17/4/09

Hi Everyone.Well we have had a few exciting days since arriving here in Kanab.The motorhome should be ready today!!!!They ended up having to rebuild the transmission and the repairer here in Kanab now has the gearbox back and is putting it all back together this morning so we should be out of here this afternoon and will be heading off the Las Vegas today as planned.Tuesday was spent at the repairers and wandering around Kanab (which didn't take too long).It's not a really big town but it is certainly a busy one.It is at the crossroads to lots of places so there are semis and rv's going through all day.I have to admit that there isn't much traffic at night though.Wednesday the boys went ATV riding and yesterday I joined them. WOW what fun!!!The ride itself was great but the scenery we saw along the way was amazing.For those who are unsure, an ATV is what we call a quad bike but bigger.I cheated though and got a Rhino which is basically a 4WD golf cart which was great because it has proper seats, steering wheel, seat belts PLUS a huge roll cage.Even better still, our tour guide Tony drove the Rhino for me so I went as a passenger and got to take in all of the fantastic scenery.There have been 2 others in our group also who are from New York and are a really lovely couple so we have spent the past couple of days getting to know about New York as well and are really looking forward to visiting there someday on one of our trips.The boys have been having a fantastic time riding the ATVs.They are larger than our average quads but the boys still managed to throw them around a bit when they got the chance.We drove over some hairy areas at times, especially on the boys trip on Tuesday when they did a lot of rock driving.Luckily when I went yesterday most of the trip was on sand so not too bumpy or hair raising.The boys managed to get up to some mischief with their machines though.It has been snowing off and one the past few days also as we have been riding so as you can imagine it has been really cold as well which just added to the atmosphere.This ATV ride is definitely recommended to anyone travelling over here. It was amazing!Hard to explain but hope the photos do the area justice.The best bit is that my back came out of it all unscathed in fact I don't have any back pain at all really except for general all over pains that you get when you've used all of the muscles you forgot you had, but not that bad that a soak in the hot tub last night didn't fix.I don't think Noel will be that lucky when he wakes up this morning though.He managed to tip his machine over right at the end of the day when we all swapped machines while we were waiting to be picked up.Luckily though I was videoing everyone at the time so got the spill on video.I'll try to download it onto the website but don't know how to do it so it may take some time.On Wednesday night Noel & I went to a show/dinner at the Chuck Wagon Cookout which was a lot of fun.Kanab was where a lot of the old western movies were filmed (and the area is still used a lot today) and there is a Film Set Museum here which has a lot of original gear in it.Anyway, at the cookout everyone gets involved in a scene from an old western movie which is done in the museum (which is all outdoors) everyone gets dressed up and it is a lot of fun.Noel and I were the "pioneer couple" there were Indians, cavalry, saloon ladies, gamblers etc., a wagon master and heaps more... lots of fun.There was an asian coach group there (yes they have them in the USA also) so it was really funny.We then had a dinner which was cooked in traditional camp ovens etc. and was really lovely.The best steak we've had all trip.Mike & Amy from New York came along also so it was a fun night.Well I think that is about all we have been up to over the past couple of days.As I said we are planning to head to Las Vegas this afternoon (provided all goes well with the RV) so will post a blog again soon.We hope that everyone there is well.We really do love hearing from everyone back home so again, please keep the messages and emails coming via this website or if you would like to ring us you are more than welcome to do so (provided you check the time difference first!!!!!!!)The girls have our mobile phone number and also details about how you can call us for the cost of a local call so please ring them (if they are ever home) to get the details if you haven't already got them.It's hard to believe but we have been away for almost 3 weeks already, so are past half way in our trip and it has flown by because we are having such a great time.Until next time take care.Love to all.Pam, Noel and Tim.