in Ceremony Arches NP!

New Junior Ranger Vests.

Beautiful Place, Beautiful Group!

Good meal before the Boat ride! Good Food!

Waiting for the Boat cruise to begin.

Beautiful birds!

Waiting to board the boat!

Our narrator.

Canyonlands at Night!

Very relaxing evening!

On the prowl!

Relaxing in the shade!

No Sebastian you can't take him home!

The run in packs!

Digging up bones!

I don't think it could fly. Sure is weird looking!

Our campsite Moab Utah!

Moab Sunset from the campground!

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Breckenridge Co. (8/5 - 8/6) POST 6

On Sunday morning 8/5 we broke camp early and headed to a special RV Resort at Breckenridge in the Colorado mountains. This was a special visit because Magnus flew to Denver, rented s car and drove to Breckenridge to meet us.

All that we told the kids was that our night at Tiger Run RV Resort was going to be special. We pulled into the parking lot and insisted that the kids come inside to help us check in. Magnus was waiting in the office. When we walked in the kids saw him but it took about ten seconds before they were able to process that fact that he was there. Then the reunion began . What a fun moment. Everyone back together again.

Jen had contacted friends that recently moved to Golden from Alameda and they came out to visit, arriving about an hour after we did. Mike and Deb have two girls who were playmates of Sebastian and Sofia so it was a nice reunion. We had a nice cocktail hour at the campsite then went to dinner in Breckenridge. It was a fun afternoon and evening and nice to have Magnus with us if only for a day.

This RV resort is very, very nice and if we come this way again we will stay for more than just a night. This did turn into a special night.

A very special moment for special people! Papa how did you get here?

Your poising Jen!

Special campsite. Very nice resort.

Best buds!

Ditto!

What did we do before I-pads?

Happy Friends Reunion!

We are heading West, Papa is heading East. See you in California!

Friday, August 31, 2018

Kansas Boogie (8/3 - 8/5) POST 5

We left Branson on Friday 8/3 and headed west across Kansas. Our first stop was Mill Creek Campground in Paxico, Ks. This campground was near the highway and other than the railroad tracks and a shallow creek there is very little around. We took a walk in 95 degree heat to the play ground and down by Mill Creek. Other than the frogs and the grasshoppers not much was moving on this hot afternoon. We did fill the kids in on chiggers and they watched every where they walked. Jen had researched things to do in the area but after our brief walk no one had the energy to do anything.

We settled in for the evening and during the night we were treated to passing of the trains. This is a common event in many of the western campgrounds.

Next day we once again headed west across this long state of Kansas. Our next stop was a KOA in Goodland, Ks. We set up and decided to find a restaurant and then take in a movie. We lucked out on the restaurant but because it was so crowed we missed our movie. Everyone had a great dinner so the night was ok.

I like to cross this part of the country as fast as I can because I have a fear of the Tornado. The weather on this crossing was perfect.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Branson Missouri (7/31-8/3) POST 4

We left Duck Creek on Tuesday morning and headed for Branson Mo. The route we selected was the same route that we took back in 2014. The road from Paducah takes you across a very narrow bridge that crosses the Mississippi River. It's a little of a white knuckle crossing and Eileen hates height anyway. I had forgotten that you actually cross into Missouri, then a sliver of Illinois, and then back into the great state of Missouri a crazy crossing.

We arrived at Acorn Acres RV in the afternoon and after setting up we visited the playground before cocktail hour. This is an older campground but we had a great site, toward the back, with a super place for a nice campfire and smores. We had two nights of campfires and a lot of fun in the park.

What can I say about Branson? We arrived here about a week and a half after the Duck Boat disaster that killed a number of people. Needless to say my dreams of a Duck Boat ride went down the tubes.

Our main events here included two shows. The first show was an animal show that was great fun for the kids. Sebastian and Sofia went on the stage with a bunch of other kids in one act, and Sebastian got to tell one of his jokes on another occasion. The second show was on the last day. It was titled "Buckets and Boards" This was a super entertaining show put on by two guys who also work on the Disney Cruises on the Branson off season. The music was cool, the jokes and entertainment were really well done. "I Knowwwww"

The other major event was our two visits to an escape room in downtown Branson. At first I thought it was a crazy idea but after our first session we all agreed that we had to return the next day. It might have had something to do with the fact that we didn't escape on day one. Day two turned out to be a much better result, but I will have to admit we needed a few clues to break the code. This is a fun thing to do if you every get the chance.

We did some shopping in Dick's 5&10, a place with everything. Unique gifts and much much more. Sebastian liked the "As seen on TV" store across the street because it had a variety of Rubix cubes that he had been looking at.

We had a great time in the town and the campground. The three days went very quickly. An Escape Room would be a hit in the Emerald Isle area, it is a lot of fun for all ages.

Buckets and Boards (I Knowwww!)

Great Guys!

Future Drummer?

Wild Bunch!

This was our first try. Close but no Escape!

Day two. Different Room different results. Sofia entered the escape code after everyone helped us to figure out the clues.

Great Fun!!

Modern cowboy at Dick's 5 & 10

Lunch in Branson. Hog rider!

Nashville TN and Paducah KY (7/29 - 7/31) POST 3

On Sunday 7/29 we departed Pigeon Forge and moved on for a one day stop in Nashville. We stayed at a KOA very near the Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Hotel. It was Sunday so attending a show wasn't possible. We went to the Hotel which I covered in a post last year, and just walked around. This is a enormous hotel with great restaurants, shops and lots to see. We just walked around and then returned to the campground for dinner. Jen went out to dinner with a friend and we had fun with the kids. A short visit to the heart of Country Music but fun.

Monday morning we headed out to Paducah, Ky. Duck Creek RV. We toured downtown Paducah and met up with Susanne and Charles Alexander, friends who we had met in Lazy Days last June. They treated us to a nice dinner at a local restaurant. Thank you guys so very much for the very nice treat.

Paducah is the home of the National Quilt Museum. Eileen and I took the tour of the museum while Jen played with the kids outside. The museum was much more than what we expected. It's an amazing display that changes from time to time as different shows come through. I never thought I would say this but there were some amazing quilts in this place. The art is just totally amazing. (Sorry no pics because cameras were not allowed).

There are murals along the river depicting the history of Paducah a really neat town. We only spent one night here then moved on to Branson, Mo. Our highlight here was catching up with Susanne and Charles. Thanks again for the dinner.

Inside the Opryland Hotel under the enormous atrium. A successful selfie of five happy people. Love you guys!!

What can I say, we are 71 years old!

Beautiful Hotel.

Along the river.

They are hiding the sign that says do not stand on the train!

The murals along the wall!

Amazing artwork.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Trip Summary and Pigeon Forge (7/26-7/29) POST2

TRIP SUMMARY!

I did have the best intensions to keep the blog up to date during this momentous trip but I found that our daily routine and active schedule didn't allow my tired body to reach this goal. I will do this summary then comment on the major events and stops during our trip. With each post I will try to post the pictures if my internet allows. We are currently on our way home and I will do complete new posts of those activities.

Our trip west covered 3640 miles from Emerald Isle, NC to Santa Cruz, Ca. We stayed in 14 campgrounds and drove through 9 states and a little piece of Illinois as we crossed the Mississippi River near Paducah, Ky.We visited five NP's and saw many beautiful places along the way.

By the third day we had established somewhat of a routine for getting the bedding ready at night and getting breakfast and getting ready for the road in the morning. The kids traveled very well except for the occasional moaning sounds that were the result of not being able to beat the game that was being played on the I-pad.

Pigeon Forge (cont'd) 7/26-7/29

Our second stop as mentioned in the first post was Pigeon Forge, Tn. The first day we did the Goats on a roof. The second day we visited Wonderworks. This is an unusual upside down fun building where they have all kinds of things like, Rope Walking, Laser Tag, Hurricane room, Earthquake room, inside roller coaster, and much much more. At the end of the day we saw a magic show at the same venue. This was a super day for all. The Wonderworks building was amazing.

The next day we drove into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We set up the kids for the Junior Ranger program. This is a great program were they are able to learn some things about the park, the environment, the flora of the area, animals in the park etc.. The kids receive a book with many sections that they were required fill out before they could be sworn in as Junior Rangers. Each NP has it's own booklet and it is a great way for the kids to learn more about conservation and the environment in each of the parks. We did a short hike with a Park Intern and learned a great deal about the trees and history of the park. This was the first Junior Ranger badge that the kids earned during our trip. Congratulations Sebastian and Sofia.

The Pigeon Forge experience also included pool time at the campground and a great dinner at the Local Goat - New American Restaurant and some Outlet shopping for everyone. All in all a very active three days.