Key West is the southernmost tip of Florida, but feels like the Caribbean with a laid back style all its own. There are so many activities here for families and couples. It’s also an easy days drive from a cruise port making it a perfect add-on to your cruise vacation. If you’re not doing a cruise; Miami is the closest major airport and rental cars abound.
You’ll have your choice of places to sleep here. Whether you prefer to to be lulled to sleep on your boat hotel, take drinks poolside at a resort, you prefer the ease of an Airbnb, or you’re parking your RV; there are endless options in Key West. Since we’re a military family I booked a townhome at a local Navy base that was mere minutes from downtown.
The first thing we did was take an old town trolley tour to get a lay of the land. These are always a wonderful way to get a high level overview of each town along with information on places you’d like to explore further. Since it’s a hop in/ off tour you can go explore then pick up right where you left off.
One of the things the kids wanted to stop for was one of the world famous dessert… key lime pie. This was a frozen chocolate covered slice on a stick.
There are many places to find this treat within Key West, but for the best mile high merengue topped slice head over to Blue Heaven.
While you’re on the trolley make time to see Flagler’s Casa Marina hotel or the Harry S Truman Little White House. One of our favorite museums is the Mel Fisher maritime heritage museum. Here you can feel the weight of a bar of gold in your hands and explore the riches that were found in a shipwreck. While you’re here head outside to take a photo with a massive Banyan tree!
While you’re taking photos go a few blocks further to the cruise port and recreate the famous sailor kissing statue with your special someone.
Mallory square after dark is a must. The carnival like atmosphere in comfortable temperatures is fun for kids and adults alike.
Here you can snap a photo with your kids favorite characters, take part in a juggling show, or do some souvenir shopping.
A don’t miss tourist spot is the Southernmost point buoy. Get there early, it’s always warm and there’s always a line. While waiting in line you may spy roadside vendors hawking coconut drinks. It’s a fun treat on a warm day and so unique for kids to try.
After a good nights sleep Mathers beach was calling our name. The name may not come to mind, but the famous crooked palm tree on the beach is famous.
After a few hours of sun soaked fun we showered up and went for an awesome seafood dinner followed by some Tarpon feeding.
For our last morning of the trip we spent the day trying something new to us. We rented stand up paddle boards and beach chairs and made a day of it at the base marina.
The kids loved splashing in the water, strolling the beach and a break for burgers at lunch. Many applications of sunscreen later we headed home to grill a few steaks and get some sleep.
Since we live in Florida we simply opted to drive the length of Florida to get back home. There are several tourist attractions along the way including History of Diving Museum and the large key lobster.
One last meal at Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill in Key Largo was burgers for the kids and tuna nachos for me and the hubby.
All in all we had so much fun making family memories. Key West is a major tourist draw and best if planned well in advanced especially for the most popular times of the year including spring break, Christmas holidays and lobster season; August through March.
I took a leap of faith. I quit my full time job to pursue traveling. I love what I do as a medical imaging professional and I feel that caring for others is a path I’ve had a calling to do, but I love travel. From the time I was a child my military father would move us around the country and my mother would take me as her travel buddy exploring each new city as well as far flung places. The seed was planted and staying in any one place too long just didn’t sit right. I always thought the only traveling professionals were nurses until 8 years ago when I met another allied health traveler. The timing wasn’t right, but it allowed me to dream of a future where I could combine my career of choice and my passion for travel. Being paid to intensively explore a new area of America every 3 months with as much time as I wanted to take off between assignments was a dream. And thus, I accepted a contract position in southern Oregon. Just about as far as one can get from Florida. I opted to take a weeklong solo road trip across America to get there.
Starting at home we took some time to play to tourist in St. Augustine, Fl. We camped at Anastasia state park, walked the beach, enjoyed some donuts, visited the Alligator Farm, Ripley’s believe it or not, the oldest school house, the old jail and the oldest store, and a few other things. I’ll save that for another blog post.
Early Sunday morning I did the last minute packing and set out for St. Louis. A nearly 13 hour drive along a route I had done many times before. I saw deer grazing along the interstate, watched the sun rise over a Coca Cola factory in Tifton and stopped at a Buc-ees in Macon.
I arrived to my friends house in time for a lovely walk around her neighborhood and then we set of for dinner at a 1920s era restored soda fountain aptly named Fountain on Locust. We’ve been here for dessert before, but I’d never tried their food. I ordered the two cups of soup and side salad special. That nights soup of the day was an amazing curry mulligatawny and my other choice was a white chicken chili with the Stutz special salad. Everything here is made in house and I don’t think you could be disappointed by any of it.
The atmosphere here feels indulgent. Old varnished wooden booths, richly colored walls, ornate lighting and era style music piped in just add to the experience.
Unquestionably, you need to order dessert here. Whether that dessert is alcoholic in the form of a multi-page choice of cocktails or ice cream you can’t go wrong. They are, however, famous for their late night delight. A fantastical sundae meant for sharing. A house made slice of pineapple upside down cake topped with butter pecan, coconut and butter pecan ice creams, drizzled with a bourbon sauce, whipped cream and brûléed bananas.
If you just can’t decide… well, I don’t blame you, but you can order the gambler. They make sure there isn’t anything you’ll either hate or be allergic to and the bartender whips you up a surprise sundae.
I was exhausted and passed out despite the sugar rush. Luckily for me, my friends are also early risers and we set off across town to The Shake for a few laughs over the menu, a chance to scribble on the walls and eat some gut bustlingly, filling breakfast choices.
I had “Ma, the meatloaf “ a bacon wrapped chunk of meatloaf atop crispy hash browns topped with two sunny side up eggs and gravy. It was spicy, savory and a delight. My friends ordered the “make your own dang quesadilla” (a breakfast version they do, in fact, make for you), as well as “why the French hate us”; a sausage hot dog placed in a croissant and topped with scrambled eggs, cheese and sausage gravy. We split the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Belgian waffle.
Fully satisfied I hugged my friends goodbye and drove to my next destination to see another friend. My goal was an easy 7 hour drive to Lincoln, Nebraska home of the Cornhuskers. Since I didn’t want to arrive before they finished work I built in a pit stop in Kansas City, Mo.
Here, I was able to take in the WWI memorial and the money museum. The museum is located at the federal reserve. It requires reservations, but it is free and includes parking. It’s a short walk from the memorial. It was a cute little space that had displays of old coins and cash and gives you the chance to watch employees of the reserve count and pack thousands of dollars in cash at a time. You even get to walk out with a bag of (shredded) money for free.
As it was lunch time I followed a few great reviews and drove to Joe’s Kansas City BBQ for a meal. You can’t stop in a city at lunch and not grab a bite of an iconic cuisine.
I wasn’t altogether hungry so I ordered a brisket sandwich with a side of mac ‘n cheese. Everything was delicious! I waited in line for nearly an hour on a weekday at noon, but I’d do it again. The bread for the sandwich was very fresh, the sauce was tasty and the smell of smoked meats filled the air. While the Mac ‘n cheese side was expensive it was one of the best, creamiest Mac ‘n cheese dishes I’ve ever had. If I ever stop by again I would prioritize this dish. If you come here get yourself some.
As I was leaving I saw the local farmers market arena and stopped to take a photo of the murals.
On the road once again, I had a few hours until my next destination. It went relatively quickly listening to podcasts. I arrived late in the afternoon and caught up with my friends. They took me to the old rail yard area that has been converted to bars, restaurants and shops all centrally located near the college football stadium. I’d begged my friends to take me for a steak dinner which they obliged, but first took me on a lovely tour showing off their great city.
While I’m sure my experience was not typical, I was extremely disappointed by the service and quality of our steak dinner. I feel terrible my friends had to experience such a poor meal when we’d all had such high hopes. Once I’d finally gotten the steak properly cooked, and had a steak knife brought out it was ok. I don’t think I’d go back unless it was for whisky. They have a stellar selection.
After dinner we drove to the campus for dessert at the Dairy Store. An ice cream parlor run by college students. He showed off the building he went to school and they pointed out where they’d taken their daughter for a photo shoot as an infant. By the way, the tractor test toffee was pretty darn tasty. If I ever went back earlier in the day, they also sell coffee and they’re missing a chance to sell affogato, but I’m sure they’d be willing to make one if requested.
Early the next morning, I took a walk in the neighborhood full of charming homes with beautiful lawns. When everyone was up and ready to go we headed to breakfast.
Good Evans is adorable. It’s an insta-worthy breakfast and lunch place for sure. The decision was a tough one, but I was in need of something erring in the side of healthy so I went for the steel cut oats and sourdough bread.
Once again I was packed into my car and on the road with miles of corn fields and rolling hills between me and my next destination. This time I was planning to spend two nights with my brother in Estes Park, Co. my parents drove down to see me as well. We cooked dinner at home and my mom made cannolis for desert. You couldn’t beat the view!
Waking in the morning we savored a cup of coffee on the back porch wrapped up in sweats. 44 degrees in the summer is pretty chilly for me.
Once the sun came out I changed to shorts and we went into town to enjoy a canoe ride on Lake Estes.
My niece works at the Marina so she was able to join me on the canoe. My parents opted to go shopping for that nights dinner instead.
We had a make your own fajita bar and I went for a bowl. My sister in law is from Texas so when she does Mexican food she does all the fixings and some adult lemonade to savor right along with it.
I hugged out my goodbyes and took off down the road just after sunrise. I had a long day ahead but wanted to drive with the sun as there are so many animals that an accident is much likelier in the dark. In fact, big horn sheep were grazing on the side of the road as I made my way down.
Driving west across Wyoming I came across various snow fences and it made me remember my high school years in North Dakota. I realized how removed I am from a way of life where I worry about blowing winds closing the interstate with drifts of snow.
I drove past buttes at the Flaming River gorge as I made my way into Utah.
The scenery began to change from white and green plains to red rocks as I crawled ever closer to the border.
About an hour and half west of Salt Lake City lie the Bonneville Salt Flats. Here you can surround yourself with miles and miles of salt caked to the ground. Not only does the dazzling white crust feel like another planet, the mountains in the background add to the atmosphere. It’s wild driving on a pure white salt road for miles. Arriving a day before the annual speedway races, there were quite a few racers already setting up camp, yet I was able to find a place all to myself.
In photographs the mountains seem so minute. There really is no way to give scale to this much salt. My car was crusted, my feet were caked and the black carpets of my car were all covered in salt. It was 104 degrees in the desert even with rain clouds starting to move in. I’d definitely need a car wash now.
My final destination for the evening was Elko, NV. You could see the silhouette of mountains looming but the smoke from forest fires hundreds of miles away kept them from being defined shapes. I checked into my room and walked down the street to Wingers and ordered a half Cobb salad and ate about half of that. This thing was loaded to the brim with goodies! A quarter of an avocado, half a grilled chicken breast, a whole egg, loads of bacon bits and cheese. It was amazing. I was more tired than hungry and didn’t manage a photo. I gulped a bunch of water and headed to bed.
My original plan had me waking early as usual with a several hour pit stop in Lassen Volcanic national park, but the park was closed due to the Dixie wildfire so I relaxed in bed for a bit longer. Breakfast was included at my hotel so I ate a decent enough meal to ensure I wouldn’t have a need to stop for lunch if that became iffy. Who knows what is closed when wildfires abound.
I started seeing sides of the road all the way up the nearby hills with charred trees and scorched grasses. These were old, but the smell of fires clung to the air.
Further up near the top of the hill passing through the Lassen national forest the smoke got intense blotting out the sun and firefighters had roads roped off.
It felt truly eerie. I said a silent prayer for all those affected by the fires and the people fighting them. I can’t imagine what they’re feeling. As I came off of the mountain the sky had regained some of its blue color and the sun started to shine again. Dropping into Redding, Ca the smoke is still around, but it’s comparatively less intense. I happened to drive right past a wonderful $10 car wash with attendants that use brushes to hand scrub your car before sending it through the wash and finish by hand drying it with a chamois. I didn’t even have to wait in line, although, there was one when I finished. I unloaded my things at the hotel and stopped at Trader Joe’s for some frozen Indian food I could microwave back at the room. If you haven’t tried it, the channa masala is wonderful with their fresh naan. One thing did catch my eye and I had to grab it.
A very tangy, sweet crunch of popcorn. I’m a sucker for key lime and this version is so good.
Redwood national park
After spending the evening stretching out in my hotel room I fell asleep early and woke up to the last leg of my trip. A drive through Northern California up I-5 through Ashford, Oregon; a town known for their Shakespearean festival, and Medford on my way to the coast. My final destination was a small coastal town a few miles from the California border. I took in as many sites of this gorgeous coastline as time allowed, but I had to meet my landlord and take care of a few items to be ready to start my new contract here in southern Oregon.
I’ll have plenty of time to explore the beaches and river in my new “home”. I hope you’ll join me on some more adventures in the PNW.
Salt Lake City is an easy to navigate airport with flights coming in from all over. It makes for a simple starting point to any vacation out west. We arrived late in the evening and picked up our rental car then drove up the mountains to our Airbnb.
We stayed at the Silver king resort. A ski resort that backs right up to the parking lot of one of the local ski resorts. It’s a perfect location for skiing in the winter and trail running in the summer. In the off season it’s supremely affordable with 2 large rooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, living room and in unit washer and dryer. It also includes underground parking and an indoor/outdoor pool (as well as hot tub) for year round fun. With a 7 year old we got daily use of this awesome pool.
I woke up at sunrise and was happy to find the weather in the low 60s and the sun just starting to come up as I made my way out for a short run around the town and golf course.
The beautiful downtown is in full bloom with each storefront having their own brilliant display of floral arrangements.
The Phoenix theater was worthy of a stop. The Egyptian details are colorful and abundant.
If you’re from a flat state this quaint town will give you a run for your money. Even my daughter had a tough time just walking. Between elevation and decent hills, it’s a good workout.
In town there’s a lovely bike bath, sound garden, skating park, restaurants and lots of stores. There is also a local distillery if you’re a whisky fan it’s a great place to check out. There are lots of photo worthy stops to take in. We enjoyed the art galleries and sculptures around town.
We opted to pick on activity for each day so we had something to look forward to, but also allowing us some downtime since we were on vacation after all. The first day was horseback riding at Deer Valley. I had to do some research to find a place that allowed younger children and 7 was the minimum age for this 1 hour tour. At first, my daughter was scared but after 5 min she asked if we could buy our own horse. Now it’s an activity she requests on every vacation.
For dinner we had a quick pizza on a balcony at Red Banjo pizza parlor in a restaurant that had been established in 1962, but the building has around since the late 1880s. The view of Main Street from the balcony as the sun set was better than the pizza.
The next morning started with a trail run. The first mile or two was tough, choosing to go straight up the slope instead of the switchbacks in order to hit the best parts quickly. There was more walking than running but it was still exhilarating. Taking in the elk, the wild flowers and aspen trees was literally a breath of fresh air from the swampy heat of summer in florida.
This morning instead of eating in the info we visited Riverhorse provisions for a light breakfast. It’s an old fashioned grocer style. You can buy items to go or order at the counter and have them brought to your table. The breakfast burrito was a big hit and the m&m cannoli was impossible to resist with my latte.
Today’s activity was river rafting on the Weber river. It involves a decent drive out of town so we threw on our swimsuit, packed the sunscreen and water shoes and took off for an afternoon of fun. The rafting ride includes a drink and even younger children can enjoy themselves on this quiet part of the river. There is one very small section with milk currents they can enjoy, but this is not whitewater. Our guide was a knowledgeable college student who pointed out all of the formations, encouraged us to hop out when it was safe and led us crouching under a very low bridge. It was an adventure we all enjoyed.
As we were close to town I had been eyeballing some milkshakes at Burley burger in south weber and it was a perfect dinner stop. If you’re really hungry then have a massive burger, fries and shake food challenge. I don’t think we could’ve finished it between the three of us!
We spent the remainder of the day splashing at the pool and then had an early bedtime.
This morning we, again, drove up to Deer Valley for paddle boarding around the lake. We opted not to go further out as a small pond allowed my daughter to captain a board all by herself. It was a fun way to enjoy a few hours on a lake that doesn’t have waves or gators. Both of which I’m thankful to enjoy.
After getting cleaned up we headed out for a hike. Donut falls was calling our names! This is a very easy hike through some great forest areas with an end at a waterfall that flows through a donut shaped rock formation. It was a very popular spot for both family hikes and family photo sessions.
We finished the hike later in the evening and we’re stunned by a beautiful sunset yet again.
Our last day in Park city. I went for another, longer trail run. 9 miles just flew by and I wished I’d had all day to explore.
Today’s fun activities were all located at the Olympic village; host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. We enjoyed the museum and watched people do the ski jumps. All of the fun stuff here is included with a wristband for limitless fun during a 2 hour session. We tried tubing, the ropes course, the alpine sled and that was about it, but is a bit more to see if you don’t spend too much time in any one place.
We had an early dinner at an Bartolo’s; it’s only a few miles from the village in the little shopping area.
Goodbye Park City! We loaded the rental car and drove out of the mountains into Salt Lake City. We would’ve had more fun exploring downtown, but everything of interest was closed due to Covid. I was glad we didn’t book a full day there. We did enjoy a great brunch at Sweetlake biscuits & limeade.
While downtown we did get some pictures in front of the spectacular Mormon church and around the square despite it being under construction. The flowers here were so plentiful it scented the entire square.
We then drove to the airport for our next adventure with plans to return to see more of Utah.
When you hear Savannah it calls to mind mossy oaks trees, scrumptious southern cooking and a sugary sweet southern drawl. Made famous in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; this is a southern town you don’t want to miss. Especially in the spring when everything is in bloom and the weather is fair.
Savannah is a very easy 2 hour drive from Jacksonville, Fl. We arrived shortly after dinner to our bed & breakfast stay at the Foley House Inn. We were welcomed by a friendly innkeeper and bellhop ready to carry our luggage to our second floor room. There are no elevators, but as you ascend the grand staircase take a closer look. The finial on display was a prop in Gone with the Wind. We found parking around the block but they have a convenient stop right in front to drop off luggage. We were given a door code to come and go as we please, but enjoyed the security that comes with a full time innkeeper sitting at the front desk. Even during Covid they provide afternoon social hours and individual breakfasts in the parlor. You can even take your coffee to one of the back gardens. It’s so peaceful sipping a coffee listening to birds, a bubbling fountain and seeing the sun rise over a grand church steeple.
After getting properly fed and caffeinated we made our way into town to explore the historic district. This B&B is ideally located at Chippewa square (the one famous in Forest Gump) and supremely walkable. First stop, Forsyth park and the lovely Victorian district. If there’s one thing I love is taking in the old architecture and this is where Savannah shines. In a lot of towns these homes would be a museum, but here they’re livable homes. You can feast your eyes on spectacular Georgian, Italianate, and Regency mansions. The Victorian district anchored by the gorgeous Forsyth park and it’s glorious fountain and is lined by colorful homes. The colonial style is on display near the water which was established by early pirates (be sure to try the pirates house of you’d like a haunted meal). If you like old cobblestone streets be sure to stroll through the shops here. The old ballast stones were used to pave the roads. Just be careful if you wear heels! The newest area is the Plant riverside district which has a biergarten, bars, shops and a new Marriott hotel. If you don’t do anything else here, go visit the lobby! Hands down the most museum-esque lobby I’ve ever seen. From various minerals on display, to fossils in the flooring, to a life sized silver dinosaur skeleton you’ll ooh and ahh for at least an hour while you discover the hidden gems.
There’s even a mural or color changing fountain if you’re feeling the need to have your insta worthy photos backdrop.
Moving on we got on our tour of the American prohibition museum. We purchased tickets that included one cocktail in the speakeasy, but the self guided tour through the bloody history of the American prohibition was brought to life in each diorama.
Since the museum is in the center market we visited some stores and again, sampled some great shortbread cookies at Byrd’s cookies.
More architectural wandering left us hungry for lunch at Lady & Sons. Paula Deens family style all you care to eat restaurant that serves down home southern specialties. If you’re extra hungry it’s a great place to stop. If you’re not very hungry or watching your figure I’d definitely skip this one.
Moving away, we headed towards the central cemetery across from an old police station. It is full of old headstones, statues and springtime blooms of you time it right. It’s not as famous as Bonaventure, but it’s walkable.
Let’s talk churches. There are quite a few including the first African Baptist church- look for the red doors, the famous Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and Christ church.
Are museums your thing? There are several to choose from here too! The Telfair art museum, the Owens-Thomas house, a period furnished home complete with slave quarters, as well as the Andrew Gordon Low house, where the founder of the Girl Scouts was raised. Since the Savannah college of Art and design is located in Savannah you can check out their museum as well. If that’s not your thing, check out a horse drawn carriage tour or a ghost tour. But you should take the time to see a few of the 22 squares located throughout the historic area. There are no limits in Savannah for entertainment.
Now let’s talk food. I have a few suggestions. You might want to space them out, you might want to consider a progressive dinner style, or you might be willing to ignore the tummy ache and delve right in. You have all sorts of choices here. I would definitely suggest Ordinary Pub. It’s a casual basement level bar that serves some seriously amazing food with friendly staff. My best piece of advice? Go hungry and split your meals so you can sample as much as possible. We got the fried green tomatoes appetizer and split the short rib & grits entree. My mouth is still watering thinking about this perfect meal.
Another fine choice is Treylor Park. If you’re craving Georgia’s best wings (yes, they voted) order the peanut butter and jelly wings. Feeling a little crazy? The strawberry chicken tacos wrapped in pancakes instead of a tortilla. But the craft cocktails really shine here. Good luck choosing just one.
Now matter where you choose to dine there really only one choice for dessert and that’s Leopolds ice cream! For a tall scoop of ice cold creaminess with a variety of flavors served up in an old fashioned ice cream parlor this is a fan favorite.
Now if you prefer your dessert in the alcoholic version Savannah has that covered too. And I’m not just talking about the bars. There’s a glut of speakeasies and even the savannah bee company offers meads. One speakeasy is a champagne bar located behind the Mint to Be mojito bar. If you head towards the bathrooms and push a bookcase you’ll be transported into the quiet little champagne bar. But don’t skip ordering a mojito. Those suckers are fabulous.
As usual all great weekends must come to an end but if Georgia’s on your mind, set your sights on Savannah for a girls weekend or a romantic getaway, but pack your fat pants because great cooks live in the South.
The weather around the country is iffy in the spring. Too cold up north, too hot down south. We decided to head directly west. We knew we could fairly reasonably rely on the weather to be a safe bet. Jacksonville, FL to San Antonio, Tx is a pleasant enough two-day drive with a kindergartener. We rented a fabulous 2 bedroom, 2 bath duplex located half a mile from the Pearl on Air B&B. I had seen reviews that the neighborhood is iffy, and while I wouldn’t run here in the dark, the area was safe and quiet and supremely well located. Our rental looked brand spanking new and ultra-modern plus it had a washer and dryer as well as full kitchen. In a heartbeat, I would recommend it again. On our drive, we found Shipley’s donuts. These did not disappoint, and even in the afternoon, they tasted fresh.
Shipley’s
Ramen at the Pearl
Macarons
Bakery Lorraine
Brie & apricot jam grilled cheese from Bakery Lorraine
Day One
I should give a little background that I am a relatively avid recreational runner, and I find nothing more appealing that an early morning run in a new place. Waking early in the morning, I drove the half a mile and parked in the Pearl where it’s free, well lit and a safe spot to run along the Riverwalk. Day one included an easy 10K run along the River taking everything in, including popping up into downtown to see the Alamo without tourists, ogle the buildings and structures and watch a city wake up.
All that running worked up an appetite, and it was a quick shower and time to wake the crew for breakfast. This was number one eats on our list, and I had been drooling over the images online for weeks. Lulu’s bakery and cafe for their chicken fried steak and 3-pound cinnamon roll. Yes, you read that right THREE pounds! I worried it might be dry, but nope. Fresh, delicious and managed to feed us for several more days thanks to the servers wrapping it in plastic for us to take it to go. This plate of chicken fried steak is the smallest on the menu. They do have a massive challenge type one, and I cannot fathom having room for all that, but if it’s your thing or you have a large family to feed this should be stop #1. Bear in mind even on a weekday after rush hour traffic this place was busy. You can seat yourself, and a waitress may or may not get to you. They work hard, but it’s busy. If you hate waiting, though, they are open 24 hours a day, and I’d bet it’s not as crazy in the middle of the night.
Lulu’s Cafe
Full bellies helped us take on the rest of our day. First, stop… the Alamo (open 9a-7p Memorial Day through Labor day) A free attraction unless you want to take a guided tour. We opted for the free walkthrough. My daughter isn’t much for standing in line or tours. There isn’t a line to wander. If it were just adults, I’d have waited. You learn so much from experts. The courtyard is beautiful and covered in trees. They have a live history display with people happy and willing to answer questions about the Alamo. My take away from this visit is how minimal the space would’ve been during all those days in the standoff.
Alamo courtyard
Playground
We only wanted to park once since we arrived early on a workday, so we opted to walk everywhere. The weather was perfect. A light jacket with a T-shirt was all that was necessary to stay comfortable. Since everything is within a few miles, our task was simple. Next stop a playground. At her age, she needs a break to keep chugging along on our schedule. Hemisfair Park fit the bill perfectly. Slides, climbing ropes, swings, you name it, including chickens. After we released the wiggles, our adventure took us to Tower of the Americas. A 750-foot tall observation deck. Your admission fee is $14 and includes unlimited 4D movies as well as all-day admission. We took advantage and went up both during the day and returned at sunset to take in the changing cityscapes. It is open most days from 10a-10p. The grounds are a delight to walk around as well with various ponds and waterfalls.
750 ft
We made new friends
For dinner that evening we took a local’s advice and hit up Rosario’s for tacos. I think if I could live on one savory food for the rest of my life, I’d choose tacos. It was a little further up the road and out of the way from the main tourist destinations. Not enough to be a hindrance, but just enough to find parking easily.
Rosario’s tacos
Wind blown hair at the Tower
Day Two
Ideal weather for a zoo day, we woke early, ate some cinnamon roll leftovers, and headed to the San Antonio zoo. In the spring they open at 10am, so we weren’t in any particular rush. I wouldn’t hesitate to come early though, as parking fills rather quickly. Even before the opening time, we had a hike to the entrance and as we headed to our car latecomers were circling for spots like vultures. The price isn’t overly high for a full days activities. There are loads of things to see and do, and if you like avian exhibits, this zoo was exceptional. We visited the petting zoo, debated the train (ultimately didn’t choose the extra fun), fed giraffes, and took photos with the animal sculptures located throughout the park. Right next door is the Japanese gardens. A free attraction and, in my opinion, one not to be skipped. Waterfalls, koi fish, short hiking trails, & flowers. This larger than expected garden had it all.
We love each other
Day Three
The Witte museum Oh we had some fun here! Free parking, easy walk, and both indoor and outdoor sights. This museum is open 10-5 most nights of the week with a monthly free Tuesday as well. Skeletons, art, history, treehouses to climb, human anatomy play areas, and flowers. We spent hours looking around, climbing, and playing. My daughter’s favorite was the wind chimes. We had worked up quite the appetite and just down the road is a BBQ place serving a smoked brisket grilled cheese sandwiches called Smoke Shack. Oh, Texas!
My daughter’s favorite spot was the Pearl. The outdoor beer garden that gathers groups of families thanks to the grassy play space and water fountains ideal for children to play and parents to relax while enjoying a wonderful meal or a drink. Because this was a family-oriented trip, we spent most evenings relaxing here.
Day Four
Breakfast out today. We started the day with Apple Pfannenkuchen at Magnolia Pancake Haus. It’s a fair bit away from where we were staying but on the way to our next destination; the Natural Bridge Caverns. It was a weekday, and we didn’t wait long to be seated, but I’ll tell you it took a while to decide. I had dessert for breakfast while my husband ordered eggs and bacon with Elvis pancakes. Naturally, I stole some while he went to the restroom. Peanut butter, banana, and bacon in a pancake. I regret nothing. Fueled up for an adventure we drove 45 min north to the caverns and found an up-close parking spot.
We were lucky, indeed. This place was popular. It was found in the 1960s by four college students and stays a regular 70 degrees and very humid. It’s not a bad hike, and one person in our group brought a stroller and a baby in a carrier, though I wouldn’t suggest it. While we waited for our tour time, there was plenty to occupy our time. The first stop was the maze. There is an observation deck if you don’t feel like getting lost, but you should. You’re given a card which you punch when you find each station in your challenge and then finally make your way out. You are timed, and you can do this as a group or compete to see who completes the task first. The next stop was mining for gems. The gift shop sells bags of dirt guaranteed to have at least a certain number of gemstones. Located just outside along the railings are sieves and flowing water. My daughter found at least 20 gems, and we were able to clean and catalog them using the chart included with the purchased zip-lock bag.
There is also a zip line and a ropes course available for more fun. We had a few more minutes until they called our group and despite having a lovely shaded table to wait at we wandered around taking pictures of the blooming Texas bluebonnets. Finally, it was time. Our guide led us down through the doors and into the darkness. The vastness of caverns always amazes me. It’s so quiet, and one can hear the drips of water forming structures. Each room had a different feel, and while we took the short tour, we were told how this cave system goes on and on some not yet explored. We chose not to do the Animal safari located next door and instead, headed back to town.
Of course, we were starving yet again, and I had a plan. More tacos. Yes! Henry’s puffy tacos were delicious. The staff was friendly and answered my questions about the process and gave me advice on selecting the tastiest options. Tonight’s adventure was the DoSeum. A hands-on children’s museum open roughly 9a-6p. We made wax molds, created earthquakes, and played with musical instruments, but our favorite was the spy exhibit. There are two stories and an outdoor play area. They also have one free night each month.
Wax molds
I see you
Puffy tacos
One would think exhaustion would be full on at this point, but nope, we had some trails to explore nearby before heading to Dough Pizzeria for dinner.
We just couldn’t end the day without another visit to the Riverwalk. This time by boat. We parked about half a mile to the boat launches and used the tickets we had previously purchased at Rosario’s along with dinner. When we arrived, we were quickly boarded, and away we went with our knowledgeable guide. We made our way down the various paths created by the river from the colorful umbrella lined restaurant areas, to the lock bridge, to the different architecture and sculptures. An easy and entertaining way to see more of the city. Before turning in for the night, it was necessary to try one last treat. Lick Ice cream! Tequila lime pie for me. My baby girl chose a lemon poppy seed, and we shared it. Hubby chose Goat cheese, honey, and thyme. Each delicious in their own way.
Day Five
Our final day in San Antonio and we had a special surprise in store for our daughter. While we live in Florida and we go to the various theme parks a lot, we just knew she would love a day at Sea World. We arrived early, and it wasn’t crowded, so we went straight to breakfast in the park. We had purchased the meal plan, and it includes unlimited drinks and a meal every hour. You read that right, every hour. I can’t imagine why you’d eat that often, but the drink package and three meals made this a no brainer. Even though it wasn’t overly hot, we still drank a bunch of bottled waters. From the Steel Eel ride to the shows, this park is noticeably smaller than the one in Orlando, but we were able to spend a good long day taking it all in any way.
Day Six
Heading home. We sadly locked the door behind us and left our home for the last several days. We had two last stops recommended by my sister in law who was raised in San Antonio… Buc-ee’s truck stop and Rudy’s BBQ. Yes, this place is a chain, yes, you need to go anyway. Drive-thru smoked meat breakfast burritos that I wish we hadn’t saved for the last day so I could’ve made this a repeat. We bought the brisket, sausage link (think smoked not breakfast sausage) and the potato which also had egg. It was a toss-up, but I think the potato was the winner and that’s coming from a couple of meat lovers. Buc-ee’s is a massive truck stop with several locations in Texas and along I-10. It makes for a great place to grab a quick bite to eat, fuel up, and stretch your legs. Make sure to bring plenty of souvenirs home when you stop. My husband wishes he’d bought more of the pepper jelly.
Day 7
We intentionally split our travel days with an overnight in the French Quarter New Orleans. We arrived late and woke early to drive home, so this was a quick pit stop. Dinner was just down the road and of course, I had to have the muffuletta. The next morning was another touristy 6 miles running along the mostly quiet streets. If you’ve never been to the French Quarter you may not realize, the smells aren’t the most pleasant even in daylight. This notwithstanding, Jackson Square and the waterfront at sunrise are a sight. Instead of breakfast at Cafe Du Monde for the infamous beignets, we stayed closer to our hotel at the 2 Chicks Cafe and had a delicious french toast rolled in corn flakes. The added crunch cranked up the wow factor, and the chicory coffee was a much-needed jolt to start the day.
The seed was planted about 18 months ago. My daughter was in her sophomore year in high school and I asked where she would like to take her graduation gift. You see, I’ve always felt (as my kids are blessed by successful parents) that instead of getting things as gifts for major milestones, that time together making memories was of greater value. My oldest son chose Hollywood, LA and Disneyland as his graduation gift and now it was my daughters turn. She is an avid hiker and outdoor lover. She lives with her father in northern Michigan and she decided on an active outdoorsy trip. The Grand Canyon national park. She let me take the reins and do 100% of the planning with the only guidance being that I wear her out doing everything possible in our 5 short days. I hate to ruin the ending, but I was successful and even at 18 she was ready to head home and nap. Fourteen months in advance I entered the lottery for the Phantom Ranch mule rides with an overnight stay in the bottom of the canyon. We lucked out and got 2 of 10 spots available for the day we requested. From there I planned the rest of our trip including purchasing an America the Beautiful pass for $80. Each park is $35 to enter and it’s good for the week. The pass is good for the year and we’d previously used it at Sleeping Bear Dunes national park in Michigan so we had gotten our money out of it and it’s still good for another 9 months.
We flew into Las Vegas within 15 minutes of each other and picked up our rental car. We were famished so we opted to find a quick bite. We found El Tacos el Gordo on the north end of the strip. Now I’d read reviews and I knew it was a good bet for great tacos. We each tried a Taxo Azteca and a Sope both with beef and I ordered fountain drinks. Taco azteca had a marinated cactus on top and was tasty but the winner was the beef Sope. I think homemade tortilla underneath and a crispy thin one on top with beef, pico, & guac inside. The drinks? I expected soda, but was pleasantly surprised to find Horchata water and Hibiscus tea as options. If you’ve never heard of Horchata water it’s the consistency of milky water with the flavor of rice pudding. A special treat indeed.
After filling our bellies and stopping at a local drug store to buy gallon jugs of water we were on our way to Zion national park. It was a 3 hour drive consisting of oohs and ahhs as we took in the desert landscape. We made a stop at the Virgin trading post where, a now, family joke remains my question about “How do you trade virgins?”. We took pictures of prickly pear cacti and mountains and explored the gift shop. It was a nice reprieve from the car. A brief stop was made in St. George, UT at the visitors center where we were given great directions by an employee and took photos with a colorful bison outside. It was nice to stretch our legs. Not much further along we made it to Hurricane, UT. The terrain was still interesting but not overly impressive. Once we entered Springdale, UT that all changed. We had a our room booked months before and the friendly staff made quick our check in and after unloading our bags and a speedy change we were off to the park. Springdale has a free city shuttle to Zion’s entrance. It took all of 10 minutes and we were there. The start of our real vacation. It was about 7pm and were slightly confused where to go as the ticket station was closed and crowds had clearly dispersed. We found the gift shop and purchased collector pins and a national park coin. Finding the shuttle to be completely empty felt like good luck. The sun was still up and the weather was a beautiful 81 degrees. The shuttle to the Narrows hike takes about 30 minutes since it’s the very last stop. I wish we’d have had more time. Weeping rock, riverwalk, watchman trail, pa’rus trail…. all of them had to be skipped. I suppose this leaves something for another trip. We hopped off the bus and I took a trip to the ladies room (you never know) and away we went down a paved trail for the next mile. It took us almost an hour to get through that mile. We must’ve stopped 2 dozen times along the way to take pictures. Weeping rocks, gushing rivers, tall trees and massive cliffs of solid stone were irresistible! Finally, at the end of the paved trail is only the river. We saw a few hikers return drenched from waist high water and given the time of the last shuttle was 9:15pm we opted to take pictures at the beginning of the watery trail. We listened to the water bubble by and looked at the rocks. Our new North Face hiking boots with gor-tex did the job as advertised and I was never so happy to have bought just the right product for the job. Now, sadly it was time to leave. Not wishing to miss the bus and not really knowing how long it might take us to get back, we walked with a hustle and 14 min later we saw the shuttle just pulling up. By the time we made it to the end it was dark. It happened so quickly I barely realized the sun had set and it was dark enough to need our headlamps to get back through the parking lot. We found the city shuttle and hopped on stopping a few stops early in the hunt for food. At this time it was 9:45pm and most restaurants close at 10. We followed our noses to Moki. Mostly burgers but other things on the menu as well with a cute little outdoor patio. We were seated outside and large glasses of water were brought by a friendly waiter. We opted to split a bison burger and an order of pasta pomodoro. We felt awful coming so late, but the staff made us feel more than welcome to sit down and have an unrushed meal. They even offered dessert at the end. We had to say no. We were stuffed from the meals. The pasta was fresh, with real grape tomatoes and just the right amount of garlic. The fettuccine noodles tasted freshly made and cooked perfectly al dente. The burger?! Medium and juicy and the best ever. Even the fries were perfectly done. Full and weary we headed to the La Quinta Inn and Suites for a shower and short sleep.
When we woke in the morning it was too early for breakfast so I took advantage of the time to take photos around town. It was about 70 degrees with a slight breeze, quiet and beautiful. I wish I could’ve made time stop. It didn’t and we had breakfast, loaded the car after a brief, but terrifying game of where did I put the keys last night! Spoiler alert- I put them in the side of my back pack and checked every square inch of our suitcases, backpack and hotel room with the exception of that one pocket. A clear indication the coffee hadn’t kicked in just yet.
Zion to Kanab, UT
The best and most scenic route to Page, Az is the Zion-Mt. Carmel scenic hughway and it does not disappoint. I planned most of my trip basing how much time we would have to go from point to point via internet directions. I allowed for some extra time given it was summer in a popular tourist destination and I still underestimate how much time this particular drive would take to complete. It was traffic, there were hardly any cars at 8am on a weekday even in summer. It was all the hiking and photo stops. We started our drive wearing sandals and ended it in hiking boots. Every few miles we wanted to get out and take photos. We stopped not a could miles down the road for photos of the various stoney crags. Canyon overlook trail right after the tunnel carved into the mountainside in 1925 was a spectacular hike even if we only did a very small, steep portion. Moving on, we stopped again at Checkerboard Mesa and again, and again. When the highway ended we started to feel a bit hungry and there on the corner was Thunderbird cafe. You can’t miss the giant Americana sign advertising Ho-Made pies. In fact, how can you resist? Sure, 9:40 in the morning seemed about right for pie. I chose a warm Thunderberry pie and my daughter went for the chocolate cream pie. We could’ve split the pies. They were huge! The best part about this cafe is the nostalgia everywhere. Look around. It not just the sign, which story goes, is because in the time those large metal signs were made the extra letters wouldn’t fit the design and when jargon changed the owners embraced it, it’s in the displays. From old cameras ( I had some of those) to old posters and appliances. Looking at history while eating pie and drinking coffee with my child has to be one of the best ways to pass the time. Our next stop on the itinerary was the Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park. We arrived a little later than planned but it wasn’t crowded and it did have a nice parking lot and public bathrooms. We left our sandals under the shade of the observation deck and made our way across pristine dark pink sand to the first massive dune. We didn’t have enough time to do much so we took a shot at running down the dune then made the trek back to the top to wash off our feet and move on. If you plan to stay longer you can rent sleds or snowboards or even check out the ATV/UTV rentals and tours located right on site. I’m not gonna lie the Dune Rides sounded like so much fun. I can imagine this park aglow at sunset. A lovely woman at the bottom offered to take our photo with her phone and send it to us given our accompishment of going up the dune and I’m ever so thankful for the kindness of strangers. We did, however, have to keep pressing on. Lunch stop was Kanab, UT at the Rocking V Cafe. It must’ve just opened because we saw the owners taking a photo of the days special and were seated immediately. Inside is all southwest cute. From the artwork on display to the colorful adobe painted walls. Our servers were friendly and efficient even as the place started filling up. The menu is a fun read. What?! Yep, take time to peruse the menu even after you have ordered. Maybe it’ll help you work up an appetite. All I know is we split the chicken bacon wrap and were too full to finish the side let alone order dessert although they looked devilishly appetizing. Kanab is a quaint little town with an old west feel. The main street is fun to stroll along and window shop.
Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy
Zion Narrows
Sand dunes
Kanab to Page, AZ
Feeling ridiculously full and in disbelief it was from sharing a meal we split we didn’t have long before we got to Lower Antelope canyon for our tour. After doing some research I decided that the lower canyons, while not better for sunbeams, required more climbing and a slightly harder hike and would in all likelihood be less crowded. I was right, but it was not for lack of willing participants. Keep an eye on your time here. We were lucky enough to get an extra hour in our day because the Indian reservation’s time change was an hour behind Utah. Ken’s lower antelope canyon tours, which I had book about 6 months in advance, put us into groups of 10 for our 1:30 tour and each group was given a guide. There are only two tour companies for lower antelope canyon and 5 for upper. If you can manage a steeper climb go with lower. It’s every bit as breathtaking as you’ve no doubt seen in image searches. Our guide was Brian, he was a delight. He didn’t just hold back the other groups while we took what seemed like a very big chunk of time, he didn’t just tell us about the canyon, he pointed out the perfect pictures and willingly acted like our own personal photographer. I didn’t purchase the photographer or upgraded tour and yet I never felt crowded or rushed and the tour takes longer than I anticipated. We finished up at 2:45pm with one last gem-a petrified dinosaur footprint. The images I captured on this tour are some of the most beautiful of the trip and my daughter alone counted 100 she had taken. Looking around at the top you’ll see a huge parking lot and gift shop and an everyday desert scene which doesn’t give away the beauty beneath. Again, everyone even inside the gift shop was friendly. I live in the south and I can’t say I’ve seen so many friendly faces everywhere we went. If Antelope Canyon seems out of the way from your planned trips, I’d still suggest finding a way to get here. While every place is different and amazing this topped the list. A short 5 min drive away is Horseshoe Bend. I wouldn’t have driven to Page simply for this national park but the 3/4 mile hike is steep but not overly difficult and there are port-a-potties and a paved lot at the top. The view is stunning as has been par for the course on our trip. It was a nice side trip. All in an hour of our time was spent hiking and picture taking. If it’s summer wear a hat, wear sunscreen and take water with you. This felt the most crowded of all the spots we had visited thus far. 3:30pm and it was time to move on.
Rocking V cafe-Half wrap
Lower Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe bend
Page to Grand Canyon
Three plus hours later we were arriving in the Grand Canyon national park with our first view of the canyon and watchman tower. Everyone says it, but pictures don’t do it justice. It’s massive. It’s so massive you cannot even see the bottom from the rim. More on that later. We went to the transportation desk at the Bright Angel lodge and checked in for our mule ride. They will weigh you. You must be under 200 pounds, must have a wide brimmed hat with string, and closed toes shoes. You will be given a canteen with instructions and a small bag for everything you with to bring with you. You will also be given a rain slicker. That’s their version of a head count. At the end you keep the canteen and bag and return the slicker. We walked to the stone corral to ensure we would be able to find it at 5:45am not realizing it would be plenty light by then. First light is around 5am in August. We stayed to look around the gift shop and watch sunset. By 7:45 it still wasn’t dark and we were starving. We had yet to check into our hotel in Grand Canyon village. 15 min later we were checking into the Holiday Inn in the village and had a beautiful room with the best water pressure I’ve ever seen in a shower. They had an indoor pool and were on the main strip. We had had enough of driving so we walked to Plaza Bonita and shared a plate of nachos and fried ice cream. We got back to our room and showered with a 4am wake up call. The hotel staff were so wonderful to drop off breakfast for us the night before since we had to leave so early. At 5:45am we were standing at the stone corral watching the mules arrive and chatting with the other riders. One grandma and her adult grandson and another family of 6. Maggie and Chelsea were our wranglers and they did a divine job. Don, the assistant manager, gave us our safety and riding instructions. With each minute I was getting more and more nervous. These mules looked as big as any horse I’d ever seen and the trail we were to ride on seemed much too small for these massive animals. I’m here and I’m writing this so all obviously turned out well, but it took a solid mile before I began to relax and even then it was tenuous. We mounted up and began our steep 5 hour, 10 mile trip to the bottom. We stopped for lunch at Indian garden. This is a lush tropical, watery area with loads of shade, water and bathrooms. We found out mules only need water every 2-3 days so they didn’t drink while we stopped. We were given a massive lunch. Too much to eat, but a large turkey sandwich, apple, chips, cookie, carrots and trail mix along with a vitamin water. The wranglers reminded up to drink, drink, drink and it was after this stop they soaked our clothes in water. Everyone was apprehensive at first but once we got moving it felt like air conditioning. The trail only got hotter in the blazing August sun with lava rock reflecting back the days heat as well as the loss of elevation making the temperatures rise. We finally saw the Colorado river with several rafters aboard and knew we were getting close. The Colorado river is 300 feet wide and an average 46 degrees and rushing current. We crossed it at the Black bridge built in the 1900s after crossing a stone tunnel built in the 1850s.
Phantom ranch
This was it! The pinnacle of our trip. We had made it to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, we were one of the 1%! We dismounted our mules and were drenched with water and given ice cold lemonade and directions to our cabins. We changed into swim suits and made a beeline for the bright angel creek. It was chilly, but refreshing and clear. We stayed there enjoying the peace and the cool water for an hour before changing again and going for a short hike. We found the bright angel campground and the thermometer reading 120 degrees. It was 2 pm. We went back to the Cantina and drank more ice water and purchase exclusive merchandise to the ranch. Pins and shirts and mailed postcards delivered by mule. At 4pm we attended the first of our ranger talks all about the Colorado River. Ranger Ben was wonderful. Then it was the clear din of the dinner bell ringing through the ranch. 5 pm on the nose dinner is served. You MUST have reservations for meals here. As members of the mule ride they were included. Given that everything here must be packed in and out by mules it is astonishing what meal time looked like. Firstly, it was the freshest, most delicious dinner I had the entire trip long. A huge steak, cornbread, a full on salad with ranch, backed potato, garlic broccoli and finally a dense slab of chocolate cake. It is served family style and you raise your hand if you run out of something and more is brought to the table. Nobody went hungry but nobody was shy either. I don’t know where I stuffed all that food but it was oh so yummy. After dinner we made our way to the shower house where our wrangle Maggie pointed out a pink rattlesnake. They are native only to the bottom of the grand canyon so a pretty rare sight indeed. After our showers we filled in our junior ranger booklets which helped us realize how much knowledge had been imparted to us both from the wranglers and our ranger. After the 7pm ranger talk about bugs he took out UV lights and we went on a scorpion search. They glow in UV light. It’s a fluorescent type of glow and we found a couple by the stone corral. The clouds had moved in so we didn’t see the stars as we had hoped. We went to bed, in our air conditioned cabin, and slept soundly until 2:30am when I decided to check if the skies had cleared. I woke my daughter up and we sat at the bench outside of our cabin staring up into a crystal clear sky filled with stars in the milky way. The constellations were so bright and bold. Unlike anything I’d seen even on a dark and clear night. The national parks have worked very hard to reduce light pollution. 5am we woke again and dressed for the day and packed our bags to bring to the corral. We had saved our leftover apples and fed them to our mules. At 6:30am we were seated for late breakfast. The hikers leaving that day had already eaten and gone. Again, family style with loads of the best food. Scrambled eggs, sausages, perfectly cooked thick cut bacon, fluffy pancakes and syrup, mixed fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea. Again, all you can eat. We were told to have a hearty breakfast as there wouldn’t be lunch going back up the trail. I was just following the man’s instructions I swear. It was hard not to anyway. I am still trying to figure out how the phantom ranch cooks do such a great job of making enough food for 40 people come out perfect! 7:15ish we get back on our mules and head up the south Kaibab trail. I thought Bright angel trail was steep. It is nothing compared to S. Kaibab. This is only 7.5 miles but without water stops (we had ours with us and the wranglers carry extra). We did get 2 bathroom breaks. The steeper, narrower trail was dirt and stones. I prayed my mule wouldn’t slip and he didn’t. Trust the mule. You’ll hear it over and over. They’ve done this trail hundreds of times. We regaled with stories of the oh Jesus corner to the cremation canyon and skeleton ridge. We had about 25 water stops along the way up and they took turns providing ever more information or pointing out different images in the buttes. I can imaging if you hike the beauty is enough but we learned so much more from our wranglers. Finally we climbed the last of the switchbacks and an air conditioned van awaited us for our short return trip to Bright angel lodge. We were presented with certificates with the same wording as has been given out for the last 100 years. This year, 2019, is the centennial. The seats were soft and the AC was nice. We got out of the van, checked out returning our slickers and made a beeline for the rest rooms to change into shorts and tank tops. We took the time to visit the Grand Canyon visitors center to buy another coin and stopped for gas and lunch in grand canyon village.
Bright Angel Creek
Near the Colorado river
View from a mule
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Back in the car. I feel like we are not only chronically sleep deprived at this point, but also just moving from one form of sitting transportation to the next. I’ll be glad to be done driving for hours at a time. My daughter sleeps in the seat next to me. Clearly, as worn out as I feel. She’s a great companion, but she needs the rest. When we see Lake Mead in the foreground I know we are getting closer. We make a 7 mile detour to visit the Hoover Dam. One more planned side trip for this whirlwind vacation. The museum and tours are closed but the parking lots are open and a few people mill about taking photos. We do the same. It has cooled to about 109 degrees. Laughable. We go back to the car to arrive at our hotel in Vegas just after 7pm. We still haven’t had dinner, but showers are a necessity at this point. I’m too exhausted to drive on the strip at night. We get a Lyft from the Fairfield Inn convention center. It only takes a few minutes and we are working our way to the Wicked Spoon buffet in the Cosmopolitan casino. We ogle the massive crystal chandelier and eyeball the outfits ranging from not trying to trying way too hard. There is everything here on the strip. At the buffet there is no line and no wait. It closes in an hour at 10pm. We have decided we are here for dessert. We order drinks and grab a few sharable items from the “real” food section. The shrimp and grits is fabulous, the vegetable samosas with mint chutney are wonderful. We giggle and share bites, but then we make our way to the dessert area. We make a plan… we will grab one of each item available and take a bite from each with the exception of the mini creme brulee and gelatos. Who in their right mind shares creme brulee?! We barely, barely make it through one bite of each. We have two towering plates full of mini treats. It’s absolutely gluttonous, but what happens in Vegas. Well, apparently it goes to your waistline. What? That’s not what you were thinking? We opt to walk it off venturing down the road stopping to watch the fountains in from of the Bellagio and make a visit to the conservatory garden in the lobby. The Chihuly glass sculpture dominating the ceiling is blessedly colorful. Naturally, the star here is the garden display. Each season it’s something new. This time it’s Kentucky derby themed and they’ve gone all out. 11pm back in our room and ready to pass out. We still have one last day, one last hurrah before we admit defeat. I wake my loving but grumpy daughter at 7am (I’ve been awake an hour) and we go to the hotel breakfast. Not many people there. I’m surprised. Wait, it’s Vegas. They’re still asleep. 30 min later the lobby is bursting with guests ready to eat. We are done and making our way to the strip. At 10am there are very few people. I researched and found out being active duty and getting a players club card at Caesar’s casinos means an automatic upgrade that allows free parking. Caesar’s casinos include more than just the namesake. Flamingo, Harrah’s, Paris, etc are all members and all allow free parking to certain levels of rewards members. At nearly all casinos, however, the first hour is free anyway. My daughters “thing” is mirror selfies so we make it a goal to take one mirror selfie in each casino. It’s a fun game since we like looking around but not so much on gambling. Before the lines get out of hand we find Buddy V’s bakery and buy a beauty of a rainbow layer cake, a cannolli and a sprinkle sugar cookie. We share it in the plaza of the Venetian as the singing gondoliers cruise by us. It’s getting later and we still haven’t hit the hotel pool so we go back, swim and shower. My daughter has never had In-N-Out so that’s what is up for lunch. After stuffing ourselves on burgers, fries and the thickest ever milkshakes we wander some more. We see Flamingos, secret gardens, volcanoes, waterfalls, huge bouquets of flowers both real and amazingly lifelike glass ones, more people watching, more fun. Now it’s time to do our final tour. The neon boneyard. I’ve been to Vegas several times. I’ve never been here. What a shame! All the retired casino signs in one home. Some still have neon coursing through them, others the lights still shine, some only shine thanks to the colorful spotlights bringing them back to life. Our tour begins at 7pm. We thought it wouldn’t be dark enough. It’s perfect. We are nearly alone to wander. They do have guides available to answer questions or give some background. There are the occasional plaques to read and we peruse the lot. Another game, we look for the letters of our names snapping a picture of each as we find them. The gift shop is a fun place to while away a little time until it gets darker. The sun begins to set and it’s relatively dark by 7:45pm. We wander back through again, retaking shots that look better with less light. At 8pm the museum closes and we make our way to our next stop of the night. Pink Box doughnut shops are open 24 hours a day and have divine treats in numerous flavors. We settle on Key lime, Java, Old fashioned chocolate with sprinkles ( I think my daughter has a thing for sprinkles), and Peanut butter and jelly as well as milk. We get back to our room deciding that a donut for dinner will have to do. We are tired and we have a 4am wake up call for returning our rental car and boarding flights back home. That’s it. The trip I spent months planning is over in what seems like both the blink of an eye and forever all at once. Once thing is certain. It didn’t quench our insatiable thirst for exploration. We will return one day for more fun in the southwest national parks and surrounding areas.
Eating Around 