Summer Road Trip Part 5: Southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon and home!

We couldn't drive through Southern Idaho without checking out another hot springs, so that's what we did. We camped out along the South Fork of the Boise River, where Lucy had fun playing with rocks. She would try and pick up the biggest rocks that she could find. We had another great campfire, complete with smores. The best part about that night, however, was the amazing meteor shower that we watched. I saw several shooting stars before Marc, and he was doubting that I was telling the truth. Then we both saw the biggest flaming ball of fire shoot across the entire night sky. It was something else, let me tell you. Marc was no longer a doubter!

The next morning we hiked out to a hot springs that we had all to ourselves. Southern Idaho is just so beautiful. I love the granite soils, the wild herbs growing everywhere, the sagebrush, the rivers and hot springs...I love it! After our soak, we packed up and drove into Eastern Oregon to camp for the night, a bit sad that our vacation was ending. The next day we arrived home and had a surprise visit from one of my best friends Carridad. She lives in SF, so it was unexpected, but a wonderful welcome home!

This vacation left me feeling energized and relaxed. I feel so lucky that we were able to take it, and that Lucy is so easy-going. Marc and I are both so overjoyed with love for little Lucy, and think that she is the best!

Summer Road Trip Part 4: Canyonlands

After three nights in Telluride, it was time to start the trek towards home. Although we had to get back in shorter time then we took getting there, we still went off course to check out Canyonlands National Park in Utah. It was well worth the time. We were in the Island in the Sky area, where the Green River has carved the canyon on one side, and the Colorado River has carved it on the other side. We went on a walk at the Grand View Point, which was so beautiful. We could see thunder/lightning storms in the distance, and the canyons are really indescribable. Lucy had fun exploring and climbing on our walk. Someday we will have to return.

As with on the way to Telluride, Lucy was a trooper in the car. She particularly enjoyed playing with stickers and glitter glue!

Summer Road Trip Part 3: Telluride Phish

The destination of our road trip was Telluride, Colorado to see Phish play for two nights. Telluride is in SW Colorado, way up in the mountains. It is so beautiful there. The town is tucked in a valley, with steep slopes rising in every direction. We stayed in a condo in Mountain Village, which is at about 9200 ft. We were able to take the gondola into Telluride for free, which was super cool. Lucy's first gondola rides! The shows were great, totally rocking, with beautiful sunsets both nights. Lucy enjoyed parts of both nights, but slept through most of it. She loves her headphones, and wanted them on even before the music started! Hopefully someday we can come back to Telluride in the winter, the skiing looks amazing!

Summer Road Trip Part 2: Utah and Arches National Park

We left the hot springs in Idaho on Marc's 35th birthday, after a nice morning soak to start the day. We had some trouble finding a camp spot outside of Ogden, Utah but finally got what seemed to be the last available spot in that area. Although a lightning and rain storm met us there(and several blew through during the night), we were blessed with a beautiful double rainbow. Lucy and Marc are my personal pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! We woke up early the next morning and hit the road towards Arches National Park.

Arches is nothing short of a miracle. The geology there is breathtaking. We arrived as the day was ending, and when we got there we had a nice break at the visitor center, complete with cool statues of ravens, big horn sheep and goats. I enjoyed checking out the gift shop! Then we found a camping spot just outside of the park along the Colorado River. Wow! There was an amazing 360 degree view, just amazing. The ground is so firm in that red-rock country. We relaxed, took in the view and sunset.

The next morning we arose and headed into the park. First stop was a viewpoint of Delicate Arch. It was beautiful but there were tons of people. I would say about half of the visitors were American and half Foreign. We lucked out and the hike we chose to do had almost no people. We had two arches all to ourselves on our hike, Tapestry Arch and Broken Arch (not to be confused with the arch that actually broke a few years ago). We took a hiking break at Sand Dunes Arch before heading back to the car. My photos only do it a smidge of justice! I feel lucky to have visited this place and hope to spend more time there someday. Lucy rode in the backpack for the hike. She seems to enjoy it. :)

Summer Road Trip Part 1: In Idaho...(there aint no place I'd rather be...)

In the beginning of August we took a long road trip to Telluride, Colorado. The basic reason for the trip was to see Phish play for two nights in one of the most beautiful venues in the country, but ultimately it was all about being on the road, checking out amazing parts of the west and spending time as a family. Our first night we camped near the Grande Ronde River, in Eastern Oregon. The campground was practically empty, and just beautiful. It was a good start.

The second night we went off course and camped out right next to the most incredible hot springs I have ever been to in my entire life. It was a hot springs creek through this little valley, and we basically had it to ourselves. Marc and I both feel very drawn to Southern Idaho every time we go there. There is something about the sky, the hills, the sagebrush, and the way we feel when we are there. We love it. It is a very active geothermal area with a high concentration of natural hot springs. Lucy was so cute in her first hot springs experience. :) In the above photos, if you look closely you can see steam rising from the creek, and the water in the creek is gloriously warm. There were many, many pools for soaking, and the spot couldn't have been nicer.

At night, we were able to soak in the springs and still hear Lucy in the tent if she woke up. The stars were out in full force, and there was a lightning storm way off in the distance. Sitting in the hot water, watching shooting stars and spending time with Marc is something I will remember for the rest of my life.