Shelly
Today was supposed to be the day we see J in Utah. Unfortunately right after we loaded the trailer back in Atlanta, we got word that J’s program was going back in to full lockdown in an effort to keep the virus out. So none of the boys can have family visits right now. After driving all the way across the country to see him, all we can do is get within a few miles. So, J, my darling boy, if you are reading this, tonight we are just a few miles from you, sitting by a campfire…having a s’more tonight in your honor. At every stop along the way I have often commented that you sure would love this and that we’ll have to come back with you another time. We love you, and miss you, my sweet boy! Keep up the good work!
Today’s drive took us through more wide open spaces in Wyoming….and more opportunities for sleep.
Once we got on I-80 at Rock Springs, WY, we saw more traffic than we saw since around St. Louis a week ago. Guess we are coming back into civilization. But WY is still the least populated state in the country. We’ve been good little social distancers.
And some wind farms as we started heading toward the Utah mountains.
About an hour into our trip, we came to Lander, Wyoming. Lander is the closest town to where Sam’s mom grew up. And his grandparents are buried there
The highlight of the drive for Sam was stopping in Park City and getting to go to his favorite Mexican fast food place, Café Rio. We even scored an outdoor table so we could get some time outside the car.
We are at a little state campground, Diamond Campground, just outside Spanish Fork, Utah. It seems to be a great place for big families with young kids. There’s a creek to fish on and a nature trail with all kinds of little activities. (I’m hoping all these little loud voices like to go to sleep early.). It’s completely off grid, so we’re having to rely on the battery in the trailer and just filling the trailer’s water tank. It’s almost like we’re getting to be old pros at this. Patty even settles right in on her dog zip line.
Ankle update: getting old stinks. In my youth I rode horses 6 days a week, sometimes for multiple hours each day. At 45, my body can’t even handle 2 hours in a comfy western saddle. Ok, that’s not really fair. It’s not my whole body. I’m not sore at all other than my left ankle. Maybe my stirrups were too short. Maybe I just jammed it more than it could handle as I tried to ride like a young person with an old body. Who knows. But the dang thing is swollen like a balloon and I get the distinct idea that I shouldn’t put weight on it. So it’s a good day to just be on the road most of the day. I can rest and ice it. Keep your fingers crossed that the RICE helps. Otherwise I’ll be the designated Patty watcher as Sam and the boys hike Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon over the next 4 days.
What We're Eating:
Breakfast: Bagel, pop tarts and oatmeal
Lunch: Cafe Rio...Sam’s favorite fast food Mexican. Think Chipotle meats Taco Bell.
Dinner: hamburgers, green beans...and of course, s’mores
Temperatures: it wasn’t quite as cold last night in Wyoming. We even got to sleep with the camper doors open to listen to the river all night. In Utah it got up to mid 70’s today but seems to be coming down now that the sun is headed down.
Drive Time: 9hrs
Total Miles to Date: 2,793
