The West

Anyone who looks at this blog, or knows me well,

knows that I love pictures of everything

but avoid pictures of myself.

This little selfie is an example of why I avoid pictures of myself.

But I kept texting Courtney to let her know what we were doing

and took the above to let her know we had left home

for our little vacation. 

 When the girls were little - we always used to buy them

these Magic Pen books for road trips.

Another Courtney update!

We spend lots of time at our St. George condo

and usually we find the parking lot empty

but upon arrival this week - this is what we found!

Other cars! What??

Then we found out that the reason so many people were

in OUR town was that the St. George Ironman was happening!

One of the first things we did was head to Mad Pita for our favorites!

And it never disappoints!

We decided to try new hikes this trip.

The 1st one was Gunlock Falls.

The water was not high enough for any falls

but it was beautiful anyway. 

The colors in the desert this time of year are so beautiful!

Another new thing we tried this trip was Swig!

We have been hearing about it for years

but the line is always so long!

I couldn't figure out how this tree can live

surrounded by asphalt!

We braved the line and got a smoothie and some sugar cookies.

And they were very good!

Our 2nd new hike was to 

Falling Man Petroglyphs,

The trip out there was kind of horrific

but it was all worth it.

I loved these fruit things on the cactus.

And the colors in the rock.

And of course the petroglyphs!

There was this frightening rock

that looked like a bunch of piled up skulls!

And some strange dam - I'll have to research that!

The desert is a beautiful place.

More of the colors.

Sunset.

Our 3rd hike was Red Cliffs.

At the beginning of the hike there was this dead tree

that looked like an elephant.

Second picture of me in one blog post!

Waterfall and pools.

Mark

The water was great!

Then we took a break from hiking and relaxed

at the pool!

And then it was over for another couple of months!

I love clouds and the heavens put on a show for me on the way home!

While it is always good to be home . . . 

I can't wait to go back!