Goblin Valley

Last year we ventured out to Goblin Valley State Park.  We drove down with our new RV, in the dark, got a little lost, and then got the gutless RV stuck in the soft dirt off the road as we tried to turn around.  And I mean stuck.

As in, had to call a tow truck to pull us out.

And as we weren't in an area with cell service, this meant that West had to drive away with Mike until they found service to make the call.

All's well that end's well.

We climbed on hoodoos, played night games, and hiked Little Wild Horse slot canyon.

I love Goblin Valley, however, I feel like once you've seen it... you've seen it.  It might be a while before head back, but I seriously loved how much fun we had there.

Once we weren't stuck anymore.

Tayler brought her friend, Casadee, and Cali brought her friend, Lilly.

Casadee

Easter: San Rafael Swell

Easter is the holiday that begins our family's love/hate relationship with spring.

Easter, the weekend we shake the winter dust off the camping gear and start dreaming of warm weather and campfires.

Easter, the weekend when we begin to see that glorious light at the end of long winter tunnel.

Easter.

We have high hopes for Easter.

In past years we've made our Easter trek south to Sand Hollow, where we knew we would be south enough in the state to avoid snow storms.  This is Utah and it does tend to snow until mid to late June, so late March to early April is a given.

But this year we decided to try something new and headed east instead.  We decided to check out part of the San Rafael Swell and see what that had to offer us.

We weren't disappointed.  Long day rides, new books from the Easter bunny (a must), card games with Papa Mike, and the first campfire of the year.

We were set.

Also, proof that Easter miracles do happen.

Our campground was set right next to an incredible canyon overlook.

Pictures never do the grandeur justice.

Thanks for the kick-off, Easter.  Thanks for the fresh air, stars, and butterfinger donuts.  Thanks for the time with my family.

And thank you for the reminder of my Savior.  Isaiah 49:16.

Sand Dune Weekend With The Man.

This post was originally written and posted on April 13, 2008.

It's not very often I get to run off and be with out The Circus.

Which, generally, is fine.

They're my girls and I'm glad to be their mom. It's something I will always be glad I did, despite how things went with my ex-husband.

But... this weekend I got to run away... kidless.

It was amazing.

Relaxing.

 If I felt like taking a nap... I did.

Of course, with two and a half days of playing and riding four wheelers, the only pictures we took were sitting in the trailer.

West (boyfriend of two months) invited me to go to the sand dunes with him and his group of friends. Neither of us took our kids.

I'll have to admit that at times I felt lost because I didn't know what to do with myself. (West admitted to feeling the same with out his kids), but it was such a great trip.

I learned a couple of things that were very important for me to learn.

I don't think I'll ever know how exactly deep the way my ex-husband acted towards me is embedded in what I think and how I react.

I got nervous when time came to sit around the campfire with all of West's friends... bad things happened when I did this with my ex-husband.

It wasn't fun, being either the attention he put to other girls and the pushing me onto his friends or the starting of the verbal abuse.  Campfires became a time of dreaded anticipation for me.

Going out with West and his friends... the campfire was actually fun. I laughed and talked and generally enjoyed the time there. West was completely content to be with me, and in no way willing to "share" me with anyone else.

What a strange concept.

I was completely at ease with him.

Another thing I learned is that he isn't going to tear down everything I try to do that I'm not good at. I didn't want him riding on the back of the four wheeler while I drove, it made me nervous having him there and I didn't want to know what he would say about it. I knew it was something he's extremely good at, but I'm not at all. I was afraid he'd get exasperated by my lack of skill and with the decisions I would make as I drove.

He wasn't like that at all.

He was so supportive.

 I don't even think I realized my ex-husband made me that nervous until I faced that situation with someone else and those feelings were suddenly there.

I told West how I felt and that I wasn't comfortable with him being on behind me while I drove. But he didn't let me get away with feeling that way. He climbed on and said he didn't care, I was still driving, and managed to put me at ease.

This entire weekend with him ranks at the top of my favorite memories list now.

What ever happens between West and me, I'm glad for the time with him. He's a great guy, with great kids, and he's great with my girls.

It's a good place to be right now.

West's dad came down on Saturday. After dinner West went outside and I sat at the table with his dad, Mike, talking. He told me dating stories and we laughed.

He cares a lot about West.

He's a sweet man.

I'm thankful for his being so friendly with me.