Weekend getaways

For the longest time we’ve wanted to go to Massachusetts for a vacation. But, we’ve always wanted to go in the fall. Due to school that never quite worked out but we thought we’d try it this fall while Katelyn was still under two. Then the baby. So we decided to go for this spring. Then gas prices. So then we decided to settle for Utah for a long weekend vacation. Of course, as soon as we decide on a date and get clearance from my doctor, plane tickets go up more than $100 each. Such is our luck.

So rather than put our effort (aka stress) into a long trip up or down the coast, we decided to save our vacation time for Pickle and go for some local weekend getaways.

The latest was to Yosemite National Park last weekend. We booked a hotel about an hour and a half outside of the park where we stayed two nights. Munchkin was a champ. She loved having a big bed that she could climb up on and spend forever jumping around.

The next day we headed to the park. Partially prepped for rain, we stopped at Bridal Vail Falls thinking it couldn’t be that bad.

Apparently we missed the memo. Nearly everyone else was wearing rain boots and ponchos. In several places the paved trail was more like a stream. At the end of that little hike Katelyn’s shoes and socks were soaked—clothing issue #1 for the day.  Eventually, we got to a less crowded area where she was able to run around and have some fun.

Later, we decided to take the shuttle bus around just for a tour of the park without getting out. The rain wouldn’t stop. Not for half a second. While we were waiting for the bus, Munch decided to play on some stairs and fall. Actually, more like sit down and then lay down on the muddy steps. (Clothing issue #2). We didn’t have any change of clothes for her but a onsie…in the car. We wiped her off and moved on.

She loved the bus. In attempts to expand her vocabulary, she now gives a very enthusiastic “dussss!” every time she sees one.

After our bus tour, we decided to get some lunch. As we got up to leave, Devin noticed a very wet Katelyn on his lap and asked, “did she fall again?” To which my reply was, “uh, that’s not a ‘fall down’ kind of wet…”  Clothing issue #3.

A rant insert: Can I just say I hate Huggies? We’ve had nothing but problems with them. We used half a dozen different store brand diapers when we went to Europe and never had a leak. With Huggies we have to double her diaper at night and hope we can keep on top of a potential supper soaker during the day. They both leak and seap through. Ahhhh!

K.

So I changed her diaper while Devin rinsed her pants and used the hand dryer in the bathroom.

Meanwhile, it kept raining. But that didn’t keep Munchie from saying cheese.

And raining…

We attempted one more hike but Buggy didn’t want to keep her stroller canopy over her. We all got wet.

We decided to head back to the hotel where we enjoyed a swim in the bathtub.

The next day, we debated if we should go back. The chance of rain was even higher that day but when we woke up it was clear and sunny. We went for it and are so glad we did.

It was gorgeous!

We did a nice two-mile hike to Mirror Lake where contrary to advertisements, there are no ducks. But it does come complete with a smelly outhouse.

Then we got some lunch. And yes, Katelyn is sporting pants #2 for the day. Refer to rant…

At the end of the day, we were all spent. We hit the car just in time for Katelyn’s crash time. After a few chips, she was out.