Busy

Like, really busy.

But its a good busy.

Fourth of July we went up to Ouray and enjoyed the hotsprings there for a couple hours, then had dinner on the town. The drive to and from Ouray is amazing. The natural beauty is spectacular, and the curvatious road offers a bit of a challenge, especially in a massive passenger van filled with kiddos.

That evening we set up and watched the fireworks in Silverton. Their display is top notch, best I've ever seen. Plus it is fantastic to listen to the reports echo on into oblivion through the canyons. On top of all this, to bexperiance it sharing a blanket with friends in the cool mountain air.

There were some fireworks the night before too, as I took on a racoon who invaded the lodge. But you'll have to ask me about that story later.

As for now it 2230 and the kiddos are all in bed. They aren't even talking anymore. I'l get a few more monents to myself, then join them in slumber.

G'night.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Pac*Man

Must be laundry day.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

It's a Wonderful Day

Can't just start by saying I'm beat?

It's a good tired. The tired that comes from entertaining eight year olds and keeping teenagers in line. The tired that comes from hours of paddeling kids around a lake in a canoe and climbing mountains. The tired that comes from waking up early, packing each day full of action and adventure, then staying up late to finish up.

It's a good tired, but a good tired none the less.

Today was good day. Worked long at hard. Got up, chased the kids out to breakfast, sat through a meeting, rested for a few mins, taught the young kids how to sneak and shoot, showered, drove to town to cach a check, ate lunch, rested for a few more mins while keeping the kids in check, took my little Wild Colorado kids on a trailess hike, placed a geocache, posted photos to the camp's flickr, ate dinner, supervised kiddos at the river, ate dessert, read with my two kids, tucked my boys in, mopped up a mess from a backed up tilet in the girls cabin, posted to the camps blog, and now am almost ready for bed.

What'd you do today?

Go Time

Alright, after a weekend of festivities its time to buckle down.

I get to be in charge of Wild Colorado again this year, which is cool. We build fires and eat bugs and stuff. But even cooler is the fact that the shelter I built last year is still standing!

How's that for sturdy construction?

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Kiddos

So yesterday was showtime: the kiddos showed up. Thus far I'm very impressed with my group. They are extremely diverse but have thus far been mixing nicely.

Today we took them on a bit of a hike to beautiful potato lake. Enjoy the pics.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

It's Showtime

Very soon the children will arrive, and I can't wait. John, my cocounselor, and I went with a Rock theme for a cabin. Its all done up with posters, 45's, 8 tracks, and awesome. We also made guitar pick necklaces for the boys, and made some neat-o name plates for the doors.

Anyway, I think I smell some bacon so it must be time for breakfast.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Staff Camping Trip

As much as I enjoy the kids at camp I love the week before when we get to hang out with just staff. Some time we spend training, some prepping, some just having a great time together.

We had plans to summit Engineer Mountain, but the trip got rained out. We took our backbacks and camped up by a lake instead.

Fabulous times with fabulous people.

Check out mu giant natural pencil in the last photo.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Camp!

Here's a little taste of what we wake up to in the morning.

Today we woke up, went for a walk, caught up with each other, and dug some holes in the ground.

Tonight is the big welcome dinner. Good times.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Onward, Eastward

After the Grandest of Canyons we drove out to Navajo National Monument. It was deserted when we arrived there at sunset. That's when we realized that there would be no rangers the next morning to guide hikes as it would be father's day. So we hiked a couple miles, enjoyed the shadows cast by the setting sun on the canyon walls, then took off for Durango.

We got in at about 0030 and were greeted by friends. The trip was a success.

Stay tuned for updates from camp.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

The Grand Canyon

Which, by the way is NOT a misnomer, it is quite grand.

We rolled up absolutely disgusted at the $25 entrance fee, but then we found out it was a free weekend. Score.

Needless to say, we has an EPIC time peering down and standing on ledges.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Saying Goodbye to the Mother Road

From Seligman we drove through the sad town of Ash Fork which has been all but forgotten by yravellers of the I40. From the glory days of the 66 all that remains in a historical monument.

Our last stop on the 66 was Williams, Az. On the recommendation of a local ham we ate at the Pine Country Restaurant . . . DELISH!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Seligman, Az

Yepp, we're pretty much tourists now, but check out our sweet hats!

And what the hell is Burma Shave® and why have they placed cryptic signs along the 66?

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Stayed at grand canyon caverns last night. Slept outside was pretty sweet. Explored the caverns this morning was amazing.

Grand Canyon Caverns

Wonderful place. We camped out under a tree then explored the largest dry canyon in the US. It was very cool, and worth the $15 camping fee and $16 for the tour.

Accomodations were great with free hot water showers!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Made It Safe

We rolled into Grand Canyon Caverns at about 1930. The drive up from Kingman was lovely. Started out desolate and lonely but transistioned to mesas and rolling hills.

We'll post pics as soon as we get a data connection on our phones.

Until then, we gotta go set up camp.

Grand Canyon Caverns, Az

Movin' On Down the Line

Stopped for a bite to eat at Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner.

So far the trip down the 66 has been amazing. The road is at times trecherous, but the views were nothing less of spectacular.

Kingman, Az

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

First Gas Stop

Kingman, Az

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Oatman, Az

A quiant town, tucked away in a forboding landscape.

What kind of a person chooses to live here?

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

You sunk my battleship!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Pirate Bobby sez . . .

 . . . 'Hand over yer booty!'

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

I've become one with the mother road

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

First pit stop

Some lonely rest stop in Fenner, Ca.

Much fluid was leaked. ;)

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Hmmm . . .

Rainbow pinstriping.

Wanna know how I know you're gay?

Barstow, Ca

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

And we're off!

Littlerock, Ca

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

This is bobby

As much as I love my regular job . . .

. . . I won't miss changing diapers.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

The Journey Begins

All packed. The car is loaded and my room looks sad and lonely.

Now off to work, and from there, the great beyond.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

At the Carwash

You know, the ghetto wash is surpisingly tranquil at midnight.

The car is clean. Now just gotta swing by the evil empire (Wal*Mart) for some goods, gas up, and finish packing.

Sleep? Meh. I'll sleep when I'm dead.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Planning

Just finished planning the road trip. Here's what we're looking at:

Day 1
19.Jun.2009

Leave Littlerock High School (approx. 1300hrs)
Begin drive of Old Route 66 (Topoc, Az)
Stop at Quality Inn at Kingman (1400 E Andy Devine Ave)
Arrive at Grand Canyon Caverns (approx. 2200hrs)


Day 2
20.Jun.2009

Guided Tour of Grand Canyon Caverns (1000hrs $9.95)
Depart Grand Canyon Caverns
End drive of Old Route 66 (Williams, Az)
Visit Grand Canyon
Arrive at Navajo National Monument


Day 3
21.Jun.2009

Guided Hike of Navajo National Monument (0830hrs)
Depart Navajo National Monument (Approx. 1230hrs)
Arrive at Timberline Academy (Approx. 1830)


In following this rough itinerary we will travel more than 800 miles, drive through three states, visit the largest dry cavern in the United States, visit Hopi cliff dwellings, skirt the rim of the Grand Canyon and travel 190 miles of the historic Route 66.

We'll be traveling in my white 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, monitoring 146.52mhz, and blogging our adventure here, of course.


Stand by.