Summer Vacation: Day 8

The plan for the remainder of the trip had been to make our way through Yosemite before returning to Oregon. Instead we spent Day 8 driving the rest of the way through Utah and Idaho so that we could get home. As mentioned before, Trudy wasn't doing well on this extended trip so we made the decision to get her home and comfortable as soon as possible. In hindsight, we were a little ambitious to expect a 105 year old dog to adjust well to five 5 states in 8 days!

Somewhere in Idaho

I think she could sense we were almost home!

Oregon, home sweet home!

The pups are finally getting back to a normal schedule

and are feeling much better.

In the end we put over 3500 miles in and got 25.6 miles to the gallon.

Not bad for a V8.

Summer Vacation: Day 6 & 7

Day 6 we left Tucson and made our way to Kingman. The whole vacation idea kind of started because of the need to go to Kingman. You see, Hubs' mom lives in Oregon now and we had some loose ends to tie up in Kingman. The only way both of us could go (because of the dogs) is if we drove which was now possible with the new car. Tada!

Monsoon season in Tucson, my absolute favorite!

Such good traveling dogs, but by this time 

they had just about enough of this vacation

After things were done in Kingman we went to Williams, AZ where we stayed at Mountain Ranch Resort at Beacon Hill. Day 7's goal was the Grand Canyon! Yes, folks I am a native Arizonan and had never been to the Grand Canyon. So glad we finally made it!

Mountain Ranch Resort

When we arrived at the Grand Canyon, the sun was out...

But then the clouds started moving in....

And the rain held out for a few minutes...

But soon the heavens opened up and everyone was soaked!

Than the sun came out again...

And than it rained...again.

By this point, Trudy had had enough! She wasn't having anything more to do with this trip. She was soaking wet, tired, achy, getting her medication at weird times and simply wasn't feeling good. Soooo, we ended our trip a week early and made our way to Salt Lake City, Utah for the night in hopes of making it home on Day 8.

Summer Vacation: Day 4 & 5

Day 4 began back in the car, this time leaving San Diego and heading to Tucson. We made a short stop in Yuma for lunch where it was 104 degrees. When we arrived in Tucson it was 110 -- we have been gone too long because neither of us could tolerate such hot conditions! Hubby surprised me and got us a room at the La Paloma and it was amazing! The room was bigger than our house and I told him that I was going to live at the resort from now on. Day 4 concluded with dinner at El Guero Canelo, one of our old haunts from years ago, with my friend Brittney. It was as delicious as I remembered!

La Paloma Resort

Trudy especially liked the balcony and all the sunshine!

El Guero Canelo

Day 5 started out beautifully with sunshine and a delicious breakfast at Azul in the lobby of the La Paloma. For lunch we went to Eegees because it is amazing and we miss it so much! Right afterwards we visited Hubby's bridge because he hasn't seen it since it was built. He had a wonderful time seeing his vision in person! Next, we went to the UA to do some shopping and visit my good friend Mike at the Arizona State Museum (Hi Mike!). We closed out the night at Macayos with Brittney and Derrick and the mountain on fire!

Beautiful Tucson Sunrise

Lily liked the balcony too!

Oh Eegees...how I miss you!

Hubby's Bridge

Trudy's new dress! Isn't she precious?

Macayos for dinner

No Tucson trip would be complete without a mountain on fire

Summer Vacation: Day 3

Day 3 began with dolphin-watching and walking around the Cove. Leaving our wonderful balcony in Pismo behind was difficult but it was time to head to Santa Barbara and San Diego. This time we were on the move to visit the Hudson Clan, who had just left Oregon only a few days before us. This was the most we had seen them in years and it was wonderful!

Good Morning!

Dolphin-watching

Pups enjoying the balcony

Pismo was incredible!

Lunch in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Courthouse

We stayed at the Old Town Inn near historic downtown San Diego. The hotel was cute with bungalow style rooms and free breakfast! We had a super chill evening hanging with our friends before leaving for Arizona the next morning.

Trudy can sleep anywhere...

Summer Vacation: Day 1 & 2

Hubs and I needed a vacation, we have been working too hard and for too many hours, it was time for a break! We packed a bag, threw the kids in the [new] car and headed out. No planning, no schedule and no hotels lined up -- just us and the open road! First stop was Pismo Beach, CA where my sister lives. We arrived around 9:00 pm on Day 1 and crashed at her place because every hotel was booked. Whoops. Day 2 began with eating breakfast in San Luis Obispo and visiting the Elephant Seals in San Simeon.

San Simeon

Most of the day was spent relaxing and walking around Pismo Beach. Much eating took place and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Ember, a highly recommended restaurant in Arroyo Grande.

Lily @ Pismo Beach

We were finally able to track down a resort which was pet-friendly and had a vacancy. Inn at the Cove was an absolutely outstanding resort with unparalleled views of the ocean. Each pet-friendly room included a gift basket full of blankets, bowls, treats and toys for the pups to enjoy. They also offered complimentary binoculars for whale watching. I couldn't get over the whales, so much so that the balcony became my favorite place.

Inn @ the Cove

Pretty ocean sunset

Hudson Family Trip: Summer '15

The Hudson Clan swung by for a quick visit during their amazing summer road trip. We had such an amazing time and Liam and Alex (Magnus) are simply the best nephews we could ask for! We had so much fun together: we went to Mount Hood Adventure Park, dressed up as astronauts, launched rockets, played Lego video games, played with action figures, went to Wings & Waves Waterpark and watched Star Wars Episode IV for the first time! We laughed, played, tickled and screamed! What a blessing having these two little guys around was...exactly what I needed to remind me what truly matters.