Fruita, CO

We made it to Fruita, CO on Sunday. We are staying in an RV park at the base of Colorado National Monument. It was hoooooot when we got here so we hung out in the trailer most of the day under the AC. There is a little Mexican food restaurant, El Tapatio, that Brent has been talking about since his trip with Warren last year, so we went there for dinner. I had the biggest margarita I ever have seen and then they served the biggest plate of food EVER! I couldn't even eat half of what they served before I was stuffed, stuffed, stuffed. The food was really good, but I still don't know if it topped Nana Garcia's cooking. We were full to the max so we decided to head up the hill to National Monument and take a short one mile hike and work some of the food off. It was still hot and I was so full, but it was well worth it for the view we got.

The next day was errands and clothes washing. It had to be done at some point, didn't it? And then we went to Cousin Sarah's house for dinner. Sarah and her husband Mike cooked up a dinner of bbq chicken, corn on the cob, and yummy sides. I finally got to meet her whole crew (as did Brent). Her kids are even cuter than all the pictures I've see on Facebook! As we were leaving Sarah's house, there was a storm rolling through. All the way back to the park the sky was lit up with lightening!! So pretty!

Today was a pretty mellow day. Brent woke up at 5:30 this morning because he was so excited to go on a bike ride and he wanted to beat the heat. He left and I slept in until 8am. Soooo nice. He came back and then took me on a tour of Fruita. We went up to where he was riding so he could show me the prairie dogs (so cute!). Next on our list was the Dinosaur Museum which Reese informed us was really neat. They has plenty of fossils, bones, and robotic dinosaurs!

We've also been making good use of the pool and drinking enough beer to make Nathan proud as well as soaking up as much sun as we can in this heat (I'm not going to lie. In the middle of the day we really are just soaking up a lot of AC!). Sarah and her babies came over for some swim time today too. Little Kain has no fear of the water and walks right in. He can't swim, but he doesn't seem to mind. He was so mad at me for standing by the edge ready to catch him.

We've had a really nice time here in Fruita even if we didn't hike as much as we said we were going to. It's been too hot. I just can't get excited about hiking in 100 degree weather. Brent and I agree we will have to come back again when the weather is a little cooler to really take advantage of the area. Tomorrow we're off to Craig to invade Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Kenny's house. :)

Moab, UT

Bryce Canyon was beautiful! The overviews were amazing, so many hoodoos!! We took a hike into the canyon to see the hoodoos close up. The hike down into the canyon was great, but of course, when you hike down into a canyon, you have to hike back out. That means more switchbacks!! They are haunting me where ever we go!! After Walter's Wiggles in Zion, I was hoping we wouldn't have to see any for awhile, but there they were. Since the switchbacks didn't have an official name, we decided to call the Bryce's B@#*&s. :D

~Alisha

Yesterday we traveled from Bryce Canyon to Moab via scenic highway 12. I inquired about the route at the local Chevron and the woman behind the counter advised me against it. She claimed it had 14 percent grades and "on top of that when you leave Escalante you have to climb the Hog's Back with drop offs on either side!" Now, I seem to remember traveling on this road in the other direction with my mom and brother when I was a teen. I remembered it being somewhat steep but not nearly as daunting as this woman described. We made it no problem and turns out the grades are no steeper than 10 percent. The "Hog's Back" is literally the top of a Mesa which does in fact drop off on either side and is truly one of the most incredibly scenic roads I have ever driven. We did a drive by tour of Capitol Reef National Park and made it to Moab in one piece.

Today we hiked up to Delicate Arch. Left at 8 to beat the heat but within an hour it was already in the 90's. Felt like two fried eggs on the slickrock climb up but it was well worth the 3 mile round trip. Delicate Arch is amazing and despite Alisha expressing how she really felt at the top of the climb I've never seen her so high as when we finally made it to the end. Temp stayed pinned at 100 + today so we made good use of the trailer A/C and made quick work out of the local brewery's finest. It's been rough so far but I think we can handle it.

~Brent

Bryce Canyon

Awesome day. Beautiful views. Solid hike. Will write more when we have real WIFI.

Zion National Park--Day 2

Yesterday we went for a hike to Angel's Landing . . . Well, Brent did, I only made it as far as Scout Lookout. To get to Scout Landing you have to hike uphill forever and then you get to Walter's Wiggles, a set of 23 switchbacks. Apparently Walter had a poor sense of humor. The view from the top was AMAZING. To get to Angel's Landing it was a rock scramble with a chain to hold onto so you didn't fall off. I took one look at the climb and all the people in over their heads clinging to the chain and decided that the last part of the hike was not for me. Brent went ahead, little rock scrambler that he is, and he made it up there and back before many people had even figured out how to get to the top.

The pictures are, from top to bottom: Brent and myself at Scout Lookout, the view from the top of Angel's Landing, Brent at the top of Angel's Landing, the chipmunk that kept me company while Brent was hiking to Angel's Landing, and Walter's Wiggles on the way down the mountain.

Zion National Park, Utah

We made it to Zion National Park yesterday with enough time to explore it a little bit. We went to Weeping Rock and the Lower Emerald Pool. Today we plan on hiking up to Angel's Landing which promises spectacular views. We'll take lots of pictures!

Long haul

Up at 5:30! We both must be excited to get going. Today is the long haul from Lompoc to Vegas, and should be fun. Feels like the first official travel day of the trip and looking forward to putting some miles under our belts.

Quick reintroduction into driving the trailer yesterday with no problems. A couple of quick notes: 101 is ridiculous and people drive like complete lunatics no matter what time of year day weather etc. Truck drivers (big rig) are competitive with the trailer as if they have to prove that indeed that is not true hauling. It's all about letting people go by and cruising/getting in the right mindset. It's not a race and I can't see behind the trailer so no worries. Other trailer people are quickly recognized as brethren on the road while motor homes are snubbed.

We're Married!!

Brent and I are getting ready to leave on our road trip adventure in the next few days. We still cannot believe what an amazing wedding it turned out to be, wind and all. Thank you everyone for coming all the way out to Lompoc, and for those of you that couldn't make it, we were thinking of you. Everyone was so generous and we wouldn't be on this honeymoon if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you everyone very much!!

All our love,
Brent & Alisha Carkeet