Family Jensen

Day 1
Sunday, July 16
Colorado, Utah, Arizona & Nevada!!
Spend the night in Primm, Nevada at Buffalo Bills Casino

We found a cheap hotel at a casino town.  Buffalo Bills was the most "kid friendly" hotel (of the 3).  I forced Phillip to crash and sleep while the kids and I swam in the buffalo shaped pool and grabbed some supper.  Thankfully, Phillip was able to get caught up on his sleep and sleep through the night.  We were all in bed early and slept great!  

(Funny story--when the kids & I were swimming a big wind storm came up and blew the lounge chairs around and even into the pool!  Crazy.  It also felt like a sauna OUTside of the pool.  Pretty hot for these Iowa kids)

Monday morning we woke up, showered and got back in the van. 

We made it to California!!!!

Day 2
Monday, July 15
Drove to Mohave Desert, then to Tulare, California to our Motel 6 for the night

Because we left on Saturday evening and not Sunday morning, we were able to stop and hike in the Mojave Dessert.

The kids LOVE to climb on big rocks.  Vacation is the perfect time to hike, explore, relax and let them climb.

Brooks loves to boulder.

It was a natural playground--for all of us!

Tough girl who is sweet to the core.

Mini kids on big rocks.

Surprising we were the only ones on this hike in the middle of the dessert in the middle of July.  ; )

The rings were necessary for the climb.

The rock structures made the perfect hideouts.

I loved the cactuses...

...and the landscape.

Hiking = Family time

Brooks bear goes all out.

 Our destination was the Motel 6 in Tulare, California.  This allowed us to be close enough to have an easy drive to our campground on Tuesday.  The kids enjoyed watching American Ninja Warrior--I realize this has been on for over 5 years, but it was really our kids' first exposure to it.  It goes without saying that they were mesmerized by it!