Yes, we love Memphis BBQ, but Texas BBQ is pretty darn good!  We had plenty.  First, we ate some FFA brisket on Friday night.  Daryn especially loved the corn.  We had some more brisket and ribs on Saturday afternoon hanging out in Mike’s archery and hunting shop.  And, Saturday evening we had our final meal together… pork sausage / ground beef burgers.  YUM!  Overall, I feel like I’m taking home two little cowgirls!

We arrived at Mike and Dea’s on Thursday, and Dea boards horses for a living, in addition to taking care of four of her own.  So, the girls got a chance to help feed the horses, wash them, and help them to and from their stalls.  We also spent time with LaFonda, the cute hefer.  We were going to Bedazzle her harness, but never got around to it. And what did I do?  All of that in addition to picking up horse poop.  Although it didn’t smell as bad as my dogs’ poop, it is heavy, and I did hurt my shoulder Saturday night!  So, we earned our keep, so to speak!

Ok, so truthfully, we are home now (Sunday), but I didn’t have internet since Mark’s!  So, I’ll have to take the DeLorean back in time to recap……..  We drove from Arizona to El Paso, then San Antonio.  Since the drive to Mike and Dea’s was a short one from San Antonio, we decided to see the Alamo!  It was surreal to be in such an old place, especially as time as clearly move on around this place.  But, overall, it was a good history lesson for the girls.  We then trudged down to the River Walk- really cool- to eat some Mexican food.  We spent some time also watching the birds pick packets of Sweet and Low off empty tables and eat the stuff!  Weird.  Then, it was off to Mike and Dea’s to conclude the rest of our Thursday.

We arrived at Mark’s house today.  His cat, Sylvester, was not thrilled.  He was holding the cat, and then the cat freaked out because of the girls, and promptly tore his shirt!  However, we went out that evening to Gordon Biersch’s- great pizza and beer!  The following day we went to Panda Express, which is Daryn’s favorite.  I guess we are celebrating her birthday (August 4th) a bit early!  Currently, we are off to El Paso, then San Antonio.  We’ll visit Mike in Tomball, TX, and then home (Finally) on Sunday!

It is GRAND.  I can’t say more than that.  It is the most visually stunning sight I’ve ever seen in my life.  I have to come back again when Allyn is old enough to do the mule rides.  It is vast, massive, and beautiful.  We were able to spend our entire Saturday walking along the rim trails.  The girls became Junior Rangers after listening to a Fossil Talk and Condor Talk.  Yes, we did see condors too!  Daryn even got an extra special badge by completing worksheets about workers during the Great Depression, many of whom made many of the trails we use today.  Then the girls heard another ranger talk about water conservation and the history of the Colorado River.  This has been a rewarding and economical trip because of the free shuttles, free ranger programs, and free trails that can take you to all these beautiful locations!  Fab, and we’ll be back again!

We arrived and set up camp Friday afternoon.  We have a fab spot, with the perfect amount of trees.  What is great is that we can keep everything in the truck because the canyon has a free shuttle system that will take us where we want to go.  I have now made Spam, pancakes, corn, Top Ramen, hot dogs, and smores with fire.  Daryn helped set up the tent, and Allyn nearly passed out blowing up the air mattresses.  But, we are here and enjoying roughing it for a while.  Oh, and this morning, as I sit at the Grand Canyon National Headquarters, using their WiFi and blogging, I must tell you about a funny thing.  This morning, about 4am, I heard growling!  I stayed still in my sleeping bag, decided whether or not to go outside and use my pepper spray.  After I listed for a while more, I realized it was the guy in the tent in the next campground snoring!  Geeeeeeezzzz!

On the 23rd we were able to spend time with Great-grandma Laura.  She made us fab food and showed us the newest shopping areas in Green Valley.  Of course, the valley is not green because of the lush landscape- it was well over 100 degrees everyday- notice the misters on the trees that are required by law!  We left on Friday, and had to make a stop at Hoover Dam.  We didn’t take the tour, but I showed the girls all the cool stuff.  At about the half-way point, I think we were too hot to do any more!

I think a theme has developed with my visit to California- burgers!  I think by this point I’ve eaten a whole cow.  In and Out, Fuddrucker’s, Red Robin, Carl’s Jr., and now the Hat.  The Hat is legendary.  Lance and I used to eat at the Hat all the time.  We would always have fries and gravy!  YUM!  So, I had to share that tradition with the kiddos.  After that, we returned to take a swim in the pool with the grandparents.  Very fun!  Not so fun was trying to put my Thule back on my truck.  But, dad and I figured it out.  Now, if I can just figure out how to get my big candle thing home from Z Gallerie…. (the big box next to dad)

Today the chicks went out to golf.  Daryn and Allyn golfed three holes with us, and then we had to come home so the nerds could go to an appointment.  That gave me time to recharge my battery and challenge Mama Nerd again.  Final score:  Mom Claudia: 45, Me: 49.  Mind you, I haven’t picked up a club in SIX years!

Yes, my parents are old, but that is not what this post is about!  Saturday my folks took us to the Western Center Museum for Paleontology and Archeology.  In short, a museum with dinosaurs!  A few years back, they were creating a man-made lake out in Hemet.  While removing dirt for the lake, they found dinosaur bones out in the middle of the desert.  Oh, and apparently back then it wasn’t a desert.  The girls had fun looking at the bones and creating their own fossils. 

Sunday the Shields family came out for a BBQ.  L-R is Krystle, Sandra, Kelsey, Tommy, Me, Dad Tom, Daryn, Pattie, Mom Claudia, Don, Mary, Allyn and David.  It was fun to see everyone, but scary to see how old my younger cousins had become, because I, therefore, am also that much older.  YIKES.  I think the Shields Clan is planning a family reunion next summer, so no Road Trip 2009!