my place

I'm a firm believer that everyone has a place. 

Where the air fills your lungs just a little bit fuller and the sun shines a bit brighter on your skin. 

A place where your mind is clear, and your heart is full.

The desert is my place. 



I grew up in the mountains--a green little valley in Montana. 

When I was in the 6th grade, my family moved eastward to the plains. Fields of wheat rolling

riding moab

I know I know. 

I've been gone so long!

But I have the best excuses, promise.



We skipped town for a few days last week and headed for the red sands of Moab.

We loaded the car with sandals, sleeping bags, and of course.....bikes.



I don't get out on my bike as often as I would like to, and after last weekend I just don't understand why?! There is something so addicting about quad burning

zebra slot

Last week when we found ourselves in the desert, we knew we wanted to explore someplace new. 

We sat around the campfire Friday night--and after ghost stories were told and marshmallows had been roasted, we planned our adventure for the next day.....



Zebra Slot Canyon in the Escalante area of Southern Utah it would be. 

We packed up lots of drinks, snacks, and swimsuits just in case we

a lucky find

 

 We loaded up the car and hit the road Friday morning, dreaming of sun and sand and a weekend full of adventure. We winded our way through the mountains, passing through farmland and tiny towns that dotted the empty two lane road. The green hills slowly rolled themselves into desert and red rock, and we pulled into the campground.



"We're full. Been full for the last two weeks......."



oh

while I was away....

Life is zooming by so quickly! 

It's almost MAY....! 

We skipped town for the weekend and found quite possibly the coolest campsite on planet earth......



.......I'll be back with more soon.

between a rock and a........rock

literally. 



rock climbing.

a first for me.



We have been climbing at an indoor wall the last few months with the kids, and it has quickly become one of our new favorite ways to spend time as a family. It's something we can all do together, it's a great way to be active in the winter, and I have found it to be an excellent workout for my (lack of) upper body.



When we went south last week

in color

Last weekend we loaded up the car with light jackets, hats, smiles on our faces, and left our frozen land for sunshine and color. A few months back, Robby asked me what I wanted to do for my upcoming big birthday, and I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do then head to the desert and soak up it's sun. My friend Ali's birthday is the day right after mine, so we turned it into one big family

over the weekend.....

our first desert trip of the year! zion national park



over the weekend we played and climbed and explored and filled our shoes with sand.
we soaked in the desert sun and breathed it's clean air.
we had a reallllly hard time leaving....it really is the best place to be. 



back with more soon!

have you been to the desert

Have you been to the desert?

Have you stood on top of a mound of rock and let the sunshine warm you through? 

Have you watched the bluest sky grow dark in just minutes, and open up on top of you? 

You quickly gather your Littles and run squealing for cover.

Have you been hailed on....not once, not twice, but three times in one day? 

Have you been in the desert after a storm? Watched the

bicycle, bicycle

"I want to ride my bicycle,  I want to ride my bike"

bonus points for singing along to that song.



Last week we left all of our troubles at home and ran away to the desert. 

Sunshine, rock, and red dirt as far as you could see......the perfect place to be. 

We braved wind and rain and HAIL (more on that later) and were able to get out for not one....but TWO amazing bike rides.  



me on

bryce canyon national park

As we were wandering through Zion......we had a crazy idea.



"Let's drive to Bryce", he said.

"ok."



done.



We had never been to Bryce Canyon National Park, and since it was less than 100 miles from right where we were standing, we decided to go for it.



And we were sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo (I cannot stress this enough, does the unnecessary amount of O's get that across?) happy that

roaming the desert

After our Narrows adventure last weekend, we learned that not far outside of Zion was a ghost town with a few leftover buildings. We knew we had to see it (we kind of fell in love with ghost towns--remember?), so we raced to beat the sunset so we could spend a little time exploring the former town of Grafton. 

There were a few houses scattered around in this little green valley that sat

the narrows. via my iphone.

Last weekend we found ourselves in Zion National Park.

It was just one of those really last minute "hey-it's-a-long-weekend-let's-go-somewhere-close-to-play" type things. 

You know?

And lucky for us, Zion isn't too far. 



The first place we wanted to explore was The Narrows. 

Most of this hike is spent in the water, crissing-and-crossing through rocks and sand, with massive rocky

the girls take zion

Girls trip. 

What do you think of?

the spa.

a massage (or two)
facial.

a soak in a mineral bath.

makeovers.

shopping.

pedicures.

fine chocolates.

cute shoes. 





well........



How about:

100s of feet of rope. 

harnesses. 

helmet hair.

dirt.

sweat.

scrapes.

bruises.

camping with 10,000 moths.

dangling off a cliff.

the biggest bestest most fantastic burger you've ever eaten

dear moab, I love you

miniature me+delicate arch



After the race, we packed up and headed to Arches National Park right outside of Moab, Utah.



Wow.



Why haven't we traveled down this way before? We have lived here for 6 years now, what's wrong with us?!! It's only a 4 hour drive ( I realize to some this may seem excruciating, but since most of our roadtrips are 8+ hours a 4 hour drive is a breeze!), and it's

alter ego

For those who come to The Blog here for pictures and food and cuteness and such, the following post is a race report for the Amasa Back Trail race in Moab, Utah. If running is not your thing (you should try it), or you just don't like reading about races (a favorite subject of mine to read about) then here is short and sweet version:



"Running in Moab is my new favorite thing."



for the rest