Park Avenue - Arches National Park Some may call me crazy, but I like to equate their version of crazy with my version of fun!
Doing lots, seeing lots, squeezing every last minute from the day, basically doing it all…which usually comes with cutting back on some of my zzz’s!
After 3 nights away we finally pulled into our driveway at around 2:30a last night. The drive was over 10 hours from Moab, Utah - where we spent Mother’s Day and Dave’s (aka Birdwald) birthday.
Jsyk that whenever Dave comes along on trips with us (as work allows) he usually does most of the driving…because when he isn’t with us - I do ALL of the driving - and that is Lotsa Lotsa! So when I do finally get a driving break it is VERY much appreciated…the downside is that MOST of the time Dave doesn’t have a clue where he’s going and refuses to ask me “what’s next in the directions?”
But aside from that he is like a freakin driving animal (not that he’s fast - he can actually be quite slow), but he definitely goes the distance and is a Super Trooper!
Meanwhile when I’m the passenger, I like to keep myself busy (texting, talking, singing, dancing, reading, taking pictures, browsing the web, online shopping, more trip planning, etc..) and then for some reason on return trips (and only on return trips) I eventually start to get restless… I start to feel trapped! I don’t know what’s wrong with me?!
Luckily I’m pretty flexible and I don’t take up much space because I end up in some rather weird positions, it’s kinda like car YOGA! At one point last night I was completely upside down in my seat (which was an easy maneuver, aside from being that I refuse to ever remove my seat belt).
Anyhow this stuff was from the drive home…Let me back up a bit and I’ll take you to the beginning...
Doing lots, seeing lots, squeezing every last minute from the day, basically doing it all…which usually comes with cutting back on some of my zzz’s!
After 3 nights away we finally pulled into our driveway at around 2:30a last night. The drive was over 10 hours from Moab, Utah - where we spent Mother’s Day and Dave’s (aka Birdwald) birthday.
Jsyk that whenever Dave comes along on trips with us (as work allows) he usually does most of the driving…because when he isn’t with us - I do ALL of the driving - and that is Lotsa Lotsa! So when I do finally get a driving break it is VERY much appreciated…the downside is that MOST of the time Dave doesn’t have a clue where he’s going and refuses to ask me “what’s next in the directions?”
But aside from that he is like a freakin driving animal (not that he’s fast - he can actually be quite slow), but he definitely goes the distance and is a Super Trooper!
Meanwhile when I’m the passenger, I like to keep myself busy (texting, talking, singing, dancing, reading, taking pictures, browsing the web, online shopping, more trip planning, etc..) and then for some reason on return trips (and only on return trips) I eventually start to get restless… I start to feel trapped! I don’t know what’s wrong with me?!
Luckily I’m pretty flexible and I don’t take up much space because I end up in some rather weird positions, it’s kinda like car YOGA! At one point last night I was completely upside down in my seat (which was an easy maneuver, aside from being that I refuse to ever remove my seat belt).
Anyhow this stuff was from the drive home…Let me back up a bit and I’ll take you to the beginning...
Dave, Dominic, and I left Anaheim Hills on Thursday evening. We were already packed up and as soon as Dave arrived back from work we were on our way! And straight into rush hour traffic; which luckily wasn’t all that bad and didn’t really put us behind schedule.
We were heading to Sin City, good ‘ol Las Vegas! I had made dinner reservations at SW Steakhouse located at the Wynn Resort and their last sitting was at 10pm (which I find strange - I mean it’s VEGAS for goodness sakes, I could gamble 24hrs a day if I wanted to, but can’t eat at a nice restaurant past 10pm?!)
Oh well that just means we MUST get there by 10pm, and we seem to be doing quite well…unless anyone needs a bathroom break on this 3.5 hour drive! Which of course someone did - I’m not gonna name any names - but it wasn’t me!
Arriving in Vegas and exiting Spring Mountain Road we just made it in the nick of time, had a wonderful meal at SW Steakhouse, stayed at Palazzo, had a terrific breakfast at Tableau, back at the Wynn (where I always eat because EVERY restaurant here has both a regular and a Vegan/Vegetarian menu),
and then began the rest of our journey…
***Interested in more details about these two amazing meals? Look for my Foodie Friday Blog “Thank You Steve Wynn!”
Our continued journey began with 2 stops while still in Vegas, one to get a box of donuts from Ronald’s Donuts - only the Best Donut shop in town and yes they have VEGAN donuts too! An even bigger plus is that only once a week do they make French Crullers — my fav and since today is Friday it really was a no brainer!
Next stop - The Stratosphere, where the birthday boy wanted to go on the extreme ride “BIG SHOT”! And so it was done, I screamed my brains out, Dave had a blast, and I think poor Dominic was wondering “How’d I get talked into this one?!”
And now with 7 hours of open road ahead of us, we started off for Moab! Is it time for a Donut yet??
We were heading to Sin City, good ‘ol Las Vegas! I had made dinner reservations at SW Steakhouse located at the Wynn Resort and their last sitting was at 10pm (which I find strange - I mean it’s VEGAS for goodness sakes, I could gamble 24hrs a day if I wanted to, but can’t eat at a nice restaurant past 10pm?!)
Oh well that just means we MUST get there by 10pm, and we seem to be doing quite well…unless anyone needs a bathroom break on this 3.5 hour drive! Which of course someone did - I’m not gonna name any names - but it wasn’t me!
Arriving in Vegas and exiting Spring Mountain Road we just made it in the nick of time, had a wonderful meal at SW Steakhouse, stayed at Palazzo, had a terrific breakfast at Tableau, back at the Wynn (where I always eat because EVERY restaurant here has both a regular and a Vegan/Vegetarian menu),
and then began the rest of our journey…
***Interested in more details about these two amazing meals? Look for my Foodie Friday Blog “Thank You Steve Wynn!”
Our continued journey began with 2 stops while still in Vegas, one to get a box of donuts from Ronald’s Donuts - only the Best Donut shop in town and yes they have VEGAN donuts too! An even bigger plus is that only once a week do they make French Crullers — my fav and since today is Friday it really was a no brainer!
Next stop - The Stratosphere, where the birthday boy wanted to go on the extreme ride “BIG SHOT”! And so it was done, I screamed my brains out, Dave had a blast, and I think poor Dominic was wondering “How’d I get talked into this one?!”
And now with 7 hours of open road ahead of us, we started off for Moab! Is it time for a Donut yet??
Dave in the "bathroom"! LMAO With a few rest stops, stretching, and a photo shoot thrown in the mix, our only time pressure was getting into town before all of the dining options closed for the night. With Moab Brewery closing at 11pm, this seemed easy peasy! As we drove, I decided to look up the check in procedure for our stay at Moab Under Canvas (deluxe camping accommodations under the stars).
As I read the confirmation email I noticed that the check in time was from 3pm to 9pm! And…”If you expect to be later than 9pm please call or email ahead of time to let us know when to expect you. Guests arriving later than 10.30pm CANNOT be checked in so please make sure to arrive before 9pm.” SAY WHAT?!
Umm that is soooo not gonna work for us. So immediately I was on the phone calling over there, Emma answered and I had explained that as of that moment the GPS had us arriving at 10:35pm! Luckily she told me that it was okay and that they had a night auditor that would be able to do a late check in. Whew! Thank goodness! Especially with what happened next…there I was busy shopping, and planning (head down) and next thing I know I look up and wonder “where the heck are we???” I glance at the map and find that Dear Dave drove right past our exit. So needless to say I wasn’t all that thrilled with “This Guy!”
And he says “I was gonna ask if we needed the i70, but thought you’d get upset with me” REALLY?!?! So just go ahead and blow past it and I’ll be just fine??? Did someone fall sleep in logic class?
Anyhow, now I was frantically back on the phone (which was in and out of receiving signal) calling the property to let them know that “we” missed our exit and the trusty GPS now has us arriving at 11:30pm! GASP! Well sweet Emma answered the call again and reassured me not to worry, that someone is actually there 24 hours a day! Good deal! Now what to do about dinner?
Luckily Dave stepped on the gas just a tad and we gained a few extra minutes, I called ahead, placed an order for pick up and we literally pulled up to the restaurant without a minute to spare!
Now time to check in, driving for about 10 minutes from the center of town and just past Arches National Park, we attempted to find the dirt road (without any signage) to turn on to. After a quick call to the property to make sure we hadn’t gone too far, we had found it and located the check in tent/lobby. Each had to sign a waiver about scorpions, snakes, and the chance of emergency evacuation in case winds reach over 45mph. And now we were ready to see our Deluxe Safari Tent. The night auditor had assisted us with unloading the truck and packing up the golf cart to take us into the darkness…lol
We get shown around our “room”, and realized that although we do have a private bathroom, it’s private in the sense that we are not sharing it with strangers…not so private in the sense that it is about 3 feet from the bed and no door, no fan…just a canvas separating the “user” from the rest of us! Hmmm I know I’m with family and all, but I don’t exactly roll this way - I like and enjoy my privacy in the bathroom and I like and enjoy other’s bathroom privacy perhaps even more so! Pee in a bush anyone?
Life is a Journey…and I'm here to live it!
Tanya
Stay tuned for MOAB PART 2, being published tomorrow!!
As I read the confirmation email I noticed that the check in time was from 3pm to 9pm! And…”If you expect to be later than 9pm please call or email ahead of time to let us know when to expect you. Guests arriving later than 10.30pm CANNOT be checked in so please make sure to arrive before 9pm.” SAY WHAT?!
Umm that is soooo not gonna work for us. So immediately I was on the phone calling over there, Emma answered and I had explained that as of that moment the GPS had us arriving at 10:35pm! Luckily she told me that it was okay and that they had a night auditor that would be able to do a late check in. Whew! Thank goodness! Especially with what happened next…there I was busy shopping, and planning (head down) and next thing I know I look up and wonder “where the heck are we???” I glance at the map and find that Dear Dave drove right past our exit. So needless to say I wasn’t all that thrilled with “This Guy!”
And he says “I was gonna ask if we needed the i70, but thought you’d get upset with me” REALLY?!?! So just go ahead and blow past it and I’ll be just fine??? Did someone fall sleep in logic class?
Anyhow, now I was frantically back on the phone (which was in and out of receiving signal) calling the property to let them know that “we” missed our exit and the trusty GPS now has us arriving at 11:30pm! GASP! Well sweet Emma answered the call again and reassured me not to worry, that someone is actually there 24 hours a day! Good deal! Now what to do about dinner?
Luckily Dave stepped on the gas just a tad and we gained a few extra minutes, I called ahead, placed an order for pick up and we literally pulled up to the restaurant without a minute to spare!
Now time to check in, driving for about 10 minutes from the center of town and just past Arches National Park, we attempted to find the dirt road (without any signage) to turn on to. After a quick call to the property to make sure we hadn’t gone too far, we had found it and located the check in tent/lobby. Each had to sign a waiver about scorpions, snakes, and the chance of emergency evacuation in case winds reach over 45mph. And now we were ready to see our Deluxe Safari Tent. The night auditor had assisted us with unloading the truck and packing up the golf cart to take us into the darkness…lol
We get shown around our “room”, and realized that although we do have a private bathroom, it’s private in the sense that we are not sharing it with strangers…not so private in the sense that it is about 3 feet from the bed and no door, no fan…just a canvas separating the “user” from the rest of us! Hmmm I know I’m with family and all, but I don’t exactly roll this way - I like and enjoy my privacy in the bathroom and I like and enjoy other’s bathroom privacy perhaps even more so! Pee in a bush anyone?
Life is a Journey…and I'm here to live it!
Tanya
Stay tuned for MOAB PART 2, being published tomorrow!!
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