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Driving across the USA

April 2018 - April 2024
An open-ended adventure by Elisa Read more
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  • 2,214days
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  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 10

    Joshua Tree National Park to Lake Havasu

    April 13, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we spent driving around Joshua Tree National Park. Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. 

    We had lunch at Quail stop and then did a 1 km loop at Hidden Valley. Brandon walked all the way around and made it without being carried. Inara wanted to be carried most of the way but insisted on walking anything that was up. It was beautiful and everything looked the same. The ranger yesterday told Brandon that he needed to stay close to us as it looks all the same and it's very easy to get lost. It does.

    We finished the visit with a stop at Key View which was breathtaking, windy and cold.

    When we got to the camp, it was so windy and not fun that we decided to change our plans. We couldn't walk as it was too windy, and we couldn't have a fire, the tent felt like it could break and it was cold. It was no fun for anyone.

    We were supposed to have a 2nd night here, then to pack up and a 6 hour drive to Flagstaff Arizona. We packed up late in the afternoon, drove 3 hours and decided to stay a night in Lake Havasu in a motel in the area.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    2
    Day 11

    Lake Havasu to Flagstaff & Inara's bday

    April 14, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Lake Havasu was beautiful and we wished we had more time here. We are so glad we called it and left windy Joshua Tree and was spontaneous to drive here. In the morning we left our hotel "Island Inn Hotel" and adventured out to the 2nd most popular tourist attraction in Arizona.

    In the morning we went down to the famous London Bridge. In 1967 the London Bridge in London, England decides to sell its bridge as it needed to be replaced and this oil guy decided to buy the bridge and put it across the man made Lake Havasu. Lake Havasu is a man made Lake and is a reservoir for the Colorado River.

    We had a nice walk along the channel. Inara greeted many dogs and Brandon enjoyed running. Inara even dipped her feet in the cold brisk lake. There were people out on boats and jet skis, running, walking dog's and enjoying the area. It would be such a great place to relax for a few days.

    We could have stayed all day but we needed to meet Elisa's mom at the Flagstaff airport at 3pm and had to check in to the motel before that so there would be room in the car for her.

    We had a 3 hour drive to Flagstaff. Arizona is a beautiful country with such different landscapes. The kids did great in the car as usual. The roads had Dips and the kids loves them as we made it feel like we were on roller coasters.

    For the next 4 days we are staying at Highland country Inn. We choose not to camp as its Spring and the weather is inconsistent and can be very cold. Flagstaff has an altitude of 6910 feet (2106 m), which is the 9th highest city in the US.

    We picked up grandma at the airport and we were given rooms adjoining each other which worked out very well.

    That night, as Inara turned 2, we celebrated at Black Barts Steakhouse and listened to the wait staff sing show tunes and sing along songs. It was a fun night.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 12

    A drive to Sedona, Arizona

    April 15, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We had 4 nights in Flagstaff at hotel Highland Country Inn and 3 full days to be tourists. Today we were going to hop in the car and head down to Sedona and take a scenic drive. We didn't really have any specific plans while in Flagstaff other then seeing the Grand Canyon.

    The windy roads and gorgeous red cliffs made for a lovely drive. We drove past Slide Rock State park which Elisa really wanted to see, but with the kids it would have been hard. We stopped at Crescent Moon picnic ground at the upper Red Rocks loop rd. It was a cute area and we did a short hike which had terrific landscaping in the background, that led to a creek which the kids played in.

    On the way back we stopped in the town of Sedona where it was super busy with tourists, but it's understandable as its so beautiful.

    That night we had dinner in the hotel and just hung out with grandma in the hotel as we knew the next day would be super busy.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 13

    Grand Canyon

    April 16, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We booked our Grand canyon train ride months ago. We drove to Williams from Flagstaff and then took an hour and half train up to the South Rim.

    The train was an old train and we were in the oldest carriage and was refurbished. We were able to move the seats to look at each other.

    The hostess of our carriage told us history and geology of the Grand canyon and surrounding area. The train started up in 1990 and due to this the little western town came alive again.

    Once up at the Rim we had about 3 hours to explore. It was a very windy day and a bit on the cold side. We decided to do some walks incorporating the shuttle service.

    It was very pretty but it was a very long day for everyone.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 14

    Down day in Flagstaff

    April 17, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Today was a day of not doing much. The kids needed some downtime. What do people do with little kids in Flagstaff ? We looked for a play centre like we have at home, but no such luck. The best we could fine was a free play space at the mall. They had fun and we sat and watched.

    We had lunch at a pizza place where the kids got dough to knead and play with. It was also half price wines which is always nice.

    We decided that after a few days camping with a cheap Wal-Mart inflatable matresss that our nights were going to be sleepless, so we bought a nice lower to ground inflatable mattress from REI. Elisa also spent time going to both Wal-Mart's to return the not so comfy mattress but had no luck.

    The day was to spend time with grandma and have downtime. Brandon got to watch the sandlot with grandma while Josh and Inara had naps. Elisa vacuumed the car, shopped and organised.

    It was a dinner in the hotel and a relaxing night. Grandma had an early flight out the next morning.

    Notes:
    The coffee shop in front of the hotel is the best coffee we have found yet.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 15

    Final destination St George, Utah

    April 18, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Today was a planned all day driving day from Flagstaff to St George, Utah. The drive straight with no stops is just under 5 hours.

    When we planned the trip we knew we where we wanted to go and then kind of picked areas to see between those two points. We knew flagstaff was cold so that is why we were in a hotel and not camping. When grandma left for the airport this morning it was -1 degree C. Cold and brisk.

    The plan we had in mind was to drive around the North Rim of the Grand canyon, little did we know that it was closed until May. Ooops.. There is so much to see in Arizona that we would have no problem with finding things to see on our drive. While we were on the Grand Canyon train we heard about Antelope Canyon which is half way through our drive. Perfect other than you need to see it on a tour and they book up weeks in advanced. Elisa called all the tour companies and only one would take kids and they were all sold out.

    Elisa stopped at the Flagstaff Visitors center yesterday, got a map and some ideas. Our first stop was Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument. We stayed much longer than anticipated and Brandon got his junior ranger badge at Wupatki Monument. He was so excited.

    We then continued toward Utah, stopping at Horseshoe Bend view which is part of the Glen Canyon area. We did a nice round trip mile walk, getting out in the sun and taking in fresh air. It was very touristy and the government was just starting to make it a proper tourist attraction with rails on the cliffs. It was a bit nerve wrecking at the cliffs. Josh held onto Brandon for dear life and Inara was being carried on Elisa's back. Elisa didn't trust herself and 11 kilos on her back to get close to the edge at all.

    Horseshoe Bend was only a few miles away from Lake Powell so we drove across the bridge where the colorado river was dammed up. We didn't have the time to see anymore of Lake Powell as we didn't realise that Utah was on a different time zone than Arizona. It's already 5pm (6pm Utah time) and we had another 2.5 hours to drive, check in at St George KOA and set up the tent.

    We just made check in at the campsite by 10 min, at 850pm. We saw a beautiful sunset setting behind large cliffs near the Arizona/Utah boarder (the 2nd time to cross the state's border on this drive).

    Arizona is a gorgeous country with dramatic views and different landscapes but we both thought Arizona was too dry and we couldn't live here. Utah is exactly what Elisa pictured it would be and the plains, overbearing colorful cliffs and rugged landscape is breathtaking.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 16

    Day trip in St George, Utah

    April 19, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The day started with laundry, mini golf with an awesome background and then off to the little town of St George.

    Our first stop was the Dinosaur discovery Center. This was opened up in 2000 when dinosaur tracks were discovered at the very location. It would have been more interesting if we had more time to devote to the exhibit rather than the kids. Josh was disappointed that Brandon didn't enjoy it as much but he is still too young to understand. The kids enjoyed the outside area where they could dig for fossils and play in a sandpit.

    The best part of the day was the St George children's museum. It was perfect for all ages and we had so much fun. We were each $5 and spent a few hours there exploring and doing imaginative play. We all put a dinosaur together and Josh even spent some time putting together pipes for a ball to go down.

    To top of the fun, the museum is on a square which had a fun water play. Even though it was only like 18/64 degrees or so the kids got in and had a blast. The sun was shining so it made it more enjoyable.

    Last night was a bit cold for sleeping so we stopped off at another Wal-Mart. We got more food and the last of the camping gear that we need. Elisa feels like we are always shopping but we don't have much t9om for food so we only have a few days of food with us at a time. This shop also included wood for a fire and marshmallow sticks for Smores.

    The evening turned a bit windy so we ate dinner at the clubhouse of the KOA camp ground Brandon got to play some pool. After dinner the wind stopped so the fire sounded possible other than rain came in.

    As Elisa writes this the rain has gotten a bit stronger. We are in bed reading books and staying warm. We haven't had rain in this tent yet so we don't know how well the water will stay out. We have moved everything from the sides and we are a bit squashed.    Read more

  • TravelerDriving across the USA
    Day 17

    Snowy canyon state park & Red Cliff Rec

    April 20, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Today started out chilly and wet. It was a cold night and the rain hit down on and off all night. The tent lasted and nothing was wet inside. The tent keeps impressing us that we may just need to bring it home with us. The 2nd sleeping bag was a needed by yesterday for the cold night.

    As it was rainy, going to Zion National park was not going to happen as planned. We started at the Red Cliffs Desert Visitor Center. It was a really informative small center with tortoises, tarantula and lizard called a gilamonster which is rare to see.

    On the recommendation of the visitor centre we went up to Snowy Canyon and drove around. It was rainy and cold so the kids didn't get out of the car much but Josh and Elisa got our here and there for photos. There was one walk which Elisa was keen to do with the kids, and the weather wasn't horrible. We layered up with jackets and hats and took a mile hike tp Jenny's Canyon. It was beautiful and perfect walk for the kids. We also were shielded from the rain and the wind and was able to enjoy what we have found.

    We left the canyon and had a cute lunch back into the town at the crepery. The day was starting to look better and the rain has stopped and the sun was slowly peaking out.

    Inara had her nap in the car and our last stop was the red cliffs recreational area. This was a highlight for us all. We were supposed to hike to a water fall but there was no water fall, and we kept going which meant scaling up the rock face. We even had to use a rope and dig our heels into holes for feet. Brandon did awesome and Josh did it all with Inara on his back. It was a busy area and there was many people to help us with the kids and we even met one couple who took photos of us and videos, and later sent them to us by email.

    All and all it was a great day for the entire family.    Read more

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