Hello, this is not in order, it's a quick update from a coffee shop in Durango; I hope you like it, we're having a blast!!!
After loading the boys up on some strange bus with stranger people, Brent and Trev hit the trails.
The Butcher Boyz at 4 Corners.
The beauty of Monument valley, with it's crimson spires and massive shapes of ships and mythical creatures jutting from the earth, were lost on Brent, Ian, and Colin, as Murph taught them the finer skills of blackjack.
Nothing like firing off some BB rounds while blazing across the painted desert in the Millenium Falcon..."To the turrets, target in site, fire at will!" Was the call for this event.
This is my child hood friend Brian's backyard, it's AMAZING! We met a guy, whose grandfather ran cattle on this land 50 years ago, he and his cousin, at 10 years old, were roaming the land doing cowboy work.
The boys ran the prairie, and threw sticks for Brian's dogs.
Definitely a blessed land.
This was an epic Disc Golf course. We did all 18 holes, up and down, from 9000 ft start poin, about 1500 ft of climbing by the time it was done, not a complaint from Butcher Boyz Ian and Colin. Although, super host Brian was talking Budweiser by hole 3.
As usual, the Butcher Boyz follow all rules and regulations of the park. Shortly after this, Brian recommended Brent read the book, "Over the Edge, Death in the Grand Canyon".
The wildlife at the Canyon was well tamed, this guy jumped up on my back pack, nearly leaping onto my chest. He was nice enough to pose with CT, after some forbidden granola bar.
The Grand Canyon was very cool, but, we decided, we need to do the Rim to Rim, and run the river through it for full affect...the planning has begun.
The fun continues; Colin, Ian, and I were up at Dawn for fishing, no luck, but still fun, then it was skate park and slide rock park; before riding our Mountain bikes into town for dinner, and finally a night fishing session. Colin's favorite activity is def. fishing, you can see mine on the video...I love 40 foot cliffs!
Throughout Sedona, there are shops that, for a 100 bucks, will make you feel like you felt something in the vortexes...don't know about that...but the second day, Magic, and summed up on a 2 min. video.
It's been less than 24 hours, and the fun is so intense, I only have time to post pics...what an adventure!!!
First night, our camp site, was a flat piece of dirt in the expanse of desert between Palm Springs and Phoenix.
We were too excited to sleep, so after picking up Ian and Brent, we drove till 2:30, slept in the desert till 6 a.m., grabbed a coffee, and continued the drive into Sedona; who needs a night's sleep when you're on vacation!!!
Mnt. Biking, Crawdad hunting, fishing, rope swings and fire pits...this is fun! Now we're in a stellar full amenities camp, fishing holes and rope swings, Brent is cooking up fajitas...dinner time!
Hello all, summer is here and I hope you all have grand plans for staying positive, staying motivated, helping others and having grand adventures.
For the Down's clan, it's a Road Trip Across America to promote the "Mega Mel Motivator Card" (M3C). For those of you who need a break from the PDA, or have not been set free by the power of setting goals, scheduling and writing your ideas down...the MegaMotivator Card is for you!
Just for kicks, we'll attempt to live off the funds we make selling the hottest product on the market. We'll gladly stand on corners, talk to the owners of the famous Wall Drug, and exchange packages for food (or the $20 asking price for a year's supply).
Worse case scenario, when sales are slow we can always put on a mean drum show with MegaMel's portable percussion set.
I'll be blogging along the way, can't promise anything special (or grammatically correct) but for those who want to keep up, I'll post some vids and pics when Wi-Fi allows.
For the first leg, we'll be taking the Millennium Falcon, a $3500 RV I bought for this trip. Crossing the Mojave without air-con, in a vehicle held together by clips and duck tape, should be worthy of Han Solo and Chewbacca;, and if it survives, the RV will have proven worthy of the name, "Millennium Falcon".
Hit play for a reminder, about the Falcon.
Brent, Ian, and Colin will be the crew on the Falcon for the light speed run through Sedona, Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Durango, The Great Sand Dunes and Colorado Springs.
After a couple of days and a Mountain Bike down Pikes Peak, my Super Hero Thea will join us, and load up in the Mega Mel's Star Destroyer for the trip across the Mid-West.
The trip's finale will be my sister Traci's wedding in Fort Collins.
Of course, that's all before Princess Lea (Maia) arrives...gives Han Solo his long awaited kiss, and quickly questions whether this, "bucket of bolts" will get her home.
The Millennium Falcon is ready.
So...to light speed!
Here's the plan...
Tuesday, June 24th Colin and I head across the desert to Palm Springs, where we pick-up Brent and Ian.
Wednesday, June 25th
Leave Dawn Patrol to beat the heat and get to Sedona early.
------------ Thursday, June 26th
sk8, swim, and bike in Sedona
Up to Flagstaff for sleep over at my friend Brian's place. ------------ Friday, June 27th
Sk8 and Disc golf in Flagstaff.
------------- Saturday, June 28th
Full day of hiking, biking, exploring, relaxing around the Canyon. Stay in Canyon Campground. ---------------- Sunday, June 29th
Early take-off
4 corners, Navajo tacos, and into Durango
Camp in someone's driveway or find a spot in mountains. ------------- Monday, June 30th.
Full day of mountain biking for Brent and Trev
Ian and Colin in Mountain Camp for kids.
Camp in driveway or find a spot. ------------- Tuesday, June 31st
Early take-off, to Sand Dunes, or an easy 14'er with the boys. Find a camp spot around Dunes. ------------- Wed, 2nd.
Early take-off.
Into the Springs. ------------- Thursday, 3rd
Pikes Peak on Mountain bikes. --------------------- Thea arrives. --------------- 7/4 - PM to Traci's and camp in her driveway
7/5 - . Rapid City - 352 Mi./5-1/2 Hr. - In 7/5 - Out 7/7 -
Mt. Rushmore - Deadwood - 2 nights
Ride Mickelson Trail or Single-track/Lot's of tourist attractions
7/6 - Rapid City
7/7 - Wall Drug and Babcock Ranch - 60 Mi./1 Hr. - Camp at ranch
7/8 - Omaha - 470 Mi./6-1/2 Hr. Visit Omaha Zoo next morning and drive to Watkins Woolen Mill
Camp - Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area
7/9 - Watkins Woolen Mill - 185 Mi./3 Hr. - In 7/9 - Out 7/11 - Kayak/ Bike/ Museum Camp - Watkins Woolen Mill booked two nights
7/11 - Connie's - 25 Mi./1/2 Hr. - In 7/11 - Out 7/13 - Camp at Connies Visit Gary/ Mtn. Bike
7/12 - Connie's
7/13 - StL - 220 Mi./3-1/2 Hr. - In 7/13 - Out 7/15 - Camp at Kendall's or Lyles Visit Kendall on way to St. Charles Katy Trail
7/14 - StL
7/15 - Nashville - 308 Mi./5 Hr. - In 7/15 - Out 7/17 - Camp at Marco's Marco visit
7/16 - Nashville
7/17 - Wildersville - 105 Mi./2 Hr. - In 7/17 - Out 7/19 - Natchez Trace State Park Kayak/Bike
7/18 - Natchez Trace S.P.
7/19 - Memphis -
Memphis-Graceland RV Park and Campground
7/20 - Memphis--TCB at Graceland
7/21 - Leave Memphis -
Drive to Lake of the Ozarks (360 Mi./7 Hr.) and stay two days for water-ski/lake fun. Wait until we go thru StL and see if Lyle invites us down there. If we do this, we'd have the following schedule: 7/21 - Drive to Lake 7/22 - Lake 7/23 - Lake 7/24 - Drive 1/2 way to Colorado Springs 7/25 - Drive to Colorado Springs
The host of these blogs is an Idea Man, Writer, and lover of God, King of the Universe. All the blogs are supported by great friends and family. "Surfwriters" and "Hillbilly Hill" are co-hosted by Danny Ray.
