Trip Report The Dry Heat Expedition (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Disneyland)--UPDATE 6/12 (KSC and DTD)

[jedijill]

Holy cow I was behind! Computer issues, house drama, and lack of notifications has me behind on all my threads.

Great wrap up and I can't wait to see you guys this summer!

Jill in CO

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Has always, Great TR Mark! (could have spent more time on the 50/50)

Right now, things look pretty grim. I don't know where I go from here. We'll just keep plowing ahead and looking into all the options.

It might not be a case of you not being a good choice, it could be that you are very good at your job and they would have a real problem on replacing you.

 

[pkondz]

Hey! She's taken!

All's fair in love and pies.

(Don't tell my DW... she doesn't bake.)

 

[Steppesister]

Well, half of those were final chapter comments, and half were my pity party after informing everyone that I lost out to an insurance saleswoman for an engineering job. But I'm not bitter or anything.

No room for bitterness. Revenge on the other hand...

Why, thank you. And I do believe the difference between visiting and taking up residence is, of course, very vast. Which you have proven many times over by this point. I will remember not to stay too long in Crapistan, if I ever get the opportunity.

Well, I mean, if you like fermented animal milk, cow hoof jello, and organ meat stew, by all means.... They'd welcome you with open arms and leave the flea-infested yurts wide open. (Only most of that was jest. Truly, they trump us in hospitality by a factor of about a billion.)

By the way, red meat is a vegetable, right?

Last I heard, you are what you eat; cows and pigs, as far as I understand it, eat vegetables. I see no problem with your assessment.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

For us, the choice between sleeping in and doing nothing or going out and seeing spectacular sights and wonders is really no choice at all.

Yes, I completely agree!!

And, of course, someone who is willing to eat a burger patty made of 50% ground bacon demonstrates a truly refined palate.

This goes without saying. So true.

Top 5 Meals
1. Oscar’s Café, Springdale, UT

2. Thee Pitts Again BBQ, Glendale, AZ

3. Slater’s 50/50, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

4. Café Orleans, Disneyland

5. Plaza Inn, Disneyland

Ooooh, excited to see three of my meals next spring on this list. Found a Slater's 50/50 in San Diego. Wow, they pack bacon into everything. Just reading the menu filled me with guilt. And happiness.

Sights I Never Need To See Again

6. An expired, unused Indiana Jones Fastpass

So sad.... That would bother me, too. You better get back there again. It's the only solution. Poor Drew won't remember this trip anyway, so it's only fair.

As many of you know, we are on a mission to visit all 50 states as a family. We picked up 4 new states with this vacation, bringing the kids to a grand total of 28. So we’re officially more than halfway there! On the downside, most of them are west of the Mississippi River and there are much greater distances between states out west. We’re going to have to do a couple of big road trips in order to pick up those Midwestern states. But I think we’d like to wait a little longer for Drew to age before we tackle the longer drives.


Here’s our updated map of our travels:

Wow... So, I'm not seeing a lot of love for the Midwest on your map. There's just nothing at all in the middle of the country! Have you not heard that there is a really big Mall in Minnesota? Other than that, I'll sadly admit my home state is not really dazzling enough to warrant a big effort to get to it. We did take a road trip to South Dakota once and saw the Black Hills and the Badlands. Now, that was fantastic and worth a drive. The Badlands were breathtaking. That's where we did our first Junior Park Ranger booklets.

I’ve been trying to book 2 or 3 per month that way in order to spread the costs out. The downside of that approach is that it’s non-refundable, but our plane tickets are already bought so we’re committed anyway. Spreading the costs out month by month and paying slowly in advance will help us in the long run, I think.

I do this kind of thing with Disney trips, by purchasing Disney gift cards at a discount - to spread the costs out over a long period and save some money. I love paying in advance for hotels and doing the gift card trick because it makes it less painful financially and just a part of our regular budget.

The Old Faithful Inn is the building that served as the primary inspiration for the Wilderness Lodge at Disney World, so you can imagine why I was drawn to it. If you’re willing to “rough it” a bit, it’s also one of the best deals you can find. If you get a room in the historic wing, there’s no air-conditioning, no TV, and you have to share a bathroom with other guests. For being willing to do that, you can stay right next to the Old Faithful geyser for a little over $100 a night.

Your trip plans sound exciting! I can't wait to see the report. If you send up a signal flare, please let me know.

I’m in the middle of grabbing hotel reservations and finding organic/health-conscious/vegan restaurants for our meals, so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please fire away!

This is just so disturbing. For half a second you had me worried. Glad to know it was an empty threat!

Never criticize a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you’ll be a mile away and he’ll have to chase after you in his socks.

Ha! Nice one.

Wow! This made me laugh out loud! So relevant.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

Short life update: Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes regarding my interview last week. I got the word yesterday that I was not selected for either position. I guess it wasn't totally unexpected, given my history with these opportunities, but it still stings every time I get rejected. From all accounts, I interview very well, I have been productive and shown leadership skills (and have the performance evaluations to prove it) and yet every interview ends up being something like this:

At some point, you feel stupid for even trying. Worse, one of the people chosen actually left engineering for 7 years to sell insurance. I'm stunned at that one. What kind of message does that send to the people who have poured their souls into this place?

Anyway, I'm contemplating all of my options. I typically give myself a 24-hour pity party after losing out on one of these, so I apologize for making you listen to me vent while I'm in the middle of it. I'll get back on the horse soon and we'll see where it goes from there. It doesn't take much to look around and find someone in a much worse situation, so I will try and remember to keep things in perspective. Thanks again for cheering me on.

Oh, no... I am so sorry to hear this, Mark! It must be so hard to have this happen. I am sure better things are in store for you, but it is so hard to have to wait... Glad you have such a lovely family at home and a nice trip to plan to keep your mind on positive things. From reading your reports, it sounds like you have a great perspective on life. You are truly blessed.

By the way, like the Peanuts cartoon. We have dozens of those thick books of Peanuts comics that our three boys read all the time. As a kid, I liked them, too. As an adult, I just feel shocked at how mean Lucy and others are to Charlie Brown. Sad, but I guess it may prepare the kids to see life has disappointments and you can choose to respond to them in a variety of ways. Charlie Brown always seemed to be a pretty good sport about it when he faced disappointments. It sounds like you are handling things well and being a good example to those kids at home (my pity parties can be longer than 24 hours and I'm sure are much more pathetic). Your hard work will pay off!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Holy cow I was behind! Computer issues, house drama, and lack of notifications has me behind on all my threads.

Great wrap up and I can't wait to see you guys this summer!

Hope your move is going ok! We will be sure to firm up plans with you soon!

Has always, Great TR Mark! (could have spent more time on the 50/50)

Thanks Randall! And 50/50 was awesome. What more do you need to know?

It might not be a case of you not being a good choice, it could be that you are very good at your job and they would have a real problem on replacing you.

I would love to believe that's the case. But in reality I have no idea. Here, the only positive feedback is the absence of negative feedback.

All's fair in love and pies.

(Don't tell my DW... she doesn't bake.)

In that case, I can see the need to get a pie fix any way you can.

No room for bitterness. Revenge on the other hand...

I keep threatening to do the Morgan Freeman Shawshank parole board speech in an interview. One of these days I should just go for it.

Well, I mean, if you like fermented animal milk, cow hoof jello, and organ meat stew, by all means.... They'd welcome you with open arms and leave the flea-infested yurts wide open. (Only most of that was jest. Truly, they trump us in hospitality by a factor of about a billion.)

With an invitation like that, who could refuse? And isn't organ meat stew just another word for haggis?

Last I heard, you are what you eat; cows and pigs, as far as I understand it, eat vegetables. I see no problem with your assessment.

Either that, or I'm a pig.






Eh, still applies.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Duplicate post

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Yes, I completely agree!!

I have the Minnesota seal of approval!

This goes without saying. So true.

Mmmm...bacon...

Ooooh, excited to see three of my meals next spring on this list. Found a Slater's 50/50 in San Diego. Wow, they pack bacon into everything. Just reading the menu filled me with guilt. And happiness.

So which 3? Slaters, Cafe Orleans and Plaza Inn? Good choices, all.

If it helps your guilt, calories don't count on vacation!

So sad.... That would bother me, too. You better get back there again. It's the only solution. Poor Drew won't remember this trip anyway, so it's only fair.

I agree. We're just going to have to go back. No way around it.

Wow... So, I'm not seeing a lot of love for the Midwest on your map. There's just nothing at all in the middle of the country! Have you not heard that there is a really big Mall in Minnesota? Other than that, I'll sadly admit my home state is not really dazzling enough to warrant a big effort to get to it. We did take a road trip to South Dakota once and saw the Black Hills and the Badlands. Now, that was fantastic and worth a drive. The Badlands were breathtaking. That's where we did our first Junior Park Ranger booklets.

Yeah, we really need to pick up our slack there. I think I mentioned it earlier, but seeing the Midwest will involve a TON of driving, so we were trying to let Drew get used to the car a bit more before we attempt it. Still, it is probably coming in summer 2016. I'd like to do one trip with the Black Hills area as the main event, and another with Texas as the centerpiece. And knocking out a lot of states, of course.

With Minnesota, there's Voyageurs NP and the Lake Superior coast. It's just not easy to get that far north!

I do this kind of thing with Disney trips, by purchasing Disney gift cards at a discount - to spread the costs out over a long period and save some money. I love paying in advance for hotels and doing the gift card trick because it makes it less painful financially and just a part of our regular budget.

That was the plan here, too! The more I can pay through the monthly budget, the less I have to dip into savings. Since there's not a lot there, anyway.

Your trip plans sound exciting! I can't wait to see the report. If you send up a signal flare, please let me know.

I will! Thanks!

This is just so disturbing. For half a second you had me worried. Glad to know it was an empty threat!

A life without bacon is a life not worth living.

Ha! Nice one.

I stole that from somewhere.

Wow! This made me laugh out loud! So relevant.

Oh, no... I am so sorry to hear this, Mark! It must be so hard to have this happen. I am sure better things are in store for you, but it is so hard to have to wait... Glad you have such a lovely family at home and a nice trip to plan to keep your mind on positive things. From reading your reports, it sounds like you have a great perspective on life. You are truly blessed.

I know what I need to do professionally to recover. It's just the emotional reaction that's harder to overcome with each rejection. It gets harder and harder to believe better things are ahead and get a positive attitude back.

However, there are many people who have it much worse. I have a co-worker who just recently lost his wife. I wouldn't trade places with him in a million years. So I need to remember that.

By the way, like the Peanuts cartoon. We have dozens of those thick books of Peanuts comics that our three boys read all the time. As a kid, I liked them, too. As an adult, I just feel shocked at how mean Lucy and others are to Charlie Brown. Sad, but I guess it may prepare the kids to see life has disappointments and you can choose to respond to them in a variety of ways. Charlie Brown always seemed to be a pretty good sport about it when he faced disappointments. It sounds like you are handling things well and being a good example to those kids at home (my pity parties can be longer than 24 hours and I'm sure are much more pathetic). Your hard work will pay off!!

Thanks for the pep talk! I just hope the good news isn't too far down the road.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get the job that you interviewed for. You just never know what "they" are thinking during their decision making process. It's perfectly fine to allow yourself a 24 hour pity party....heck, I'd have gone for at least a 48 hour one myelf.

 

[Steppesister]

I keep threatening to do the Morgan Freeman Shawshank parole board speech in an interview. One of these days I should just go for it.

Oh yes you should! You should set up a hidden camera too.

With an invitation like that, who could refuse? And isn't organ meat stew just another word for haggis?

I know, right?! Took us 10 years to figure out that horse hoof jello just wasn't all that fun. I've never had haggis, but almost barfed in the middle of a restaurant on jugged hare once in Scotland.

Either that, or I'm a pig.

Eh, still applies.[/QUOTE]

You said it first...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get the job that you interviewed for. You just never know what "they" are thinking during their decision making process. It's perfectly fine to allow yourself a 24 hour pity party....heck, I'd have gone for at least a 48 hour one myelf.

Thanks, Lisa. I don't think I'm ever going to get satisfactory answers on this one. But I'm at the point now where I have to just move on. Hopefully more opportunities will present themselves soon.

Oh yes you should! You should set up a hidden camera too.

I wish I had the guts to do that. Maybe I need to find a job I don't really care about getting or not.

I know, right?! Took us 10 years to figure out that horse hoof jello just wasn't all that fun. I've never had haggis, but almost barfed in the middle of a restaurant on jugged hare once in Scotland.

10 years? I might have been able to speed that up for you...

I'm almost afraid to ask what jugged hare is.

You said it first...

To thine own self be true.

 

[Poolrat]

I really think American workplaces could learn a lot from the European model of vacation time. Many times we get recognized for our "work ethic", which upper management defines as "long hours in the office". What they fail to realize is that sometimes "long hours in the office" just equates to "poor time management".

No one ever lay on their deathbed and said, "If only I'd spent more time at the office..."

Amen.

I tried turkey "bacon" once. The word "bacon" needs to be permanently removed from any description of that item.

Oh Yes I totally agree.

Worse, one of the people chosen actually left engineering for 7 years to sell insurance. I'm stunned at that one. What kind of message does that send to the people who have poured their souls into this place?

I call foul on that one. So not fair...

Short life update: Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes regarding my interview last week. I got the word yesterday that I was not selected for either position. I guess it wasn't totally unexpected, given my history with these opportunities, but it still stings every time I get rejected. From all accounts, I interview very well, I have been productive and shown leadership skills (and have the performance evaluations to prove it) and yet every interview ends up being something like this:

Awwww Nuts... So sorry to hear that. I have no idea what they are "saving" you for. The emotional beating is hard. I hope you are over your pity period now and I hope something wonderful comes your way.

I wish that was the case! If I had to read the tea leaves, I'd say I fall more into the unnoticed/underappreciated camp. But then again, in my story, I'm the hero. There are many factors in play. Our HR Department has made no bones about wanting to improve our "representation", and I do not represent the target demographics there. It also helps when you have personal friends on the hiring panel. Hard to fight that, too.

I hate when things just aren't "fair", whatever that means. I really hope you find a great position with great people where you are appreciated for all your hard work and a great paycheck. That may never really exist but still my hope for you.

 

[Leshaface]

As usual, this was a vacation that involved a lot of driving, seldom resting for more than one night in any one place. I know that sounds exhausting and unappealing to many of you, but we really love it. For us, the choice between sleeping in and doing nothing or going out and seeing spectacular sights and wonders is really no choice at all.

Totally agree! In fact, we'll be doing something similar this Summer making a road trip up to Seattle. So looking forward to it!

And, of course, someone who is willing to eat a burger patty made of 50% ground bacon demonstrates a truly refined palate.

But of course

You don’t have to put your life on hold when you have a baby in tow.

That's one of the things DH and I discussed before getting pregnant with DS. We love traveling and I didn't want to have to alter our lives to make room for a baby. Which is why we took him to WDW at 8 weeks and would totally do it again in a heartbeat!

Sights I Never Need To See Again

Love this section!

Most Valuable DISFriend on this trip: Alison (duh)

I know i've said this before, but this so rocks!

our primary destination is Yellowstone National Park.

So awesome!

If you get a room in the historic wing, there’s no air-conditioning, no TV, and you have to share a bathroom with other guests.

Sharing a bathroom wouldn't be a problem. Even living without AC, we've done that before. But for DH, the 'no TV' thing won't happen. Sad, but he needs ESPN on tv, not from his phone or tablet. That's what I call -->

We have been leaning heavily on Jill (@jedijill ) as our resident DISFriend for this vacation, as she is in the Denver area.

Awesome!

Wednesday: Fly from Philadelphia to Denver, Colorado. Explore Denver—maybe a Colorado Rockies game?

Thursday: Colorado Springs, CO. Climb to the summit of Pikes Peak (either by driving or by cog railway—Jill says we should drive), visit Garden of the Gods.

Friday: Rocky Mountain National Park. Stay in Vail, CO area.

Saturday: visit Colorado National Monument and possibly Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P. Stay in Grand Junction, CO area.

Sunday: Canyonlands National Park. Stay in Moab, UT.

Monday: Arches National Park. Still in Moab.

Tuesday: Drive to Idaho Falls, ID.

Wednesday: Visit Craters of the Moon National Monunment, then head east. Stay in Jackson, WY.

Thursday: Grand Teton N.P. Check in for the evening at Old Faithful Inn.

Friday: Yellowstone N. P.

Saturday: Yellowstone N. P.

Sunday: Drive to Vernal, UT.

Monday: Visit Dinosaur National Monument. Drive back to Denver.

Tuesday: Fly home.

Can I just say how freakin' awesome this schedule looks!!!

I’m sure I will attempt another Trip Report on this one.

Please do!

So, I bid you a fond adieu (does anybody really say that?)

You literally just made this saying legit again. Congrats!


ETA: Saw some Joshua trees on the 15 coming back from Vegas, thought of you and had to chuckle

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Amen.

Oh Yes I totally agree.

Also

I call foul on that one. So not fair...

It still doesn't seem fair. I keep waiting for inspiration to strike as to what to do next.

Awwww Nuts... So sorry to hear that. I have no idea what they are "saving" you for. The emotional beating is hard. I hope you are over your pity period now and I hope something wonderful comes your way.

There's always hope, right? I'm actually talking to the Chief Engineer today about this. We'll see where it goes.

I hate when things just aren't "fair", whatever that means. I really hope you find a great position with great people where you are appreciated for all your hard work and a great paycheck. That may never really exist but still my hope for you.

Thanks Pat! None of us has any guarantees. I remain thankful for my family and friends.

Totally agree! In fact, we'll be doing something similar this Summer making a road trip up to Seattle. So looking forward to it!

Sounds awesome!

But of course

That's one of the things DH and I discussed before getting pregnant with DS. We love traveling and I didn't want to have to alter our lives to make room for a baby. Which is why we took him to WDW at 8 weeks and would totally do it again in a heartbeat!

I love it! More proof that it can be done!

Love this section!

I know i've said this before, but this so rocks!

Thanks! We're blessed to have been able to see so much.

So awesome!

I hope so!

Sharing a bathroom wouldn't be a problem. Even living without AC, we've done that before. But for DH, the 'no TV' thing won't happen. Sad, but he needs ESPN on tv, not from his phone or tablet. That's what I call -->

He may not do so well at the Grand Canyon, either. Unless he hangs out in the lobby all day. You really have to leave it all behind in some of these places!

Awesome!

Can I just say how freakin' awesome this schedule looks!!!

Thanks! I hope it all works out!

Please do!

Ok, twist my arm.

You literally just made this saying legit again. Congrats!

Well, if nothing else, I accomplished that. So I have that going for me, which is nice.

ETA: Saw some Joshua trees on the 15 coming back from Vegas, thought of you and had to chuckle

Probably the same ones we saw!

 

[Steppesister]

For your future reference

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

For your future reference

So it looks like that BEFORE you get sick on it?

 

[KatMark]

I just wanted to say hi. I don't see you because I know you don't do PTR's. I do enjoy your updates on FB.

 

[glennbo123]

I saw this shirt for sale on shirt.woot, maybe something for your upcoming trip?

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I saw this shirt for sale on shirt.woot, maybe something for your upcoming trip?

Ya' gott'a love Shirt.Woot