Okay, the Griswolds (er, Hass') are prepping today for our trip. Yesterday the kids packed their backpacks with sleeping bags, sleeping pads, rain jackets, rain covers, and warm clothes to sleep in. Our two nights in the backcountry of Yosemite will be above 9000 feet so we expect nighttime temps in the 30s (although it'll warm up into the 70s in the daytime). Tricia and I stuffed the six packs into the cartop carrier this morning while the kids worked on packing their bags. They were instructed to fit everything into two bags (one for Ainsley and Muluken and another for Ty and Harper). The list was as such:
- 4 underwear
- 3 socks
- 2 shorts
- 2 long pants
- 1 sweatshirt
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- swimsuit
- pajamas
- sandals
- tennis shoes
- small pillow
- small pack for playing, drawing, and reading in the car
To no one's surprise Harper was greatly annoyed by the limitations of this list; not to mention the fact she didn't get her own bag. "Two shorts!" she sighed. After going into her room we could still hear her complaining to herself. Tricia tried to explain she'd have one pair already on when we leave. I've already tried to explain the need for simplicity when getting six people and all their stuff into a van for the next three-and-a-half weeks. It's safe to say she either doesn't get it or doesn't care. I won't be surprised if we find later in the week that she snuck some extras into her bag.
Yesterday I showed the kids some pics online of the places we'll see and the things we'll do. We'll begin with a 12 hour drive on Saturday and spend the night near Little Rock, Arkansas.
On Sunday, 7/14 we'll drive 9 hours to Amarillo, Texas. While we won't have much time to look around I'm sure the boys would like to have a Texas-sized steak.
Tuesday, 7/16 we'll drive 6 hours to Flagstaff, Arizona. We're going to the Lowell Observatory in the evening to look through their famous telescopes.
Wednesday, 7/17 and Thursday, 7/18 we'll be in Grand Canyon National Park camping on the South Rim. We have no plans for the park other than to look around and do whatever strikes our fancy. I'm sure we'll find at least a few hikes. And take some incredible pictures.
On Friday, 7/19 we'll drive 4 hours into Las Vegas, Nevada. We won't be on the strip which is not a letdown. Our only reason for stopping here is its geographical placement between the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Still, we'll walk around and gawk at the god-awful atrocity of it all. I'm sure the kids will think it's SO cool.
Saturday, 7/20 through Monday, 7/21 will find us in Yosemite National Park. We're staying in Curry Village in a canvas tent. We'll spend our days hiking, horseback riding, and attending different events put on by the park rangers.
On Tuesday, 7/23 - Thursday, 7/25 we'll be backpacking into the backcountry of Yosemite. We're doing a 7.5 mile hike to Young Lakes. We'll set up our camp at the edge of the lake and then spend the following day exploring the area. We'll have two nights up there before heading back down.
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| First of the Three Young Lakes |
On Thursday, 7/25 we'll get back to the van and drive most of the way to San Francisco before stopping for the night. On Friday, 7/26 and Saturday, 7/27 we'll be in San Francisco. While there we'll walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, check out Fisherman's Wharf, eat in Chinatown, and take in a Giants baseball game. We'll be there for two full days before beginning our drive back east.
On Saturday, 7/27 we'll stop over in Sacramento, CA for the night. Then we'll drive 9 hours into Salt Lake City, Utah and spend the 28th and 29th there. We're not real sure what there is to do in Salt Lake City but it seemed like a good opportunity to break up the driving.
After leaving Salt Lake City we'll drive 6 hours on Tuesday, 7/30 to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
In all it'll be 3 books-on-tape, 18 states, 26 days, 100s of mountains, and 1,000s of miles.
And a lot of fun.
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