Utah Like Never Seen Before (by us)- BYU Area

Our week in Utah continued with the most exciting part for the boys--the part of no exploring and just visiting friends, family and our favorite places.

First of all, Alex finally had his BYU campus tour. Both Robert and I went with him while Mark was entertained by Katya and Russ (Katya's BF).

Alex really-really enjoyed the tour. We learned a lot of new information and the tour itself was pretty engaging. 

Mark got to hit with one of the BYU tennis players, Alex Lin. Mark flew with his racket just for this purpose. It was an awesome experience! And even cooler, they were playing tennis at the same exact park in Orem, Cherry Hill neighborhood, where we celebrated Katya's first birthday, as we lived in that neighborhood. 

This is a picture of the BYU tennis courts from the model of the campus. 

One evening, we drove to Branbury Apartments, which is where Robert and I started our married life! We even remembered the balcony--that second floor apartment. Todd and Kelley lived above us and became our really good friends. 

We also hung out with Katya at the Cougar Eat when she wasn't busy studying for the finals. Sadly, my Scoreboard Grill doesn't exist anymore (my first BYU job was there), but they have a bunch of new places that are pretty awesome.  

The iconic place inside the Wilkinson Center--where I asked Robert if he wanted to go to the ward dance with me (although he was sitting with two other girls). This is the place where everyone met everyone, so to speak. 

Then on Saturday, we got to watch BYU play against Loyola University. 

Mark met the coach, Dave Porter. Sadly, BYU lost, but it was pretty educational to be at a college match--very different atmosphere than what our normal junior tennis tournaments are like. 

Future Cougar??? We shall see! 

Of course, we had to get a picture with the traditional signs behind the boys. 

Eighteen years later! We graduated in 2004. 

If we had blogs back then, I would have posted a picture of me in my graduation gown with a special international student 'scarf'. And look, I am still standing, despite my right knee being a bit swollen still. 

Oh, and last stop--BYU Bookstore and a picture with Cosmo.

That Saturday evening we went on a super quick "fly by" of the Wilson family in Highland--got to see some of my host aunt and uncles. Earlier in the trip, we also got to visit Lisa, which is always wonderful. 

Later in the evening, we drove to Salt Lake to have an amazing Easter dinner with Robert's cousins' family. Ariene and Dave were so kind to have us all over. We once had Thanksgiving with them in Minnesota when we just had two little kids. So this was the first time in many years that we got together with family like this... the downside of always living so far away from family...

We had a great time and great conversation! They are the perfect examples of how to make your guests feel welcomed and important:). 

I am not adding pictures here, but Alex also got to see his friend, Christopher, who used to live in NC. It's always great to reunite friends. So the kids want more of this sort of stuff in Utah next time and less traveling--hahahaha...not gonna happen. J/K We'll see who wants to see us next time in UT. 

 

Utah Like Never Seen Before (by us)- Capitol Reef NP

Our journey through Southern Utah continued.... We were recommended to go see Capitol Reef National Park as it was very different from the other National Parks that we had passed on the way. 

We picked a very doable, flat walk 2 miles in and 2 miles back--Grand Wash Trail.

The scenery was amazing.... 

As we were going deeper and deeper into the canyons, the path was getting narrower and narrower, then widening again. 

Beautiful overhanging rocks. 

Our rest stop at the end of the trail.

Alex and I took a long time discussing his college plans. We usually tend to plan birthday parties and make travel plans during our hikes and walks:)

Always bring water--that's for sure. 

Miraculously I did ok again with my knee. The swelling was definitely still there but not nearly as bad as two days before. I actually recorded a video for my physical therapist, showing him I am walking normally. 

Mark found a new friend that looks like him. 

After the hike, we checked in at our hotel, Red Sands Hotel and went out to one of the few local places to eat. Mark looks thrilled on this picture before we got our food. Can't remember at all what his problem was:)).

Oh, look! He is all better now! He just needed some Mexican food! And Alex turned into an E.T.-hahahahaha. 

So we drove a few minutes to this famous place to watch the sunset. 

We got there a bit before and waited for the show. It was incredible! 

Pictures do not do it justice! 

And it truly was a great place to see the sunset. 

It was getting better and better as it was getting later. 

Phenomenal colors and feel! 

And then everything went a lot more gentle and calm. It was a beautiful cold evening! 

In the morning, the boys got up early and drove a few minutes again to the Hickman Bridge trail, a short but rewarding hike. 

In the morning sun! 

This is what they were looking for--the arch! 

I think the hike was around a mile long, so they got a bunch of pictures and then got back to the hotel where we were all packed to start driving north. 

We really enjoy our time in Southern Utah, although we did feel quite rushed with having just three days. I suspect we will come back to see more in UT, like Bryce Canyon and stuff around it. Someday... 

Lyana. 

To Be Continued...

Utah Like Never Seen Before (by us)-UTV Tour and Goblin Valley

After our exploring of Canyonlands, we got home, had a quick dinner and got ready for the next adventure--a UTV tour. 

This was totally Robert's idea and he did all the legwork involved in finding the tour and reserving it. 

It was a sunset tour, over crazy terrain, that lasted a couple of hours. Once we got checked in, got fitted for helmets and had a lesson on how to drive the UTV, we had to drive a few miles on a regular road to where the tour was actually happening. 

It was absolutely freezing and windy and LOUD! All the time! I was glad we had hats and gloves and coats! Not a flattering look but it helped to have hats underneath.

This was kind of where we were riding the UTV, not a great picture, but to be fair, I was afraid to get my phone out and drop it. Lots and lots of crazy roads, steep hill and impossible passages.

Finally, the sunset. 

Once the sun went down, it got even colder!!! 

We had some crazy hills to go up and down on. So scary!!! 

You can see, towards the end we were pretty COLD and ready to be done. 

Mark is the star of this picture. 

So, in short, it was a good adrenaline filled adventure, I just wish it were not as cold! The boys loved it though, so it was worth it. 

Moving on....The following day, we continued our drive around Southern Utah. We were driving towards Capitol Reef but made a short detour to one of the most recommended places--the GOBLIN VALLEY.

These were the craziest earth formations I have every seen. 

It felt like Star Wars but even more elaborate. 

We could get lost here for hours...so much space to explore!

I can also imagine how insanely hot this place can feel during summer months, so that's when I feel grateful we were there in April. 

Look at these crazy things! 

And this crazy man! I wasn't there when he took this picture doing yoga or something.

Traditional family selfie in another amazing place. 

This is to document that my kids love and care about me and are willing to walk with me SLOWLY and also talk along the way. 

Well, that was a nice stop with a great varieties of wonders to see. Now onto our next adventure! 

Lyana.