On the road again....

As we've decided to make the trek up to Yellowstone park and catch the Cody Stampede (http://www.codystampederodeo.com/) we needed to get some miles under our belt, so the next two days we on the road for 6 or so hours - the kids we're absolute troopers. Luke looked up from the iPad at one point and said "we're we going?" and I said Jackson, and he said OK and got back to Dora the Explorer. Thomas did mention a sore bottom, but nothing some M&Ms could alleviate.

Anyway the drive was interesting and picturesque for us, and we made our way to a great little RV park north of Salt Lake City - with pool and playground (and small snake) for the kids. All was forgiven.

The next morning we set off for Jackson Hole, Wyoming. And after much research by Trent on which road to take, it was one of the most stunning drives we've ever done - through gorgeous lush mountain areas (including the Beaver Creek ski area), via Bear Lake and into scenic Idaho (quaint towns: Paris, Montpellier, Geneva). We could also see the Colorado wildfires that have been making the news off in the distance.

 The highlight for the kids was the world (apparently) famous raspberry milkshakes at Bear Lake.

These are the RV profiles according to Livvy.

Bryce Canyon

To enter Bryce Canyon National Park, we had to drive through Red Canyon - which is aptly named and makes a gorgeous contrast to the bright blue skies we've been enjoying. And more cool tunnels!

I have had to master the art of from-the-moving-car photography - with mixed results!

This again was a completely different landscape to the other national parks - but equally spectacular! It is an 18 mile driving route, with lots of stops and lookouts along the way. 

Trent and I have developed a system: pull the over the RV and tag team, running out to the viewing point, take a few pics and compare notes as we drive to the next spot. While it's not quite how the Lonely Planet suggests you take in these natural masterpieces, we've accepted the reality that the kids are not all that interested, and are more than happy to watch the iPads - BTW they now have one each (can't believe we caved so easily!) but it's the best thing we did.

We try to choose one or two points where we'll get the kids out of the car for a small hike or walk, and in Bryce Canyon we thought Rainbow Point (as the highest point) would be a good one, so we lured them out with leftover cupcakes from Liv's birthday and walked the Bristlecone Loop.

Highlights were the rainbow cliffs and a 1600 year old tree - wahooo! Seriously though, the cliffs, natural bridges and hoodoos were amazing - not too mention the sheer drop-offs!!

 We stayed just outside the National Park, and had fun the next morning discovering Old Bryce Town!

 Then in the car for a big drive to Salt Lake City.