Legoland

Jolie Kong

After Yosemite, we journeyed to San Diego for a really fun week. First, we took the kids to a fun day in Legoland - a fun mix of rides and water park.

We waited in line for a ride with Diane Keaton. She loved Callie Grace's chunky thighs - but who wouldn't.

The Lego cities were amazing. We even found one that had miniature RV's.

Look closely, and you can see our RV

Jolie Hope drives like her mommy

Jolie Hope and Jaden are in this picture

The water starts to fall

And drenches everybody

Callie Grace - Oblivious to the danger around her (a lego dinosaur)

Yosemite Valley

We spent a wonderful day in biking in Yosemite Valley. We biked about 5 miles over the course of the day, and were amazed that there is so much natural beauty in one place.

The views were obscured a bit by the smoke from nearby forest fires. We are definitely coming back here next year for some more intense hiking and hopefully some clearer skies.

The Lower Yosemite Falls

Getting Ready To Roll

Through the smoke, you can see the Upper Yosemite Falls

Jaden with the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls (and smoke)

Half Dome

Mariposa Grove of Big Trees

WOW!

I have always wanted to see the giant sequoias, and they did not disappoint. There is more wood in one giant sequoia than an entire acre of northwest woodland. The oldest in this grove is 2,700 years old. This was about the time that Rome was founded and only a few hundred years after King Solomon ruled Israel.

The kids were troopers. We hiked over 4 miles round trip and climbed over a thousand feet elevation on the way to the high grove.

This was the first day of our short trip to Yosemite National Park. There cannot be a place on Earth with more natural beauty per square mile.

Kinda makes you feel small.

Clothespin Tree

Hanging out

Don't Stand There Too Long . . .

Fun in Portland

I was very relieved to not even have to fill the RV gas tank for a whole week. Gas out west is about 75 cents more expensive than back home. We have been close to $5 / gallon. Ouch.

We had a fun time in Portland. We visited the Portland Zoo, which didn't have too many animals, but did have a really cool dinosaur exhibit. We also spent time at a local park that boasted a free water park and hosted a professional wave boarding competition while we were there.

The weather was surprisingly cool for late June.

The kids loved the dinosaurs

What's in the bucket?

Ohh!

Callie Grace - Oblivious to the danger around her.

Mt. Ranier

While driving from VA to Washington, we made our way through a driving snow storm in the mountains between Montana and Idaho (in mid June). The snow was blowing so hard sideways that I got a bit of vertigo thinking that I was turning the RV when I was driving straight.

We got to see more of the snow later when we went hiking on Mt. Ranier. Unfortunately, I left my Canon at home, so the pictures from my Treo phone will have to document the adventure.

We didn't know till we arrived at the mountain that there was still 3 feet of snow on the ground, but we still had fun.

"More snow than I've ever seen!" - Jaden

Jaden hiking on ahead

Seattle

Starting the Day Right

Seattle is further from Durham, NC than any other major town in the lower 48. We spent a wonderful day in the city visiting Pikes Market, eating seafood on the sound, and taking an amphibious "Duck Tour".

We should have started the day at a Starbucks, but decided instead to start it North Carolina style and visit the local Krispy Kreme.

To Market, To Market . . .

Jolie Hope wouldn't get this close

Lunch with a view of the Sound

And of course the Space Needle

Central Park

The last day we spent in NY was at Central Park, and then we took the subway down to Little Italy for dinner.

At the appropriately named "Turtle Pond"

It took Jolie Hope 2 seconds to decide to run through this sprinkler

Sometimes, I just wonder what they are thinking

My Girls

Slurp