Lafayette Families Head for the High and Lonesome

The Gerson, Bishopp, Zulch and Huff families opted to leave Lafayette behind this spring vacation and, boarding the legendary Green Tortoise adventure travel bus, headed for the wilds of the desert southwest.

The kids, apparently, weren't sure they could leave their friends and the conveniences of modern life for a bus tour of some of the most beautiful country in America, but as trip organizer David Gerson pointed out, the doubters were soon overcome and they were on their way – eight adults and nine children.

"There were last-minute trips to Trader Joes for favorite snacks," David said. "We even had a cooler filled with 15 aged New York steaks, two cases of wine culled from two of the families' wine collections and several pounds of Peet's coffee. We would not end up like the Donner party."

David, who has also found time to run for the school board in Lafayette, took all these pictures; you should be able to see why so many painters loved working in this part of the country. That beautiful, golden light is no special effect.

Their travels took these Lafayette families to Zion National Park, the fabled Monument Valley, and down into the Grand Canyon. And the kids, we are informed, loved every minute of it.

Patch Note: Did you get out and about this summer? Take in any unusual sights? If so, mail 'em on in and we'll share in the experience. Thanks Gerson, Bishopp, Zulch and Huff families!