Loaded up and ready to go!
(The scrape on his head was from the week before)
(The scrape on his head was from the week before)
We decided to spend the night at the RV Park where we rented the camper since we got a late start. They had putt-putt golf there and Gulliver was a natural! He played all 18 holes. And then we played another round the next morning before we left.
We weren't sure how the sleeping arrangements would work out, but everything went so smoothly. We stuck to our usual nighttime routine -- pi's, brush, read books -- and then tucked Gulliver into his side of the camper for the night. He instructed me to "schlose" (close) the curtain and then put his head down and sucked his thumb. We didn't hear a peep out of him until 8:00 the next morning.
Getting ready for night night
It was so sweet how every morning he would pop his head out of the curtain, bust out a huge grin, and shout, "Mom! Dad!" And then we would all crawl into bed together and snuggle or wrestle, depending on the day.
We departed for Moab late Wednesday morning and arrived in the afternoon. After scouting around for a nice campsite, we settled on one just a few miles outside of the town of Moab. It was convenient and offered a very scenic setting surrounded by tall, red canyon walls. Very different than the mountains we are so accustomed to. We settled in fairly quickly. Gulliver loved exploring the campsite and throwing the ball around and chasing after it. Bubbles and the squirt bottle were a big hit, too.
The camper
Enjoying a snack at the campsite
Exploring the campsite with Dad
Retrieving the "blue ball" and playing catch
Mark making breakfast
Chilling out with Cooties and Goldfish
On Thursday, we set out to explore Arches National Park. Pretty impressive place. We drove from end-to-end (about 25 miles each way, with a few short off-shoot roads) and stopped along the way to hike and have a picnic lunch. Then Gulliver napped in the car for about 45 minutes while Mark and I drove around and enjoyed the scenery.
Fresh water
Hiking at Arches National Park
Sand Dune Arch
Exploring a narrow canyon; Gulliver carrying his weight on the hike
Checking out a cactus
Later that afternoon, we went on another hike and the girls were able to come along, too. We found a nice place in the stream to wade around in. I was crossing in one place while holding Gulliver in my arms. Totally wiped out. My feet completely slipped out from under me (not used to slick rock) and I fell flat on my back, holding tight to my baby the whole time. Amazingly, neither one of us had so much as a scratch. Guess I used up my free pass on that one. Phew!
Tired, dirty Cassie
Tired, dirty Cocoa
Gulliver never ceases to amaze me by how much he likes to walk. We went a long way that day, and he never once complained or wanted to be carried. He is such a trooper!
On Friday, we checked out one of the local parks, played on the playground, and enjoyed a neat feature with large instruments. It was a really cool part of the park.
We cooled off that afternoon in the swimming pool. We don't have an outdoor pool in Crested Butte, so it was a treat to swim outdoors. Gulliver LOVED it and kept saying "fwimming" over and over and over again.
The wind started picking up on Friday, and we were introduced to desert conditions. Suffice it to say, Mark and I prefer the mountains! Gulliver was not the least bit bothered by the sand and dirt blowing all over the place. I was so impressed with my little outdoor dude. He just goes with the flow. During nap time, he didn't even make a peep when the camper was blowing like crazy and the flaps were flying all over the place.
By Saturday, we were trying to come up with ways to stay entertained out of the wind. We checked out an art fair that was taking place in the town park, listened to some live music, ate ice cream, and played at the playground. Back at the campsite, we decided to head down to the river and throw rocks (another favorite activity). On the way there -- just a couple of campsites down from us -- we saw a popup camper like ours had collapsed from the wind. Suffice it to say, it was really windy. I knew then and there that NO WAY was my family sleeping in the camper that night. We reached the river at 3:30. I asked Mark if he was open to heading to Grand Junction and getting a hotel room that night. We were packed up and on the road by 5:00.
So even though we cut our camping trip short by one night, it turned out to be a really nice end to the vacation. Gulliver had such a fun time on his first camping adventure. But the white, fluffy towels and sheets that awaited us at our favorite hotel were a welcome luxury. Gulliver leaped into the bathtub and left a layer of sand behind after the tub drained. He bounced around the hotel and I didn't have to worry about him falling on a rock or smashing his face on the benches in the camper (which he almost did about a half dozen times). We ordered pizza. Everyone slept well that night. We got to go swimming again before we headed back to CB on Sunday, arriving home safe and sound after our lovely family vacation.
Fresh and clean at the hotel
Carefree and enjoying pizza!
Night night
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