On the final day of our family road trip, we decided to take a dip in the hotel pool before jumping into the Jeep for the 500 mile drive home. While the kids played in the hotel pool, I chose the jacuzzi for my relaxation location.
Though, before leaving the hotel completely, I had the kids take a quick shower to wash the pool water from their hair. And for efficiency, they went into the hotel room shower-tub together. They were not in the shower for more than two minutes before I heard our little KK say "let's do a butt high five" which was immediatelty followed by our little guy being knocked down into the floor of the shower. Perhaps it was the excitement of having gone swimming or it being our final vacation day, either way, a butt high five in the shower can be a dangerous thing, so let this be a lesson to everyone to proceed with caution before doing a butt high five in the shower.
Fortunately, no one was hurt and there was only some crying and hurt feelings after the butt high five.
As we set out across the desert from Prescott, Arizona to San Diego, California I could not help but to recount all of the states we traveled through, nine in all:
1. California
2. Nevada
3. Arizona
4. Utah
5. Idaho
6. Wyoming
7. Montana
8. Colorado
9. New Mexico
While we were not able to thoroughly travel through each state, we did have some great experiences including:
117 degree heat driving across the desert in Mesquite, Utah (hotter than Baker, California) while enjoying a home made iced latte.
Brian Head, Utah where we reached the mountain top at 11,307 feet elevation. As well as seeing Yankee Meadow, where we were able to play amongst the Aspen Trees.
Idaho Falls and dinner at the Republic restaurant as well as almost getting blown off the road by heavy winds as we drove toward Victor, Idaho before crossing into Wyoming.
Taking pictures at the Wyoming border crossing, driving over Teton Pass, and driving into Jackson Hole. Enjoying Cowboy Coffee and playing soccer with the kids in the park.
Riding bikes for 16 miles in Grand Teton National Park, seeing the Grand Teton mountains for the first time, and watching a deer graze on grass outside our cabin window.
Seeing Old Faithful and the many natural wonders of Yellowstone, KK photobombing my video of Castle Geyser, our mistaken close encounter with a real live Bison, and crossing the Continental Divide in Wyoming.
Ascending the Bear Tooth Highway and taking in all of its natural beauty. Making new friends in Red Lodge, Montana and the help of a local to get a hotel room for the night.
Spending time with family in Joliet, Montana and properly celebrating the Fourth of July with loads of fireworks. Oh, and taking a rock to the Jeep windshield as a souvenir from Montana.
Driving through Flaming Gorge, Utah and watching the kids encourage the truckers to pull their air horns. And Jensen, Utah's Dinosaur National Park.
Driving the Unaweep scenic byway, hanging out in Telluride, Colorado, passing through Ouray in the rain that continued to pound on us all the way through Silverton. Staying at an Airbnb house in Durango and taking care of 11 chickens that provided us with fresh eggs each day. And riding the Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge train.
Passing through Four Corners and seeing more of beautiful Utah and its rock formations.
Taking a wrong turn on an Arizona highway and ending up in beautiful Prescott. And a "butt high five" in the shower to finish off an incredible trip.
As we pulled into our driveway at the end of this trip, we had driven a total of 3,618 miles. Our Jeep Wrangler ran flawlessly through extreme heat, rain, and hail.
We hope you enjoyed following us on our road trip around the western United States. And thanks for following us!
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