Utah is quite spectacular and the drive from Canyonlands National Park to Boulder, Utah took us from warmer weather and desert conditions, to lots of snow, to no snow, but cooler temperatures. On the way we stopped at Goblin Valley State Park where we were amazed by incredible sandstone goblin formations. We then headed to Boulder, but first stopped at Stan’s Burger Shake for a very thick shake. Then over Boulder Mountain where we ran into many feet of snow. Finally we arrived at Susan and Jay’s amazing home at the base of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Our visit with Susan and Jay included fellowship, great food (including celebrating Passover with a Seder and having a steak from a next door family farm), an amazing time exploring Capital Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and lots of laughs. Susan and Jay have built an amazing home with incredible views day and night; including herds of mule deer that Otto was itching to chase.

We went on some terrific hikes. After following a very bumpy wash road in The Beast, Melinda headed out to the edge of a cliff on Strike Valley Overlook. Greg and Susan also hiked the Lower Mule Twist Trail where the array of formations were incredible. The next day Greg (motivated by Susan), scaled the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Magnolia Food Truck followed by a visit to the Anasazi State Park Museum.

What else? Well Jay helped us fix Stargazer’s black water tank that was not working and told us about the importance of thumping Stargazer’s wheels. After I had a tumble walking Otto, Melinda and Susan provided me more medical advice than one person could absorb (but I am fully recovered). Jay “Magic Fingers” Kelly and Greg “One of a Kind” Marsello had many talks about having a purpose, because Jay’s granddaughter had cautioned Jay that a person without a purpose is just taking up space on Planet Earth! Our whole time together we were Making Memories!