We drove all the way to Denver the first day. Do you know how long I have wanted to go to Denver? I have heard about Colorado for so long and everyone seems to think it is Eden on earth and so it was way up on my list of places to visit and maybe even live one day. Please don't shoot me if you are from Colorado, but I didn't love Denver. The drive from there to Utah was pretty, but for my money, Salt Lake is way prettier than Denver. Bummer when high expectations interfere with our dreams. I will have to go back and explore some more now that my feet are firmly planted in reality.
From Denver we went to Cedar City. Seth's dad just moved to Cedar and his brother has lived there since college. While I am hating on other people's cities, do you know that I hate Cedar City? In a way that probably requires therapy? There is nothing wrong with Cedar City, other than that it takes me back to a dark place in my mind and I just don't think I will ever like to go there. It makes me uncomfortable and actually kind of scares me. So of course I married someone with ties to the darn place. Oh well, perhaps the more I am there the more I can see that it is just a place and not really even recognizable as the place that it was 20 years ago. Here is a glimpse at our time in Southern Utah...and can I just say that while Cedar spooks me, I do think Southern Utah is absolutely gorgeous.
Bernie was nervous for the first several hours of the trip
Eventually he found a spot he liked and usually went straight to that spot for the rest of the trip. He was actually a very good dog and behaved at each house/hotel we went to which was a huge relief.
Bernie does not usually like to be held but he was a bit clingier than usual on this trip. Every time Chloe fell asleep he went and sat on her lap.
Swimming in Denver after a LONG day on the road.
The famous Eisenhower Tunnel
Grandpa Bob took Chloe on a 4-wheeler ride from his house to Uncle Brody's house just down the street.
We spent one day in Bryce Canyon. So pretty!
Grandpa Bob told Alyssa she could pick out her birthday present while she was in town and she knew before we even got there that she wanted a geode. They had a place in Bryce where you could buy one and have it cut open.
Grandpa Bob wanted to take the kids through his hometown of Panguitch, and so we paid a visit to his parents gravesite while we were there.
One day the men went on a 4 wheeling trip, so Helen and I were left with the kids. We didn't have enough seats in the car to go anywhere so we decided to just go buy a Slip n Slide and let the kids play. Apparently, Slip n Slides are sold out in July, so we just bought some tent stakes and a painters drop cloth and it worked just fine.
Rachel hardly ever slid, because half way down she would see the hose and feel the need to bend over and drench her head.
Sarah and her kids met up with us in Cedar and then went on to Salt Lake with us as well. We were planning on going to Red Cliffs for the day, but there was a chance of rain so we decided to stay out of slot canyons in case of flooding. We ended up at the park, and the ball thrower was a big hit with both Bernie and the kids.
They all tried so hard to beat Bernie to the ball, but none of them ever quite got there. Turns out that 4 legs are a bit of an advantage.
Bob has a really great backyard with a cement track around it. He had a little bike out there and Chloe came in and told me she taught herself to ride. I went out expecting to see her walking herself along, but she really had taught herself to ride. Thank goodness because Seth retired after teaching Alyssa and I retired after teaching Alex.
Chloe also lost her first tooth in Cedar City...
And her second. She had a big week.
That's all I have from Cedar City...so next we will head to Salt Lake.
4 comments:
I'm caught up! Loved reading about your summer. Most excited about your school experience. I agree with your new more knowledgeable teachers. You are an incredible writer. I'm so glad you got to head up Steinbeck. I'm of course super impressed you pulled of a 4.0 and you're still alive. I knew you could do it though. You have such an amazing inner personal strength. Seriously, you kick butt! I know you can do it again. You've got this. If you ever want to scream and swear on a rough day. I'm a decent listener. I won't have any suggestions but I'll happily scream and swear with you. I'm really good at that.
You are troopers for such a long road trip. Love the extra space taking the seat out leaves. Maybe I'll have to try that when we go to Cali in March. Probably can't we have too many people to sit. Love that giant geo--my kids eat that kind of stuff up I may have to go there one day!
So funny to see you on a road trip bringing the dog along. Never thought I would see that.
That is awesome that Chloe taught herself how to ride. I am such a wreck when it comes to that kind of stuff. I still get nervous when Abi is riding her bike. Hate this mother's anxiety!
Don't feel bad about Denver. There are some fun things there, but most of what is good about colorado is outside and away from the city. And even then I always feel compelled to tell Eric (who is from colorado) that Utah is better. Admittedly I'd probably say that even if I didn't think it.
I love Bryce Canyon. Did you get to go on any of the hikes while you were there?
Post a Comment