Day Twelve: Montrose to Bryce Canyon, no Grand Canyon, JK Farmington, NM

Woke up easy at 7:30 with the sun. Girls enjoyed oatmeal and cold hot chocolate. George made coffee and egg/ham sandwiches for adults. 

Bubble took all the toys out of the car in preparation for loading the car with the sleeping bags. Helpful in finding missing markers. ​

Tiny and Brogden helping

She sorted on blankets

George researched where we were going next. Called a campground, received some good information, and made a plan for the day. Head to the Grand Canyon. No place takes day of reservations so we are taking chances on finding a place to camp. This family loves to roll the dice. ​

Nothing like planning day to day

In the immediate days after I eat something bad for Brogden he is hard to console and fusses constantly if I try to put him down. I get little snippets of time to be productive. He was more peaceful after another sink bath and baby powdered from head to toe. ​

The girls play together well and for the most part stayed out of trouble. I could watch their little minds work all day. At one point, they absconded my gallon jug to make a fish tank. ​

Had it filled with water by the time I got to them

Everything has its place

So, the girls slept in their clothes in order to save time packing up. That didn't matter. We have never spent so long sorting, organizing, and taking everything out of the car. I guess it needed to happen. And all the camping stuff was stashed around the suburban. First night camping disrupted the whole Feng shui of the vehicle. It had to be made right again. George hopped through the shower and we pulled out of the KOA at 1:36 pm. 
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It bothered me that it took us so long to pack but then I remembered how long it took to get out of the hotel the first day. This family needed time to work out the mechanics of camping on this trip. 

Staying in different places each night requires different items unpacked. We know now that unless it is around 50 degrees then camping pads and car blankets are enough. Sleeping bags can stay packed. 

George highlighted the route he wanted to take on the US map. Attempted to follow HWY 90 out of town, turned into a dirt road. Decided to head south and drive through Telluride on the way to our destination. George was game. Back through Montrose. Stopped for a coffee refill for George at Looney Bean. Cool place and the barista was fast and helpful. 

We discussed moving to Colorado. It is gorgeous here. The drive to Telluride is all the things I love about nature and outside. Colors. Smell. Textures. Living Bob Ross painting.

Switched out the toys at the campsite. Bubble finally gets to play with her Tinkerbell set. Tiny and Biscuit took naps. Much needed.

Sassy face

Parked at the Mountain Village garage and hopped on the Gondola for Telluride. Surprised that the garage was tall enough to accommodate the suburban with the cargo box. That was welcomed as to not exit the car in the rain. Finally had an opportunity to use the umbrellas so George didn't regret packing them.

Explored downtown and grabbed a bit to eat at Steamers Burgers. Shopped a seconded at the local outfitters. Walked through the grocery store (I mean market) and found out that we could not support George's La Croix habit at $7.49/ 12 pack. ​

Looking for bears

A brave soul caught the gondola back with us. I made a comment about her picking the wrong car and she informed us she was a nanny for 9 children on a trip currently. Perfect fit! Julia quieted the excited girls by looking for bears and deer from the window and Tiny crawled in her lap. I wanted to keep her. 

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Broke out the puzzles to keep the girls busy back at the car.  Dollar Tree puzzles, magnetic tape, and cookie sheets will keep them occupied for awhile. Bubble stayed engaged in the 60 piece US puzzle to completion. 

With girls in their puzzles, George started Travels with Charley. Typically, we can only listen while the little ones are asleep.

Bubble asks what state we are sleeping in that night. A legitimate question. She found comfort in knowing the plan. I was also reminded of the volume of the journey because she asked the state not city. We have covered so much of the US already. Biscuit points out each American flag, the only one that stays the same. 

Crossed into Arizona. No picture. Raining. And dark. Realized we missed Four Corners Monuments. Turned around. It is closed. Boo. ​

Plan K for this week and head to Farmington to find shelter and try again in the morning. Might seem silly but I have wanted to see Four Corners since I was little. I hope I am not disappointed. 

Y'all. A horse walked across the road. George had to slam on brakes. A horse. 

Passed two less than our standards motels and tried a promising one. George came back with news the Little League World Series is in town. Finding a room is going to be an adventure. I cannot believe it. While George went to look at the last room one place had I called another- booked. George phoned to let me know he called a hotel too- booked, but the room he was standing is was decent. Just one queen bed. We have six people. It will work. For one night. All to put one child each in a different state. This is when childhood dreams become reality. Come hell or high water. 

Elders on sleeping pads in room. Tiny, epitomized her nickname, curled into the single chair. Having nursed Brogden while George preliminary scoped the room fell right asleep with a diaper change and swaddle. This worked. Glad Little Leaguers did not want a queen room.

Put herself to bed

Steps taken: 10,836
Miles driven:​​ 304.3