RE: inspired by everyone....we took the plunge

[jstaddwtr]

 Well it started innocent enough!
 
 We knew we wanted to camp for two weeks, so we made reservations in some Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan parks....but the family wasn t as excited as I would have expected.  And every nite we kept reading about someone else going to the Grand Canyon, and the Southwest.   Kelly even wrote while on her trip!  
 
 Well that did it!  With 2 days notice we had a family meeting and decided to go to the Grand Canyon and find our way from there!  It was as though we let the sun in for the first time.  The kids were happy, the birds were singing (not really, but you get the point). Off we went!
 
 So two days later we left for the Canyon and found ourselves a day and 2 1/2 after we left, in Tuba City Arizona!  Then the North Rim, Bryce, Moab, (Arches and Canyonland National Parks), Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, and finally Dodge City!!!  We took our time, read some books, looked at the stars, made some smores.  Most of the campers were international from France and Germany, U.K, Spain, Canada and Italy.  Interesting time to travel.  Even had some wonderful conversations with several Native Americans..... 2 1/2 weeks later we made our last stop in south of Indianapolis, tanned, a little tired, but really rested.  
 
 The kids said it was the best vacation they ever had.......(they are all the best ..........but we know this one was extra special!!!!!).
 
 Every step of the way, the things we have learned from all of you paid great dividends.  Each time we set-up or took down, or drove down the road, we thought of some words of wisdom....almost like your voices were right there with us.  
 
 We saw very few pop-ups but met super couple at Gouldings, in a Starcraft who were familiar with PUT.   We even followed them later on to Mesa Verde!  
 
 We stayed at some great places and will be writing reviews.
 
  Thank you all for the inspiration, the learning and sharing.[]

[tlhdoc]

 jstaddwtr
It sounds like you had a great trip.  You need to tell us more.[]

[whitestar505]

 jstaddwtr
Yes! I second the motion.. We need more. Very few POPUPs? Sure glad you all had a good safe trip...

[angelsmom10]

 jstaddwtr
Glad you had a great trip -- short notice makes even greater

[jstaddwtr]

 jstaddwtr
Sorry it has taken so long to respond.  The weather around here knocked us off our internet connection for several days.   We took several pictures but have not figured out how to post.  
 
 We drove straight through from Virginia until we got to Tuba City on the reservation.  There is a Quality Inn on the reservation that sticks out because it is so nice and quaint, contrary to the rest of the little run-down town.  When we pulled in we could not figure out whether we were going to stay.  Considering the surroundings, we could not imagine staying here.  
 
 We were very tired and nothing is close by......within many miles.....so we went in and the hotel was clean and nice and the rooms were going for $70. a night single occupancy.  We inquired about the RV sites and were directed behind the building.  There we found a high fence surrounding a really nice park with about 30 spaces, all full sites, except for some tent areas around the perimeter.  The bathrooms were clean and fairly new and it turned out to be a wonderful respite for the evening....quite literally an oasis between Flagstaff and the North Rim.  
 
 We would highly recommend it.  
 
 Overall, we found many such jewels during our trip.  ...and it was all that much better because we had no plans.
 
 

[cb]

 jstaddwtr
I surely do admire your being so spontaneous!  What an unfogettable, fun trip!

[jstaddwtr]

 jstaddwtr
Thanks!!!!
 
 The remarkable thing for us was because of organization we did not feel like we forgot anything....well we all feel like we could have used one moire thing but, ...it was really enjoyable.  We are trying to post pictures of our TV and Hermes but are still trying to figure how.

[Turn Key]

 jstaddwtr
Not camping this trip but headed for the South Rim next month.  Can t wait!

[angelsmom10]

 jstaddwtr
Unless I missed it, did you camp or just drive?

[jstaddwtr]

 jstaddwtr
Definitely camped all the way...........
 
 kids said it was the best vacation ever!.........(I ll take it!!!!)[][]

[Campntime]

 jstaddwtr
Congratulations on a great vacation.  The kids will never forget it either.
 
 Now that you have been  out of the box  in vacation thinking, you will never want to go back in!  Can t wait to see what you plan for future trips!

[OC Campers]

 jstaddwtr
Since your trip was so spontaneous, I am guessing you didn t have any campground reservations.  Did you have any trouble getting into campgrounds?  I have never camped without a reservation.  Especially traveling so far and to a popular attraction.
 
 I am so glad you had a wonderful vacation.  I am hoping to make it out of California some day soon and see some of the beautiful sites in Moab, UT, Arches National Park and Bryce and Zion National Park.
 
 Jacqui

[angelsmom10]

 jstaddwtr
So where did you camp in KY -- what was it like?

[jstaddwtr]

 jstaddwtr
Before we left we took out all the maps and tried to decide what route to take.  I am a AAA travel agent so I decided to put my knowledge to work for us....kinda like a " Busmans holiday."  (Do they still use that expression??)  
 
 Anyway, we looked at all of the possible stopping points so at first we thought to make reservations in Kentucky.  It looks like some beautiful parks there.  Alot of the places we wanted to go was no reservations.  So, on the Monday we decided to take the trip to the southwest, (which was two days before we actually left) and we called the North Rim and because of a cancellation was able to book 4 days at the rim beginning on Sat. at 3;00.  That became our only point of importance of how to get to the north rim, leaving on Wed nightafter the rush hour, out of Northern Virginia/DC, and getting to the Grand Canyon by the following Saturday, 2 1/2 days later.
 
 We like to travel at night because there is usually no traffic and the kids go to sleep in their pajamas.   So some where along the way we decided to drive as far as we could without stopping, so we would be west of the Mississippi when we did camp.   Well the kids woke up and we were in Tennessee.  Things were going so well, ...we would stop for breakfast and breaks to walk around a Wally world, switch drivers, or somthing, but we just kept driving.  
 
 My DH loves to drive so we just kept going until we hit Flagstaff around noon on Friday.  We did stop alot whenever we saw somthing interesting, but mostly to stretch, get gas, munchies and keep truckin.  Looking at the AAA guide we saw there was a place in Tuba City so that was a wonderful suprise.
 
 So Tuba City was our first camping.  This approach was alot like holding our breath under water and swimming as far as you can until you had to breath again...on the other hand, by the time we got to the western Tennesee boarder, we were beginning to believe we were actually doing this and by New Mexico we knew there was no turning back!
 
 The next morning we slept in and slowly made our way through the Navajo reservation towards the North Rim.  We would recommend this drive to everyone, fantastic scenery.  We arrived at 2:00 on Saturday and found these huge shaded comfotable sites under huge trees and the canyon rim a few steps away...great for staring at while drinking a cup of coffee.  We only stayed three days because we started talking to other campers and learned about other places to stay.   From there on, we followed the tips from the folks we met, checking with the AAA camping guide and only calling on the same day for reservations.
 
 Folks coming from the south rim marvelled at how peaceful and spacious it was (and un-crowded) on the north rim.  With crowds in mind we decided to save Zion for another trip and go to Bryce.  We stayed at Ruby s RV Park & Campground.  Great place to stay but learned quickley to drive 20 miles to get groceries we could afford.   For Bryce we recommend the hike down " wall street"  and the Navajo trail together with the Queens Garden Trail.  Met some folks at Bryce that convinced us to go to Moab and stay at Canyonland  Campground.  This place was great.  []
 
 The campground is right in town.  Moab is kinda 60 s-ish and is just a couple of minutes from Arches and Canyonlands Parks.  It was neet to walk out of the camp site onto the small town, where there are pizza parlors, books stores and other stuff.  Although it was over 100 degrees, the campground was shaded and the snow birds staying there were particularly friendly and welcoming!  This was probably one of our favorite places.!!![] For the Arches we would recommend the paid ranger tour to the Fiery Furnace and also the hike to the delicate arch.
 
 
 After a couple of days we moved to Monument canyon and stayed at Gouldings.  Pretty awesome!!!!  If you like westerns and John Wayne movies you will love this place.   Ooops! looking at the size of this I realized I have babbled on!!  
 
 One last story:  My 9 year old received a boys bike from her grandmother a couple of years ago.  It was the kind with shocks, gears and all the goodies.  To make it hers DH put a pink Barbie bell on it.  She loved this bike but wanted to have somthing bigger, so kept riding her older sisters, who kept riding her fathers...(but thats another story).....Anyway, when we got to the first set of Navajo selling jewlery just before reaching Monument Valley, DH noticed this Navajo gentleman seller with two young boys laying by his pick-up...bored to death.
 
 After looking at his jewlery, DH sent us girls away saying it was a " guy thing"  and the next thing we know he had the Father helping him get the bike off the trailer.  He quickley took the bell off before the boys saw it and had them try it out.  The kids were reluctant at first, but soon started to " really get into it."   The moping and wearyness seemed to dissapear. They were 10 and 12 years old.  DH then called us over and told us to pick out beads an necklaces that we all wanted.  Once my young daughter and I chose something she liked at a reasonable price he put it back and grabbed these stunning pieces that suprised us both.  Once he convinced us how great they were he held them up to the father and they stared at each other with satisfied looks, ending with a handshake!!!  The boys were estatic with the young one saying " I am going to ride this to school tomorrow!!!!"   Huge smiles were on everyones faces!  
 
 As we drove away we could see the dust kicked up from the track of the bike!  DH said he was initially going to just give it to them but was afraid to be insulting.  My daughter now has Grandma s gift in another form and a great memory.  As we continued our trip the merchants would comment on the beautiful and elaborate choker she was wearing.  As she recounted the story to the Navajo and Hopi merchants they would come over and hug her and tell her what a great thing she did by providing her bike for the boys would never have anything like hers.  It was a small thing but truly set the tone for the trip and our memories!!!!!!
 
 Dee