July 2015: A Quick Stop in New Mexico Before Exploring Utah in Depth (page 12 of 15)

Thanks Peggy for this travel journal—still so easy to read while being super informative for future travelers. And... have a great vacation! 😉

Hi Peggy

How strange—we had the exact same issues at LAX with BA, waiting 1.5 hours just to check in. My brother-in-law breezed through, but my wife and I couldn’t get through at all. No explanation, no apology. Even though we were among the first to arrive, we ended up being the last to check in, and on top of that, we were scattered all over the plane. It was up to us to sort it out if someone was willing to swap seats.

I totally get what you mean by "not feeling like doing anything anymore"—even the ocean under the sun turns gray 😕

All that’s left are the memories, and little by little, the urge to hit the road again 😏

Bravo and thanks for this travel journal, Peggy... I enjoyed revisiting Snow Canyon (we also arrived through the luxury subdivisions), and this park was a pleasant surprise for us too. Less disappointment at Lake Mead (though it was early in the trip), I really love the color contrasts. Vegas, well, it’s not my thing, but I admit it adds a "vacation" vibe, especially at the end of the trip (oh, those huge pools!). Anyway, I loved following your journal. Looking forward to the next one! Wishing you an excellent vacation and happy holidays to your whole family.

Laure

Flights to Los Angeles are more budget-friendly than to Las Vegas. But that does add extra miles...

So here’s the end of a well-planned trip with some great hikes and quality family time. It makes me want to do it all over again... which I think is already in the works, if I understood correctly 😉

Thanks for sharing! It was really enjoyable reading your posts and admiring the photos. We felt so at home with you!

🙂

Thanks to everyone for stopping by my travel journal, and a special thanks to those who left me a little note!

I did read them all but hadn’t gotten around to replying yet (it’s a bit tedious on a mobile phone...).

I hope you all had wonderful Christmas holidays and wish you a great end to 2015 before diving into 2016—may it be filled with amazing travels for you all! 🙂

Now for the individual replies!

Hi Virginie,

But all good things must come to an end, and you're already working on your next trip, so chin up!

Yes, that’s absolutely true! Plus, I didn’t really have time to dive into the details of this next trip, but now I can focus on it fully!

Snow Canyon looks great—I’m adding that walk to my wish list!

We didn’t include it in the next trip’s plans, but I definitely want to go back someday!

This time you had good weather in LV. I remember last time (or was it even earlier?) it wasn’t nice out.

You’ve got a good memory—it was indeed the last time (in 2014) that we had rain and really overcast skies in Las Vegas.

It’s funny, your room at the Trump hotel looks just like the ones at the Signature at MGM Grand 😮

Really? I’m not familiar with the Signature’s rooms, so I can’t compare.

Anyway, what about your travel plans? Where are you off to in 2016?

Hi Jean-Philippe, Thanks for being here and especially for the great hiking tips you share on your site! As I’ve already said, we owe one of our best memories of the year to you—Kanarra Creek!

Have a great vacation too! !

Hi Gilles,

How strange—we also had problems at LAX with BA, waiting 1.5 hours to check in. My brother-in-law breezed through, but my wife and I couldn’t. No explanation, no apology. We were among the first to arrive but ended up being the last to check in, and on top of that, we were scattered all over the plane. It was up to us to sort it out if someone was willing to swap seats.

Actually, ours was with American Airlines—we only flew BA from London to Paris. But we stayed philosophical because it was the return flight and we didn’t care... We’d rather have that kind of "stress" on the way back than on the way out! !😉

I know exactly what you mean when you say "no desire for anything"—even the ocean under the sun turns gray.

Yeah, we were pretty down when we got back... The problem is, it gets worse every year—it’s more noticeable with each trip...

Hi Laure, Thanks for your unwavering support and all your comments! 🙂 Yep, probably until next year if I don’t find it too tedious to keep up a travel journal... But at the same time, I like re-reading it myself—you rediscover things you’d almost forgotten, so I think I’ll write another one... 😉

Hi Valérie,

Flights to Los Angeles are more affordable than to Las Vegas. But that adds more kilometers too...

Generally, yes, that’s true! But we were lucky this year to find flights in the middle of July for around 650 € per person, so we’ll be arriving and departing from Las Vegas this time. That’ll save us some time! 🙂

Thanks for sharing! It was so nice to read your posts and admire the photos. We felt so comfortable with you! 🙂

Thanks! I love reading travel journals too—it feels like you get to be part of the trip and the family for a little while! See you soon on your travel journals, by the way!

I didn’t really have time to go into the details of this upcoming trip, but now I can focus on it more fully!

It’s not a bad thing, really. If you finish planning too early, you just end up bored waiting for the departure!

So, what about your travel plans? Where are you heading in 2016?

We’re going to Indonesia (Bali and Lombok) in April.

For next summer, we’re not sure yet. Laurent would love to go back to the U.S. to visit New Mexico and redo the stretch between Monument Valley and Vegas, but the airfare is too expensive. Think you can make room in your suitcase for us? 😉

Hello

if I don’t find it too tedious after a while to keep a travel journal...

It’s true that it’s a significant time investment... I get what you mean because I feel the same way every time 😇....

so I think I’ll write another one...

Oh, that’s great 😎

I forgot to tell you how awesome I think it is that you’re planning a few nights of camping for your next trip. I didn’t do that when my kids were young, and now it’s too late—there’s fierce opposition in the ranks 😠, which closes off some amazing opportunities...

Wishing you a very happy end to 2015.

Laure

Hi Peggy! So glad to see you here again! 😉

It’s been months since I’ve been around the forum much, and here I am, poking around again—what do I stumble upon? Peggy’s latest US travel story!!! I can totally see why, with airfare prices like that—it was too tempting! 😄 I’ve only just started reading, but I’m already diving into your adventures with pleasure. The US still has us dreaming too! Hope the whole family’s doing well. Any other trips planned for 2016? Wishing you a happy new year filled with more adventures!

Hi Virginie!

We’re heading to Indonesia (Bali and Lombok) in April.

I have friends who spent 3 weeks in Bali in July 2014, and they loved it. I don’t know Lombok, though.

For next summer, we still don’t know where to go.

Maybe you don’t know yet because you’re focused on your April trip… It’s not always easy to plan two trips at once! And it’s true that without stumbling on a deal, airfare isn’t exactly cheap…

Mind if we squeeze into your suitcases? 😉

You’ll have to make yourselves *very* small—we’ll already be packing the tent and sleeping pads! 😉

Hello Laure,

I forgot to tell you, but I think it’s great to plan a few nights of camping for your next trip. I didn’t do it when my kids were young, and now it’s too late—there’s fierce opposition in the ranks 😠, which closes off some great opportunities...

Here, the opposition didn’t come from the youngest ones...😉 But since I managed to convince him to give it a try, I’m hoping it’ll go well and he’ll grow to like it! 🙂

Hi Chloé,

I can see why those flight tickets were too tempting at that price! 😄

We got carried away again! Lol No, we're happy we gave in, but it's true it doesn't help with saving money! 😉

Any other trips planned for 2016?

Yes, still the West, with arrival and departure from Las Vegas this time.

we’ll already have the tent and mattresses to pack in! 😉

I can’t wait to read the story of your next trip to see Yannick’s reaction 😛 Who knows, he might just get a taste for it and switch to this type of accommodation for good!

Hi Peggy, and happy 2016! 😎

Here, the opposition didn’t come from the younger ones...😉

Yeah, I get it... When they’re young, kids usually love camping, but the problem comes as they get older... For the older ones, I’ve got the same as you at home. But he was willing to make the effort last year 😇. Though, I don’t think he would’ve grown to like it... 😏 Cheers, Laure

Hello!

Just finished reading your travel journal almost in one go! Lovely photos, as always. Calista has grown so much! And your kids are really brave—real little hikers! Thanks to you, I’ve discovered Paw Hole, Little Wild Horse, and White Sands. You’re making me seriously itchy to head back out West—I don’t know if I should thank you! 😏

Have you made any progress on your plans for next summer? I can’t wait to start planning another trip!!! I’m eagerly awaiting your future itinerary (well, if you feel like sharing, of course).

Hi Peggy,

A huge thank you for sharing this. I love your travel journals. They’re so enjoyable to read and beautifully illustrated. They’re among my favorites and have been really helpful for planning my upcoming road trip.

I’ll take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the new year. I think you’re heading off again next summer, camping this time.

See you later!