Day Sixteen - Lake Mead, NV (Hoover Dam) to Mt. Whitney, CA

​George up at 6:00 to run the other laundry load. Time change meant Biscuit popper her head up at 6:30. 

Rest of the girls soon joined in playing with the baby and toys they brought. ​

At breakfast, Tiny offered a taste of her yogurt to her sisters. They are eating well if provided only one thing at a time. ​

​Got all the clothes sorted again. Trying something new again for Brogden's stuff. Since being in the southwestern part of the US, he has needed something to cover his seat each day. I am unsure what I eat all the time so more vomiting. He gets extra clothes and burp cloths packed in with our daily bag. I hope this system works better than having a whole other bag taking up space in the car. 

​Short drive to the dam and the roof top box needed inspection.  Passed. Go us. 104 today for the Hoover Dam tour. AMAZING. At one point on the short (long in 104 heat) walk to the entrance, Biscuit sighed, "I wish I didn't lose my fan." Bubble replied, "I wish I brought mine." Biscuit gave Bubble her hat in trade for wearing baby's. (He was covered with blanket) Stopped at the shade of the elevator to make the swap and Bubble freaked, "Why are taking an elevator?!?!?" I informed her that we were taking the escalator with daddy and she exclaimed, "I love escalators. They are my favorite!" 

​More inspections found contraband in the form of fig bars in mommy's camelback from yesterday. Officials recognized the hot mess we are and allowed us to eat the bars in the corner instead of exiting and re-entering. 

Paid for the only tour available with children so young. George contemplated buying himself the big tour (no one under eight!) and I hang out with all the under 8's. He chose to stay with us. 

Short video to start the tour. Took the time to nurse the baby. Next stop- a HUGE elevator. Sandwiched Bubble between the adults for the descent of the equivalent of 54 stories down in 70 seconds. She did well. 

George was studious for the tour and always up front! Another elevator ride. Maybe she will chill out after today. 

​Power plant talk- Bubble took the time to chug her water to fill it up with the coldest water at the Hoover Dam. 

​At the top of the last elevator they hit you with the green screen photos. I took the elders and baby and ran. George came back with, "I don't normally like these but that is cool."  I was directed to look at them and decide. We are now the proud owners of three pictures since he never sends me back. 

​Lost George, Bubble, and Tiny in the walk-through part. Found them with Tiny's screaming from the bathroom. Thank goodness for lungs. 

Observation deck provides breathtaking views. And HOT!  I take the baby inside and hangout over an A/C vent to get back to a temperature under sweltering. 

​Off to the gift shop so George could pick out his post cards and his elusive Route 66 sticker. Candy for the girls to stay awake until lunch. We miss meals when they are asleep and we and hungry. 

Tiny can't find her water bottle. I split and head back to start looking for it. This water bottle of hers is hard to keep track. Got a call from George that is was in a pocket of the stroller. Headed back to meet them and held Tiny's hand. She dropped it two more times. This child. 

Short delay in getting to the A/C from a misplacement of the keys. Visions of heat stroke waiting for AAA danced through my head. Once safely inside the car, we all stretched out necks to the vents. And Tiny passed out. So much for the candy. 

​Drove through Las Vegas strip and hit up an In-n-Out Burger on the way out of town. George ordered $34.28 worth of food... while eating cereal. Boy was hungry.
Girls had the idea to use their cookie sheets for lunch trays. Used the burgers wrapper to dole out fries. 

Planned to get Nevada's state line picture at the CA-NV line. No rest area. Just a sign off the road. Have to circle back for the California one so Nevada is first. What is with the western states? I guess the south is friendlier with their welcome centers at the borders. Made it to the border at 4:30 pm. Got the stupid pictures done and back on the road at 5:20 pm. 

It was pretty to see the Mojave Desert from inside the car. So hot here. Watching Cars while in the setting of the movie adds to the ambience. The girls would pick out familiar sights. That was cool to hear. George was ecstatic to finally see a tumbleweed. Granted it was in the median but he saw it. 

Uploaded pictures and took pictures out the window until sundown. Bubble had to go to the bathroom. George stopped for that and fuel at a place called Brady's Mini Mart. It was hands down the most interesting shop. Knickknacks from every decade since the 60s. You could buy a bingo set, boxing gloves, Chinese tea set, bongos, or quite literally a burlap sack. The 'rising cost of maintaining' the restroom meant a sign posted asking for donations. I have never. George for once asked me to check out the facilities before a child went in and I am so glad. Only one came in at a time to keep attention on the surroundings. ​

Had to stop at a rest area for George to look up the campground. Changed Brogden's diaper and is dawned on me with the first size two that he started this trip in newborns. Babies grow fast and we have been gone awhile. Pulling out George got to see a rolling tumbleweed. Sat there and watched it blow. ​

I finished looking at the possible campgrounds. Most mention bear boxes. This does not make me happy. Three hotels in town had 'No Vacancy'. I want to be behind walls, actual walls, not fabric tent walls. Check out the first campground at 5,800 ft. Spots still open so we head farther up the mountain to scope out Whitney Portal Campground at 8,100 ft. George wants cold weather. I want no bears. Pretty moon. ​

It is DARK. You cannot see bears in the dark.

Found a site at the higher campground. People had left early. Different reservation for tomorrow night. The site is large. Tent goes down in the woods. Where bears are. ​

​Packing a bear box at 11:30 pm by flashlight is not what most people refer to as a good time. My anxiety level keeps climbing as I remember items that need to be added. Like diapers. I have to truck up the hill if I need a diaper. From a bear box. Say a prayer and move on. ​

To the tent. I fall into the rhythm of setting up the tent. Our home for the night. It calms me to know exactly where my children will be laying their heads down. ​

We are next to a stream rushing water from the summer melt of the snow caps. No sound machine needed tonight. Seeing peacefully sleeping children calms me. George brings them to the tent one at a time. 

He hands me the bear spray to familiarize myself with operation if necessary. This does not calm me. 

Steps taken: 13,108
Miles driven: 293.1