The Big Texan

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Day two of our three day journey back home.  We were able to add three more states to our map of states we have been in the RV.  This brings our total down to 7 more states to cover.  (Actually 6, because we really can't count Hawaii!)  Today we drove through New Mexico, Texas (new), Oklahoma (new), Arkansas (new) and stopped in Branson, Missouri for the night.  We headed out at 6am from Albuquerque, New Mexico and landed in Branson at midnight.  What a loooooong day!!

While driving through Amarillo, Texas, we discovered that we would be driving right by the Big Texan Steakhouse, home of the free 72oz steak. (If you can eat it in an hour.)  If you have seen the movie "Guilt Trip" with Seth Rogen and Barbara Streisand, this restaurant was featured in the movie.  (Barbara Streisand's character was able to finish the 72oz steak in an hour.)  It was actually lunch time as we were passing through, so of course, we had to stop.  It had all the "fixings" for a true cowboy steakhouse...the decor was very western looking, we were serenaded by a cowboy singing Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson songs, and I accidentally stumbled upon a live diamondback rattlesnake while shopping in the gift shop.  (Luckily, it was in a glass cage, but I still wasn't expecting it!)  It was a good thing that the atmosphere was great because the food wasn't.  On Mike's grading scale of food,  he gave it a C-.  But hey, at least we can say we had been there!

Our cowboy singer

The stage for the 72oz free steak challenge.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

After breakfast at the Waffle House, (Mike's choice), we left Branson, Missouri and headed for Home Sweet Home!  If all goes as planned, we will be arriving home around 5:30 this evening.  We have had a great experience making memories with our boys that will last us a lifetime!  Until next year...

Meteor Crater

Monday, July 29, 2013
Today we turned the RV around and headed back towards Illinois.  We decided to take a different route home for two reasons:  We can add three new states to our map and we also need to pick up our car in St. Louis.  We got up bright and early and left Las Vegas.  Our early start didn't pay off though, as the first gas stop we made, the owner discovered that we need two new tires in the back of the RV.  A "quick" replacement of the tires and we were on the road again.  As we headed on down the road we noticed that we were driving right by the place with the only confirmed and best preserved meteor contact in North America.  Being so close and not sure that we will ever be this way again, we stopped for a tour.
The crater is 550 feet deep, equivalent to a 60 story building.  It has a circumference of 2.4 miles wide and is over 4,000 feet across.  It was definitely an extraordinary sight to see!!  For more information on the meteor crater click below.

http://www.meteorcrater.com/

This was all that was left of the meteor that hit the Earth!  This little guy weighs 1,400 pounds!

The crater

We really enjoyed our unplanned stop!  We ended our evening in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Even though it felt like we had been driving forever, we really only got in about 10.5 hours and have about 20 more to go!!

Viva Las Vegas Part 2

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Our second day of Vegas was spent eating, shopping and relaxing!  We decided to attend another show  this evening.  To show the boys that we are as old as they think we are (Did I just say Mike and I were old?) We lined up an evening with Rod Stewart at the legendary Colosseum at Caesars Palace.  We started our day eating brunch at The Cheesecake Factory, then we did a little shopping at the four story Nike store.  Mike and the boys then headed to Camping World and I embarked on a four hour shopping tour.  I hit several of my favorites, including the Coca Cola store!

Before I knew it, it was time to head back to the RV to get ready for the Rod Stewart concert.  Mike and I had played some of his songs for the boys so they would be familiar with his music.  We were all starting to get a little excited about seeing such an iconic music figure!  To my surprise, I knew almost every song he sang AND knew almost all the words to every song he sang.  He had many costume changes and a wonderful back-up band, complete with a harp, trumpet and alto saxophone. We were also treated to a performance by his daughter Ruby.  It was one of the most incredible concerts I have attended!  I really appreciate the fact that my mom and dad introduced me to a variety of music at a young age.  Many of the songs reminded me of different times in my childhood.  I love how music can bring you right back to that moment in time!

Rod's daughter,  Ruby

Rod's daughter

Viva Las Vegas!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

"I am tired of looking at rocks!" "I want to go to Vegas and see a show." Mike and I both looked at Dayton as he proclaimed those words during a family Pow Wow to decide what our next adventure was going to be.  We had talked about going to Bryce Canyon or walking the sky bridge over the Grand Canyon or even heading back to the Four Corners now that the monument was in the correct spot.  Las Vegas has always been one of my favorite places to visit, so there were no objections from me.  Since our time was a little shorter this trip, we decided to spend the weekend in Vegas and head home on Monday.

Next was to decide what family friendly show to attend in Vegas.  After looking through a bunch of comedians, singers and shows appropriate for the under 18 crowd, we decided on seeing David Spade from the recent movie "Grown-Ups 2" and SNL of the past.  He was performing at the Venetian on Saturday night.  

We parked the RV at Circus, Circus,  the only RV camping on the Vegas Strip.  Dayton and Mike opted for a nap as Tanner and I hoofed it to The Venetian to pick up our tickets and check out what theater we were to be for the show.  Everything on the Strip seems closer than it really is, so it was definitely a hike for us.  We enjoyed all the sights and sounds (and a little shopping) that Vegas has to offer on our walk. 

After a long walk back and just as we were getting ready to cross the street to head back to Circus, Circus and the RV, Tanner's phone rang.  Mike and Dayton called and offered to pick us up.  (Really?)  We hopped in the jeep and headed to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, a.k.a Pawn Stars.  A few years ago when we were in Vegas we had gone to the shop hoping to catch a glimpse of the TV stars, but no such luck.  Once again luck was not on our side, but after all it was a Saturday night!

 During our last visit to Vegas (actually the only two times I have been to Vegas) we have eaten at the buffet in the Bellagio hotel.  The boys really wanted to return to eat there, so we stood in line for an hour to eat at the world famous Bellagio buffet!  We really got our money's worth as both Mike and the boys ate their weight in crab legs!

One of my favorite things to do when we are at the Bellagio is to look at their flower display.  It was spectacular!

Soon it was time to see David Spade.  The theater was small so there was not a bad seat in the house! He did not disappoint!  We all left with a great ab workout and smiles on our faces!

Hiking Zion

Thursday, July 25, 2013

"Where stone, that mystic symbol of permanence, nobility, and enduring strength, has been transformed by nature's sculptors into a grand display of three-dimensional artistry in rock unmatched for variety anywhere else."  - Ward Roylance

The road on the way to Zion had some of the most spectacular views we have ever seen!  Mike and I had remarked that the scenery from Denver further west was remarkable.  If you didn't like what you saw, wait for 5 or 10 miles because it's gonna change.  It was amazing!  We made a few stops along the way to try and capture some of these amazing landscapes!

We arrived in Springdale, Utah (which is at the base of Zion National Park) on Thursday evening.   After settling in at the RV park, we walked through the town of Springdale, did a little shopping, ate a little Mexican food and the boys finished the evening off with some ice cream. 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Friday morning we headed to Zion to do a little hiking.  We started with a 14 mile drive through the park for some picturesque sights and wildlife.  After our drive, we parked the jeep and headed to the trail head of our first hike. We decided to start with the Emerald Pools.  It was a beautiful day, but we soon found out that this definitely was the desert.  Our hike consisted of a three mile (not bad in itself), mainly uphill climbing of rocks and inclines (little more challenging), but in 101 degree heat! (definitely a challenge).  We were able to cool off with a little shade along the way,  drinking 2 liters of water each, slight waterfalls and wading in the pools.  The scenery was fantastic and definitely worth it!  With perfect timing on our part, as soon as we made it back to the Zion Lodge located in the park, it began to thunder, lightning, and rain.  Considering Zion only gets about 10 inches of rain a year, we considered ourselves lucky enough to experience rain in the desert once again as we did a few years back when visiting Mesa Verde.

Since it was raining and we were exhausted, we opted not to hike anymore trails as we headed back to clean up and out for a bite to eat.  We found a great restaurant called the Spotted Dog with gorgeous views of Zion.   Zion is definitely a place we would like to visit again and plan a few more days to explore its beauty.

We saw some big horned sheep.

The Hike

This was the view from our campsite!  Awesome view of Zion!

Next stop:  Surprise visit to Las Vegas!!!!