The Road Trip Rundown

Well, to be short, I'm back in Salt Lake City, and am wrapping up my first week back in class! But to fill in the massive 2 month span of time since my last blog posting....

I worked at the YMCA this summer as the day camp arts and crafts specialist. Much mayhem ensued.

I got a car! A zippy, brand new, Subaru Forester!

Not the greatest picture...but it'll do. 

After all that...Clayton flew out to Houston to drive back to Salt Lake with my dad and me. We saw sooooo many things, I can't even tell you. We stopped at 3 temples on the way back - San Antonio, Albuquerque, and Manti. It was a national park field day, visiting Carlsbad, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Zions, and Bryce Canyon. It was such a wonderful experience and I think the three of us really bonded. Nothing at all went wrong, and everything was just easy and fun. At one point, the thought occurred to me that I was with the two men in this world that love me the most. That was really profound and I'm grateful for them and the time that they took to get to know each other and to help me drive back. I wouldn't change anything about the whole trip. 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures!

Making PB&J sandwiches

Happy hour was a necessary obsession.

Clayton and Lester bonding

The insanely amazing Mexican food at Sadie's in Albuquerque.

We had more leftovers than we ate.

We stopped at the San Antonio, Albuquerque (this one), and Manti LDS temples along the way.

Beautiful sunset on the way out of Albuquerque

Me at the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde - a dream since third grade

Snow cones at the sizzling four corners

My dad got a senior pass to all the national state parks! 

Zion's was breathtaking.

We're kind of in love.

My precious, and excited, dad.

Park hopping on the way back, we hit up Bryce Canyon.

Ten days of nonstop companionship. Um. Yeah.

Still happy.

Pie Sampler in Bicknell! From left to right: oatmeal, buttermilk, pickle, and pinto bean pies.

I'm so grateful for the experience and how many things we were able to see in such a condensed amount of time. Clayton and my dad bonded, and it was a really neat experience to be with the two men in this world that love me the most. I know I've already said that, but it was just so special. I couldn't have been better cared for. Many kudos to them, and to Clay's family for forfeiting him for a little while. It was good to show him around Houston and for my family to welcome him in. 

I couldn't have asked for a better start to my junior year at the U. :)