Excitement Builds

Even Nick is starting to get excited about our trip! He is the final one to buy into this grand adventure. To him it was to be an exercise in parental torture, added with sibling annoyance and a "too much walking can't be good for you" attitude. With the assistance of just about every adult we know, Nick has turned the corner and is beginning to look forward to seeing National Parks and San Francisco.
I am completely packed and ready for takeoff. Dave, not so much. He told me today what he still needs to pack - so I will get those things this week. Luckily, he is a guy, and he is able to hand over the reins (read: wallet) when it comes to filling a suitcase with appropriate attire for temperatures ranging from 110 to 35 F. Hope he likes pink plaid bermuda shorts and orange striped polo's!!
Folks at work are helping me out by lending books on parks and areas to visit - and really what they are doing is helping me to think more about my trip than I should be during the work day!! It is becoming increasingly difficult to focus on the important things, so I have taken to wearing a rubber band on my wrist to snap whenever I see I am off task. I have quite a bruise to show for it too!
When all is said and done, I am very thankful to have a career that I love at an organization that supports this wonderful trip of a lifetime. While I look forward to leaving and traveling, it is never painful or upsetting to come back to work.

Fish- Check, Dog - Check, Hamster - Check

Well one of the tougher things to do while I prepare my family for this long awaited traverse around our country is finding the folks who can care for our menagerie of pets. I have each pet going to a loving home for the duration. And I learned in the meantime, that my step-mom loves hamsters! Who knew? And, my dad - not so much. It will be interesting to see how the little creature does with two big golden retrievers running around. They will also be watching Skipper, the beta fish. He's easy. Keep water in a bowl, throw in some fish flakes - good to go. Just hoping not to hear about any toilet side funerals!
Fortunately, a good friend, and fabulous babysitter is coming twice everyday to feed Partner and let him in and out. He's our biggest concern because he is a pretty social animal and needs to see people everyday. With T. coming at least twice everyday and my dad once/twice a week - he'll be fine!
I think that about covers the pet situation. Now, onto the next thing. Getting the AAA TripTik's.

Memorial Day has come and gone

Yesterday (Memorial Day) was a beautiful day, spent remembering those who have fought, and died for, our wonderful country. No year has it been more poignant to me than this year. Going to visit parts of our nation where I have never been, seeing sights that are worth saving. These national treasures, as well as our many personal freedoms, are what men and women have died trying to protect. For these I am grateful.
We are nearing our final countdown now. With 24 days until we depart, we have done the bulk of our campsite packing. I know we will forget a few things, and will need a Target or Walmart run when we get to Vegas - but we have packed up all things relating to sleeping and eating. Now it is just personal hygiene, clothing and the fun stuff left to cram into 4 bags/suitcases.
I think we may be leaving some items behind, like my extra 4 pair of shoes that I won't need and that won't fit into my bag!!

Less Than One Month

Since we fly out of Manchester on June 23, it is now officially less than one month till we go on our trip! I have spent a great deal of Dave's money on clothes, for the kids and myself. But I think we are just about all set.
If anyone reading this has an idea of one thing we couldn't do without on this trip - comment on it. I have never been camping for more than a weekend, so while I am enthusiastic and feeling prepared, I know that I am missing something. So, if I could only bring one more thing, what should it be? What couldn't we live without?
We start out at the Grand Canyon, once we Las Vegas of course. We are camping on the North Rim, and I cannot wait to see the majestic views and spectacular sunsets.
I think we are going to go on a mule ride, but looks like it will be a shorted ride (1 hours) since the kids may not be able to tolerate a 4 hour ride. To be honest, not sure the adults could tolerate a 4 hour ride!
Anyone know about the drinking water out there at the campsites and national parks? Wonder if we will be buying lots of water, or if it is palatable?
Well, we are spending our long Memorial Day weekend packing up all our gear to see if it will all fit in the allowed amount of luggage. Wish me luck!

These Boots Are Made For Walking!

I am ready to start hiking the vast trails of our National Parks! I found an excellent pair of hiking shoes - which in and of itself is amazing given my shoe size! Ended up at Lenny's after much searching and found a pair of Ahnu shoes that are so comfortable. I do not want to over pack on the clothing and shoe front. So this will work as sneakers & hiking shoes.
6 weeks from today we will be jetting to Las Vegas. Ian has done a tremendous job getting us all our lodging and camping sites. I think even Nick is getting excited about it.
Nick is upset because he will miss his favorite camp and All-Stars Baseball (he would still have to try out and make the team to miss All-Stars, but still...). He is warming up to the idea of spending a month together. It really is the trip of a lifetime, and he hears everyone else excited.
So, now it's water shoes and sandals I need. More SHOPPING!!

It's Official, we are coming back

We just bought our return tickets on Southwest. Saved a bunch of money - making it worth staying one day longer in Las Vegas. Maybe I will go take in a show! We found that Southwest was the best airline, since we can each get two bags free. Everyone else made you pay for every bag. Not worth it!
So, we leave on June 23 and return July 25! Can't wait!!

Tent works

We took out our new tent (Coleman Insta-Tent) and practiced setting it up. The company stated it can be set up in 60 seconds, and it looked relatively easy. Surprisingly enough, it did take only a few minutes to set it up once we figured out all the steps (we had missed one, and the tent was floppy). While I don't think we could master a 60 second time limit, we certainly had it from the ground up in about 3 minutes. It is great, tall in the center (6 1/2 feet) and sleeps 10. Well, it will sleep the four Szabo's very comfortably. Even better, it fits within the bag limits for Southwest when we fly! I don't have to pay extra for it.
I also pulled out the cot. Yes, I know. We are tent camping and I am bringing a cot! I am not spending all those nights on the hard ground. It too stated easy set up, sturdy construction. It took less than 20 seconds to set the bed up. All I need is a pillow and sleeping bag and I am good to go.
Carissa really liked the cot, so much she wants me to put it in her room so she can sleep on it!
We are really getting close now that we are past the first of May. Only a month and a half till we jet out and set out on our adventures!
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