On the road again!

It's been 8 long months since we last hit the road. Our first child, Xan, was born in February and that put on hold any travels we had planned. Xan is now almost 6 months old so we thought he was ready for his inaugural journey. Grant and I choose to start small. Although Xan already has his passport, we thought it was best to begin with a shorter plane ride. So, we are off to Boston and a road trip around New England

This blog, which has up until this time covered our explorations of the world, will now also include the craziness of traveling with a child. I have read everything I could find about how to trek with an infant. Pros and Cons. In the end we elected to just “See how Xan handles it”. I’m anticipating this being more of an adventure than any of our other travels :)

TOP TEN - Las Vegas Road Trip

10. Ethel's Chocolate Factory

We took a long taxi ride out to the factory on New Year's Day. They were open but not making chocolate! I did get to purchase chocolate in the gift shop before taking a taxi ride back to the strip. The whole trip took 45 minutes and too much $$. While walking through the Flamingo later in the week I saw an Ethel's chocolate store. I'm glad Grand had a good sense of humor about my mis-adventure

9. New Year's Eve Fireworks

8. Brazilian Restaurant

As if my cholesterol intake wasn't high enough on this trip, we visited a Brazilian style restaurant (all you can eat meat). We tried everything but by the end would only except filet or roast beef.

7. Best Buffet search, winner: Bellagio!

We did serious research, looking for the best buffet. The winner was clearly the Bellagio. I had lots of Kobe top sirloin and 3 creme brulees. Magnific!!

6. Le Reve

A water based Cirque du Soleil show at the new Wynn Hotel and Casino. It was amazing!

5. First Class

Since I was 7 months pregnant on this trip Grant got first class plane tickets so I would be comfortable. It was so much fun!!

4. Hacienda Nicholas Bed and Breakfast

I have already talked about the AWESOME B&B in Santa Fe. I loved it!!!

3. White out at the Grand Canyon

1 mile down, 10 miles across and 1/4 mile visibility. Needless to say we couldn't see a thing but we did enjoy walking along the canyon rim in the snow storm

2. Jersey Boys

The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I LOVE their music!

1. Grand Canyon

We arrived for the last of sunrise. It was beautiful, covered in the untouched snow

I have been to the Grand Canyon but never seen the Grand Canyon

One mile deep, 10 miles wide and 1/4 mile visibility. The only thing to see was a wall of white. Grant and I did have fun walking the South Rim trails (10 feet from the edge, no rail) in a foot of snow. I guess we will try again tomorrow.

Visiting the Tree Dwellers

Today Grant and I started our road trip from Santa Fe to Las Vegas (Nevada, not New Mexico). We stopped along the way at several interesting sites: the San Ildefonso Pueblo Indian reservation, the Bandelier National Monument and an Outlet Mall. At Bandelier we hiked to the home of the cliff dweller Indians (Grant kept calling them tree dwellers by mistake). These Indians built their homes in the natural caves in the side of the cliff. We were able to climb up to several and go inside.









Not surprisingly, Grant noticed a young deer and spent 10 minutes taking pictures and trying to get as close as possible :)

Hacienda Nicholas

I really enjoyed our time in Santa Fe but by far my favorite part was the Bed and Breakfast, Hacienda Nicholas, were we spent the night. All day there were drinks and miniature German chocolate cakes available for snacks. For breakfast this morning I had an Italian frittata with mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, sundried tomatoes and spinach (Grant had cereal). The room and bed were so comfortable that we slept for 12 hours. Right outside our room was a wood fireplace and comfortable sitting area. The courtyard looked charming but since it was covered in snow we didn’t spend a lot of time there. I can’t wait to go back!
















I also included pictures from historic Santa Fe.

Blogging at 30,000 feet

We are on our way to Albuquerque for the first leg of our New Year's trip. Grant (spoiling me as always) thought since I am pregnant, I have to sit in first class.

I'm trying my best to look as if I belong in the first class section with my in-flight wifi and bounty of food. I don't know that they buy it but, it is AWESOME anyway! Thanks Grant!!!

The Last Hurrah (but only for a short period of time)

Grant and I have made it one of our family traditions to spend New Year's Eve in a new and unique place every year. This year was more difficult than in the past. I will be almost 8 months pregnant by the time New Year's rolls around, and that seriously limits our options. So for our last hurrah, at least until the baby is old enought to stay with grandparents for an extended period of time, we are going to . . . . . VEGAS!!