Austin July 7, 2010

We actually got up at 5:30 AM with a goal to leave at 7:30 for the Grand Canyon. I can't believe we made it! We were all very excited, as none of us had ever seen it from the ground (I've flown over it but, unless you fly when the sun shines at an angle, you miss the impact). On the way, we saw a rock formation we named "Finger Rock".

We stopped at viewpoints in the National Park, which is on a reservation (we saw some natives with tables set up before we entered the park but we did not stop to shop). We entered the park from the best end, we decided, as we were able to turn right into the viewpoint parking areas, and felt we were going against a majority of the traffic. Once stop included the Watchtower, which Matt, Anna and Katie climbed but I didn't feel I had the stamina.









We took several shots of the canyon, too many to post here. At one point, someone took a picture of our group. When we approached this spot, I saw a boy hanging over the seating area, and I thought (frantically) "Where's his parents? He's going to fall!" I saw when I got closer that there's a path below the seating area. Anna and Katie walked down that path and I took some pictures of them on the lower side.

I like the shot of Katie standing and Anna sitting behind a bush (it looks like Anna's head over a bush).






Following are various shots of the Grand Canyon.



































While there, we walked through the Tusayan Ruin; our wildlife count was 2 lizards. I spotted this very red plant against the weathered wood.


















Leaving the Grand Canyon at 1:30, we headed back to Flagstaff for lunch at "Altitudes". Someone had fun with the camera while I was away from the table. I don't know what Matt is doing with my credit card.











There was a railroad track next to the restaurant, and a sign that advertised "$2 shots served when the train goes by". Katie ordered nachos for lunch, without tomatoes or jalapenos. When the bill came, we saw the note, "No toms, no japs". We left Flagstaff about 4 PM, with a goal to reach Albuquerque by 9. We found a Super 8 in Grants, short of Albuquerque, but it cost $75 so we voted to drive on, arriving at 11:30. All the food places we saw were closed, or just offered drive-thru. After checking in, Matt and I walked to a Denny's and ordered takeout. For all the heat we have been suffering through, that restaurant, that late at night, was frigid!

We drove toward a huge thunderstorm, but missed it. Katie drove from 4 - 11 PM today; no driving for Anna or Connie; not sure how that worked out. We decided that, when Katie gets behind the wheel, we'll either be driving through a huge thunderstorm or down a steep grade.

At one point, Katie saw a sign for a meteor crater; we decided not to go since it was 6 miles each way off our highway. We spent the rest of the trip regretting that decision. We found out after we got home that it's quite a site; with an viewing spot overlooking the crater. Katie really wanted to go and we are sorry we didn't oblige.

Through this trip, we saw several road signs: "Gusty Winds May Exist"; "Deer Crossing"; "Bull Crossing"; "Elk Crossing"; "Cougar Crossing".

Austin July 6, 2010

We got up at 7:30 with a goal to leave at 9. We all took a walk to Caeser's Palace, the Bellagio and Paris.












At 10 AM, we stopped for breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi in Paris. We chose a table outside on the street side and enjoyed: Matt - macchiato (too much foam for him); Katie - Yogurt/fruit; Connie - brioche (3 slices); Anna - eggs, sausage, potatoes, croissant, cherry tomato. Anna observed that "obviously, the rest of us weren't breakfast eaters".















We were back at Harrah's to check out by 11. Too bad we weren't taking as much cash as the "money couple".







I spotted "Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon" (my dad's name) on the way out of town but could not get a good shot from the car.

On to our next stop - near the Grand Canyon. Matt was very disappointed to find that the road over the Hoover Dam is closed to rental trailers! This added 10 miles to our drive.

At a gas station in Loughlin, Matt, Anna and Katie saw a road runner. Anna replicated the clicking sound it makes, after I asked if it said beep-beep. Anna was the first driver to have the trailer wobble while in motion. When asked how fast she was driving, she said over 60; Matt reminded her the U-Haul person told us to keep it below 60 (although the wheel cover says 45).

Instead of driving on to the Grand Canyon today, as planned, we decided to stay in Flagstaff and visit tomorrow by getting up at 7:30 AM. We stopped at another Super 8, which we are finding to be much better quality than expected. I was too tired to go out, so Matt, Anna and Katie went to the Beaver Pub and brought back leftover pizza and sandwich for me. They are very impressed with the city; we might have a reunion here in a couple of years.

Austin July 5, 2010

We had a delay in leaving Reno. This is the city my father went to frequently, and my sister told me he gambled at Harrah's. He played the $1 machines, which is a bit rich for me; but, in his memory, I walked to Harrah's and put in $7 dollar bills, winning $2. Katie contributed $2. It looks like no channeling was done that day. I had to take a shot of Katie in front of the Reno sign.

I saw the Beer Pong sign at Harrah's. Anna explained this is a game where someone tries to throw a ping-pong ball into a cup of beer. If they succeed, the opponent has to drink that cup of beer. She ended with a comment about how unsanitary that sounds when you explain it.

Anna ate breakfast at Mel's next to the Sand's. Matt was trying to recover from the buffet-induced GI upset, and anxiety about the car in the desert.

We stopped in Hawthorne for lunch, visiting McDonald's again (cheap and fast). In Tenopah, we stopped for ice cream cones, eating outside in a courtyard, and a postcard. We visited a town called Beatty for a rest stop, intending to buy gas but it was too crowded. We are trying to keep the tank full, due to so much desert and small towns with closed businesses.

We did spot 3 "pleasure houses" and a car for the Mustang ranch. We passed Waller Lake with about 20 miles of shoreline.

Here is the "extra room" parking lot at the Sands with our ride:
We saw a big sand dune off to the right and a couple of dust whirlwinds, plus some snow in the higher peaks. All the mini marts have slot machines. We realized we may not make it to Las Vegas until 9:30. Anna and Katie want to eat at another buffet; Matt and I can't handle that much food again.

We drove the strip in Las Vegas to get to our hotel (Harrah's). There was confusion about parking; we drove around a couple of times before finding the bigger lot. We told the security guard we needed extra room to park and asked if he gave us our parking pass. He replied, "No, I'm just holding these cards for no apparent reason". There was a long check-in line! We booked two rooms, both quite big; our view was of the Treasure Island and a bunch of pipes. We stayed in the hotel to eat: great food, lousy service. After, at 11:30, Katie and I hit the slots where I lost my Reno $20. Matt went on a walk and Anna went to her room. I was in bed at 1:30.

The cost of internet is $11.99/day! We checked the time to get to the Grand Canyon (4.5 hours) and Flagstaff (3.5 hours).

Austin July 4, 2010

Walking to a grocery in Yreka, saw a deer in a field. Reminded Katie of the time she called Matt to tell him there was a deer in our yard. He replied, "Get them out! They will eat the flowers!" Picked up some Breathe-Right strips, which Anna reported made the snoring "not as evident". Found some $2 fried pork rinds!

Driving through the Lassen Forest, we stopped at JJ's Cafe for lunch. Fabulous food!

We arrived in Reno at 5 PM, stopping out front of the Sands in a crowded lot, with no spots big enough to park. Anna & I checked in and were told about the "extra room" lot. We went out to tell Matt, and the car was gone (they had been told by employees to "park out back"). We walked to the car, and helped carry in all of our bags. Matt, Anna, and Katie checked out the pool, and went to the El Dorado Happy Hour, while I stayed in the room.

We ate the buffet at the El Dorado, as well. The amount of food is beyond description. There are so many buffet tables and such a huge variety of food: meat, seafood, Asian, pizza, desserts, salad. We could not even look at someone's ice cream in the casino afterward.


Anna, Katie and I played bingo at the El Dorado,; no winners on our team. Anna is quite the bingo player and tried to teach me in 2 minutes or less. I finally caught on. As we left the bingo room, and an old man hugged Katie, saying, "That shirt doesn't do you justice". Hmmm. Afterwards, Matt went to the room, Katie to blackjack, Anna and I on a walk. We found the Reno sign but turned around when we got to the out of downtown area (too creepy). Back at the Sands, Anna went to her room, Katie and I to the slots. Connie turned $10 to $30.12; Katie turned $10 to $8.45. Apparently, there were fireworks planned in the city but we spent too much time indoors to see them. Back to the room about 11:30.

Austin July 3, 2010

Our goal was to leave by 10 AM; we left at 11. We did enjoy a lovely breakfast: choice of biscuits/gravy, cereal, apples, toast, bagels. We arrived in Ashland at 11:30, to begin the search for a parking spot big enough for the Jeep and trailer, that was for more than 2 hours. We toured some shops - Katie bought a watch; Anna a signed Mary Pickford picture; Matt bought a hat and an eraser ("out damn spot out"). Also purchased a book and a patch for the festival.

We enjoyed delicious sandwiches for lunch at Allyson's Kitchen. Anna and Katie tried the wine-tasting.

Our stop in Ashland was to attend the Shakespeare Festival. We attended "Pride and Prejudice", sitting in the last row but with a great view, as the rows were stadium-style. All enjoyed the play very much.

We drove on to Yreka and stayed at a Super 8. Our wildlife siting consisted of a dragon sculpture in a field. We ate at a Black Bear Diner (yes, a chain, but we haven't been to one for awhile). Matt looked for boxers in the gift shop but none were to be found. He said to the waitress, "You've cut back on your clothing". She replied, "Pardon me?" with a rather odd look. Katie quickly added, "In the gift shop!"

I just recalled the "rules of the road". Anna brought a starter list, which included items such as "respect each other" and "driver picks the music"; I can't recall the rest. Unfortunately, we lost the list; it flew out of the car when we stopped for gas or rest stop or the California border, where they asked if we had fruit (I was told to be quiet about the apples from the hotel). Anna mentioned the list would probably end up on a website that includes weird stuff found on the road (also can't remember the website name).

Austin July 2, 2010

The Fidgeon family (Matt, Connie, Anna, and Katie) left for Austin today, the purpose being to move Anna to her new place so she could start graduate school at the University of Texas. We left Anthony in charge of the house and pets.

We all knew this would be a long drive; much longer going than coming back as we would be hauling and had to watch our speed. Anna set up the schedule to take in some sites/cities she had either visited before or wanted to see. It turned out this trip was a great experience: a chance to get closer to the daughters; a chance to see new sites; a chance to reminisce; all in all, a wonderful time.

As our past trips have shown, we left at 11:15 AM (my father would be shocked!), hauling a U-Haul trailer behind our Jeep. We lived through 3 traffic jams, and stopped in Olympia for lunch. Matt and Connie ate at McDonald's, while Anna and Katie chose Taco Time. We hoped to avoid eating at national chains so didn't begin with that very well. We topped off our stop by buying a trailer lock at Fred Meyer. We found an Apple Peddler restaurant in Sutherlin OR for dinner, so no chain there. We were running low on gas, so pulled off to try a Shell station. It was closed, but Anna claimed the credit card should still work. It didn't; we figured later it was due to the practice of Oregon gas station employees still pumping gas for us. We were able to make it to a Chevron, where that happened for us.

Our first sign of wildlife: a deer on the slope next to the freeway. We made it to the previously-booked Shilo Inn in Grant's Pass. We pulled into a parking lot and saw a raccoon approach the car. It stopped and stared at our car, running off when Matt approached. We shared a room, which resulted in Anna having to say, "Stop snoring!" She was hoping to stop Matt, but I woke up, too; so who was the snorer?

We didn't take a lot of pictures during our first day, so enjoy the shots of Mt. Shasta!