Day 6 - July 10, 2011

We set out this morning for Yosemite National Park. We were looking for cheaper gas than $4.36/gallon, so we headed to a town near the park, but still outside of it. Their price was the same, so we hopped in line. Apparently a lady thought I skipped in front of her in line, (I DIDN'T!) which set her and her husband/boyfriend off. They wanted to be confrontational, but Ashlyn didn't let them talk to her Mama like that ;) After all the drama, we got into the park and saw one beautiful thing after the other. God has really blessed us with a beautiful world!



We made it!



It was so hard to breathe if you got out and tried to do anything.



Look above Al and the girls and you will see rock climbers. We don't know how they were doing it because this rock is granite and very slick. Ashlyn said it was easier to climb up than get down.



Family shot :)

One of the beautiful waterfalls in the park from glaciers melting. The brochure told us some of the waterfalls are dried up by August, but are back once the snow begins melting in the spring.

Leah tried to reach around the tree.... it didn't work



Leah was running back from the rest area before the hike and saw this little guy fall from the tree. We guessed he fell from a nest (no telling how high up!) but he seemed okay and started climbing back up the tree. He wasn't ready to fly because he still had fuzz for wings.

One of the trees they carved a tunnel through in the late 1800's to draw tourists to the area.





This deer stepped out from this tree right in front of us on the trail. Once we made it to the tree, we saw it had been in there using the bathroom. Molly named it the DPT (deer pee tree)

Obviously these deer were used to being around people. This was the bathroom we were so glad to see because it actually flushed!



We've seen lots of this on the trip. It's actually funny, because there isn't good service up in the mountains.

Our family compared to the roots of a fallen Sequoia .



Once again we attempted to hike, and once again we got TONS of complaints on the way up. It was much more pleasant as we hiked back down. Our legs were SO tired, but it was good exercise after all this sitting in a car.

Day 5 - July 9, 2011

We left Las Vegas and headed toward California this morning. Al said we should make sure to fill up the gas tank, because it would be more expensive in California.

Here's the sign where we stopped to fill up.



We made it to California! (though we were disappointed with the sign on this road)



We went through Death Valley on the way to Yosemite.



As we were going through Death Valley, it was hard to stop to look at the scenery. 113* and it was SO HOT!!! We kept talking about the pioneers who traveled west. What did they think when all they saw was desolation as far as they could see? How did they make it without water? You can see from these pictures this is also known as the "Bad Lands". It took us 4 - 5 hours to drive through the park and we were worn out. I can't begin to imagine riding a horse or wagon for days and days!





These are sand dunes from erosion from one mountain range and blows into a valley area before reaching another mountain range. A sign said the sand reaches 200* during the day, but holds moisture, so you are encouraged to dig down in it to feel that. We'll have to take their word for it.



A gas station in the middle of Death Valley



This is not too far out of Death Valley. It's unbelievable the change in just a few miles!



A rest area we stopped at



Mammoth Lake where we stayed the night tonight. It was 62* plus the wind was blowing. Brrrrr!! What a beautiful place though.



I talked to a man who lives here through the summer. He told me he came in May and it was 16*! There is a ski resort in this area as well. No wonder there is still snow!

Day 4 - July 8, 2011

Today we made our way to Las Vegas so we could meet Amy and Damian and their family to spend some fun time together. They were out west visiting with Damian's family, so it worked out for us to drive 30 something hours to see them :)





We listened to an information radio channel telling about the Hoover Dam as we were on the way and they kept encouraging people to take a 'Dam' tour, so that set us up for quite a punny day. It started with Leah saying, "Let's get this 'dam' tour over with, to Al saying, "That 'dam' tour is too expensive!" ($30 each) To Amy's, "Let's do this 'dam' thing." And Molly's, "This 'dam' bridge is too hot!" You see we took full advantage... :)




The Kerces and Andersons



The Kerces plus Merin (cause she loves her Uncle Al)






After we went to the Hoover Dam, we took some time to cool off by touring a chocolate factory. Apparently we hit it at the wrong time, because all we got to see them doing was folding boxes, but we did get two pieces of complimentary chocolate out of the deal.Then there was a cactus garden where we caught this of Leah, Merin and Hayden.



After a long day in the sun, Al and I decided we couldn't stay in Las Vegas without walking down the strip. We took Molly and Ashlyn, while Leah stayed with Aunt Amy and Uncle Damian to swim in the pool with Hayden, Zade, and Merin.

The famous sign we went back to get a picture of (more to the story later...)



Ashlyn and Molly waiting for the fountain show



The Elvis guys wanted our "Sweet Mamas" to take a picture with them



We saw the fountain show at the Belagio



Since we rode a bus from the resort we were staying in with Amy and Damian, we didn't get a chance to see everything we wanted to in Vegas by walking the strip. It only dropped off and picked up from certain places, so once we made it back to the hotel, we left again in our car. Al wanted to see the pawn shop from the show "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel. It's open 24 hours a day, so he knew we would have plenty of time. Also, Ashlyn wanted a picture of the Las Vegas Welcome sign, so she reluctantly went as well, though she didn't care anything about the pawn shop. We got the pictures of the welcome sign with no problem, then headed to the pawn shop. Once we pulled up I was a little nervous because it was in a "seedier" section of town, but what excitement we found! The doors were locked because they were filming a show. We could see through the door what was going on and we were the only ones around. Ashlyn went to take a picture, but their body guard quickly stepped in front of the door shaking his head no. We walked to the other door and Al, being the true fan, saw Big Hoss, so Ashlyn sweeltly asked through the plexiglass if he would take a picture with her. Then Al saw Chumley walk by and Ashlyn asked Big Hoss if Chumley would take a pic with her. He told her "probably not, but I'll ask" after a few seconds of conversation Chumley willingly came and took a picture with her. It was definitely HIS lucky day :) How funny that Al is the fan and Ashlyn is the one in the pictures, LOL!

Ashlyn with Big Hoss



Ashlyn with Chumley

Day 3 - July 7, 2011

We started out at Four Corners this morning, and man, was it HOT!! When we arrived, there were several tour buses there, so it was also super crowded. It seemed we would have to be pushy to get our picture at the point where the states meet, but it all worked out (even though we have extras in our family pics). There were Indians who had booths all around the monument (since it is on an Indian reservation) selling beautiful jewelery, paintings, and hand-made pottery.

After all the heat, we headed off to cool off in Lake Powell in northern Arizona.

Leah was the only one brave enough to jump in the cold water, but she said it felt really good once you were in.





The girls walking across the Navajo Bridge that crosses the Colorado River in Navajo Nation.


Colorado River

Then we headed to the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon. It took quite a while to get there because the roads are constantly winding through the mountains

We made it!!



It's nice to stretch our legs when we can :)



The Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon