Rockies Road Trip Day Nine: "I'm Glad You Finally Agreed to This, Kids!"

That long ride from Utah through Nevada to Redding gave the family lots of time to "negotiate" what could be done to replace the missed opportunity from the Park City Resort (Adventure Park).  The kids knew about Water Works Park in Redding as we had gone there at the end of our 2007 road trip to Lake Tahoe.  Our memories of the experience were a little lackluster, but they remembered it as "amazing".

I looked up the info on my cell phone and whispered to John that we could put two hours in from 10-12 and still be home by 6pm.   The cost wasn't as much as I thought it would be, so we relented, and said, "Yes".  The decision was helped along when the tickets were actually sold through the hotel we spent the night at for $4 less per person.  Well okay, then, decision made.

We were one of the first ones to go through the gate to take full advantage of our limited time.  John and I were much more impressed this time around than the last time.  I think a lot of it has to do with kids being 11 and 14 vs. 5 and 8 - much more confidence in letting them go their own way.  (The Lazy River actually lived up to its name this time around!)  Consequently, we teased the kids about finally "coming around" to OUR idea about going there.  (Said with sarcasm as we were the ones that had held back).  It really was an ideal (and surprisingly very relaxing) way to end our road trip adventures.

This view of Mt. Shasta meant we were getting close to home.  

We ended up going on a wild goose chase for Baskin and Robbins ice cream in Grants Pass en route. Silly and funny - which is kind of amazing that we can all still be in good spirits even when getting sidetracked by I-Phone's Siri in search of ice cream.  

Rockies Road Trip 2013 - truly a trip that exceeded expectations....