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Day: May 21, 2012

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Yellowstone Under Canvas – Glamping at It’s Finest

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Those that know me  know that “camping” for me means a standard view room in a value resort at Walt Disney World.  No room service?  That’s like being on Survivor with a group of people who can’t light the fire and don’t know how to cook rice!

When Jim suggested we make a stop at Yellowstone National Park on our way home from Seattle, I was excited!  I love Yellowstone, and I love my kids when they’re at Yellowstone.  But when he said we’d stay overnight, in a tent, where there are bears, I started thinking he’d lost his mind.  Obviously, the man was off his meds.

Then he showed me the pictures.  They call this “Glamping” – a luxury version of camping.  My first introduction to the place was this

Okay, talk to me.

The tents are set up cabin style.  You’ll have beds, rugs, drawers to store your clothes, and solar lights.  The deluxe tent also gives you a tipi tent with a private bathroom and shower (heated!!), a raised wood floor (will that save me from rattle snakes?), and a private patio.

We booked the “Sundowner”, which gives us a place to watch sunset that includes snacks and drinks – which, by the way, are not allowed at the campsite.  Bears.  Oh my.

I’m actually a little bit excited!  The kids are going to be thrilled – well, except Brighid, who refuses to turn in her girly girl card and hang in with us for the camping trip.

If I get eaten by wolves or coyotes or trampled by buffalo, I’m leaving my Cinderella Castle Suite bathrobe to the person who doesn’t say, “I told her so.”

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Set in Stone – Summer Roadtrip 2012 is Finally Taking Shape!

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Stone may not necessarily be the right word.  We have established a game plan, booked hotels, and projected where we’ll be when as we journey to Seattle to board the Disney Wonder for our cruise to Alaska!

The plan going out –

Leave June 21st – well, at least some of us.  Brighid and Eilis are going to fly out later due to work obligations (in Brighid’s case) and obligations not to have to endure a four day road trip with her crazy parents (Eilis’ case).  The plan has us leaving at some outrageous hour of the morning – like before Starbucks is even open.  Who does that?  We’ll drive like lunatics and end the first day in Racine, WI.

Day 2 – This is an interesting day.  North Dakota is our ultimate destination.  Did you know there really was a North Dakota?  Apparently, very few hotel chains knew.  We originally booked a Marriott in Fargo, but when Jim realized we wouldn’t be completely bleary eyed by the time we hit Fargo, he decided to bump us ahead to Bismarck.  Kelly Inn, Bismarck, ND – here we come!

Day 3 – Ummm, did I mention we want to be in Seattle in only four days?  By this day, I anticipate nerves will be fried.

After another wake up call at NoOneShouldBeUpThisEarlyUnlessTheyAreGoingToMakeTheDoughnuts o’clock will give us time to get to Missoula, Montana by just after dinner.  If we arrive earlier, we’ll do something touristy.  Is there anything to see in Missoula, MT?

Day 4 – My well rested, well relaxed older children will be arriving in Seattle around 10:30 AM.  We don’t expect to arrive until closer to dinner time.  I’ll probably take the time when we get there to do laundry, because everyone who has spent four straight days in a car wants to do laundry.

Of course, this plan is subject to change.  Well, except the doing laundry part.

I’m so glad our first day of the cruise is at sea.  My behind will be so sore, I won’t be able to sit up to see anything!