Southern Utah Drive

Over the weekend, the stars aligned and JP and I took our long awaited day trip to Utah. Nothing compares to the red rocks of southern Utah. The land there is awe-inspiring. Before I moved out here, I never understood why people lived in the Southwest. Wasn't it just hot desert wasteland? Now I know better because I've been there.

best memories:

1. soft red soil

2. raindrops in my hair

3. flowing water

4. yellow-lit vistas

5. towering red cliffs

6. cool breezes

7. deserted roads

8. taking the long way

9. feeling surrounded by magic

10. experiencing mother earth at her best

Even though she tires of it at times, there are so many things this East coast girl has to be greatful for in her Southwestern life.

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Home

I am finally settled back in Las Vegas after spending two weeks in Maryland. It sounds like a long time, but it was a whirlwind of activity. From cleaning out the attic and basement, to holding a yard sale, to helping my brother find a car, to getting my mom set up as well as I could -- there was not much time for fun. I didn't even take any pictures at all, a sure sign that I was overwhelmed.

I flew out of Pittsburgh International and my experience was fantastic. The airport is so nice and has a great shopping mall. The gates are clearly marked. The signage both entering and exiting is so clear; getting lost is not an option. The flight out was on time and better yet, no one sat in the middle seat! If you don't fly regularly, you might not realize or appreciate how truly rare this is, especially in recent years. It has been years since I have been on a flight where no one took the middle seat (I fly Southwest, so the boarding is a bit different than other airlines). Every flight I've taken in the last two or three years has been full. I will try to fly into Pittsburgh again unless it is winter. The weather can be nasty there, but any other time of year would probably be fine.

As for the family situation, I feel like I am pretty much finished with my dad, who isn't really my anything anymore. I have lost respect for him and his decisions. At the same time, I do respect that they are his decisions to make. The universe will see that he gets back what he puts out there, whether you call it karma, cause and effect, doing unto others, etc. Paying him back is not up to me or anyone else, and the best thing I can do for myself is to let it go and trust life.

My mom is hanging in there. She is a strong woman, and she has handled things remarkably well. I know that she will be able to let the situation go and will thrive because of it. I miss her and my brother, but I am happy to be back home with JP, despite the hairdryer-esque weather.

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Travels, Part Two

Last Sunday we went to Death Valley. We drove three hours up 95 and then down into the park. We stopped at Scotty's Castle and got in on the first tour with two other people. That was pretty neat since the tours usually have more than 15 people. After that, we visited Ubehebe Crater. It was so surreal to see, and the settled ash seemed to go on forever.

After that, we drove down to Furnace Creek to have lunch. Then we continued on to Artist's Drive and then down to Badwater, which is the lowest point in north America and the second lowest point in the world. Interestingly enough, it is only 85 miles away from the highest point in the continental US, Mt. Whitney. Our waiter at Furnace Creek told us about the Badwater Ultramarathon, which entails running from Badwater up to Mt. Whitney in July! He said they run down the road in front of the restaurant and drop to the ground, one after another.

Finally, we drove around 5,500 feet up to Dante's View, where it was super cold and the wind was very strong and gusty. So strong that I wouldn't have wanted to be any closer to the edge. After that, we made a much shorter trip home through Pahrump, land of brothels.

Here are a few photos I took. Check out the photo set or slide show for more.

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Travels, Part One

Last weekend, JP, my mom and I went to Valley of Fire, Nevada's first state park. The rock formations just go on forever and are a feast for the eyes. It is one of the only places I have ever been where I have heard true and utter silence -- no birds, no cars, no people. Just silence.

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43 Places

I am really getting the travel bug. This tends to happen when I haven't gone somewhere different for a while. We did have our day in Zion which was nice, but I am itching for a weekend away.

After knocking off a few things on my 43 Things list, today I finished creating my 43 Places list, which is actually only 32 places so far. Some of them are reasonable trips. But some places are extravagant Europe-y places, and with the dollar going lower than a ten-year-old playing limbo, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Oh well. At least it is nice to dream about the places on my list!

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Zion

On Sunday, JP and I visited Zion National Park. They run the shuttle through the park from April through October. The fact that it was the last day the shuttles were running was inspiration enough to get us to drive the six hours round trip.

Even though it was a bit smoky from the California wildfires in the early part of the day, it has pretty much cleared out by the afternoon. The warm sun and cool breezes in the shade and by the Virgin River made perfect hiking weather. The golden fall colors were an extra treat. I was glad to have my SLR camera along.

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