We pulled out of our driveway at 9:31 on Wednesday morning, pretty pleased with ourselves for being ahead of our planned 10 AM departure. We made it three blocks before we realized that we hadn’t brought any maps with us at all. We turned around and went back to get them. That wasn’t all we forgot, but more on that later.
We drove to Jerome first and walked around a little bit. The state park was closed, which was a shame because I remember the 
museum as being excellent and there was so much to learn about Jerome history. 20% of us did not enjoy walking around at all and wasted no time in sharing their discontent. I started thinking this was going to be a long long vacation. Then we drove to Tuzigoot and had a picnic. I made turkey and cheese sandwiches for everyone and was pleased that we were saving money.
We drove through Sedona on our way to our campsite. We stopped at Slide Rock, but the line was too long, so we kept driving and got to our campsite outside of Flagstaff at about 4 PM. It was the same site we used last year and it is quiet, secluded, and beautiful. We made dinner of vegetarian chili and corn muffins I made the night before. Afterwards we had s’mores and talked about our early morning departure to get ready for the long drive the next day. It was about this time that I discovered I had neglected to pack any underwear, but that might be TMI for a family blog.
We got up early on Thursday, as we usually do, and it took us about an hour to pack up both tents and get on the road. It was just after 6 as we pulled out of the campsite. I praised everyone’s participation and raised the bar a little, suggesting we try to get out before 6 the next day. We drove north on 89A through occasional drizzle and the changing landscape of the Navajo Indian Reservation. I wonder why there are tires on so many of the roofs, but I don’t know who to ask.
We stopped in Page at the Wal-Mart to pick up what I had forgotten. Then we went to the visitor’s center at the dam. It was perched on too high a wall for 40% of us, but I was not bothered. 20% of us were offended by the excessive security, but I didn’t mind. Although I did wonder if it would make security any less effective if the guards were polite. Back on the road we continued on 89 to Kanab and north to the road to Bryce Canyon. We drove through Red Canyon and stopped at the visitor’s center. I marveled at how the landscape looked like the Thunder Mountain ride at Disneyland. Now I know where their inspiration comes from!
We arrived at Bryce Canyon at about 2, made sandwiches, set up the tent, and went for a hike. 80% of us hiked a short way down the Navajo Loop Trail to see the cliff walls, while 20% of us, concerned with dehydration, stayed on the rim. I realize that I need to be more aware of the whole family’s hydration because sometimes people forget and we don’t want to have a problem. Everyone has their own water bottle this year and we are refilling them as needed. The canyon was impressive and I was sorry we couldn’t go farther, but knowing my fear of heights, it’s just as well. After dinner, we had another rim hike and I tried to see the stars that night, but there were many low hanging clouds so the viewing wasn’t as spectacular as it could be.
Thursday was going to be a big day. We needed to drive from Bryce Canyon to Driggs, Idaho, which is long enough, but we also wanted to stop at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, which was going to take us out of our way a little bit. We got up and go going early. The whole family singing Jason Mraz tunes. I have to say that people in the back seat of gotten along really well on this trip. Sometimes, Charlie is playing a Game Boy, Cory is playing a PSP, and Mary is playing on a Nintendo DS. Sometimes they play together. Sometimes they look out the window, sing songs, or talk. All the time they remain at passive attention waiting for those of us in the front seat to talk about them.
We drove through Utah thinking about how beautiful it is. The traffic was horrible around Salt Lake City and I wondered “Don’t these people have a holiday?” Once we got through to Idaho, I breathed a sigh of relief. Lava Hot Springs wasn’t too far away and we were going to make it. Charlie had been dying to go ever since a friend at work recommended it to me and I asked if anyone wanted to go. It is a historic little town of 540, according to the population sign on the edge of town. Bruce just wanted to soak, Mary, Cory and I wanted to go tubing and Charlie was dying to go on the water slide. Bruce and Charlie headed for the water slides and the others came with me. I am prevented from telling you what happened next because Mary says it is her story to tell. But if I had to do it all over again, I don’t know what I would do differently. We were back on the road three hours later having experienced hot springs. I would like to go back and tube some more, but I am not sure when that will ever happen. It was really fun. For me. With the exception of The Incident.
The weather from Lava Hot Springs to Driggs was miserable. Lots of rain and high wind. Bruce had to drive. We found our house before dark and it is perfect.
Right now I have to go see the hot air balloons and if I keep writing, I will miss them. So, July 4th will be in the next report.
