The End...sort of.

So...after 4265 miles. 8 states.  4 National Parks. 9 National forests. 7 Mountain Passes.  One of the best things I have ever done has come to a end...sort of.  The adventure Isiah and I did will live on forever in memories and of course photos.  We did almost everything we set out to do plus a few things.  Isiah was the best traveling companion a guy could ask for.  Great attitude and always willing to try a new adventure....even wrote on this blog sometimes unwillingly!:)  BUT we had a wonderful time.  It took months to plan and now its over.  I would like to thank everyone who helped us out.  Those who we stayed with etc.  Specially Matt and Theresa for letting us join the three ring circus that is there house.  I promise next time no broken bones!  For the next few weeks I am sure I will be posting many photos from the trip.  I will post them on this blog and I believe future adventures me and Isiah take I will use this blog to gives details and updates.  I learned a lot on this trip but the biggest thing I was reminded of is how lucky I am to be a Dad.  Nothing else matters but that.  Seeing that kid smile is the best thing I could ever ask for.  I know he will grow up to do great things and be a great man.  Anyway here are a collection of photos of me and him throughout the trip taken mostly with my iphone.  Like I said I will be posting stuff from the trip with explanations int he next few weeks.  Thanks!

Ty

The Final Stretch

                As the trip nears its end I do not know if I what to go home or continue the trip, but life must continue. Overall the trip was great. The best part by far was the Grand Canyon. Hopefully we will make our way out to Utah again to go to Arches National Park, which we only stayed briefly. The best part of the drive was going through the Colorado Mountains. The deserts and farm fields were the most boring part of the trip. Thanks to all the people that let us stay overnight in their homes. Now after 12 days the trip finally comes to an end.

     Isiah

Back to Denver

After leaving Ouray we started our way to Bailey, Colorado. We stopped and had Breakfast in Ridgeway, while dad kept talking about the movie True Grit. After Breakfast we took a short stop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park. After taking some photos and looking around in the visitors center we continued to go to Bailey. When we arrived at Bailey we ate lunch with one of Dad's friends (Richard)during a thunderstorm. Finally after lunch we took the last leg of our day trip back to Denver. Tomorrow we will start heading back to Wisconsin.
Isiah

Today was up early in Ouray and off driving.  Yes I talked about True Grit a bunch but I think its cool the original was shot in Ouray and Ridgway! So we had lunch with my friend Richard and his Wife Heather and of course there daughter Jo in Bailey.  It was great to catch up just wish we would have had more time. Made it to Denver in time to have dinner and off to bed now.  It is sad the road trip is coming to a end.  We hit 3000 miles on the nose when we pulled into the Helbach house in Denver.  Anyway here is a picture from today!  Our last time crossing the Continental Divide!
Ty

Up Again

     After a sad departure from the Grand Canyon, we now head towards Wisconsin. Going back into the blazing desert, we stop at four corners. For one of the stops I really wanted to see, the four corners was a short in and out. The Navajo built stalls in between the state lines. My favorite state was Colorado, because it has a lot more then just desert.
     Next we headed towards Durango to see eat dinner with Tom and Sleep for the night. We first drove through historic downtown Durango, which was very diverse from other towns. After that quick stop we headed to Ignacio to meet with Tom. After a few minutes we finally found him in the Ignacio Casino parking lot. We went in to eat dinner with him in the Casino restaurant. When we first went in there I thought that they were going to kick us out because I was younger then 21. Tom was even nice enough to pay for dinner!
     After eating dinner Tom led us to were his house was. He has a great view of  the Rockies from his house and is surrounded by horse pastures. Before we went to bed we watched a old western with Tom. Tom was really nice. He was really relaxed unlike a lot of people these days. Tom was one of Grandpa Dave's and Grandma Jeanne's old friend's.
     The next morning we packed up and headed back to Durango to eat with one of Ty's friends Marcia
for breakfast. Before we eat delicious pancakes and chocolate milk (that's what I had) we stopped to see the steam engine that runs from Durango to Silverton Depart.
     After breakfast we continued to the wonderful town of Ouray. Before checking in we went to Box canyon Water Falls which starts the river that flows right by the hotel we are at right now. It turns out that the owner is from Green Bay!
      Then we went to the Ouray Hot Springs pool so I could do some laps and Dad could just sit around in the warm part. The pool was really cool because right by the Box Canyon Water Fall there is a natural hot spring that the people of Ouray have harnessed and used to heat the pool with a pipe that brings it there, so the pool is naturally heated.
     And now we sit here like a bunch of lazy people from Wisconsin.

What did people say about the two satellite dishes wedding?

The service was bad, but the reception was great. Ha Ha

Isiah

Four corners

Left the Grand Canyon today and drove through pretty much nothingness to get to four corners. Onto Ignacio to stay with a old family friend. Great talking and a beautiful view. Now to bed. Tomorrow we head up the million dollar highway!

NO DRIVING!

Yesterday was spent at the Grand Canyon with NO DRIVING and it was great.  We did a couple hikes. one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  With plenty of relaxing between.  Got some good photos and hung out with Isiah.  Last night on our walk to dinner at El Tovar there had to be about 30 to 40 Elk eating grass out front of the lodges.  It was pretty amazing.  We went back after dinner and did some night photography and checked out the Elk again.  Called it a night kinda late.  UP early today to pack up our messy cabin and head to Four Corners and then Durango! 

Ty

Grand Canyon and the West.

      It's wide. it's deep, it's long, and it is grand. I was surprised by how many trees were on the rim of the Grand Canyon. There is a lot of wildlife and the view is great. I am taken away by the size of the Canyon. On the way we recognized a bunch of scorch marks on the trees. There must have been a fire some years ago. We also saw elk on the way in. There is a trail that goes three miles down into the Canyon, but we will not be going on the trail. You can also take donkey rides down and stay overnight. Today we are going to hike on some trails and go see some of the cool viewpoints.  
      Monument Valley was very cool. The guide was very nice and taught us a lot about the Navajo people. The rock formations almost seem like they were sculpted by humans. Antelope Canyon was also a very unique place. Also located on the Navajo Nation, it offers many unique colors and rock formations. I learned that when it rains to the south the canyon will flood in minutes. The floor was very sandy and any kid would enjoy having a huge canyon sand box. The canyon also offers many pictures. Isiah.

Monument Valley sunrise and Antelope Canyon

So if you think you have been outside and it has been dark...you have no idea what dark is till you drive through Monument Valley at 4 A.M. DARK...I mean really dark.  Woke up at 4 A.M. to go meet our Navajo Guide to take us into Monument Valley to watch the sunrise.  Loaded the car up to the sound of thunder in the distance.  Had some rain on the 20 minute drive and almost hit a wild horse as well.  Meet the guide and saw the most amazing sunrise ever.  We spent about 3 hours taking photos and sightseeing in the valley.  Many many cool photos.  There was also a LARGE movie production going on out there as well.  So after the tour was done we hit up Gouldings Lodge for breakfast and saw there museum.  Lots of cool old movie stuff.  Hit the road running to Page Arizona to see Antelope Canyon.  After some confusion there we got on a regular tour....as we had missed the private photography tour.  It was kinda a pain and tons of people. Packed into a truck for the ride out there.  Tons of people in the slot canyon.  BUT made do and got what i hope will be some great shots.  Special thanks to La La our tour guide for being awesome and giving us a nice shortcut that shaved off a hour of drive time to the Grand Canyon...which is where we are now.  Ate dinner and ready to crash out in our little cabin.  So for now here is a photo I did at Antelope Canyon today.  Remember it was packed with people...which just made it more of a challenge to get shots like this oh and no tripod which made it difficult.  They were not allowed on the regular tours.
Isiah said he did not want to write anything tonight but will give a full report tomorrow morning!:)

Grand Junction to Mexican Hat.

Got up this morning early and packed out bags in Grand Junction and headed off to Utah.  Now..I have realized that there is WAY to much to see in this part of Utah in one day....WAY TO MUCH!  You could spend a day alone at Arches National Park.  But I knew this going in.  So we made our way along the Colorado River to Moab where we had lunch and then hit up Arches National Park.  We only spent about 2 hours there but what a cool place. Most of our time was spent in the Windows area of the park as it is the closest to the entrance.  ( just to give you a clue of how big the park is it takes about 45 minutes to drive from the entrance to the end of the road in the park) Windows is only about 6 miles in.  We did some hiking...in 100 degree weather but it was fun.  One thing I could not believe is people who come into a setting such as this park ..in 100 degree sunny weather..unprepared.  Sandels. No hat or anything to protect you from the sun. No Water.   Just amazing.  Second is I would like to find whoever throws there aigrette butts on the ground there and slap them.  Lack of respect for what is one of the most awe inspiring places I have ever been to.  The beauty and awesomeness of the place over powered any bad feelings about cigarette butts.:)  After the park we headed to Mexican Hat Utah.  We made a stop at the famous Hole N The Rock.  Originally I had planned to take a longer route that takes you down the Mokee Dugway but we nixed that as we were tired and running later then we expected.  We did however make it to Mexican Hat and check in with enough time to take the 20 minute drive to Monument Valley.  Now I have passed through Monument Valley twice before. Both times sunny with a few clouds.  This time there was a large thunderstorm passing through just west of us.  It was really cool the way the clouds played with light on the rocks and the rain falling in the distance.  After that we headed to dinner at The Swinging Steak. JUst down the road from our hotel.  Its a steak joint.  The menu is 3 different kinds of steak served with beans and salad and a huge piece of bread.  The steaks are cooked over a wood fire on a grate that swings over the fire.  Oh and a cowboy cooks it.  It was great and yeah I actually ate some of my salad...don't faint from shock. Well off to bed now we have to get up at 4 am to meet our Navajo Guide to take us into Monument Valley to watch the sunrise.  Thanks for reading!!  Oh and here is a picture of the nice little spot Isiah found in the shade at Arches. 

Independence pass

So yesterday we departed Denver and headed to Grand Junction via Independence pass.  It was one of the most beautiful drives ever.  Made many stops along the road and took a ton of photos. Lunch in Leadville. Also stopped at the Independence Pass ghost town. Very cool! Came down into Aspen and made a stop at Woody Creek Tavern which was Hunter S Thompson's favorite bar just down from his house. Anyway we are heading out today to Utah so gotta go! Thanks for those of you who read the blog!   Ty

The Concert.

Red Rocks was not that far away from Denver. Finding a parking spot was fairly easy and the walk up was okay. I was taken away by the beauty of Red Rocks. It's position on the hill was perfect. The rocks were what really made the place so special. I did not know there would be that many people there and took a little getting used to the crowd. When the bands started playing the atmosphere changed from anticipation to over joyed. I personaly loved the music, but standing for a hour and a half can be a little tiring.Overall the concert was great. I just wish Matt and Theresa could have come too.  Isiah

We had a great time seeing the Avett Brothers last night at Red Rocks Amphitheater.  Getting to share my love of live music with Isiah was awesome and specially in such a great place with such a great band.  The day before was filled with things.  Went to the aquarium.  Museum to see a Imax about sharks.  Before we left for the show Elena fell and broke her arm ( which no one new it was broken till they got to the doctor).  This prevented Matt and Theresa from being able to go to the show which sucked but Elena was such a trooper.  She got a great pink cast which she is now proudly displaying.  Also it allows her plenty of time to watch movies now.  Next post will be about our travels today from Denver to Grand Junction via Leadville and Independence Pass!

Ty

Tired.

Great concert tonight with The Avett Brothers at Red Rocks. Isiahs first show and he will have a full review tomorrow. Now time for bed after a long day of ups and downs!

A Bumpy Road

Having a somewhat early start to the day, we ate breakfast at the Fairfield. Almost immediately we hit the road. Getting to Colorado was easy since we were so close, but things started to go off course once we stopped in Sterling, Colorado. As we get back in the car to continue to Denver the car freaks out. After calling roadside assistance we get the car jump started then we continue to Denver. The car continues to not work on the way to Denver. After a  hour and 45 minutes we arrive to Matt and Theresa's house untouched. After a half an hour we decide to go a visit the Wings over the Rockies, a plane museum that is in a old hanger, that is only a few blocks away since they live on a old air force base that was turned into a sub-division . After returning we go to a fourth of July block party that is in a park down the street. Now we sit here watching some horrible singers sing before the fourth of July fireworks on T.V. hoping to get the car fixed tomorrow.
              Isiah

Think Isiah pretty much covered it all. Been a day of ups and downs.  Hopefully the car gets fixed tomorrow and will not stop us from continuing on our way on the 6th.  We may go down the street and try to see some fireworks from around the area.  Below is a picture from the 4th of July block party we went to of the whole family.
                                       Ty

Long day of driving.

After 11 and a half hours of driving...705ish miles....we made it to the amazing....beautiful...exotic city of North Platte Nebraska.  Only touristy stop we made was at The Field Of Dreams in Dyersville Iowa.  Evidently they will be making a baseball/softball complex at the site soon because new developers have bought it.  That is a shame because it will for sure ruin the charm and beauty of such a cool place.  BUT money talks...if you build it they will come right?  Well below is a photo I took this morning at The Field Of Dreams.  Off to bed.  Tomorrow a short little drive of 4 hours to Denver!

On the road again

After having breakfast we are now continuing our journey to Denver. With one stop at field of dreams before we stop at north platte Nebraska to sleep.           Isiah

First morning

Up early today. Had a great streak dinner in Madison at my dads last night. Currently the smell of bacon is in the air and Isiah is showering. By 7 am we should be on the road! 

A great Idea for a adventure.

Months ago I was having dinner with my son Isiah at Texas Roadhouse in Green Bay.  We were discussing vacation ideas.  I said "hey...how about we go to visit uncle Matt in Denver.  Do a little road trip out west."  He sounded excited and said there were two things he wanted to see....Four Corner and the Grand Canyon.  I said...DONE..lets do it.

The trip had been in my head for a long time.  So many things I wanted to go see with him. In early versions of the trip we were to head West via Mount Rushmore to see fireworks on the 4th of July there.  Well turns out they do not have fireworks on the 4th at Mount Rushmore due to fire danger.  So the trip then focused just on the West.  Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico!  I spent months planning a route.  Denver to see family....Grand Canyon...Monument Valley.  Even vist a old friend of my parents.  AND get to take Isiah to see his first concert...Avett Brother...at Red Rocks.  We leave today.  Head to Madison for dinner with my Dad and Jenny then on the 3rd we hit the road running. First stop Field of Dreams in Iowa.  This blog sho
uld keep the few that care in touch with all the fun stuff we are doing and allow Isiah to look back and see all the things we did when he gets older.  I regret not having written down things I did on trips with my dad.  So keep checking back.  Try to post every day maybe a few times a day we shall see!  Let the adventure begin!