In the Nick of Time

Since we had to check in for our cave tour by 8:45AM, we hit the road about 7:15AM for the 70-mile drive back to Great Basin National Park. It rained most of the way along US 50, but when we turned onto NV-487, we saw this in the rearview mirror and had to stop for a pic...

Cruising the Fjords

Our big adventure for today was the 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise with Major Marine Tours. Since the tour didn't depart until 11:30AM, we headed out after breakfast for a look around Seward. 

At the southern end of town is the beginning of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Established by Congress in 1978, the trail celebrates the route that first connected Native Alaskan villages and later served mining camps, trading posts, and other settlements founded during the Alaskan Gold Rush Era (1880-1920). Sled dog teams were the only reliable means to transport goods and people along the route in winter. Most notably, when a diphtheria outbreak threatened the residents of Nome in 1925, the only way to get them enough serum for inoculations was by train from Anchorage to Nenana, and then mushers and their sled dog teams (have you heard the story of Balto?) relayed the precious cargo the final 674 miles in less than 5.5 days.

 

938 miles from Seward to Nome

Rainbow Connection

R was up and out the door early this morning so that he could get malasadas from Leonard's Bakery for the fam before the lines got too long. What a guy!

And in case you were wondering if the four of us ate all of those malasadas in the picture, the answer is "NO!" He bought enough to share with his cousins, who were coming over to visit today.

End to End

We were out the door early this morning to visit Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Parks. It was raining steadily as we drove around the southern end of the island, but when we stopped at the Hanapepe Valley Lookout, we were treated to this sight.

Another Day in Paradise

Our itinerary for today included a couple of popular tourist spots, so we were out the door early to beat the crowds. Since our hotel stay didn't include breakfast, our first stop was Hawaiian Style Cafe. Two of us had boring run-of-the-mill dishes, but the other two ordered more local fare: Kalua hash (left) and Hawaiian sweet bread french toast with, what else, SPAM!

Hail! Hail!

Previously, the boys' spring break has always been tied to Easter. So, for the past couple of years, their week off has fallen in April. This year our school district changed the calendar, but coming out to see spring training wasn't even on our radar until I heard my friend at work talking about her plans to come see her San Francisco Giants, which started the trip-planning wheels turning.  

Besides coming to watch the Cubs, we were also interested in seeing the Angels/Dodgers game at Camelback Ranch, partly because the Angels are R's adopted west coast team and partly because our friends who came along with us are a family with split loyalties. Something for everyone, win-win!

Into the Fiery Furnace

Several weeks before we left, we made reservations for the 3-hour ranger-guided hike into the Fiery Furnace in Arches NP. Unfortunately, by the time we decided to do it (after watching the video), the only time slot available was the 10:00AM hike - yippee, just as the day is getting HOT! The description from the park website reads:

"These popular three-hour hikes must be reserved in advance, and are considered by most to be moderately strenuous. The Fiery Furnace hike is not a casual stroll and everyone attending the walk should be aware of the demanding nature of this hike and be properly equipped. During the hike, participants will be walking and climbing on irregular and broken sandstone, along narrow ledges above drop-offs and in loose, sometimes wet, sand. There are cracks which must be stepped over and narrow places in the rock that you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some of these places, you must hold yourself off the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet. Due to the maze-like nature of the terrain, all participants are committed to completing the hike once they enter the Fiery Furnace."

Moderately strenuous. Demanding nature. Squeeze into narrow places. Ummm, let's see, did I really want to do this?! I told myself, if a 6 year-old is allowed on the hike, then surely I could make it through. Right?!

School of Rock

As we drove west on I-70 from Frisco, we encountered more tunnels and steep downgrades. Beautiful scenery to drive through, although I think I prefer climbing up slowly rather than barreling downhill. When we took our California Zephyr train trip two summers ago, we missed this part (Salt Lake City to Denver via Glenwood Springs) because of track repair. We were re-routed through southern Wyoming on part of the original Transcontinental Railroad that was no longer used for passenger trains, so that still ended up being cool. But seeing all this from the observation car of the train, chugging along right beside the river, would have been even better!