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We made Flagstaff 12 hours later (8AM) and walked 2 blocks to Enterprise, where a reserved car was waiting for us. From there it was a short drive to the LaQuinta Inn for a 3 day 2 night stay. Our room was ready early and the package of clothes sent from home was waiting there for us.
A quick lunch and nap left enough time for me to organize the used and new clothes. A few hours later we drove 80 miles north for a scheduled hayride/campfire at Apachee Trails. While there, we met a family from Scottdale, PA (where the girls' grandparents live-mother's side). The trip was a resounding success.
8/10/00
We drove 80 miles north again to the Grand Canyon, only a mile from where we were yesterday. We hiked around the rim for a few hours, had lunch, and mailed a few post cards...which I realized later were not addressed.What a great place. We also ran into our friends from Scottdale! That evening we went to the Lowell observatory. No stars out, too cloudy, but an impressive place. The girls were fascinated by the huge telescope.
8/11/00
The girls were up early and couldn't wait to get to Sedona, 40 miles south of Flagstaff. I folded the used clothes and left them in the box for the hotel staff or anyone who needed kids clothing. Basically, they were clothes that the kids were growing out of and I thought giving them away was better than carrying laundry.
It took a good hour to travel the winding road but was worth it. We rented a jeep for a few hours and set out to explore the red rocks and other off road trails. The kids liked the rugged ride and had a great time stopping and exploring the woods and dry stream beds. We had lunch at the Red Planet Diner. This place has average food but an amazing alien ambiance. We finished our off road travel at some Indian ruins. A local ranger refilled our water jugs while there.
After returning the jeep, we headed toward Flagstaff. We stopped at a place called "Slide Rock Park". This is a natural stream that moves quickly. The amazing part is that the water moves over huge rocks which are thinly coated with algae. Hundreds of people "ride the waves" over the rocks like a giant water slide. We did the same. The 55 degree water was a real wake up call....but a blast. We also ran into our Scottdale friends again!!
We finally headed back to Flagstaff to return the car and head to the AMTRAK station. The outbound train was to be 3 hours late. I called a cab and we went to see Chicken Run at the local theater.
8/12/00
The kids slept on the train. Because of our late departure from Flagstaff, after 9 hours on the train, we had to board a bus to catch up to the train out of LA (in San Bernadino). Erica decided to sing on the bus and was given a rather pleasant ovation! We passed the train/bus time with a woman and her daughter, who was Marissa's age.
The trip up the California coast was spectacular. Much of the time was spent on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Well worth it!
8/13/00
By 9:30 AM we were in Oregon. The train had a special kids car where the children could play games and watch videos. Parents were SUPPOSED to be there with their children. There were several children whose parents I never saw. I wonder if they were even on the train?
By 9:30 PM we were in Seattle.
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Seattle 
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