Weekend in Massachusetts

Up early (for us) for a hike through the woods around Walden Pond in Concord, MA.  I was really excited to be there!  It was cold but beautiful. We also bought a book about Thoreau and Walden and read it together.

 Site of Thoreau's cabin

 Hanging with Henry David

 Thoreau cabin replica

 "I served my apprenticeship and have since done considerable journeywork in the huckleberry field.  Though I never paid for my schooling and clothing in that way, it was some of the best schooling I got, and paid for itself."  ~  Henry David Thoreau

 After our hike, huckleberry jam on toast

After leaving Walden, we drove on to Salem, Massachusetts to tour the Salem Witch Museum (no photos while inside) and learn about the history of the witch trials.

Finally, we drove on to the coast to see the Atlantic and maybe stick our toes in the cold water.

At first it was cold, 

as we were walking back to the RV it became painful!

caught raiding the dog food

Allentown and Bethlehem, PA

Happy to be traveling in our RV again.  Feels like coming home!  Most campgrounds in the area were closed, so we boonedocked in a parking lot again.  This time, though, we were low on running water as many places in the area had their water supply turned off for the winter.  We ended up having to drive about 40 miles to a campground and pay $40 for water and to dump tanks (this usually costs about $5).  Also, while we were out eating one evening, Matt's rental car for work was hit by a tractor trailer and destroyed.  On the plus side, because needed to drive him to work and pick him up, we looked for and found a really nice park to stay at during the day just around the block from where he was working. It was cold, but the kids enjoyed the playground anyway, Pablo enjoyed the space to run offleash, and I even got to go running.

 Razz adjusted quickly to riding in the RV

Using a sleeping Seth as a perch

 Just enough space inside for a yoga mat!

Our temporary "backyard" 

We went to nearby Bethlehem, PA where Matt and Riley went to the skatepark and then we all overindulged at the amazing Vegan Treats Bakery.

New Addition to the Family

About a month ago, we adopted Razzleberry, a rescue kitten from our local animal shelter.  I've never been much of a cat person, but, wow -- totally in love with this one!

 Bonding with Pablo

 Bonding with Seth

Day 16: Lake Powell, Utah

Oh, when I fall off the blogging wagon, I fall waaaay off the blogging wagon.  I am home this week between trips, and my goal is to catch this blog up, at least through the end of our cross-country trip. It will be a nice distraction, too,  from election week insanity.  I would love to be back in the desert right now!

So, these pictures are from Day 16 of our trip, September 10.  We drove through Nevada, saw a brief glimpse of Arizona, and then were back in Utah for our Dr. Who inspired visit to Lake Powell, the filming location for the Lake Silencio scenes in the episode The Impossible Astronaut that Seth and I wanted to recreate.

Nevada

Arizona

 Utah

 Utah

Lone Rock Beach State Park

Lake Powell / Glen Canyon

Utah

 Our campsite for the night!!!  

So awesome!!!

Matt and Seth and I walked the beach to find the location where the Dr Who scenes were filmed, which turned out to be the very end of the beach.  Not sure how far it was -- it seemed like a long way because the wind was blowing hard and we could barely see for all the sand in our eyes!

 Shooting the Doctor

Returning to the bottom of the lake

When we returned to our site, we found a Dalek waiting for us

Dalek Maya

 Seth enjoying the beach

 Pablo deciding to go for a swim

 My very cold tolerant family deciding to join him

Just before I became a victim of the wet doggie shake

This was another favorite night of camping.  The dark canyon area far from any light pollution along with the wide open sky made for amazing star gazing.