A 20-day adventure by cory Read more
  • 21footprints
  • 1countries
  • 20days
  • 348photos
  • 4videos
  • 3.3kmiles
  • Day 1

    Departure

    May 9, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    It took us most of the day Sunday (Mother’s Day) to pack but it was worth it so we could leave bright and early this morning. We hit the road at about 7:30am. Stopped for breakfast in Lost Hills and topped off the gas tank. Gas isn’t cheap we’re about $425 into fuel but we’ve still got a half tank so it should get us to Zion. Just as Cory was starting to get comfortable with driving the RV we hit the Mojave desert and the Mojave wind. It was pretty white knuckle all through the desert and when he wasn’t fighting the wind he was fighting the drafts of the semi trucks either passing or us passing them. We stopped just past Barstow to eat lunch and let the dogs pee. Then back on the road and headed to Las Vegas.

    “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” - Mae West
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  • Day 1

    Vegas Stop

    May 9, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    We made it to Steve and Gayl’s house which is on the west side of Vegas around 4:00pm. The dogs were itching to get out and so were we so we took a walk with Gayl and Juno to the park and got some energy out. We spent the rest of the night visiting, playing, and Declan teaching us how to karate. Thai food for dinner was delicious! It was a good visit with family. I (Lisa) told Aunt Gayl that it was fitting she was our first stop as I took many roads trips with her when I was young and she was one of the reasons I fell in love with the open road!Read more

  • Day 2

    Zion Arrival

    May 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    We left Vegas about 9:00am and arrived at Zion at around 1:30pm. Declan got to ride out of his car seat for the first time while we pulled into Zion. We set up camp then Cory rode his bike into the entrance of the park to purchase tickets for the next day and to get some information from the rangers. That night we just hung out by campsite. Cory and Declan roasted marshmallows until Cory noticed there was maggots in the opened marshmallow bag (we think they were from Easter on farm and a fly must have laid eggs - so gross).Read more

  • Day 3

    Zion Day 1

    May 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Cory walked the dogs before the sun hit our valley then got caught up on work. The whole family took the trolly to the Temple of Sinawava trail. We took the car seat and stroller because we thought it would be easier with Thea. Cory had to fold up the stroller and carry it on the trolly but it worked out well. The stroller was able to go on trail no problem. The end of the trail is the River Walk Narrows. Cory and Declan hiked a bit through the Narrows so they could say they did it. Cory carried Declan so was careful not to slip on the slippery rocks. Declan and Cory both got their shoes wet and had to hike back with soggy shoes. Declan got tired of walking and sat on the front of the stroller. We saw a lot of squirrels on the trail. Lisa and Declan went to get ice cream when we got back. Declan got birthday cake flavor and Lisa got rainbow sherbet. Lisa’s tasted really bad and Declan agreed something was wrong with it because he said it tasted like throw up. For dinner we walked to the Zion visitor center and had dinner and beers at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub.Read more

  • Day 4

    Zion Day 2

    May 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Zion Day 2 was an easy day. Cory did a bit more work in the morning before we started the day. The whole family including the dogs went for a walk on the Pa’rus Trail. It was about 5 miles round trip. Declan saw a deer up close and a lot of squirrels. We learned everybody loves golden retrievers as we got at least a dozen compliments and twice as many aww’s on the trail. On the way back we stopped at a gift shop to pick up souvenirs and stickers for Declan’s water bottle. Declan and Cory picked up pizza for dinner on the bike from Zion Pizza and Noodle Co.Read more

  • Day 5

    Springville Stop

    May 13, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    We left Zion at noon and arrived in Springville, Utah around 5:00pm. This was our stop before Yellowstone. The Springville KOA had a cool arcade where Declan got to do some bowling. We did laundry. Cory was surprised that the speed limit is 80mph and didn’t seem like there are any trailer or big rig speed limits as we were being passed by big rigs going 70.Read more

  • Day 6

    Yellowstone Arrival

    May 14, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F

    We left Springdale around 8:30am. On our way to Yellowstone, we passed through Salt Lake City. We both agreed that we thought it would be bigger. Overall, we were not too impressed with Utah. It felt like one step above a desert the whole way. We stopped at the last Walmart before Yellowstone which was about an hour away. We were making good time as we had not stopped since we left, but spent 2 hours in the Walmart parking lot. We ate Panda Express which was close by. The Walmart was a super Walmart with groceries, which was good because we needed more groceries. The Walmart was packed but Cory also spent like an hour shopping because we had the most random stuff on our shopping list: Water hose, space heater, formula (if they had it), leather seat conditioner (because the dogs scratched the pleather dashboard), and finally a toy for Declan (because this kid doesn’t go into a Walmart without getting a toy).

    We arrived in Yellowstone around 5:00pm, set up shop, and then planned out our first day in Yellowstone park. The campsite had some snow on the ground so Declan enjoyed jumping around on the snow pile.
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  • Day 7

    Yellowstone Day 1

    May 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    We woke up pretty early and headed into the park. The first stop Grand Prismatic Springs. Lisa carried Thea in the ergo carrier up the pathway. Thea was a bit fussy but Lisa tried to bounce her as she walked. It was a bit overcast when we got to Prismatic Springs so we could not see the colors of the springs the best. We then got back in the car and headed to Old Faithful. We spotted a few animals on the way and Declan got to ride in the front seat of the RV so he could spot animals and view the park. We arrived at Old Faithful just as it was going off so we had to wait about another hour and fifteen for the next showing. We hit the gift shop for souvenirs and garb. We made lunch in the RV then packed it up and walked to Old Faithful. We then ate lunch waiting for Old Faithful to blow. We waited in anticipation, along with hundreds others, to see her blow. Talked to a nice couple from Maine who were retired and on a 6 month road trip. Old Faithful finally blew and we all oohed and aahed! We then continued driving around the park. We stopped at West Thumb Geyser Basin to look at the Fishing Cone. That area was very pretty as Yellowstone Lake was iced over and there was snow everywhere next to the hot springs. We then headed to Upper Falls to the waterfalls which was also very beautiful. We continued on and tried to spot more animals and took in all the beauty of the park. We spotted a Grizzly Bear eating an animal on the side of the road. Cory passed it and we had to make a long loop to head pack and find parking. Cory and Declan got out of the car to go look at it. While they were looking at the Grizzly, Lisa spotted either a Wolf or Coyote in the road. That night it rained pretty good back at campsite and we sat in the trailer looking at the lightning and listening to the thunder.Read more

  • Day 8

    Yellowstone Day 2

    May 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    For Day 2 of Yellowstone we decided to head north. We didn’t have a specific plan but decided to drive to spot more animals. It started to rain pretty good and the road we were on had a lot of twists and turns. We were almost at Tower-Roosevelt and saw a herd of bison headed east. Cory followed them and lucky that he did because when we got into the top part of Lamar Valley there were hundreds of Bison with their babies on the move. The bison were on the road, crossing rivers, and moving quickly. It was a sight to see! We saw a few other animals on the road, including moose and elk. We continued to drive for a bit and then headed back to campsite after a long day of viewing the park. That night we watched a movie (Lego Batman) and looked at the Super Flower Blood Moon of 2022, the longest total lunar eclipse in 33 years.Read more

  • Day 9

    Missoula Stop

    May 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    We left Yellowstone after breakfast to head to Ethan and Leslee’s. We stopped in Missoula on our way to visit Ethan and Leslee to break up the drive. We spent the night at the Missoula KOA. We got to the campsite, setup, then went for a little walk. Declan and Cory played mini golf at the park. Lisa tried to play but Thea wanted to be bounced in ergo so Lisa held the dogs on the leashes and watched the boys play. We ordered Outback Steakhouse for dinner and Cory picked it up on his bike.Read more