Planning, planning, planning

Why can't I just pack up and go? I have some friends who think I am crazy for spending all of this time planning our 24 day trip this summer. Why not just go, explore, enjoy? Well, my organized brain thinks I might miss something if I don't read every book on every place we will be visiting. Wouldn't that be terrible to be in Yellowstone and miss the best hike or waterfall or wildlife area because I was just being carefree and going with the flow? Well... I admire the adventurous spirit that just goes but I actually am having fun learning... and learning... and learning.... about what we will be seeing this summer. It helps build the excitement for me and I can pass on tidbits to the kids to get them excited too. So, today, after 2 plus weeks I just finished our itinerary for our trip! Yeah! I put away all the books and will just marvel over my spreadsheet for the next few weeks before we leave. I can't wait to turn that spreadsheet into a marvelous reality!

Tucson Trip Recap

I feel like this trip we turned a huge corner! First of all, Leah my 5 year old learned to ride a bike by herself and hiked 5 miles! She did so great and she was a joy to be with! She always says she loves camping but usually has the hardest time when we are actually there... but this trip had minimal whining, crying or fighting. Maybe keeping them busy is the answer? Because of this change in Leah of course that led to a change in Mommy... I had much more energy and for the first time felt totally comfortable and at home in our RV. I used the stove, shower, sink and everything all by myself without having to ask for help. I am an independent girl so this is a huge deal for me. Tim installed a few "gadgets" that made the RV seem more organized (a kleenex holder, plastic bag holder, napkin holder) and all of these things made it seem a little more like "ours". I also slept like a rock! We had so much fun and really enjoyed our family time and adventures together. May all of this be for the glory of God and I feel so blessed to be able to leave everything behind and enjoy what God has created for us as there is beauty in God's creation all around us... even Tucson!

Next trip: Sedona in June and then our big National Park 24 day trip for the month of July!

Tucson Day 3

Day 3 was all about Sabino Canyon. We left early in the morning... again... and went straight to the canyon. I got there and was overwhelmed at the beauty of that area but mostly at the trail map and how many decisions there were to make about what trail to do. I had it planned out but it turned out to be too difficult a hike and the ranger suggested a hike that was too easy so I called my friend Ann and she told us to take the Bear Canyon trail to Seven Falls. So glad we did! It was a little over 5 miles but you cross over the river 7 times and end up at this beautiful waterfall with a pool where you can swim. The trail was full of wild flowers, saguaros and beautiful rock formations. The first leg of it is simple but you gain elevation at the end and it can be a little challenging there for awhile. Definitely take the shuttle to cut off a couple of miles. But my 5 year old Leah made it! She took every step herself and was very proud of her accomplishment! She had some help from the hiking fairy (brother and sister hiding Starbursts on the trail) and a lot of encouragement from her family.

After the hike it was a quick lunch and then time to hit the road again for home:(

Tucson Trip Day 2

On Day 2 of our trip we left early in the morning for Karchner Caverns which is a little over an hour drive from Tucson. We had reservations for the 9:40 tour. What a beautiful state park! It is fairly new so the exhibits are so nice and the grounds are impeccable. We took a tram up to the cave and then inside we went! So, I have a minor case of claustrophobia so to have those steel doors shut behind me was quite freaky... but I got through it with a lot of praying and deep breathing. My 5 year old and 8 year old girls were a little scared but we just assured them and they were fine. Wow! I was so amazed at this underground world. Huge formations of every kind were everywhere... there was so much to look at. The path was nice and flat and is the only cave that is completely wheelchair accessible. They did this amazing light and music show at the end to display the largest column in the cave. I thought a lot about how incredible it must have been to discover this cave and the pioneer nature of the human spirit. These guys were just amateur cavers and came across this life changing find. How neat to discover something never touched, seen, or walked on. OK so after our tour we had a picnic on the grounds and then back to our camp! No photos of this leg, cameras not allowed in the cave... it will forever be engraved in my mind though!
After the caves, it was back to camp for a little nap and then some imclement weather arrived... our hike in the Catalinas was shortened to a nice 1 mile Nature trail with some rain drops following us and lots of wind too. Back to camp, some bike riding, watched the Amazing Race (go Cowboys!) and then bed! Fun day!

Tucson Trip Day 1

Every time I get ready for our RV trip I think "why am I doing this?" There is such a hussle and bussle the day before we are leaving getting everything loaded and planned. It is a day of chopping food, packing up clothes, and what seems like a thousand trips to the RV. But when it is all said and done and you get on the road, it is all worth it! Your cares are left behind and the excitement of the adventure replaces them. Where we stayed: We chose to stay at Catalina State Park. It was a great home base for all we wanted to do this trip and it had some good hiking trails, full hook ups and paved loops for the kids to ride their bikes. We stayed in loop "B", it was less crowded. So, we left about 8am and got there at 10 and then set up camp. After a quick lunch we headed to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. What a great place! It is like a zoo, museum, and botanical garden. Tones of interactive exhibits for the kids, from digging for dinasour bones, searching for minerals in rocks, and keeping track of animal prints. The kids loved the sea otters and mommy loved the hummingbird exhibit and atriary. Daddy just loved it that the kids were having fun! I would highly recommend going here to see the beauty of the desert, they showcased it nicely here. You can do the whole place in a few hours if you rush but should take the whole day to really enjoy it! After the museum it was back to camp for dinner and lights out... what a fun day!