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Our USA Adventure 2010, Part 1

Luke — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:07:24 +0000

In July of 2010, we went for a massive adventure to the USA. Four weeks and several thousand photos later, we returned with an incredible number of experiences under our belt. Our first stop was in Cody, Wyoming, where we spent a week with our incredibly gracious hosts. We cannot thank them enough for the sheer number of amazing things we got to see and do while we were there (not to mention letting our unruly mob stay with them in their beautiful house). It is really an amazing part of the country and we only got more jealous with each day we got to stay with them.

Here are the first few days of our adventure… Airports, travelling, and then adventures near our temporary home in Wyoming!

RJ enjoys the view at Denver airport. We're almost there!

The only way to travel... Headphones on, videos playing... Life is good.

A (very) brief stop-over in LA. Exploring all the different areas of our hotels was an unexpected adventure.

"I love not being in an airplane!" LR takes a break in our hotel room.

To the gates! LR was amazingly helpful, volunteering to take her bag as well as a heavy carry-on.

RJ enjoys a treat while enduring the inevitable wait for boarding at the gate.

Welcome to Cody, Wyoming! Every morning we were greeted with this amazingly beautiful view.

It was hard to be grumpy with the photographer when surrounded with scenery like this.

RJ was often the first awake, so some early morning exploring was usually in order.

After which, he'd need to enjoy his second breakfast.

Dad and the kids would go exploring the countryside every morning and night.

We were surrounded by great hills and low grassland. Everything was very different from back in Australia.

We discovered a deep respect for cacti and prickly pears and their affinity for poking into shoes and socks.

The irrigation channels and sluice gates were an endless source of entertainment.

LR poses in front of a man-made stream. We were amazed seeing the amount of water just running around the place.

Some handsome bloke shows off an interesting sample. Is it a fossil?

We've found some tracks! What kind of animal made these??? Definitely a bear!!!

LR spotted a tiny, tiny bunny on the side of the trail.

We spotted this trio of llamas at the edge of the field!

LR decides whether or not to take this trail home.

We took the high-road instead... fewer injuns and bears this way.

After every long hike, the kids had a bath to clean up. No water restrictions around here!

Dad couldn't help taking some beautiful pictures while we were there.

The sunsets were spectacular.

And the scenery was just stunning too.

How much to upgrade one child ticket to business class?

Luke — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:07:17 +0000

LR: Mom, I can’t sleep on planes.

Mom: Sure you can. We’ll bring you a nice pillow. You’ll be fine. You fit in the seat perfectly.

LR: No. I just can’t sleep on planes. Can I stay awake the whole way to America?

Mom: It’s a very long way. It’s going to take us a full day and night to get there. I don’t think staying awake is a good idea.

LR: Well, I’m going to need a really good pillow and to lay flat then.

Red Bull Air Race 2010

Luke — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 03:07:40 +0000

On the weekened, we took a quick trip to the city to watch the finals of the Perth leg of the Red Bull Air Race [wikipedia]. It’s a high-speed race through an obstacle course where pilots attempt to achieve the fastest times slaloming around pylons and performing certain maneuvers.

Earlier this week, during training, one of the pilots smashed his plane into the river. Unlike his plane, he survived with no injuries. Apparently it was the first crash ever in the history of the race, caused by the crazy winds that we get around here. On the day we were there it was perfectly calm, with perfect racing conditions. The Australian pilot placed second, which was great considering the group of veterans and previous winners that were competing.

As usual, we had a great time and followed it up with shaved ice, face painting and balloon animals.

At RBAR 2010, LR had her face painted to match her shirt!

One of the competitors tears through the straightaway at high speed.

Another pilot successfully navigates the double turn.

LR and RJ took a moment to hunt for shells in the river.

LR chose to have her face painted... and it matches her shirt!

RJ chose to have a new inflatable pet turtle.

The hat thief got dad's hat AND sunglasses this time.