Hoover Dam was first, and isn't that far outside of Vegas. This was the one thing Sam really wanted to see on the trip, so he was glad we stopped in the morning on our way out. Anne was asleep in the car when we got there, so Sam, Sarah, and I went exploring while Nana stayed with Anne.
Hubby and wife enjoying vacation! We are very far above that water!
Sam and Sarah in front of the giant suspension bridge that is being built across the dam. In the future you won't drive on the dam, you'll be able to bypass it all together. It is very unnerving to look at a giant unfinished bridge that drops off into nowhere...
P.S. See my coffee cup sitting dangerously close to the edge? Don't jump! I need you!
Tourist nerds, holding hands across the state line.
Post 9/11 security measures: Look out for shady men in trench coats!
We drove and drove and drove through the barren wasteland known as Arizona (love ya, John McCain!). Rest stops are few and far between, and actual organized towns are hard to find. We did stop for snacks at one point and Annie scooted around the teepee they had outside.
After many naps, snacks, and songs to entertain Anne, we made it to the canyon. It was cold there! The elevation and lower-than-average temps made for a chilly day. Even so, we had a very nice time. There were tons of people there--amazing how one of the country's most popular national parks has nowhere for people to park their cars! Are you not expecting a lot of people here every day? Pave a lot, for cryin' out loud!The fam at the canyon. This was almost the Christmas card picture, but Annie is all squinty.
More canyon. It's a big hole in the earth.
Anne tries on a ranger hat in the gift shop. She really wanted a wooden snake toy, but I didn't want that creepy thing in my house!
The ride home was a bit tougher on Anne than the ride out there. I think we'll all remember the highly-realistic animal noises Sam made during the family chorus of "Old McDonald" Anne eventually gave up on our bizarre behavior and went to sleep.We got back to the resort around 10:00 and everyone came to our room to say goodbye. Anne was awake until 11:00 (!) and Sam and I stayed up until 1:00 packing and organizing our things. Our flight home was at 7:30, so we were up again by 5:00 to pack up and head out.
We had a pretty good flight home--things ran on time and we got all of our luggage. Anne was a bit more pleasant than on the trip out there, but she didn't sleep. And in a true and genuine answer to prayer, we had an empty seat in our row! It was one of only 1 or 2 empty seats on the whole flight--we kept hoping as people came in that they wouldn't sit by us (they probably didn't want to!) We made it back to Minnesota and were so happy to be home! Opa came to pick us up at the airport and Anne was asleep in the car before we even got back out to the freeway. All in all it was a great trip with lots of good family bonding time.
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