A Trip of First's - Our Epic Family Vacay!

I've been planning this trip for a couple years and used it to propel the completion of the Vette.

When I originally started planning this trip years ago I planned on getting a pop up to keep costs down.  Camping vs hotels.  Light weight to reduce gas consumption.  I talked about it to friends, so much so I convinced them to buy a pop up but couldn't convince the hubby.  Then Petals came along and the plan shifted.

The goal was always to see the Grand Canyon with my kids and since my son graduates this school year it was now or never.  Just what we needed to push the completion of the Vette.  Well, we didn't actually finish it, we worked up until the day of departure, but there's only a few details to be done and it was safe and fit for travel, all the important stuff was complete.

Our trip took us 4700+ miles through 14 states in 14 days, I hope we've created a memory that was made even more special because of our accommodations.

Love the view by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

First leg - 36 hours from MI to WY.

First Stop - Yellowstone - Canyon Campground - beautiful - it's one of the campgrounds in the highest elevation so it was cool at night.  


Entering Wyoming by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Original/First Yellowstone Entrance by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Canyon Campground Yellowstone by Corvett crzy, on Flickr


Canyon is one of the few campgrounds in Yellowstone with a Store, Visitor Center, Showers, and Restaurant nearby.  Although you'd never know they were so close when you're in the campground.  It was very convenient and is also located in a central location in Yellowstone.  I would choose this campground again.

Next stop - Grand Tetons - Signal Mountain Campground - first come first serve and it fills up quickly, we got the last sight around 11:00 am.  This caused the hubby to stress a little.  There are other campgrounds to choose from, the most popular fill up fast.  After boondocking for 3 days I was ready for some electricity.  Do your research.


Grand Tetons by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

On the drive into Grand Tetons by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Signal Mountain Camp GT by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Bear Box at Signal by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

In the last picture you can see the bear box to store all food and anything smelly.  These are also required in all the campgrounds in Yellowstone as well.  I did a lot of research and trust me - use them.  We heard there was a black bear at the end of the road the day we were at Signal Mountain but didn't run out to see it.

Signal Mountain Campground - the facilities were Very Clean and modern - however it was quite expensive.  I learned that different campgrounds are run by different companies so this may not be true for all the GT campgrounds but here a 7 minute shower was $6 and I had to run a small load in the dryer about 4 times before it was dry.  I figure 2 medium loads of laundry and a shower for 3 of us cost us well over $40.  The views in the park were breathtaking!!

8 hours to Bryce Canyon NP - took me by surprise - Hitch n Post Campground - Panguich, UT - great little town.

Bryce by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Hitch n Post Camp, Pangwich, UT by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Bryce Canyon by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Navajo Trail Bryce Canyon by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

The Hitch n Post was a Mom & Pop place full of friendly people.  I prefer wooded campgrounds but I chose this town for it's location.  Originally the plan was to visit both Zion and Bryce and use Panguitch as home base.  But the temps were 100+ and I had heard from more than 1 source that Zion was packed and would require several waits in addition to the drive.  So we took a day off to relax and spent the rest of the time in Bryce.  It was the big surprise not having heard of it before I planned the trip.  I added it to the itinerary mainly because it was on the way to the Grand Canyon.  Boy I'm glad we didn't miss it!  It was spectacular,  the 3 hour Queen's way/Najavo Trail loop was amazing.  But when it's hot it should be done very early in the morning so you're finished before 10:00 and the heat sets in.

Final NP - Grand Canyon - North Rim - North Rim Campground & Grand Canyon Lodge - 

Grand Canyon - North Rim by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

North Rim Camp - Grand Canyon by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Deer in the North Rim by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

GC by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

The North Rim Campground was very wooded and pretty, bathrooms were close by and as you can see from the pictures, peaceful enough for deer to pass through in the middle of the day.  They had some water problems so some of the showers were down, but there's a nice grocery store (with the only wifi for about 70 miles), and it's a short distance to the Canyon and the Lodge.  We spent one luxurious night in the lodge on the edge and one night at the campground.  Although I've read that the North Rim may not have as "Grand" a view as the South (you can't see the river) the reduced tourist traffic made it much more enjoyable for us.  The South Rim gets about 4.1 million per year, North Rim about 400,000.

The trip home included a few stops to see relatives that we rarely get to see and were fortunate that it also followed Route 66, so we made a few stops to see some of the more well known sights.

Wigwam - n AZ by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Skin is buckleing by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Route 66 Cadillac Ranch by Corvett crzy, on Flickr

Picked up a plaque on our travels - "Home is where we park it" - Petals never let us down from 44 degrees to 104, from her very first mile to the 5000th.  It was a great trip, in a great camper that made it all the more special!!
Memories to last a lifetime - that's what it's about!!

Home is where we Park it! by Corvett crzy, on Flickr