I left off on our journey to AZ with picking our children up in Utah. While there we got to do some vacationy stuff. We made it a goal to ride the Front Runner train from Ogden to SLC. It may have been a subconscious attempt to kiss up to a two year old who is by now pretty fed up with us. It worked. At least, while we were doing it. I don't know if the trip is 30 or 45 minutes, but all the way there and all the way back we (mostly me and Velda) heard, "Mommy, choo-choo! Choo-choo train. Tracks! Mommy, choo-choo!!!!" I still don't know the appropriate response, but a response is required as any of you who have had a two year old knows.
As a lucky break, our new house is near some railroad tracks. Not too close, but close enough.
Anyway, we also got to see most of the family before we began our Exodus, and that was good because it may be awhile before we get vacation time. It may be even longer before we convince the kids to travel that far again.
We set off later than we thought to head down here, so we only made it to some obscure place in Utah. I really can't remember the name, but it is by the famous Big Rock Candy Mountain. We also made it to Cove Fort (thanks for the recommendation Peggy.) It was a fun way to break up the trip. Lots of pioneer stuff to look at and do. And boys and forts go together so well.
The next day was the grand canyon. Randal decided we would camp that night. OKAY?! This is probably the most exciting part of the trip and I don't even know where to begin. R and I had no coats with us. I mean, we were moving to AZ, so who would think to pack coats? The kids had jackets, so they were okay though. We also had a little tiny stove to cook on. It's a one burner, unstable contraption that I am sure is useful if you are, say, climbing Mt. Everest and need to travel light. Not very practical for cooking meals though. But R was willing to do the cooking. Oh, yeah, did I mention we didn't have a skillet, spatula, and barely enough eating utensils which we had stored in the car not for this trip, but some time ago "In case of emergency." Well, it does get cold in AZ if you are in the mountains. And everyone except R went to the tent by about 7 pm due to the cold.
The next day, we went to the south side of the Canyon and that is NOT CLOSE to the North side. Should have know with the name "Grand" canyon. We made some wrong turns also which added, oh say, a couple of hours to this trip. And of course, this was the day mom didn't get a shower (due to camping.) A side note here, for those of you who might not know this trick, is that if I am grumpy, chances are I didn't get a shower that day. It isn't a conscious thing. I'm not trying to be a brat. It is just something I have noticed about myself through the years.
Anyway, we saw the canyon, but this was probably my least favorite day of all the traveling. We were going to trying to make it to Flagstaff that night, but I mutinied, and we found a hotel near the canyon that night thinking we might go back in the morning. AFTER A SHOWER! I couldn't go back the next day knowing we still had five hours to get to Tucson and going back would have added at least two hours. So, we just headed towards Tucson. It was a good call for the majority. I think R was disappointed though. But hey, we'll go back someday. We do live here now. And I understand there is a train that goes from Williamsburg (?) to the canyon.
And now, we have arrived. So, next post is all about moving forward with our new life. We really do feel like we have done what we needed to do for our family and that we are exactly where we need to be. That DOESN'T help with the fact that we are home sick for our other homes. UT, WA, and most especially ID. Sometimes, we get blinded by comfort zones and routines, but we LOVED our time in ID. We LOVE and MISS our friends greatly. And we hope we can make this place home.
