Works for Me Wednesday

This week, we're in Vegas on vacation! I thought I'd post about planning a vacation, and what works for me concerning it.

We are a family that loves to travel, and I'm sure that will continue even after the birth of this baby. The key to making family travel enjoyable is to be prepared. I am an avid planner- expecially when it comes to vacations. I like to have everything mapped out beforehand so there is no last minute scrambling around! Proper planning results in a smoother and less stressful vacation.

For most trips, I start packing a week ahead of time. Even if we are only going to be gone for a few days, it helps to everything ready. By the time we're ready to leave, I know what we need or are missing and am not busy worrying about getting the essentials. When our little arrives, I'm sure this habit will come in handy, as travel will be more complicated!

I also keep a 'travel kit' prepared in the linen closet for both me and my husband. This kit includes travel sized shampoo and body wash bottles as well as an extra deodorant, fash wash and toothpaste (couponing helps to keep me well stocked!). When I start to pack, all I have to do is throw the travel kit in the suitcase! After each trip, I refill or restock as necessary. This way, I have one whole aspect of packing already covered. You could easily create different travel kits for different purposes.

These are just two of the things that I do to help keep us sane getting ready for trips. For more on Works for Me Wednesday, visit We Are THAT Family.

National Parks Tour- part 2

Time for Part 2 of my National Parks adventure! The first place we visited was, of course, the Grand Canyon. And boy, was it grand! Ok, perhaps I am being a bit cliche but it really was. For those of you who have never been- shame on you! We had such a wonderful time there and stayed at the Mather Campground which was really quite pleasant. The odd thing was that there seemed to be more foreigners visiting here than Americans! But maybe that's because the Grand Canyon is listed as one of the seven wonders of the world. Or something like that.


Anyway, we got to hike to the bottom (ok, just 3 miles down) of the Grand Canyon two times! First we tackled the Brigh Angel Trail, which would have been more enjoyable had we not been yo-yoing so many families the whole time. The South Kaibab Trail, however, was more deserted and we got to spend plenty of quality time with the squirrels of the GC. I was rightfully fearful of these little animals due to the rabies they are known to carry and the aggressive attitude they posess if you try to feed them. So, remember to keep your distance from them if you venture down! Show nature some respect and leave Charlie alone!!


I know, his cute face wins a lot of people over. The important thing to remember is the hospital bills you are likely to incur if he bites you!

The next park we visited was my favorite of all America's National Parks (so far): Zion. Its named that for a reason:

Anyone thinking of "The Land Before Time"? That's what I felt the entire time I was hiking Angel's Landing Trail. It was storming in the distance all throughout our hike, and you could almost hear those rocks roaring. The dark clouds made them look like a land of volcanoes and dinosaurs. At least to me. But I'm from the East, so it's to be expected. Here's a look at what the trail looked like:


Yes, that is the edge of the cliff. Yes, that is a 1500 foot drop. Yes, we had to pull ourselves up with chains. It really was the scariest moment of my life. Talk about extreme hiking! I'll never complain again!

The next stop was Capitol Reef National Park. I loved this park, because it really felt like a desert to me. But a wild one! I never thought I would fall in love with deserts, but it happened. There is much more than cactus and sand. In fact, I think we saw the most wildlife in this park! But thank goodness, no mountain lions, which are known to roam there.


OOPS! I forgot we actually went to Capitol Reef AFTER Bryce Canyon. But Bryce was just a drive through, due to time constraints. Still, we did get some awesome views and even ran into a couple we met from the Grand Canyon! Small world eh?

Stay tuned for more!

National Parks Tour- part 1

Two weeks ago, Rob and I left for what we thought was a trip to the Grand Canyon. It has now morphed into a National Parks Tour of the West. We not only visited the famous wonder of America, but we've also trekked through Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Arches National Park. Aside from fabulous views at all five of these parks, we've collected memories that I know will last a lifetime.

Perhaps one of the more interesting features of an All American Road Trip is the spontaneity that accompanies it. Do what you want when you want, don't worry about the time, and take back roads you otherwise would have ignored. We've been fortunate to drive through some of the best American Scenic Bypasses, and I've seen more of the country in the past two weeks than my whole life.

I've found a love for America cultivating inside me. Before this trip, I would eagerly hop on a plane (providing I had the money) and travel all over the world, preferably Europe. And while I still desire to see these places, I've discovered how much of my homeland I have yet to explore. I've been enlightened to the travel possibilities that lay within this wonderful continent and country.

Growing up in the East/Midwest, I am used to seeing towns along every stretch of the highway. Discovering that the whole country is not like this is rather exciting. Driving through places like Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Utah show me that much of America is still wide open country. Tiny towns nestled in between huge stretches of freeway are a wonder that continues to boogle my mind.

I feel stories pouring out of every person and city we pass. Stories that are just waiting silently to be written and retold. This trip has gained me an invaluable perspective as a writer that will forever shape the way I approach writing. I've met characters of all walks of life in each place we come to, and although they may forget our short encounter, their presence will not be forgotten by me.