Livin' it Up

We we're high rolling from the start when Mandalay Bay upgraded us to a sneak preview of their new hotel wing - The Delano, wow! After prying the Super Seniors away from the exquisite rooms, we took in the Vegas Strip and Guy Fieri's new restaurant. On the way back we got to see the Bellagio fountain show and other events as we toured through the different hotels in all their themed glitz and glamour.
 

After climbing, biking, hiking, and rafting, a day of relaxation was in order! We spent the day at the Mandalay Beach, including wave pool, lazy river, hot tubs, and tried out each of the pools. After soaking in the sun, House of Blues served up a fantastic dinner before we experienced Cirque du Soleil: KA at the MGM. The seats were so close we felt the heat from the flames, the performers over head and either side, it was amazing!

 

The glitz and glamour cranked up a few notches as we arrived in Hollywood. The wax museum was our first stop, just 2 blocks from our hotel on Hollywood Blvd. Surprise! We ran into Jordan Frechtman, a Southwoods' alum, at dinner! The next day at Universal Studios included driving by the metro set that Parenthood was filming on Live, thrills on the Transformers ride, laughter on the Minions' ride, frights and screams in the Haunted House, and more! Straight from Universal we sought more celebrity run-ins on the TMZ tour. Then headed to The Grove from a late night dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, yum! Full and tired we headed back to our hotel ready for Santa Monica in the morning.

         

 

Reaching New Heights

The first week of the West Coast swing has rapidly passed. The Super Seniors have risen to the occasion everyday by conquering elements of hiking, climbing, rafting, and biking.


First up, Grand Junction and the all encompassing 2 day experience of rappelling, hiking, climbing, canyoneering through squeezes, and rock scrambling in two phenomenal locations; Colorado National Monument and beautiful Unaweep Canyon. One piece that everyone will remember is excelling at the most difficult challenge, an elevation climb of roughly 100 feet and an opening of only a foot wide, teamwork was displayed at a maximum level. Also witnessed throughout the two days was great determination in rock climbing on various surfaces, using the guide's tips to eventually find a successful route to the top. So many fears smashed, so many goals met, so many with more confidence. More confidence to try new things, more confidence to believe in themselves, more confidence to succeed.

Down to the river we went. A boatload of fascinating memories were made from the two day Colorado River rafting overnight excursion. We observed three bald eagles, a golden eagle, several blue heron, a couple turkeys, and a plethora of other wildlife along the river. Water fights between rafts, floating through some class one rapids, amazing meals, campsite games and stories, sleeping outside under the brightest full moon ever, and guides that added to the fun made this one of the favorite parts of the trip for many.

How bout we head to the biking capitol Moab, Utah and continue a wicked week of activities? After a night of shopping, an early morning bike ride awaited all. We shredded up the slickrock like nobody's business, impressing the guides throughout the ride. Arches National Park on one side, Canyonlands on the other, the scenery was breath-taking. Everyone adding skills with each passing turn.

Can this get any better? Climbing in some of the rarest places, rafting through Westwater Canyon, biking in the coolest place in the USA!

We headed west, driving through majestic Utah and several national parks, each with its own personality.

Fishlake National Forest, Capitol Reef National Park, Escalante Grand Staircase, and the mesmerizing Bryce Canyon.

Wet n Wild

The first few days of our Super Seniors voyage have flooded by so quickly. It has been a wet and wild start to the best summer yet!


First port of call was Maid of the Mist, where the wind swept the falls in the perfect...or not so perfect direction, depending on who you were. Nonetheless, it was a direct hit! Ready for more, we climbed alongside Niagara Falls and experienced a hurricane of wind and water - in seconds the Super Seniors were saturated. A night walk down to the other side of the falls led not only to fascinating views, but a moment questioning whether or not rain or the falls' mist led to another bout of being waterlogged. But, give everyone credit, it just added to the fun and we soaked it all up!

After a sensational early morning run along the falls we headed to our second destination, Lewiston, home to a wicked jet boat excursion! Just as we boarded the boat, a storm came out of nowhere and drenched us before we even hit the rapids! Once we did get underway, we slammed class 5 whitewater on the Niagara River every which way possible. We had water coming from all directions! One approach cleansed our nasal cavities with a tsunami wave like no other. A few spins in the whirlpool and a 60mph sprint down the river dried us off...kinda. Off to Ohio!

We followed the edge of Lake Erie all the way to our next point of interest, the "roller coast", Cedar Point. The wild rides kept the Super Seniors in loops all day long. Some chose the extreme 120mph, 420 foot rides of craziness. Others blasted through the midway rides, bumping, flying, and swinging to their hearts content. Serious fun all around!









The wild adventures in Ohio continued when we rocked out the five floors of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. We grooved to 'Let it Be' with the Beatles, sung 'Sweet Caroline' with Neil Diamond, and jammed with Aerosmith to 'Dream On'. The music continued to play in the vans as our travels continue in Pennsylvania. What a Wet n Wild start to a memorable summer.
- Lennon's guitar

 - the glove