Glenn is in the process of finding a job and looking forward to resuming the life he had before he was diagnosed. The job market is tough and it will be a challenge but with God’s guidance he’ll land a job that will provide for his family and be something he enjoys. Keep him in your prayers!
The Speed Trip to SLC
We decided that it would be just as expensive to fly Glenn and I out to SLC as it would be to drive the family across the country for a fun cold-weather trip. Our time schedule was crunched with our Cub Scout pack’s Blue and Gold Banquet on Friday, Feb. 26th and us needing to be in SLC by Monday, Feb. 29th. It meant we needed to be in SLC in just 2 and a half days traveling 1500 miles. We talked with the kids about the long journey without fun stops along the way and they were up for it. So we left Saturday morning at 8am and arrived in Amarillo around 5pm, attended mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, stopped for a pic at the Oklahoma border and continued onward to Lamar, Colorado where we stayed the night. We drove 12 hours that first day and then drove 12 more hours the second day arriving in SLC earlier than anticipated.
| View Show | Create Your Own
The kids were awesome. We have been listening to the INKHEART trilogy. We began INKDEATH, a 16 disk, book-on-tape and it was perfect for the journey. Great story, lots of action, numerous curse words my children bleeped and great listening for driving and taking my mind off the long road ahead. No in car video system or internet access, just a story read aloud. I strongly recommend it!
The Vacation
Glenn’s medical tests and appointment with Dr. Tricot spanned 4 days but left us with two days in between. Plenty of time for fun in the snow and on the ice. When Glenn had been really sick and going through the transplants he had said he wanted to come back to Utah and ski. So, ski he did. Princess and Lego took ski lessons in the morning while Glenn, Bookworm and Laser hit the slopes. I watched the fun and enjoyed the warm sun and incredible scenery. No one got hurt, the kids skiing improved and I relaxed. It was a great day.
| View Show | Create Your Own
My favorite pastime is ice skating. We discovered the SLC Olympic training center practically across the street from the Huntsman. I wish I had found it when we were here for 6 months. It was so inexpensive compared to ice time here in San Antonio and the kids loved it. The facility is where Sara Hughes and Apollo Anton Ohno trained for the 2002 Olympics. Really nice rink and we practically had the rink to ourselves. Glenn and I both skated along with the kids and it was so fun.
While we were in SLC I had heard of a place called The Wheeler Historic Farm right in the city. It was a fun, country adventure. The kids feed the ducks and milked a cow. It was another beautiful day in SLC. Princess loved the horses and I loved the view.
Our last tourist stop in the SLC area was the 20o2 Olympic Cauldron Park. It was a cool way to see the history of the 2002 Olympics.
| View Show | Create Your Own
The Trip Home
The journey home started with a stop for new brake pads and then a snow storm one hour outside SLC. The snow was coming down heavily and I actually started inventoring what resources we had in the car in case we were stranded in the snow. An 18-wheeler had jack-knifed and stopped traffic, trucks were pulling over to put on snow tires and chains and here we were in our minivan chugging up the mountain. We made it through and stopped not as far as we hoped to go but we were safe and warm.
We traveled on the next day to clear skies and arrived at the Gunnison National Forest and The Black Canyon. Yes, another hole in the ground, but wow, what a hole! It is deeper than the Grand Canyon and the view was amazing. The snow was awesome and the kids had a great snow ball fight.
| View Show | Create Your Own
Next stop, San Luis, CO, a tiny town with a large as life Stations of the Cross Shrine. We hiked the 1 mile trail up a hillside and visited the stations of the cross depicting Christ’s journey of carrying his cross for our sins. It was really a beautiful way to experience his sacrifice for us and the bronze statues were amazing.
| View Show | Create Your Own
Santa Fe, NM was my required stop. I have always wanted to visit the Shrine of Loretto and the mysterious stairs that were contructed for a chapel without nails, glue or a central support. It was amazing and beautiful and I believe miraculous. http://www.salvemariaregina.info/Martyrologies/Stairs%20of%20St.%20Joseph.html
| View Show | Create Your Own
We also attended church at the The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi which was beautiful too. The interior is light and bright, unlike many of the cathedrals I have seen, but still has the architecture of the early churches. It was built in 1869. http://cbsfa.org/History.asp
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Our final vacation destination, Colorado Springs, CO. It was gorgeous and I’ve fallen in love with another mountain city. It was absolutely gorgeous and clean and lovely. We had an awesome hotel compliments of Priceline and visited an American castle, Castle Glen Eyre, and drove through the Garden of the Gods. Another great place I hope to revisit. Homeward we went with another night in Amarillo and then finally home after 10 days away. Good to be home but I already miss the mountains.
