Utah Rocks!

by wpx_exploremon Posted on

HAPPY WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY!

Note: This post was written 09.02.20

We spent a very quick days traveling through Utah and northern Arizona. Now, we are in Sedona, AZ for the next few days of school and work and will start heading home on Friday.
 
Utah is gorgeous – it really does rock!  There is so much interesting geology here.  We did not have time to do any hikes or really see anything in depth, but we now know that we need to come back and spend more time there.  We will come back in COOLER weather to see Canyonlands and Arches, but also New Mexico and the Mesa Verde National Park close by in Colorado.  I’ve always wanted to go to Santa Fe and witness the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  After spending time in this area, I know we need to make this happen once New Mexico is open to tourists again.
 
The past week has been the busiest of the whole trip, and I am TIRED!  It is time to come home, but I am so glad we took the trip while we could.   It sounds like the boys may be going back to school two days a week later in the month so the timing of this trip has been perfect.  My advice has always been to ‘just go’, and I am so glad I took my own advice for this trip!
 
I will spend some time next week filling you in on what we did last week and this week.  The boys want to do another Facebook Live so maybe we can do that next week to reflect on the trip.  For now, I want to focus on these last few days of our vacation?  Maybe vacation is not the right word, perhaps trip is better.  Working and schooling while traveling is a lot of work, but it has been so worth it.  I told Rob that I feel whole again.  The need to get out and travel is part of my core, and while I love a trip to the beach, it does not really satisfy my wanderlust.  I need a combination of exploring and relaxing trips in my life so I am so happy to be exploring again on this trip.
 
I’ll leave you with a few photos from the Grand Canyon that I have not gotten around to posting on social media yet.  

I have to admit, the lack of barriers at parts of the Grand Canyon is a little concerning with kids!  I know I am a nervous mommy, but these active-running-climbing boys do not help me feel better.

It is really hard to get a family photo during COVID.  It’s a little weird asking somebody to touch your phone and take a photo so we had to rely on selfies.  I told Rob I need a tripod for Christmas!

We stayed at El Tovar, the first real hotel at The Grand Canyon.  It opened in 1903 right on the South Rim.  Our room literally looked out over the Grand Canyon.  You can really feel the history while staying here.  

Somehow we were able to get a room despite only booking it less than a month before our stay.  That is usually not the case, so planning a trip to the Grand Canyon well in advance is advised.  It was so nice to be at the park early before the crowds.  At some points, it felt like we had the park to ourselves!

Of course, the boys favorite part of the hotel was the gift shops.  They are kind of obsessed.  They have some money saved that they tried to spend before we left, but they are glad they waited.  They also realized when to stop purchasing (with some help from Rob and I) and are saving the rest for a new Hot Wheels set when we get home!

Wish me luck as we begin our 29 hour drive back home this Friday!

Keep Dreaming,

Jen
Yesterday while enjoying the pool here in Sedona, Rob said ‘our next trip is to the beach’.  I couldn’t agree more.  I have really enjoyed our current travels, but we need a relaxing trip at the beach next time we leave home.  I do not think we’ll be traveling out of the country any time soon, so I am including a photo from our go-to beach, Hilton Head Island, as my wanderlust inspiration this week.  Although, it may be time to discover a new beach in the Southeast …