Photos, finally

Hopefully from now on I'll post a few photos at a time instead of a big batch all at once.  Until that time comes, here's a bunch from the last two weeks.

Garvin and I are in Park City visiting my sister and waiting to hear about the results of an RV inspection.  If all goes well, we will drive back to Colorado in it on Tuesday.  That should be interesting.  

Garvin, the ham, pretending to be an old man after he picked fruit in Capitol Reef National Park.  We learned Mormons settled this narrow valley in the late 1800's, and planted orchards.  They farmed here until the outbreak of WWII.  

Sword fighting in Zion.  Is my child the only one who travels into national parks with a wooden sword?!  I'm thinking yes.  He has had it on his belt  during most of our trip and then wants to sword fight with Craig, frequently.  This was the trail leading to the Narrows, which we decided not to hike due to rising water levels after a rainstorm.

The next four photos were all taken at Bryce Canyon -- my favorite national park, though Yellowstone is right up there.  This first photo is a "Where's Waldo" type, with Garvin down at the lower right corner carrying his new purchase, a walking stick.  Though Craig and I have decided it is a magic stick because Garvin has turned into a rock star hiker.  We couldn't keep up with him coming out of the canyon.

 Why did Garvin love this hike, and this particular formation?  Because it's a weapon, of course.  This is called Thor's Hammer.

I can't imagine ever getting tired of looking at these formations.  They fascinate me.

And, the final national park for this leg of the trip, the Grand Canyon

Yes, we are those people who wear matching shirts.  There's a story behind these, which I won't bore you with, but I felt good giving the tired hikers something to talk about as they came out of the canyon.  And, Garvin's magic hiking stick is still working.  He blazed a trail going down and back.  We did not hike to the bottom, just a two hour round trip.  This may be considered un-American, but I liked hiking in Bryce Canyon better.

We have seen so many rainbows.  It's been a little rainy, but we've managed to finish our hikes just before the sky opens.  After downpour #1 on this particular afternoon, we watched the storm move across the canyon, complete with lightning and a lot of thunder.

Route 66 -- Seligman, AZ.  The Snow Cap has been serving tourists since the late 40's.  We had a chili dog, some onion rings, and a hot fudge sundae.  I have to say I felt a little sick as we drove out of town.

Rubbing the feet of this statue at Hoover Dam is supposed to bring good luck in Vegas.  I did win $12 at the only slot machine I tried -- we were literally walking out the door of the hotel on our last day, so maybe I need to go back to Hoover Dam . . . 

What's more Vegas than the Statue of Liberty made of jelly beans?  Maybe one of Elvis.

If you don't watch Pawn Stars on the History Channel, then this photo won't mean anything to you.

Garvin spotted this on our first night and said, "Well, we definitely have to go there."  You can imagine the level of quality merchandise in the store.  To his credit, he didn't buy anything.