Road Trip 2014: Day 8

We left for Vegas this morning about 10 arriving just a couple hours later due to the time change. We were too early to check in so we looked around the hotel, had lunch, visited the shark reef (which was filled with screaming children and was crazy over-priced), took the tram to New York, New York so Parker could ride the roller coaster, and wasted some money on kiddie gambling (claw game). Then we tried to check in at 3 but room wasn't ready. We (Michael) complained and got $ credit and different room. But new room had horrible view of roof and air conditioning machines so he complained again while the kids and I got the suitcases. The complaining was worth as finalroom was great. Super view.

Then we went to the pool which the kids loved. Great wave pool and lazy river. Unfortunately Parker slipped and hit his head and I didn't see it even though I was sitting close. Two security and one lifeguard brought a tearful Parker over. We went back to the room to chill out and apply ice pack.We had room service for dinner which the girls requested. We are gonna wake up Parker every few hours tonight in case he has a concussion which we don't think he has.

Parker's swim team is the piranhas.

View from 21st floor. Girls thought this was best hotel ever!

Checking out automatic curtains.

Lazy river. Fast and fun!

On the way to jacuzzi right before Parker accident.

These were the free chairs. Cushions or cabanas were hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

After injury but couldn't pass up photo op.

Enjoying the amenities.

Dinner.

Almost feeling better.

Telling Michael that if he wins a million dollars gambling, she gets $30. Dollars.

We had to get a suite as regular rooms only allowed four people. It was crazy big. This was one of the three rooms.

With the exception of Parker getting hurt and initial hotel issue, it was another good day.  Tomorrow we will hang at pool all day and maybe hit a magic show. I want Penn and Teller but it might be Criss Angel.

Road Trip 2014: Day 7

We got an early start this morning to avoid the crowds at the Narrows. We had rented boots and walking sticks the day before and were at the shuttle bus by 7:30am. The kids were much happier walking holding sticks and there were only a few other people on the trail. It was fantastic.  Peaceful, unbelievably gorgeous and fun for the kids. We were so glad we got there early as the crowds arriving as we were leaving were horrible. The kids did great. Everyone fell once so Miranda and Eli were a little cold at times but persevered. 

View from the shuttle.

The court of patriarchs: Isaac, Jacob and Abraham.

Starting the trail.  Kids slid down this rock until Miranda had holes in her shorts.

No one there!

Parker wanted to take hard "fun" way here.

A waterfall!

He liked climbing the rocks. There were many rocks.

She was a rock climbing fan too.

He also enjoyed the caves.

Everyone happy.

Crazy coloring!

This was pretty much what it was like the whole time. We walked from about 8:15 to 10:15 up the river. 

We didn't like it when he walked on the top of slippery rocks.

When the others were changing into dry shoes, she wanted to play in muddy water more. Once again, she was the best on the hike.

One of the few other people there took this great shot. 

And this one.

Back at the hotel, we swam, Eli napped and the boys played chess.

Then we walked a couple blocks to dinner at a fairly fancy place which was delicious.

It was about 95 degrees at 5:30.

Look at the rocks!

Michael got a frufru drink. Two in fact.

Parker and Eli swam again after dinner and then we all watched Chopped. Another outstanding day.

Tomorrow, we drive to Vegas!

Road Trip 2014: Day 6

We drove to Zion today. We thought about stopping at Canyonlands but when we realized it would add several hours to our drive, we said screw it. We left at 10 and arrived about 4 with a lunch stop at this funky tourist place. We checked out the pool at the Dessert Pearl Inn before hopping on a shuttle for the park. It was all very easy and we were walking up to Emerald Pool before we knew it. It was a short easyish hike but Elizabeth hates hiking almost as much as I do was not happy.  The thunder, light rain and lovely waterfalls could not persuade her to be happy.  Only when we returned to the visitor center did her energy return. We grabbed stuff for breakfast at park market and rented equipment for our trail tomorrow. The fact that the walk requires equipment kinda freaks me out.

The view most of the time on the drive today.

Trading post at Fort Zion.

Fake teepee.

Feeding livestock at fort.

Lunch. Blurry Photo courtesy of crazy cashier.

Fake saloon.

Fake Jail.

Swank pool. Hotel is swanky too.  Nice view behind rooms.

Waiting for shuttle.

Entering the park.

On the shuttle.

More shuttle.

Starting the hike.

Standing under waterfall.

Miranda is always a good sport on nature walks. She wanted to go up more when we turned around.

Elizabeth did not. This is how she looked most of the time.

Parker kept reaching for my hand to hold.

With our walking sticks to help us through the Narrows tomorrow. God help us all.