A hidden Nevada Gem

A post about working on some check marks on my new year's resolution list.  One of them was to visit the Ichthyosaur State Park in Berlin, NV.

We gathered as many Newmans as possible and headed out for the weekend.  The museum is small and the tour is short.  So if you aren't already a Nevada desert junkie then you might want to plan some other activities to make the trip seem worthwhile.  You could tour the Diane Mine since you're already there.  It's a 45 minute tour into the mine complete with hard hats and flashlights.

There's also quite a few geocaches in the area if you are into that sort of thing.  We hit up 4 between Middlegate Station and Ione.

Auntie and Bob, bonding in the back seat



My idea of nice scenery.  No wonder I feel claustrophobic in California.



Grandpa Hal and Bob, two of my favorite old men in life





Bob got dressed himself.  I love that kid.

 

to scale mural of an ichthyosaur





After the museum tour we headed out to look for fossils

You should put the museum on your bucket list.  It's a little known fact that this desert of ours houses the bones of the some of the largest sea dinosaurs ever known.

Things you might miss

Some things are in plain sight

and you still might just float on by

without ever really seeing them

My funny little bird man

After a solid three weeks of begging I caved in and got the boychild some water wings.

And you know what, he swims pretty dang good with them on.

He hasn't quite figured out the breathing routine for the snorkel but we'll get there.

Someday.

Growing Girlchild

I sent the girlchild on a road trip without me.  She traveled 2,000 miles and 30-something hours in the car to soak up some good old fashioned, midwest fun. 

So this is what it's like to be six and on summer vacation, away from home.

 

 

Not so outdoors-y

Mom, you should have brought my hiking shoes.

I did Bob, you said you wanted to wear your sandals.

Well, I didn't know there would be quite so much sand on the trail.

Slick

Only Bob could talk a super hero out of his weapon

Splashing into Summer

Seems funny how much a difference one year makes in swimming confidence.  I guess that's all part of growing up.

I'd appreciate it if they could slow down just a little.

Cannonball!

An epic water fight

Be Afraid