TravelStream™ news feed for member wackymom24 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/wackymom24 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:53:10 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217262660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217262660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217262660/tpod.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:53:10 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Canyon, Texas, United States

We have started the drive home and quite frankly were a little bored.  I had read about this canyon in Texas - Palo Duro - that was supposed to be the 2nd largest canyon in the US behind the Grand Canyon...we lets go see this thing!  While not a majestic as the Grand Canyon it is beautiful and very interesting.  I'm thinking we will be returning!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217317020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217317020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217317020/tpod.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:52:34 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Katy, Texas, United States

3 am our weary selves arrive home safe and sound!Here is our reflection of the trip:3790 miles48 license plates found (missing New Hamshire and Connecticut)12 days10 Hiked Miles8 states6 Hotels4 Golf balls in the corn3 State Parks3 National Parks2 time zones2 cases of chiggers2 cracks in the windshield1 case of food poisioning1 Hail Storm1 Ghost Hunt - 0 Ghost foundAreas we drove through:CORN, CORN, CORNHAY, HAY, HAYWind farmsMountainsPlainsVolcano fieldThe middle of nowhereThe edge of somewhereOfficial Caution Signs of Interest:Big Foot Crossing (really!)Elk, Cow, Buffalo, Deer, MooseFalling RockSteep GradeHot Brakes Fail (seen on Pikes Peak at about 13,000 feet!  They actually check the temp of your brakes at at check point before letting you descend any further)Animals:Goats, llamas, buffalo, cow, prong horn, horse, mule deer, coyote, elk, mormot, chipmunk, praire dogs
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217244420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217244420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217244420/tpod.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:30:55 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Capulin, New Mexico, United States

Capulin National Park is in the middle of a volcano field in New Mexico..errie...we were able to walk the perimeter of the volcano and then go down inside.  Pretty cool.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217205660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217205660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217205660/tpod.html Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:48:38 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Blanca, Colorado, United States

We were racing against sundown - this national park is way out of the way but we really wanted to see it.  The sand dunes are HUGE and cover 30 sq miles!  I immediately set a goal to get to the top..he he he!  Of course we make it...a mile and a half uphill in the sand...but not without some serious pain.  I left everything I have on that dune!  Once you start climbing it looks like you are at the top, then you realize you have another summit...climb again...no energy and breathing hard but you are almost there.  Nooooo...at the second "summit" we realize there is one more hill (we hope) but YES we make it to the top of the High Dune - WHOHOOOOOOOOOO.  We are so high up we can't even see the car...wow.  Now gotta get down before it is totally dark.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217178000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217178000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217178000/tpod.html Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:40:45 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Colorado City, Colorado, United States

We drove to the top on the world!  Well not really but when we got out of the car a wave of dizzy hits you.  The oxygen is about half that in Houston.  The drive was crazy, many turns without guard rails and a steep fall off.  It was amazing!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217081640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217081640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217081640/tpod.html Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:58:10 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, United States

James is not well enough for a hike so the boys and I head out to Bear Lake Trail Head.  The area is crowded so we have to take a park and ride bus.  Trevor and I study the trail map and come up with a little 4 mile hike (At the time I'm still very disappointed about the Flattop hike getting postponed and am acting like a brat...this will change!)  So we start out on the trail and it is so EASY!  Almost like a nature sidewalk...the boys are having fun but know I am not and we end up having a little family therapy session on the side of the trail =).  I take a deep breath, they take a deep breath and we move forward.  Finally, the trail starts to change and we get into some real hiking.  Additionally, in studying the map we decide to add two miles and finish up at a different trailhead (we can do this because of the park and ride shuttle).  Our destiny is set...We reach the lake of boulders and the boys are in heaven!  If you have ever been to Enchanted Rock it is a lot like that.  We eat some and play some with Trevor the Brave One in the lead.  We start to head back on the new extended trail and are having a great time...the time is 12:30...I'm guesstimating we will arrive no later than 3 depending on how much uphill.  I hear thunder and put the move on with the boys.  It turns out that it is mainly downhill and we are making great time.  Around 1:00 we hit a main fork with signs and people (the boys were afraid we were on the wrong trail...please!)  and we determine we have about 2.2 miles to go...no problem.  ANYWHO, thunder again and sprinkles, ok we can handle sprinkle.  Then the hail...kinda funny at first watching the boys trying to dodge the ice.  Then the hail starts coming faster so we try to find shelter under the trees.  T & E take off their shirts to try to keep them dry (he he he).  The storm is upon us with no signs of stopping...we are completely unprepared in our t-shirts and shorts.  We decide to brave the hail and start walking...ugh, the ice starts to feel like needles in my skin and I have my first bit of panic...the temperature is dropping and there is ice everywhere...it is July right?  A group of angels arrive offering us plastic...at first we refuse thinking the storm will pass but a couple of more minutes pass and we accept the offer.  They hang back for awhile following us and come up again.  Evan is in full shake mode and our hands are frozen.  It must be 50 degrees and we are soaking wet.  They pull out sweaters and don't even ask, they just put it on us.  They escort us the rest of the way down...can be called nothing but angels.  We walk two miles and one hour in freezing rain/hail...we can't feel our feet or hands...we will be chilled the rest of the evening even after our hot shower.  Trevor asks if this was enough adventure for me and we all get a good laugh.  I am so proud of the boys...they really held it together up there and got down that mountain in spite of the challenges and kept their humor!  I will never again hike in the mountains without raingear and a source of warmth - it went from sunny 80 degrees to winter like 50 degrees/ice storm in less than 15 minutes.  And I thank God for those hikers that wouldn't leave us and helped us down that mountain.What a day!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217113200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217113200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217113200/tpod.html Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:49:08 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Estes Park, Colorado, United States

Have I mentioned that the hotel we are staying at is HAUNTED.  We finish our day off with a bedtime ghost story told by an employed tour guide of the Stanley.  He told us about the 4th floor children that like to play in the couch area, the old geezer that likes to pinch butts, the host that will unpack your bags, etc....   The boys were entralled.  The hotel has even had the Ghost Hunter tv show out here several times.  Anyway, after the tour we head up to the 4th floor to find us some ghosts...none were found (surprise) but the boys had fun being spooked.  They even sat on the haunted couch.It has been a great hotel and great views...I would love to come back.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217025060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217025060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217025060/tpod.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:55:22 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, United States

On the way back to town we take the Trail Ridge Road...again so beautiful!  This time we are blessed and see the elk out and about - many bulls and cows.  The are magnificent!  Trevor's head starts pounding again as we near the top confirming it is the altitude that is bothering him.  Along with James not feeling well I forgo the big hike planned for Saturday - a nine mile round trip to the Continental Divide.  I make James promise to come back with me some time in the future.  In the meanwhile I have him take my picture from the roadside.  I am bummed but it gives me a reason to come back.  I have never been one to want to come back to a place that I have been before but this park is exceptional and I will want to return.Tomorrow holds some shorter hikes and maybe some more wildlife!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1216991940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1216991940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1216991940/tpod.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:50:56 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, United States

I am speechless all the park has to offer.  There are so many trees and snow in the mountains!  The air is crisp and got down to 50 degrees at one summit!Our plan for the day is to drive Old Falls Road up to the Alpine Visitor Center and it takes us nearly half the day!  There are so many stops and trails and snow runoff and rivers ... so much to see and do.  We attempt a 2 mile one way hike to Chaupin Summit but James is still not 100% and Trevor starts showing the first signs of altitude sickness...bummer!  We make our own summit - TEDD (Trevor, Evan, Donna and Dad!)  and then head down.  It was still a great time and the boys have a snowball fight!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217017620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217017620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/wackymom24/1/1217017620/tpod.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:31:04 -0400 Summer 2008 Roadtrip

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, United States

Once at the top 12,000 feet, Trevor's head is pounding and he is miserable.  Motrin and water are not helping so he sleeps down the mountain.  We are on the other side going to Hot Sulphur Springs.  The town hosts a natural hot spring.  It was not what I expected although it was a relaxing pool of about 110 degrees.  They had a couple of other smaller pools but it was kinda stinky (duh, sulpher pools) and just too small.  I thought the pools would be bigger and more natural looking.  And besides the color of the water and the floating sulpher just unnerved me!  We won't need to visit them again.
]]>