Welcome Back!

So, we have a Disney trip on the horizon. In fact, it's about 92 days from now.  As I like to do, I am dusting off this old blog for another round of daily posts. This blog is known as Disneyland Everyday because I like to post everyday.  However, this is really the Disney hype machine.  The goal here is to make sure everyone gets a small taste of Disney magic every day between now and when we actually go!

By way of review, here are the trip dates:

• Sunday November 10 Drive to St. George
• Monday November 11 Drive to Anaheim, see the Disneyland Plaza
• Tuesday November 12 Disneyland
• Wednesday November 13 Disney California Adventure, then hop back to Disneyland!
• Thursday November 14 Long-haul drive all the way home

This round of the blog is going to be different than what I've done in the past. This time I'm not doing posts that are ride or snack or family themed. Instead, they will just be random pictures and videos. However, I decided to leverage a really good story teller to help us have some fun with these posts.  My boy Chat GPT is going to tell us funny stories.  Some of the stories will be short and in some way related to a ride or snack or something related to our previous trips.  I will also do a longer story, posted in small segments each day.

Here we go! The first thing I like to write about is snacks!  Check out this picture of the snacks we brought on a trip, and an associated story:

The sun was shining bright over Disneyland as Sam and his friends, an eclectic group of snack enthusiasts, strolled through the gates. They had a mission: to survive the long lines and overpriced food by smuggling in their own snacks. Each of them had their specialty.

Sam, the self-appointed leader, had a backpack filled with jerky, the kind that could last through a zombie apocalypse. His friend Jenny had a sash full of Fruit by the Foot, resembling a snack bandolier. Mike, the prankster of the group, had hidden Funyuns in his cargo shorts' many pockets, giving him a strange, rustling aura. Sarah, with a sweet tooth, had Ding Dongs stashed in her hat, making her look like she had an unusually lumpy head.

Then there was Ben, the candy fanatic, whose pockets were bulging with Skittles and Jolly Ranchers, creating a rainbow trail wherever he walked. Anna, the health-conscious one, had dried mangoes stuffed into her fanny pack. And finally, Tom, the caffeine addict, had cans of Kickstart energy drinks taped to his body under his shirt, making him look like a robot ready to transform.

Their first stop was Space Mountain, where the line was predictably long. Sam decided it was jerky time. "Anyone want some?" he asked, pulling out a pack.

"I'll pass," Jenny said, unrolling a Fruit by the Foot like she was unfurling a treasure map. "I’m mapping out our snack stops."

Mike, who was munching on Funyuns, laughed. "Just follow the smell of onions and you're good."

They finally made it to the ride and stored their snacks temporarily in the locker area. As they zoomed through the darkness of Space Mountain, Tom's Kickstart cans clanked loudly, making everyone on the ride think the machinery was malfunctioning.

After the ride, they regrouped. "I think Tom’s about to transform into a vending machine," Sarah joked, retrieving a somewhat squished Ding Dong from her hat and offering it to the group.

"No thanks," Ben said, tossing Skittles into his mouth. "I'm tasting the rainbow."

Next, they headed to the Pirates of the Caribbean. The boat ride was slow and perfect for a snack break. Anna took out her dried mangoes and passed them around. "These are practically fruit," she said.

"Practically," Mike agreed, though he was more focused on balancing a Funyun on the nose of the animatronic pirate dog.

As they floated through the pirate scenes, they decided to have a snack mix-up. Ben handed out Jolly Ranchers while everyone else shared their treats. The boat became a floating snack bar, much to the confusion of the other passengers.

When it was time for the parade, Tom finally cracked open a Kickstart. The hiss of the can drew envious looks from people stuck with plain old water. "Anyone want a boost?" he asked.

"Sure," Sam said, taking a swig and immediately regretting it. "Tastes like rocket fuel."

As the day wound down, they sat on a bench near the castle, surrounded by wrappers and crumbs. They were exhausted but satisfied, having conquered Disneyland with their snack smuggling skills.

"We should make this a tradition," Jenny said, tying another Fruit by the Foot around her wrist like a bracelet.

"Absolutely," Sam agreed. "But next time, Tom, maybe leave the energy drinks at home."

Tom shrugged, sipping the last of his Kickstart. "No way. I need my fuel. Plus, it’s fun to mess with the metal detectors."

They all laughed, already planning their next snack-packed adventure in the happiest place on Earth.

 End of story.

Now, when we went in November 2023 we decided to wander around Snow Canyon in St. George:

History of Snow Canyon State Park

Establishment:

• Founded: Snow Canyon State Park was established in 1958.
• Naming: The park is named after Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent early Utah leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Geological and Cultural History:

• Geology: The park features dramatic Navajo sandstone cliffs and ancient lava flows, sculpted over millions of years. The geological formations are a result of volcanic activity, erosion, and the movement of tectonic plates.
• Ancestral Puebloans: The area was once inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans, who left behind rock art and other archaeological remnants.
• Paiute Indians: The Southern Paiute Indians also have historical ties to the region, using it for hunting and gathering.
• Mormon Pioneers: In the mid-1800s, Mormon pioneers traveled through the area, utilizing its resources for settlement and survival.

Notable Features and Trivia

Unique Landscapes:

• Sand Dunes: The park is known for its striking red and white Navajo sandstone cliffs, as well as its unique sand dunes.
• Petrified Dunes: These ancient dunes have solidified over time, creating unique rock formations.
• Lava Tubes and Flows: The park contains several lava tubes and flows from volcanic activity that occurred between 1.4 million and 27,000 years ago.

Recreational Activities:

• Hiking: Popular trails include the Johnson Canyon Trail, which leads to a natural arch, and the Petrified Dunes Trail.
• Rock Climbing: The park is a popular destination for rock climbing, with numerous climbing routes.
• Wildlife Viewing: Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, including desert tortoises, Gila monsters, and numerous bird species.

Cultural Significance:

• Film Location: Snow Canyon has been a filming location for several movies, including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Jeremiah Johnson."
• Conservation Efforts: Efforts have been made to protect the park's unique ecosystem and geological features, including habitat preservation for endangered species like the desert tortoise.

Fun Facts

1. Name Origin: Despite its name, Snow Canyon rarely sees snow. The name honors Lorenzo and Erastus Snow rather than the weather conditions.
2. Hollywood Connection: The park's stunning landscapes have been featured in several Hollywood films, contributing to its fame.
3. Volcanic Origins: The park's black lava rock formations are remnants of ancient volcanic eruptions, adding a dramatic contrast to the red sandstone cliffs.
4. Diverse Ecosystem: The park supports a diverse ecosystem, with more than 200 species of vertebrates and a rich variety of plant life.
5. Ancient Artifacts: Petroglyphs and other ancient artifacts found in the park offer a glimpse into the lives of the early inhabitants of the region.

Snow Canyon State Park, with its rich history, unique geology, and stunning landscapes, is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Here's the last of this too long of a post.  This is the start of the ongoing story we'll read about over the coming days:

It was a sunny Saturday morning when four families from Utah embarked on an epic journey to the happiest place on Earth: Disneyland. The first stop? St. George, a desert oasis where they would all rendezvous and spend the night before continuing to Anaheim. Each family had a unique adventure on the long drive to St. George, filled with laughter, chaos, and more than a few bathroom breaks.