Random Tidbits

• This trip has been amazing.
• Flew to Vegas on Friday; drove to Arches.
• Saw Arches on Saturday.
• Saw Bryce on Sunday.
• Saw Zion on Monday.
• The ant population in Utah outnumbers the human population approximately 10,000,000,000 to 1.
• When a little girl (NOT one of my little girls) starts singing, “WHYYYYYY am I such a good SIIIIIINGER?” at the top of her lungs on a hike, it totally gives all of us the giggles.
• Utah Police are very diligent. And no, we did not get pulled over. Ed drives. We just see them everywhere. And we hear rumors about Sheriff cars planted in speed zone changes staffed by mannequins.
• Only one of my children apparently knows the definition of the word “wading.” Guess which one? Guess which 3 got wetter than one should while wading?
• These ghost/hick towns out here in the middle of nowhere are really…bizarre. Case in point: Saw a sign today that said, “The Tortoise & the Hare RV Park. We sell handmade porcelain dolls.” Wha?????
• In recent years, I have become an acrophobe. This has become even more apparent as I watch my children hike next to cliffs. I lost years off my life in the last 3 days. I think that my phobia is in direct correlation to my oldest daughter’s carefree attitude about heights.
• After 3 days of hiking (today we did over 6.5 miles, much of it UPHILL), my 37-year-old body is protesting. And so is Ed’s 36-year-old body. So there.
• For $2.55, I can get 5 “smashed pennies”. Very cheap souvenirs that make me and my girls VERY happy.
• Eating ice cream in a hand-carved, log-cabin style rocking chair, in 85 degree weather, outside Zion Lodge, soaking in the amazing scenery, with my girls and my guy, is just about as close to heaven as it gets. Becca & I decided on our last walk today that heaven must look a lot like Zion. Only not as hot.
• 75% of visitors to America’s National Parks? Not Americans.
• The vision of FDR and the work of the CCC during the depression gave an incredible gift to our country. No one should miss seeing these National Parks.
• Of course, FDR & the CCC couldn’t have done it without the work of the Creator, who carved and sculpted and painted these canyons and monoliths and arches and hoodoos. Breath-taking. And praise-worthy.
• Time away from home, with just us, is such a blessing. And we cannot wait to visit family for the second week of our vacation!