Over Memorial Day Weekend we went camping with the Hathaways to Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is about a five-hour drive from Las Vegas but Joe had to stop in Kingman to see a few patients so we pulled the kids out of school and started the drive around 10:00 a.m. On the way there, we ran out of gas on a big hill that drops down into Kingman. As we were climbing the hill, the truck just stopped. Joe was trying to pull over to the shoulder the best he could to get the truck AND trailer off the road. We were so nervous. A big semi-truck was right behind us and I thought he was going to take our back end off. We were trying to figure out what to do and Joe suggested that we unhitch the truck, he would run down the hill to the gas station, and come back. I did NOT feel good about that and was very concerned that without the truck, the trailer would roll backwards down the hill. So we decided to use the gas from the trailer and pour it into the truck. We didn't have a gas can but I remembered that I had a funnel in our trailer's kitchen (I don't know why, it was an extra) and I found a water bottle. Joe cut the top of the water bottle off with his pocket knife so that he could fill it from the trailer and then we placed the funnel in the gas tank of the truck and poured. We had to do this several times but it worked! MacGyver taught us well. Once we got a couple of gallons in the truck, we were on our way down the hill to the gas station about 5 miles ahead. It is always an adventure with us!
After filling up with gas, we parked at Walmart and Joe ran across the street to Kingman Hospital to see his clinic patients. Mike, Jackie, all the kids, and I did some grocery shopping at Walmart for the weekend while waiting. Joe was taking a while and the kids were getting hungry so we decided to head to Wendy's to grab lunch. I sneakily hid the keys in the gas door of our truck so that Joe could drive it over and meet us. Since all of us could not fit in the cab of Mike's truck, all of the kids wanted to ride in the Toyhauler for the ride down the road to Wendy's. And since I am a responsible adult, I got to chaperone the kids in the trailer while they bounced and ran around during the drive. They loved the freedom of no seatbelts! And I felt completely weird without the safety of my seatbelt!
Joe caught up to us at Wendy's and we finished the drive to Sedona without any further complications. We had reservations for a great campsite, Thousand Trails. There were hookups for
the trailer as well as a small mini-golf course, a swingset, basketball
court, a recreation room, and a swimming pool. It was awesome and
perfect for the kids.
That evening we just settled in and had BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, salad, chips, and fruit for dinner. The kids explored the campground and staked their claim on the beds in the trailers. We played games, watched movies, and talked until we were ready for bed.
Saturday morning we ate a delicious breakfast of pancakes and bacon and the kids played while the adults cleaned up breakfast and our campsite. They rode bikes around, played in the rec room, and got in a round of mini-golf before loading up to drive into town.
Hathaway Girls: Kirsten, Audrey, Ava
Evan Hathaway
We drove into the beautiful town of Sedona and parked to visit the stores, enjoy the scenery, and explore downtown.
We stopped in for lunch at Ken's Creekside, one of our favorite restaurants. It is so yummy!
I couldn't believe what the boys ordered. Jacob ordered trout and Clark ordered salmon, both from the adult menu. I would have bet money that they wouldn't finish their food but they did, every bite (except the Kalamata olives on Jake's plate). I was so proud and impressed!
Playing in the stores downtown
Sure love this crew!
Later that afternoon, we drove out to Blazin' M Ranch for a Western dinner show. Before dinner, we just played at the ranch throwing horseshoes, locking each other in jail, riding the train, visiting the petting zoo, shooting targets at the gun gallery, roping horses, and drinking root beer. It was a great time.
After walking downtown for a while, Carlee started complaining that her shoes were hurting her feet. Naturally, Joe took her into a store to look for some new ones. She picked these hot pink moccasins boots to wear because they are so comfortable and "we are in Sedona!"
The Hathaway Family: Evan, Mike, Ava, Kirsten, Audrey, Jackie
Waiting for our dinner
The band with special guest star, Otis
The girls and the boys
The "ghost riders" behind the girls galloped their horses outside the barn during the song, "Ghostrider" from the band. The lights were turned off during the show and lightning was crashing as the band was singing and the ghost riders were "glowing" on the horses. It was a little scary for some of the younger kids but really cool!
It was a late night when the show was over and we all zonked out when we got back to our trailers.
The next morning, we slept in and had French toast, sausage, and fruit for breakfast. Jacob opened his geode that he bought in Sedona the day before and Carlee perfected her bike riding skills. She finally learned to ride without training wheels (and did it on a rocky dirt road)! Wahoo! Then we loaded up to drive to and explore the old mining town of Jerome, that is built into the side of the mountain and also one of the most haunted cities in the United States.
Evan with his future bride.
We stopped for lunch at the Haunted Hamburger, a famous restaurant here in Jerome.
And then we continued exploring Jerome.
Our future investment
After walking through the town of Jerome, we headed back to Sedona for a small hike through the beautiful red rocks. Sedona is so beautiful and it reminds me of Moab, Utah. There are beautiful arches, trees, and red rocks and cliffs for climbing and bouldering.
We did lose Mike and Jackie somewhere along the road. There was some miscommunication about which parking lot to park in for the trailhead and with no cell service, it was a frustrating hour as we walked up and down to road to try to flag them down. Once we all got back together, we enjoyed a great hike before the sun set.
After our hike, we headed back to our campground to let the kids relax in the pool before bedtime.
Monday morning, we cleaned up our campsite and loaded the trailers while the kids played in the rec room. When we arrived home, we unloaded and cleaned out the trailer. That evening we headed over to the Hathaways for swimming and eating all the camping leftovers. It was a wonderful weekend!
