Over the Hogs Back and onto Bryce

On Sunday we drove the 113 mile trip along Highway 12, and across the "Hogs Back".  Now we have a Hogs Back in England, it takes you from the A3 (Guilford) to Farnham as I recall.  This Hogs Back is a bit more scenic, though follows the same principal of being able to view on either side of the road.  At one point there is a very steep drop on either side of the road, it gets a bit nerve-wracking.

The route we take along Highway 12 in Utah is meant to be one of the most scenic roads in the States.  We have done this route before, when I was pregnant with Matthew, but it looks different when driving in the opposite direction. Its fantastic, and the journey soon passes.  The kids wake up once, so we stopped and took some photos.  We have lots of photos from our last visit, so this means we can push on whilst the kids are sleeping.

We arrive at Bryce Canyon.  Now this is my fourth visit to Bryce, so I know it well.  Bryce is quite high up (8000-9000feet depending on where you are standing), so it can get pretty cold at night. 

The views at Bryce are amazing.  As you drive up you dont see much, but when you stand on the edge and look over its awesome.  The pink and orange hues are amazing, with one of the most original views I have ever seen. 

Steve likes it here as there is a restaurant (well a whole complex) called Ruby's inn.  They do an "all you can eat" buffet, with a large selection of different foods.  Steve loves it!  Matthew also seems to enjoy it, taking a special liking to the rice on offer.  It saves me cooking so Im not complaining!

We chill out on Monday, not doing much at all.  I'm really tired as Lloyd has been keeping me awake at night.  Steve spends a lot of the day playing with Matthew whilst I try to get some rest.  Its good though, we are relaxing, enjoying our last days of our holiday.

The time seems to be flying by now.  We cant believe we have under 2 weeks left.  We are both looking forwards to returning home, and sad that the end of our journey is nigh. 

The campsite is good, probably the best we have been on in some ways.  It seems less like a car park (though when busy it probably reverts to one).  Most people leave during the daytime, with new people arriving in the evening.  There is no park for Matthew though, but he seems happy playing with the football and the kite.

Matthew has said his first full sentence - "I'll do it".  He says it a lot, obviously he is trying to tell us something.  It is extremely cute when he says it, and lovely to hear my son speak.  He needs a hair cut desperately now, some people think he is a girl it is so long!

Lloyd is good, changing daily.  He is a lot more awake than he used to be, and very inquisitive.  He is getting much better at sitting up, though still nose-dives frequently.  He seems eager to start eating food, we have given him bread to suck on whilst eating and he devours it.  Not the best thing to wean your son on, but never mind!  I let him chew on a banana tonight and he seemed to enjoy the experience.  I'll be pleased when we get home from that angle, will be good to start weaning him, he is 6 months in June, so will be ready.

Still no washing lines, cant believe the americans are so lazy as to dry all their clothes in the dryer.  Especially with the hot weather, seems criminal to me.  I have noticed all the clothes we have bought in america can be tumble dried, but lots of clothes I have bought in england and new zealand cant.  It must just be how they do it out here.  Very very wasteful.

Not sure if I have mentioned before, but they also dont recycle anything it seems.  I find it hard to throw away a glass bottle in the trash can, but there is nowhere else to put it.  This is very much a "throw away" society in my opinion, as one american said to me - "they are spoilt".  With their large cars doing 10 miles to the gallon they seem to me to have no concept of global warming, or the effect they have on their environment.  They just complaing about the cost of fuel on the news permanently - its around $3.40 per gallon, if my sums are right thats about 38p per litre!  They want to come to england where its a pound a litre....Back in 1998 they said fuel was $1.88 per gallon, so when you hear that you see why they are complaining.

Its hard to talk to the americans, as they just dont understand me.  I did talk to someone in the laundry the other day, she was lovely, but it was hard at times getting her to understand what I was saying.  Most people start to talk, then realise they cant understand you and close down the conversation quickly.  Its quite funny to watch really!

There were lots of dogs barking today.  So many people have dogs that are in Rvs, and they leave them in their air-conditioned vans during the day whilst they go exploring.

The RV's have all the equipment.  Some people get out the spirit levels to ensure the van is level, using blocks under the wheels if necessary (this is a very common sight).  We have some blocks, but really, does it matter if it is leaning a little bit?!!  They should have been in new zealand, sometimes we used to roll down the bed at night it was leaning so much!

When people camp in america they have all the gear too.  Many of the "campers" have satellite dishes, phones that plug in on site, and large lcd tvs.  The sites provide a means to have fresh water, electric, and full sewerage. There is no need to go to the "restrooms" for a shower, you might as well use the full-size one in the RV.  Though for us its easier to shower Matthew over in the block.

We now have the rest of our journey planned out (a first for us).  We leave for Zion on Tuesday, spend 2 nights there.  Then we have a free day where we shall park up en-route to Vegas.  On Friday we enter Vegas, and park up for 4 nights on the "strip".  Then on Tuesday we lose the RV, and book into the Excalibur hotel, again on the strip. The main reason for us spending so long in Vegas is that Steve wants to look at the fishing shops there (I expect some purchases). He spends most evenings surfing the net dreaming of fishing.  We both spend a lot of time dreaming about Vomo, I dont think it will be long before we return to Fiji.

I suppose I should go get some sleep.  Its late here, 2.11am.  I will be up at 7 with the kids, no wonder Im tired!!  Have a good day all.