Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Big Sur Trek

We loaded up the Westy Rig and headed off to Big Sur to meet our (Deaver) aunts and uncles for the annual camp out. On the way up we decided to stop at Pinnacles National monument and weren't disappointed.
The girls were ready for the adventure





The van was fully loaded and ready to camp! EmmaJane was ready to hike (with the help of a gentle nudge from Scott)


We entered at the west entrance and really enjoyed the beautiful park and huge rocks

We had no clue what we were getting ourselves into and the little munchkins were just stoked to climb, crawl and squeeze through the cool rocks.
Head lamps ready! Lets go for it!


No sweat for mom

lots of fresh terds on the trail. We were the only people on the trail and EmmaJane was convinced there was a large beast near by waiting to eat us.


We survived the hike and enjoyed the sunset and we descended from Carmel down the coast


We arrived in Big Sur and ElvisAnn enjoyed a makeshift fort, made from an egg crate pad


Pfieffer Beach

The whole crew got a kick out of the sand hill. We raced up and down it with the occasional tumble.
Scott racing his uncle Ken-it was a close one
Elvis charging like a pro


DaviJewell's technique


DaviJewell, stopping to smile for the camera


Chilling with our cousin Garrett at a sweet restaurant overlook


You can't beat the central coast! So Epic
We had fun hitting the trail through the big trees on our bikes

ElvisAnn's favorite part of the day.S'mores!!


Breakfast with aunt Kate



DaviJewell enjoying her burger from Uncle Bob. (One of the top reason's to camp with the Deaver's is the food...amazing)

The Family

we had to mark our territory on the way out on some large fungi

Bye Big Sur! We love you


Our Journey still not through. We took the 1 home and took plenty of pictures along the way.



The girls checking out one of the most amazing beaches on earth. Julia Pfieffer Falls
On our drive we noticed a guy pulled over and peering into the sky with binoculars. We decided to pull over and realized he was looking at a California Condor in flight. A very rare encounter indeed. Double click on the condor photo to get the full effect. These guys are huge!


Elephant Seals!!


This seal was a punk and made the other one move/started a fight, so he could have that spot.More fighting seals


We had to take a pic of Scott's dream ride


Gaviota state beach

We made it down to Gaviota state beach for dinner and a sunset

cup o noodle
yummy
The girls and Le Tigre survived another awesome trip



Thursday, July 14, 2011

Wild West National Park Adventure!




THE JOURNEY BEGINS!
WE LEAVE GRANDPA WHITEHEAD'S HOUSE IN ST. GEORGE WITH NO PARTICULAR PLAN BUT TO SEE WHERE OUR VAN WOULD TAKE US IN ONE WEEK


BRIDGE ROAD WAS OUR FIRST STOP. THIS BRIDGE LED US TO OUR FIRST CAMPSITE NEAR THE GHOST TOWN. ELVISANN'S BIKE SPARKED SEVERAL LAUGHS AND COMMENTS FROM TRAVELERS DURING OUR TRIP. WHAT? ITS NOT COOL TO CARRY A KIDDIE BIKE ON A BIKE RACK :)



SCOTT LIKES TO DRIVE OVER OLD BRIDGES. ESPECIALLY WITH HIS OLD VAN





ICE CREAM BREAK BEFORE ENTERING ZIONS




OUR FIRST NATIONAL PARK OF THE TRIP! "ZIONS" HERE WE COME



SCOTT COOKING YUMMY PANCAKES AT OUR MAKE SHIFT CAMPSITE ALONG A CREEK OUTSIDE ZIONS




OUR LITTLE BBQ AT A PARK ALONG THE VIRGIN RIVER WAS INTERRUPTED BY THE DANG SPRINKLERS RIGHT BEFORE THE HOT DOGS WERE READY. SCOTT WASN'T GOING TO GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT, SO HE COVERED THE SPRINKLER WITH THE EXTRA TABLE. THOSE DOGS NEVER TASTED SO GOOD.




OUR FIRST HIKE THE FIRST EVENING TO EMERALD POOLS. A SURPRISE WIND GUST SOAKED LITTLE ELVISANN AND MOM. IT WASN'T ALL SMILES AT FIRST:)
SCOTT PLAYING CHICKEN WITH THE LITTLE WATERFALL THAT SURPRISED THE GIRLS




A REALLY OLD HOME AT THE GRAFTON GHOST TOWN



PIONEERS GRAVES FROM THE 1800'S, SOME WERE KILLED BY INDIANS
THIS WAS THE OLDEST CEMETERY WE HAVE EVER BEEN TO



A RESTORED GHOST TOWN BUILDING




THE WESTY LEAVING THE GHOSTS IN THE DUST




HIKING THE NARROWS TRAIL
SKIPPING ROCKS AND COOLING OFF




LEAVING BEAUTIFUL ZIONS BEHIND.
THE BULLET READY TO ENTER THE BARREL OF A GUN.




THE SLOW CLIMB TO BRYCE CANYON (8,000FT) GETTING PASSED BY EVERYTHING





THE GIRLS CHILLING IN THEIR FAVORITE RIDE




NATIONAL PARK #2!



WE MADE IT TO VIEW THE SUNSET AT SUNSET POINT!! SO AWESOME!
OUR FIRST TIME AT THIS PARK



THE NEXT DAY GETTING A SUNNY VIEW



THE CUTEST BUMP ON A LOG




WE LOVE TUNNELS!



PHOTO TIME OUTSIDE THE PARK. THE GIRLS LOVED THE RED ROCKS





THE WESTY LOVING OUR CAMPSITE IN BRYCE





ROADSIDE ATTRACTION! COUNT US IN!
THE MOQUI CAVE WAS PRETTY NEAT
DINOSAUR TRACKS INCLUDED





NATIONAL PARK #3! LAKE POWELL
AHHH! THE LAKE OF ALL LAKES

THE GIRLS AND SCOTT ENJOYED A COOL DIP





NATIONAL PARK #4
THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL

BUBBLE FIGHT!
ENJOYING THE VIEW




WHO NEW? PULL OVER!!!

EMMAJANE WAS SO STOKED! FLINTSTONE RV PARK? SO TEMPTING
WE ARE CAMPING HERE NEXT TIME




WE STOPED AT LAKE HAVASU TO VISIT SOME COUSINS.
ALL THE KIDS EXPLORING THE WESTY UP TOP
DRIVING OVER ANOTHER OLD BRIDGE. THE ORIGINAL "LONDON BRIDGE"
LONDON BRIDGE AND THE KIDS




THRIFTY'S ICE CREAM BEFORE THE LONG JOURNEY HOME
SO YUMMY!





SIX DAYS / FIVE NIGHTS / 1500 MILES!!!
TRIP OF A LIFETIME!!!
LE TIGRE OUR WESTY MADE US PROUD