Get your kicks...

We followed route 66 from Calico to the Grand Canyon. We listened to Natalie Cole's version of "Route 66" more times than necessary, for obvious reasons. I actually bought the whole album, remembered every lyric to every song, and thought of my mom the whole way.

Remember how I mentioned that it was 40+ degrees at Disneyland? Well, less than a week later, we found ourselves at the Grand Canyon and it was freezing. It was snowing on and off all day. Mother nature sure threw us for a loop. The older kids thought it was great, but Sawyer was less than impressed. With the weather, that is. They all loved the Canyon.

No matter how many pictures you see, videos you watch, or people you talk to, nothing can actually prepare you for looking down into the Canyon. It literally took my breath away. It's dizzying. I honestly felt a little nauseous, but in a good way.

Like I said, no picture will ever do it justice, but we have to try.  Matt gets the credit for this. 

This crazy was in the goofiest mood. 

I almost want to frame this one. 

For some reason, Sawyer was afraid of the man who was taking our picture for us. It was weird. 

His favourite ever bear hat has been put away since we left Victoria. He was so excited to wear it.

Matt couldn't help but hike down lower. It's a good thing I was there, because if he was alone, he wouldn't have been able to resist the urge to explore and would have found himself deep in the Canyon in the dark with no food or water. Taking the boys for a week long hike down there one day is the newest item on his bucket list. 

There is this gorgeous old lookout that we went too. We got there a bit too late in the day, and it was closed, but it was still worth seeing.

Monument Valley. John Wayne filmed several movies here. Doesn't it just make the perfect background for a spaghetti western? It was a crystal clear, blue sky day. We had lunch in a restaurant that had giant windows and Navajo fry bread. It was picture perfect. 

 

See the necklace I'm wearing? On the way to Monument Valley, there was a jewellery stand on the side of the road. There were tables and tables of handmade, genuine turquoise necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Matt loves turquoise, partly because of his time on the reservation, and partly because he just loves the colour. He's been telling me for years that one day he'd bring me to New Mexico and buy me some turquoise jewellery. He was very insistent on picking it out, which I love. 

After we left Monument Valley, we drove down to Shiprock, New Mexico. It's part of the Navajo Nation. Matt spent about 6 months living in Shiprock more than 10 years ago as a missionary for our church. He really fell in love with the people and the culture, and was really excited to show it to us. I loved hearing stories about the families there and seeing places he remembers so fondly.

The rock! This is why the town is called Shiprock. 

Then on to Colorado. Matt was singing Rocky Mountain High and I was embarrassed because the only John Denver song I know is Country Roads. Apparently everyone knows Rocky Mountain High. I blame my parents. In Colorado is this incredible place called Mesa Verde (green table in Spanish). The Anasazi, or Pueblo peoples lived here hundreds of years ago. Their homes were built into the side of the mountain. It was really incredible to see this different way of life. There are several hikes you can take, all of them including large scales up mountain sides using tall ladders. We really wanted to do one, but the kid were too young (well, Sawyer and Hayden were- Oliver would have loved it) so we did a small and family friendly walk instead. 

Because Mesa Verde is a national park, they have a Junior Park Ranger program, where the kids need to fill out facts they've learned at the park, spot wildlife, and do a nature scavenger hunt. They enjoyed doing it, and they got their badges, which are now proudly pinned to their jackets. 

Here you can climb a ladder down into one of the underground homes that the Pueblo people built for shelter. 

Learning how to grind grains and corn. It reminded me of an oversized mortar and pestle. 

It was one of those places that makes you incredibly grateful for our modern conveniences, yet amazed at the ingenuity and creativity of these ancient people. We are really looking forward to going back once our kids are older so that we can do a full day hike. 

We are currently in Durango, Colorado. We have been really struggling to find a place with a solid internet connection, and Matt was feeling pretty behind on some work. With it being the off season for skiing, but not quite summer, we found a pretty affordable ski condo rental. We are staying here for a week so Matt can work and the boys can get a lot of school done as well. We are almost finished our curriculum! Home schooling for the win! Let me just say I have a new appreciation for both school teacher and home school parents. 

Jonathan and Lisa and kids (my bro and his fam jam) are coming tonight to stay for the weekend and celebrate Matt's birthday with us tomorrow. We will play Super Smash Bros and Scattergories and eat cereal, greek salad and pie all weekend. 

On Monday we leave for the Pagosa Hot Springs (there are 23 different springs here!) and then after that it's due East! I'm missing the ocean already.