DAY 12 - JULY 4, 2010 - PITTSBURGH, PA

We boarded our plane at 11:59 pm in San Francisco (7/3/2010). After 3 hours and 15 minutes of flying, we landed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 5:34 am and had a 2 hour layover. We all ran to Alterra Coffee Shop and grabbed breakfast and drinks before returning to the gate to wait for our flight to Pittsburgh. Finally we boarded the plane at 7:45 am and took to the air at 8:00 am. After one hour and 15 minutes of flying we reached Pittsburgh where we met our families and got our bags. What a terrific trip.

DAY 11 - JULY 3, 2010 - SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Today we headed to San Francisco. The temperatures were in the mid 70s and it was perfect weather for riding a boat around the San Francisco Bay and walking the shops at Pier 39. Upon arrival we made a reservation for 18 at the Hard Rock Cafe for supper at 5:30. Everyone was excited that we were able to get in. Next we lined up to board the tour boat from the Blue & Gold Fleet. We waited for about 20 minutes and then boarded. The tour took us past the sea lion area, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. The first part of the boat tour was the Golden Gate Bridge. Everyone was impressed by this landmark. The next part of the tour was a slow sail-by of Alcatraz Island. We saw every building close up. We also saw graffiti written by the American Indian Movement when they occupied the island in the early 1970s. The tour also gave us wonderful views of the downtown San Francisco. We then landed back on land and went to Pier 39 for lunch and shopping. Everyone was looking for last-minute souvenirs of this wonderful trip. Dinner was served at the Hard Rock Cafe at 5:30 and at 6:30 everyone ran to North Point Dr. to catch a ride on San Francisco's world famous cable cars. We all squished into the cable car and rode into the financial district of San Francisco before boarding a bus to the San Francisco Airport to catch out 11:59 pm flight.

DAY 10 - JULY 2, 2010 - MONTEREY AQUARIUM, MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

Today we woke up at 7:30 and took a two hour bus ride to Monterey Bay Aquarium. We were met by of their guides and given an behind the scenes tour of the aquarium. We were able to see the feeding areas that were off-limits to the general public as well as the kelp wave-maker which simulated normal wave motion. We were able to see sea horses, flamingoes, turtles, penguins and a wide variety of fresh-water and salt-water fish. After the aquarium tour was over, kids went to the various shops in historic Cannery Row. Cannery Row was the area where several sardine packing companies were located in Monterey. We learned that the process of canning sardines consisted of cutting off the head and tail of the fish, dipping it in a sauce that added flavor. Women were the only workers allowed to work in the sardine factories in Monterey. The buildings along Cannery Row have been converted to shops, hotels and eateries. There were a wide assortment of souvenirs and t-shirts in the various shops and everyone took the opportunity to purchase new knick-knacks and memorable items for the trip back home. After the shopping trip, everyone gathered up at Bubba Gump's at 5 pm. Once admitted, students were allowed to only pick from the recommended menu for the group. The students enjoyed the food at Bubba Gump's restaurant and then departed for the Hampton Inn in South San Francisco. The weather tomorrow will be markedly different than today. The forecast for tomorrow includes temperature in the low 70s and 80s.

DAY 9 - JULY 1, 2010 - HOOVER DAM, NEVADA/ARIZONA

Today we slept in until 8:00 am and then ate a continental breakfast before departing for Hoover Dam. We arrived in Boulder City at 12 noon and grabbed lunch at the Coffee Cup Cafe. This cafe was show cased on the Food Network, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The food was delicious. While at the diner we were joined by Michael our interpreter and Sunny our guide. We then drove to Hoover Dam. After going through security check, we began the Hoover Dam tour. The first part of the tour was a captioned film which detailed the history of Hoover Dam and the workers who were so instrumental in constructing it. The next part of the tour we went to the lower levels of the dam and saw the pipes which divert water from Lake Mead as well 8 of the 17 turbines which generate electricity. The last part of the tour consisted of the observation deck where we could take in the enormity of the structure. We then went to the gift shop and then got on the bus for a quick trip to Planet Hollywood for dinner. After a delicious dinner, it was time to catch our plane to San Francisco. The plane leaves at 9:30 Pacific time. Tomorrow we head to Monterey, California to visit one of the world's best aquariums.

DAY 8 - JUNE 30, 2010 - ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH

We departed for Zion National Park at 9:00 am after a quick breakfast at Ruby's Best Western Inn. Everyone trooped onto the coach bus for a 90 mile ride. We made one stop at a gift shop/trading post just before the eastern entrance of Zion. Once into Zion the landscape shifted dramatically with beautiful carved rockscapes. Most of the route in Zion was a two lane road with parts reduced to one lane. We went through one long tunnel called the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. This tunnel is 1.1 miles long and it is dark for most of its length. Once we exited the tunnel there were several hairpin turns which made for some inspiring driving. Our first stop was the Zion Lodge which is in the Zion Canyon. We all got lunch and a chance to stretch our legs. After the 30 minute lunch break, we boarded the Zion shuttle and hiked to see the Weeping Rock and the hanging gardens. After walking around the Weeping Rock for 45 minutes everyone walked back to the shuttle stop and reboarded for a trip to the Temple of Sinawava. This is a hiking trail along a narrow river. The trail is about 2 miles round trip. Along the trail some of us decided to wade into the river to cool off. Another group of us split off and walked ahead. We encountered a mule deer, some friendly squirrels and a lizard. Everyone was quite surprised that the deer were fearless. After the 75 minute hike of the Sinawava River Trail we all got on the shuttle and went to the Emerald Pools. Again we encountered mule deer. The Emerald Pools were not as green as we expected but the waterfalls were a welcome respite from the heat as we walked under the vapor from the falls. When we returned to the bus, we headed into St. George, Utah for dinner at Chuck-a-Rama and then checked into a hotel. Tomorrow we take a 2 hour bus ride to Hoover Dam before heading into Las Vegas to catch our flight to San Francisco.

DAY 7 - JUNE 29, 2010 - BRYCE CANYON, UTAH

Today we all got up at 5:30 am and had an early breakfast at the Grand Canyon Railway Restaurant. We left promptly at 7:00 am for Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Everyone was fascinated by the changes in the geography along the route. After 6 hours of driving we pulled into Bryce Canyon National Park and met up with Ranger Sean Duffy. He knew some sign language and communicated with us about a wide variety of topics. He explained how plants have built up natural defenses and had us explore some of the defenses that plants have against their natural predators. He also described a variety of animals in the park and their habits. We all learned that most animals at Bryce Canyon are nocturnal since it is cooler at night and water is more accessible through condensation. Ranger Duffy also touched on some of the fossil history at Bryce Canyon and elaborated on how the area used to be covered by a huge sea which led to the natural formations found in the canyon today. Ranger Duffy pointed out the hoodoos throughout the area and took the time to answer everyone's questions. The canyon itself was a fascinating sight. The geography was awesome and everyone enjoyed the uniqueness of the canyon. We stayed at Ruby's Best Western Hotel just outside of the national park and ate a buffet style dinner. Everyone wrapped up the evening by doing laundry, going to the general store and swimming. Tomorrow we take in some more inspiring geological sights as we drive 90 miles to Zion National Park and its unique geography such as the Emerald Pools and the Kolob Canyon Arch.

DAY 6 - JUNE 28, 2010 - THE GRAND CANYON

Today everyone woke up by 7 am and walked over to the Grand Canyon Resort Restaurant for a cowboy breakfast. There was french toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, grits, oatmeal, corned beef hash and hash browns. For the more contemporary person cereal and donuts were served. Everyone trooped out to the Wild West Stage for another re-enactment of a Wild West Shootout. When this was done we all got on a train run by the Grand Canyon Railroad for a two hour ride to one of the top 7 natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. The train moved at a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour due to federal regulations and passengers were serenaded by signing cowboys while the conductor shared a variety of facts and trivia about the Grand Canyon and its surrounding area. Upon arrival we were met by two park rangers who knew some sign language. The kids were hungry so we walked down to the Blue Angel cafe for a quick bite to eat. AFter eating, everyone attended a ranger program which discussed the common raven and how this bird is one of the most intelligent creatures known to man. It is certainly a bird that isn't to be messed with. Edgar Allen Poe might have been on the right track when he wrote his poem, "The Raven". When the program was completed, we all took a short walk down one of the cliff face trails. It was a hairy experience since there were no rails and the cliff edge was so close to the path. The kids were tired after the walk but fortunately there were several gift shops nearby where they could catch their breath in air conditioned comfort. Before we knew it, it was three o'clock and we reboarded the train back to Williams. Again we were serenaded by cowboy music and the train was held up by a bunch of train robbers but everyone made it through safely. Everyone went out to eat at Pine Country restaurant or Cafe 66 before returning to the hotel and turning in for the night. Bryce Canyon is next on the agenda and all need to awaken by 5:30 am.