Heading east

7/10
After some rest and relaxation in Vegas we packed up Bucky and we started East.
Went by the Hoover Dam where they are constructing a bridge to bypass the old road which goes right on top of the dam. The two sides of the bridge have been connected, nust ne they used the modern day version of the golden spike. Impressive engineering task. On to the Grand Canyon where we did a quick drive by and stopped for a few shots.
We didn’t do any hikes here as we had on our last visit.
Grand Canyon pics ----v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_10_GrandCanyon?authkey=Gv1sRgCK_CueulhuTr6wE

7/11
Toured Mesa Verde and went on a few short hikes, including one guided hike into one of the dwellings. Really enjoyed looking at the various cliff dwellings. Continued on our way east through Southern Colorado, on the way we saw people in the river next to the road so we stopped and checked it out. There was a place where you could jump into the river and float through the rapids. The rapids pushed you under water for about twenty to thirty feet but then you popped up. It was a little odd to watch your kid(s) disappear underwater only to resurface downstream. I think Momma Bear was having a stroke. We enjoyed our refreshing dip and then hopped back into Bucky to go to Great Sand Dunes National Park. We arrived at Sand Dunes just as the sun was setting. Lots and lots of sand, we ran around in the dunes and then split as the bugs were coming out, first bugs this trip.
Mesa Verde pics ---v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_11_MesaVerde?authkey=Gv1sRgCOLQorX9hvOllQE


7/12
Travelled through Colorado and ended the day in Grand Island Nebraska. Finished our day at a small water park and enjoyed the wave pool, lazy river, and big water slides.
Spent the night at a resort (Super 8 Motel) and yes we were inside of it not just in the parking lot…this time.
Nebraska pics ---v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_12_Nebraska?authkey=Gv1sRgCMekgMjf9o6HygE

7-11-09 -Danny

7-11-09

Mesa Verde was so cool. It was one of the places I wanted to go to and I’m glad we did. One the journey we climbed up ladders 30ft high and had to hold onto chains to get up a cliff. And when we got to the bottom we could look around at these kivas that were houses underground with a fire pit area and a chimney like ventilation. There were also other buildings underneath the rock that went up. Parts had begun to crumble but you could see they built balconies and got water from these spots where the water had slowly traveled through the sand stone rock above them. Oh I forgot to say we got to go down in one of the kivas at this different place it was so cool (temperature) in there. After Mesa Verde we drove a lot to the Sand Dunes we got there really late but still got to run up them it was so bizarre. I mean there were mountains all around us and right in the middle is like this pile of sand… weird. After our quick stop it was like pitch black and there was many deer crossing the road. As we drove we had to go really slowly three times we saw deer crossing. One time we saw two young fawns. After getting out of there we got to a motel………….parking lot. And fell asleep.

7-10-09 -Danny

7-10-09

After Vegas we had along drive to the grand canyon and along the way we smelled something disgusting in the car. First my family accused my shoes of the stench. They did smell but they weren’t as bad as the other putrid smell in the car. Finally after looking around we found out it was some moldy cheeese mom left out it was disgusting we threw the container out with it. When we reached the Grand Canyon it was amazing. Even having seen it before it still was breath taking. After the Grand Canyon we went to the 4 corners where to our dismay they weren’t open. However we heard from somebody else that we didn’t miss much and saved some good money not going figuring that that’s not the exact location anymore. Oops. As night came we checked into a motel and went to sleep.

Las Vegas -Danny

Las Vegas

Our Vegas stop has been a blast. No more painless waiting for your food over the fire to cook or starting the fire for that matter. Also we have a shower! So far we’ve seen a comedy/magician show staring Mac King he was amazing. I don’t know how he did any of his tricks they were realy cool and hilarious. Katie had been in the pool all the time and we all go down too. Mom and Dad are having luck in the Casinos. Double yay! Plus we spent like a whole day at Circus Circus there they had some awesome rides where I had to drag Katie onto. I remember on one of the scary one’s she was yelling “Danny! Danny!, I’m gonnaaaaaaa killlllllll yooooouuu! It was hilarious seeing her face as we flipped upside down as we spun on CHAOS. We also went on a Stratosphere like ride except bit smaller (well probably a lot smaller). Still it was freaky! You got shot straight up probably 100 feet in the air then you just stopped for like 5 seconds looking down then dropped. It was so sweet. Katie didn’t like it and I wasn’t gonna do it again. As we went through the rides we found one awesome game Laser Tag. There were many tunnels and holes in the walls, it made the one in Vermont look like a joke. We played that many times. Sometimes working together sometimes not. I won the majority of the games but it was still close. Can’t believe the trip is almost over.

-Danny

A word from Bucky…..

Seems like it’s to me for me to defend myself a little bit. First of all for those that don’t know me let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Bucky and I am a 1990 Ford Econoline van, camper top, am fm cassette TV, AC, Automatic transmission with a few miles (130,000+/-). But when I see my reflection in another car’s chrome bumper, I got to say I look pretty good.
I was bought by the Stames family last winter from a dealer in Vermont who said that I had previously been owned by two little old ladies who treated me very well, yah whatever, we’ll stick to that story. I spent the winter basically hibernating and when spring rolled around I just sat in the yard and soaked up the rays. Life was good.
I went on a few excursions with Tom’s soccer team to Burlington, rotten stinky kids but not too much work required on my part. I started to hear muttering about a ‘trip’ planned for the summertime but not too many details. In June there was more activity for me and I was taken to a mechanic to have a checkup. That’s so embarrassing when they pop open your hood and start poking around. The good news is that I got an oil change first one in a loooong time, oops I mean just another regularly scheduled maintenance that I always had with my previous owners (wink,wink).
The day for the trip was now upon us and I was ready for a journey perhaps we would go to Burlington or perhaps as far as St. Albans. My two tanks were filled and away we went, 100 miles no stops, Welcome to New York state, 200 miles no stops, welcome to Canada 300 miles no stops, ummm excuse me but can I get a little break. Does this fanily ever have to pee ?? We finally pulled into a gas station as both my tanks were dry and I was thirsty. I was shut off for a much needed break when Tom tried to restart me I said I don’t think so, I am tired but he hooked me up to a Canadian Dodge and they boosted some life back into me. The Stames family was puzzled as to why I wouldn’t start, well perhaps if they had driven me around a little they would have ‘ciphered out the fact that I don’t like to start when I am warmed up. Well with the extra boost from the Dodge, I was ready to go, surely we would be heading home soon…but noooo.. we kept heading west for another 200 miles. I was all set for a nice shady peaceful campground and a good night’s sleep…but nooo..they park me in the middle of a Walmart parking lot and shut me off. They immediately try to restart me, surprise surprise I didn’t start up, did they think a nice drive in the countryside would magically cure me ????
We all had a nice sleep and I roared to life in the morning, they filled up my tanks and away we went for another 250 miles when they decided it was best to take me to a garage and have me checked out ….good idea Einstein family !!
I was hooked up to more contraptions then you can imagine. The Ford certified mechanic determined that it was my starter that was bad and Tom agreed and said that what was he had diagnosed as well. The Ford master service mechanic was I am sure glad to have Tom’s input.
A new starter was installed and we rested for the night. Next day lo and behold away we go again… 700 miles !!! Where the heck are we going ? Day after day we drive and drive, stop and take pictures etc, etc. We finally get to Yellowstone and there I am faced with mountain passes that have me climbing to 9600 feet. Now this wouldn’t be so bad but I am lugging the entire Stames family, did I mention that they brought clothes, a tent, stove, pots, pans, cupboard, sleeping bags, a grill! …I am surprised there wasn’t a washer and dryer thrown in for good measure !!
I performed admirably considering what was being asked of me. It wasn’t until Yellowstone that I got a little steamed and finally Tom decided to pop the hood and at least check on my fluids, remember I was used to being spoiled by the two little old ladies who used to own me. We finally arrived in Wendover, NV after driving past the Bonneville Salt Flats home of the land speed record of 600 plus mph. I am sure I could have topped that but I wasn’t given the chance. I was parked in the hotel parking lot for the night. The next morning the Stames family came out to go but what wait a minute remember above I had said I was carting around the entire Stames family… well apparently I did not have the entire Stames family, two more appeared, where they came from I don’t know. Well they all pile in and say they want to go UP a hill to see the view. Ummm excuse me but does good old Bucky get a vote in the matter, apparently not. I even heard the new Stames lady said that I looked better in my pictures, well harrumphhh!
The next day we bid a fond adieu to the additional Stames clan and the original Vermont Stames clan and I headed to Great Basin National Park. I welcomed the relief from climbing mountain passes in Yellowstone and look forward to going down hill in a basin. Well we arrived there and the elevation at the visitor center was 5000 feet but there was a road to the summit that climbed to 10,000 feet. Excuuuse me, you want me to pull everyone up another 5000 feet !!! Again I was not consulted, and away we went. I made it to 7500 feet and the stopped. I had a little bit of a breakdown and was spewing antifreeze and was overheated. I was not going any farther uphill. Tom popped my hood and I spilled my guts alond with some antifreeze. We had a good heart to carburetor talk. I asked him how he would like it if someone was on his back always pushing him, making him do more and never asking for his opinion. He said he could not relate but it did indeed sound awful. He replaced the fluid that I had puked out and headed me downhill, off for a scenic drive across Utah.
A few days later and we are in Mesquite,NV and the evil family decides that since it is only 100 degrees there we should drive across the desert to Las Vegas where it is 108 degrees. Guess who has to do the transporting. So off we go across the desert and they decide now is the time to try the AC, which of course works fine but is more demanding of me. I give them the ultimatum, you want to go across the desert fine but no AC or maybe just a smattering, I reminded them that the desert is not where they wanted to be with me having m y hood up. I suggest they use the 260 air conditioning, that’s right 2 windows open at 60 miles an hour.
I got a well deserved break in Las Vegas, I just hung out in the parking lot for a few nights, Every night I had a different car next to me. Hey, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Trying to get caught up on some our travels. Still some more updating to do.
All is well on the road !!


7/1/09
Moab, Utah
We spoiled ourselves last night and stayed at a luxury resort, which in Spanish is called Les Grandes Ocho Hacienda (english translation Super 8 Motel). Drove a few miles up the road to Arches National Park. Did a two mile hike to Landscape Arch, which has a span of 300 ft. Great hike. Then drove farther into the park and did a mile hike to Delicate Arch. Great scenery and awesome rock formations. We then retreated back to our fabulous resort for a swim at the pool. Moab has lots of rafting companies offering trips down the Colorado River that flows through town. I left the kids and Carolyn and drove into town and inquired about where we could swim in the river. First place I stopped said to drive twenty miles to a spot, second spot I inquired said don’t go in the river it’s dangerous and they are still looking for a body from a few weeks ago. Stopped in at a little art gallery and asked some locals, they said not to go in the Colorado River but gave me directions to a little place called Mill Creek. I went back to the resort and dragged the family out of the pool and said we were going to check out another place. Drove a mile down the road and then hiked along a stream up a canyon and after about a half mile arrived at this great little swimming hole. We had a blast jumping off the rocks into the water.
While the kids and I were jumping in the water Carolyn started talking to a 20 yr old girl
that was there supervising a few kids (please, let the record show that it was not me that started the conversation with the girl in the swimsuit). Turns out the girl, Melisa, was a camp counselor and was really into mountain biking. Carolyn mentioned that Katie had done the Dirt Divas mountain biking camp in Vermont last year. Melisa had gone to a mountain biking seminar by Nadine Budbill who runs the Dirt Diva camp. Melisa then said that she remembered seeing Katie on the Dirt Diva’s website. Small world !!
After our trip to the swimming hole it was back to the resort for another swim. We then went up the road to Canyonlands Nat’l Park. We did a quick mile hike there to Upheaval Dome and watched the sun go down. Back to the resort to get some shuteye.
Photos from July 1st ----v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_01_Moab?authkey=Gv1sRgCMit3ufHzYrMwAE



7/2/09

After our two day stay at the luxury resort we hit the road and headed for Capitol Reef National Park. We arrived at Capitol Reef and inquired about hikes in the park. We were told that there were flash flood warnings so it was not advisable to hike into the canyons. We drove around the park and checked out the sights. Then on the road again. Our next stop was Calf Creek Recreation area. We hiked for three miles up a box canyon before we came to a 120 ft waterfall and dove in to the pool at the base of the falls, quite refreshing !!! We then hiked the three miles out of the canyon and continued on Rte 12 in Utah. The road at some points had no shoulders and sheer cliffs on both sides of the road. We stopped at a campground that was about 10 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park. On the way we saw cattle grazing on the open range, no fences, highway is part of the pasture. After avoiding buffalo and bears on the road in Yellowstone it was odd to have to be on the lookout for cows.
Photos from July 2nd ----v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_02_MoabEscalante?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCBv4T3pOn7cw

7/3/09
Woke up and headed to Bryce Canyon. We did a hike to Queen’s Garden in the park . The hike is touted as the most scenic three mile hike in the world. Not sure who does the rating but it was a great hike with beautiful rock formations. A lot of great views of the orange rock formations in Bryce Canyon. We the took a short drive and stopped early at a campground with a pool and just hung out and played cards and had supoper over the campfire. We had driven in to ‘town’ to pick up some groceries, the groicery story did not have much, ie the meat section had hamburg, hot dogs and a few chicken breasts. I gues if you live in this part of the country you raise your own beef. Played hearts after supper, no need to say who won but his name rhymes with Mad.
Photos from July 3rd ----v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_03_Bryce?authkey=Gv1sRgCJGggav4qdG5lgE

7/4/09
On to Zion National Park. Arrived at Zion at start of day and Danny, Katie and I saddled up for a horseback ride. As we were waiting to have our horses selected we noticed that one was a extra strong one. The cowboys assigned that horse to me, must be they took one look at my broad shoulders and figured I was the cowboy that could handle such a strong horse. We had a good time with our horseback ride across the river and through the canyon. Carolyn took a hike, somehow she missed the horseback riding. She’s just no Annie Oakley. We net up after the ride and went for a three mile hike to the Emerald pools where we could jup in to the water, which was quite refreshing as it was 97 degrees. We the rode the shuttle bus up to another riverside walk into the canyon. After our hikes we pressed on to Mesquite Nevada and stayed at a hotel with a pool and watched the fireworks (all five minutes of them!).
Photos from July 4th ----v
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtcas/2009_07_04_Zion_Mesquite?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqpqcuFxsiVAQ

Two Cents from the Peanut Gallery

6/4/09
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP SO FAR
*Spending quality time with my family 24/7.
*Observing all of the wildlife in Yellowstone and the Tetons.
*Hiking Trout Lake in bear country, Yellowstone. Yes, we’ve seen 4 Grizzly Bears. I was rather daunted by the experience.
*Touring Mount Rushmore, Rushmore caves, and Devils Tower.
*River rafting on the Shoshone River in Cody, Wyoming.
*Swimming and picnicking at Bear Lake in Utah. The water was so beautiful and clear.
*Visiting with Dad and Vi in Wendover, Nevada.
*Hiking in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park.
*Trusting Tom on his wild goose chase hikes, which has lead us to beautiful waterfalls.
*Watching the sunrise in Cannonville, Utah.
*Playing great games of Hearts with our family. (It’s a card game)


AHA MOMENTS
*Tom drives by the first casino in Hoganburg, New York and doesn’t stop.
*Our van not starting after the first fuel stop. We had to ask a man for a jump. We ended up having the starter replaced.
*Tom buying the movie, Close Encounters of the third after we toured Devil’s Tower. I just keep falling asleep when we try to watch it.
*To think that Danny is the cleanest member of the Stames family. He has to have a shower every day. Showers in Yellowstone cost $3.25 per person.
*Doing laundry after one week, and only folding a pair of underwear from 2 different people.
*Bucky not making the trek up Great Basin National Park. Let’s just say it involved anti-freeze.
*Danny seemed to have misplaced his watch and camera.
-Carolyn

7/2/09 -Danny

7/2/09

Today we left our hotel and looked for my camera with no success though we know it’s in the car somewhere and are planning to look for it when we arrive at the KOA. We went to Capital Reef National Park today and drove the scenic route where there were cliffs on both sides of us. We couldn’t go into the gorge because of flash flood warnings, due to some rain. We did however get to see some Indian cave drawings that were real cool. There were some of mountain goat and people. Later in the day we went on a 6 mile hike roundtrip where at the end was a bone chilling cold waterfall. We arrived there and no one dared go in. We poked our feet in and found freezing water. I took some steps back and charged into the water and was the first one in and under. It was so cold! After that I went in some more and found that running in was the best. Later everyone was in (for a short time). It didn’t beat jumping off the cliffs but it was still awesome.

-Cold in Cannonville

Danny

7-1-09 -Danny

7-1-09

Today was really hot we went for a hike in Arches National Park during the beginning of the day. The hike had some fun rocks to climb. After that we went around to some other spots to walk including Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch. After that we went swimming and had the pool all to our selves we were so lucky. At the pool we had lucnh which was tuna fish and chips it was delicious. After 2 hours at the pool Dad told us about this hike through the woods to a creek. Really I just wanted to stay at the pool but I still went, and am glad I did. Because at the creek there was this big swimming area in the canyons where you could jump off the high ledges into the water it was so much fun. You’d jump off and right before you hit the water you got the feeling like “Hey Your Falling” and you’d let out a quick yell right as your feet touched the water. I went three times with Dad, Katie went also once. It was hard getting up but we found a easier longer way except the rock you had to walk across to get there was really hot. I had Dad’s sandels so I was fine but Dad had to run 50 meters then sit on his butt with his feet in the air. It was hillarious. After that we went groccery shopping then back to the pool then when it was realy cool we did a mile walk to Upheaval Dome. It was nice because it was late at night so it wasn’t hot and there was a strong brezze. After that we went back to the hotel and called it a night.

-Danny

6/29/09 -Danny

6/29/09

Today we stayed in Wendover and Grammie and Grandpa met up with us which is always a treat. We showed them many of our pictures, went swimming, and tried to get a family photo of us all using Dad’s timer on his camera. But Dad never got there in time which led to some funny pictures and after many more pictures we finally got it. After that we went to some Air Force Reserve place that was the biggest back in the 1930’s. In other words it was old. As we went around the whole place looking for the self guided tour building. Well we ran into this lady who lived in one of the barracks and told us of many more who lived there, Kind of weird I thought. But as we entered the tour building it was surprisingly not as bad as the outside. After that we saw the hanger that held the Enola Gay B-29 Plane. As we left the Air Base we went back to the hotel. There we did many fun things like play cards with Grammie which is always fun, swim of course, and eat at a buffet. Then we went to sleep. When we awoke mom always says that saying goodbye was the hardest part of all of our trips with Grammie and Grandpa. It is. We had a great time and hope to see them on our way back through.

-Danny

Katie's Second Report

6/22/09

Off we go, we were heading to Devils Tower. It was cool! We did a 1 mile and a quarter walk around the base of it. We could see people rock climbing on the spectacular rock. One comment that I would have for them is don’t look down! After the walk we were heading for the KOA (Kamping of America). There was a swimming pool, bouncy ground area, and a basketball hoop. Sounds like my kind of camping! Next we got so caught up on the Wi-Fi, laundry, and fun activities that we ended up having dinner at 10:00 at night. We had Mac n’ Cheese and it seemed like it took forever to cook, probably because it was so late and I was so hungry. Then we hopped in Bucky and got a goodnight sleep.

6/23/09

Burr! It is freezing and we are going rafting. I am looking 3% forward to it because I am cold and I am daunted by it. The reason why is because I read the book “Down River” and that book has some scary rapids in it. But I am up for the challenge (I didn’t have much of a choice I had a ticket reserved though)! So we went to the river rafting place and waited to depart. So then they were gathering everyone together and held up this big yellow jacket and said “who wants to wear this”? Of course Mom raises her hand and another woman from Oklahoma named Terry did too. So the two of them looked like tweedy birds it was funny. Terry had a daughter named Kirsten and both of them were on our raft. Terry was so funny, one thing that she said that cracked me up the most was, “Are we supposed to be doing something?” She said this as were heading toward a huge rock wall where there is a rapid by. OMG! She was cracking us all up! After we went down these amazingly fun rapids we had to stop at Wal-Mart. We replenished our food supply and headed off for Yellowstone. Well let’s just say we were traveling along the road and all of a sudden we see all these cars stopped. So we started to go by and Dan and Dad wanted to stop but I had to use the potty and Mom didn’t care. So guess who got outnumbered, me! So we turned around good thing we did because there was a 200 pound Grizzly bear there. It was a spectacular scene and an amazing one too. Well the park rangers were there and they were saying if the bear gets closer then all of us have to move back. Then he said everybody in their cars. This was cool because Bucky was the closest car to the bear. Then the bear headed up into the woods so we left to stay at Bridge Bay campsite. Once there I got a good night sleep except for one part. Dan woke up and was in a sudden rush saying “I have to go to the bathroom”. It was hilarious because he was banging on the door and couldn’t get out. So Dad gave him a hand and then I zonked out.

6/24/09

We started heading up to our camp site where we were going to be staying for 3 nights and 4 days. On our way there we stopped and toured around in different places. One spot was called Trout Lake where we took a 1 mile and a half walk. We stopped at a little river/stream and saw rainbow trout spawning. This was unique because I have never seen this happen before. Later that evening we were coming back to Canyon Village when once again a lot of people were stopped. So we pulled over and there was another Grizzly Bear on the side of the road. I was glad that I saw it on the side of a road then hiking next to one. Then it went back in the woods and we took off to our campsite.

6/25/09

I wake up and there is a great waft in the air. Mom and Dad made bacon and egg wraps. This made a great start to our day. We went to the Norris Geysers and saw the biggest geyser in the United States. Which the biggest one is called Steamboat Geyser but it didn’t blow for us. We did a mile walk around to see the other geysers. Then we took off for Mammoth Hot Springs and did a walk. But we were really shocked at how dry they were. There was no water I could officially say that it was dryer than a saltine cracker! Which when we got into Bucky we were heading to the visitors center and there was about 15 elk. I got some video shots of them which were neat. Then after we were done with that we went back to our campsite and all of us, except Mom, took a nap.




6/26/09

Today I was really excited because I was going to be able to say “I’ve seen Old Faithful”. So we took off but it was a little yucky out. It was starting to clear up as we drove closer to the Geysers which were excellent news! Once we got to Old Faithful it was sunny out and we were heading to park. When we got to the parking lot I was amazed because there were a lot of cars there. Then we had perfect timing because we saw Old Faithful blow and then this lady said that Beehive Geyser is going to go off after Old Faithful. So we went and saw it go off. It was a spectacular scene to watch. Then we went back to Bucky and had lunch, and then we were going to walk on the trails around the Geysers. Fortunately we saw Castle Geyser go off which both Beehive and Castle only go off every 13 ½ hours. This was a cool day.

6/27/09

Off we go and we are leaving Yellowstone, and heading to the Tetons. On our way there I asked Dad “Are there any bears in the Tetons?” He responded and said “no”. So then Danny chimed in and said “if we see a bear I’ll give you a dollar”. Of course I shook on it and go figure about 3 minutes later there were a lot of cars pulled over. We stopped got out and asked “what do you see” the answer was a bear to the right and a moose to the left. It was fascinating to see the bear but also it wasn’t a reluctant feeling. Then the bear took off to the woods so we couldn’t see it anymore. But there was still the moose and Dad got really close. This is a little story that was really funny about Dad and the moose. So Dad starts to head down this dirt road, and then he gets to this part where there is a block in the road. He is only 20 meters from the moose and he starts to get up on the pole that’s blocking the path. Meanwhile Dan, Mom and I are watching him. Well I start to head towards Bucky and there are these people standing right next to Bucky. I overheard them say “what is that guy doing he is climbing over the pole oh wait he is standing on it, what an idiot, that’s stupid”. I was laughing so hard. Then we took off a got a campsite at Signal Campground in the Tetons. Then we did some hiking and ate dinner (can you believe it we went out and ate, we didn’t have oodles and noodles) in Jackson Hole. Next we went back to the camp and got ready for the ranger show on wolves.