Broke camp around 7am and currently heading north on I-5 and just crossed into Oregon! Should be home around 3pm'ish. Tons of pics and video to upload later. Has been an awesome trip!!!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Day 7: Time To Rough It
Leaving Lake Tahoe after watching a beautiful sunrise. We stopped at a grocery store to pick up some camping supplies/food and we think we will be camping at Mc Arthur - Burney Falls State Park tonight.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Recap of Day 6 (Sunday)
We haven't had good enough internet connection to upload files so I will have to get everything up to date when we get home which will probably be Tuesday. Today we woke up to a beautiful morning in the small town of Lone Pine, CA. Had a quick continental breakfast then headed north on HWY 395. In my last update I mentioned that we would probably go through Yosemite Park but we decided to bypass that and head towards Tahoe. We continued north on HWY 395 and then north on HWY 89 which was a fantastic drive. 89 took us right into part of the Sierra Mountains where we considered a camping spot right on a river that had some cool rapids (about 30 miles south of Lake Tahoe). Have some good pics and video of those rapids but will have to upload later. We instead continued up to Lake Tahoe. Once we reached the town of South Lake Tahoe we fueled up and washed the car since it was still covered with Death Valley dust. We then continued driving up the west side of the Lake looking for a campground or a hotel that had a nice lake view. We struck gold when we pulled in to the Sunnyside Lodge in Tahoe City, CA which is on the northwest side of the lake. It's right on the lake and they had one lake view room left. Keli was very happy and when she's happy.....
Anyhow I was able to get a video of the room view uploaded before the internet connection here slowed down considerably and that is below. Tomorrow, Monday Day 7, we continue on HWY 89 into northern Cal, probably through Lassen Volcanic National Park and onward to Mount Shasta. We will be looking for a campground, and campground ONLY, somewhere between Shasta and southern Oregon. We want to have 1 night of camping on this trip and this will be our best chance. Then on Tuesday Day 8 we will head home and fall down.
Anyhow I was able to get a video of the room view uploaded before the internet connection here slowed down considerably and that is below. Tomorrow, Monday Day 7, we continue on HWY 89 into northern Cal, probably through Lassen Volcanic National Park and onward to Mount Shasta. We will be looking for a campground, and campground ONLY, somewhere between Shasta and southern Oregon. We want to have 1 night of camping on this trip and this will be our best chance. Then on Tuesday Day 8 we will head home and fall down.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Recap of Day 5 (Saturday)
Woke up and headed to the pool again @ 8am. Checked out of the hotel and pointed the car towards Death Valley National Park in CA. It got up to only 108 degrees. On the way we stopped in Pahrump, NV and grabbed some lunch and topped off the tank. We went to a campsite on the west side of the park and thought about camping but decided to keep heading west, but first we saw a place called Charcoal Kilns which I will post a video of later when I have a better internet connection. We ended the night by stopping in a town called Lone Pine, CA, getting a pizza and heading to bed soon.
Tomorrow we head north on HWY 395 into the Sierra Mountains and probably through Yosemite National Park.
Tomorrow we head north on HWY 395 into the Sierra Mountains and probably through Yosemite National Park.
Day 5: Death Valley
Left Vegas and headed towards Death Valley. Click on any to enlarge...except the last one. That one is a bit scary.
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| Negative Elevation |
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| Yeah...it's best to fuel up BEFORE entering the park. |
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| It was a dry heat so it was OK (rolls eyes) |
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| Sorry for this one |
Day 5: Leaving Las Vegas...What To Do Now
I'm not good in front of a camera, still or video, so please forgive my fumbling. Might not be able to post much in the next few days due to cell/internet coverage.
Recap of Day 4 (Friday)
Woke up and went to the pool for a couple hours. Then went and got some lunch at Earl of Sandwich which was located at the Planet Hollywood resort...fantastic sandwiches! Went to Walgreens to get some snacks and drinks since it the prices are outrageous just about anywhere else. Came back to the hotel, gambled a bit...playing blackjack, roulette, craps, and a bit of slots. Keli really enjoys craps and I prefer blackjack. We then went to see a fantastic show called Le Reve that blew our minds and caused our jaws to drop...very cool. Afterwards Keli played a little bit more craps. I say only a little bit because that's all the time she needed to loose big but it was entertaining. Went back up to the room and discussed where we would go for dinner but ended up ordering room service since we were so tired. Room service was excellent and classy as you would expect from a place like this.
Then off to dreamland.
Then off to dreamland.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Day 4: Quick Tour Of Our Room
If you're planning a trip to Vegas in the near future, we highly recommend The Encore/Wynn Hotels. Very nice without being too ritzy...too formal. Some good deals can be found by simply signing up at their website. Keli signed up and within a couple weeks they sent us an email with a great package offer that included a fantastic rate on a very nice room, free dinner and a free show (Le Reve) which we are attending tonight. We did have reservations at the MGM Grand which we enjoyed years ago but this offer from Encore was too good to pass up.
Anyhow below is a quick tour of our room. Your tour guide and attempted comic relief person is Rod and the beauty part of the tour is brought to you by Keli.
Anyhow below is a quick tour of our room. Your tour guide and attempted comic relief person is Rod and the beauty part of the tour is brought to you by Keli.
Day 4: Poolside
Headed out to the pool this morning when it opened up at 8am. Around 80+ degrees at that hour and we stayed until about 10am. By that time it was in the 90's already I believe. Actually the first pic is at the Golden Nugget poolside at night that I forgot to post. The rest are from this morning at The Encore.
(Click on any to enlarge)
(Click on any to enlarge)
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| Day 2 @ Golden Nugget Poolside |
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| Virgin Pina Colada...Delicious! |
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| Catchin' Rays |
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| Beautiful Keli (Anderson!) |
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| Family Pool...There Was An Adult Only One Also |
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| Wynn To The Right Of Us, Encore To The Left |
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| I Decided To Give Polygamy A Try & Married 2 Women |
Recap of Day 3 (Thursday)
On day 3, Thursday May 10th, we woke up at the Golden Nugget and got ready for our wedding ceremony. We checked out and went directly to the Graceland Wedding Chapel which was only about 4 blocks away. Got hitched then went to see if we could check in early at The Encore hotel. While Keli was getting us checked in I made the video about how I felt about marrying Keli after being together for 9 years. She got us checked in but the room wasn't ready yet so we then went to the pawn shop that is featured in the TV show Pawn Stars...basically to just kill time. While we were there, Encore texted us to let us know our room was ready. A bit later we went to the Wynn Buffet which was fabulous (Wynn & Encore are connected). Later that night we watched the lights of the strip come on as the sun set.
I can't describe our night any further after that point due to this being a G-Rated blog...it was our wedding night after all. (wink wink nudge nudge)
Great day!
I can't describe our night any further after that point due to this being a G-Rated blog...it was our wedding night after all. (wink wink nudge nudge)
Great day!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Day 3: Rod's Thoughts On Keli & Marriage
In this video we are pulling up to the Encore hotel right after being married. When Keli exits the car to see if we can check in early, I spill out some of my thoughts...
Day 3: THE CEREMONY!!!!!!
Here it is! OK...when Keli & I viewed this we cracked up. At times we look soooo bored. I didn't know where to look, Keli was doing these weird long blinks like she was getting ready to fall asleep. Anyways it made us laugh because we had no idea we were doing these things. It was quick and nice which is exactly what we wanted.
Elvis does 2 songs...one at the beginning and then at the end.
Elvis does 2 songs...one at the beginning and then at the end.
Day 2: Picked Up Our Marriage License
So even though there was a huge line of people wanting to get their marriage license, Keli had already done a pre-application online days ago. So we were able to go up to the express window right away to get our license while others were having to go out and feed the parking meter due to being in line so long. Great job Keli!
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| click to enlarge |
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Day 2: A Quick Note
We arrived in Vegas around 3pm today. Our 1st night we're staying at the Golden Nugget in their brand new Rush Tower...actually very nice room for a hotel in the downtown/Freemont Street area. For the rest of our stay we will be in the Encore which we hear is pretty nice. Tomorrow we get married! We have video from today and of course will have more tomorrow but won't be uploading it until tomorrow night sometime.
OK, we are off to find some fun and get in a little trouble...it's Vegas afterall.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Day 1: Reno
Arrived in Reno around 9:15pm tonight. Went straight to the room and fell in bed. I've been up for about 24 hours now so I'm catching some z's as soon as I post this. Heading to Vegas bright and early tomorrow.
During our trip planning we thought about taking the truck which gets about 15mpg...on a good day. Sure glad we didn't because the Camy is doing great...
Day 1: Get The Hell Out Of Town Day!
Today we hit the road. I'm trying to get through my day as quickly and safely as possible. (that safely part was in case the boss is reading) ;) I can't wait until we are on our way.
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Chapel
The little chapel where Keli will receive a new last name and I will be rewarded with a hot chic to call my wife for the rest of my life. It all happens Thursday May 10th. There will be photos, there will be video and there will be an Elvis!
We know it seems a bit redneckish (if it wasn't a word, it is now in the Rodictionary) and it's not like we are huge Elvis fanatics but we wanted to do something fun, memorable and a bit silly for our wedding. After seeing some video on Youtube on how they perform the ceremony and how Elvis does such a great job we knew we would have a blast getting married here.
We know it seems a bit redneckish (if it wasn't a word, it is now in the Rodictionary) and it's not like we are huge Elvis fanatics but we wanted to do something fun, memorable and a bit silly for our wedding. After seeing some video on Youtube on how they perform the ceremony and how Elvis does such a great job we knew we would have a blast getting married here.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Vegas Hotel Choice
Have heard nothing but good things about The Wynn & Encore. We originally had picked the MGM Grand as we have stayed there before and enjoyed it but Encore made us an offer we couldn't refuse that includes a free show and food. Score!
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| click pic to enlarge |
So Close To Blast Off!
I know it's a cliche but time has really flown lately. It seems like it was only a few days ago when my countdown app on my phone told me 24 days to go until our vacation/road to marriage begins. Now it shows just 5 days to go. 5 more days and then we're off to Vegas. I'm being roped in, reeled in, netted, hog tied, darted and tagged...but instead of kicking and fighting to break free I'm smiling the whole way in.
I'm starting this blog in the hopes of recording as much of our trip as possible using photos, video and posts like this. This is the first time using Blogger so I have a learning curve to deal with but hopefully it all goes smooth.
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