Our September Get-Away

Being the great husband he is, Shawn took me away this past weekend.  I love getting away just he and I.  After 23 years together, it is often difficult to find a balance between wife, mother, sister, daughter, counselor, friend, and so on.  While I wouldn't eliminate the other roles--they have great things that go along with them too--there is something really wonderful about getting to focus simply on being "wife" for couple days.    As always, it is really fun being together.  (A big shout out to Jocelyn and Alec for helping us make it happen by coming all the way to SGU to watch Gav and take Tiffany to her record setting swim meet.)

Shawn thoughtfully found a hotel right outside Death Valley National Park.
 (So we would be close for early morning pictures.)

Didn't even adjust the color in Photoshop.  Incredibly beautiful morning.  

We hiked out to the highest sand dune and
stood at the top.

Set up the tri-pod to catch a picture with the
two of us in it.

This hike on the dunes was incredible.  It was about 2 miles out, and took us about an hour and half to do.  I wore my hiking shoes, however with the sand piling into my shoes, I was getting "sanding marks" on my ankle.  Shawn suggested I take off my shoes and go barefoot on the return trip.  It was really pleasurable, like walking on the beach....without the benefit of the water of course.

 I thought this quote was a CRAZY quote! Happened on the hottest recorded day, in Death Valley July 1913.  Cannot even imagine it being that hot....and that is saying something since I live in the desert.

Shawn humored me by stopping for pictures whenever I asked. He even stopped in the middle of the road, so I wouldn't miss a minute of the sunrise. :)  We saw a lot of lizards on this next hike(they must like the shade of the walkway) and encountered some very large territorial flies. Luckily Shawn is more fly-likable than me. 

Isn't it beautiful the way the walkway looks along the hills, bushes and dirt?  We have a friend in a wheelchair.  How cool it is to have this walkway built so he could possibly enjoy some of the desert beauty away from the car.  

We visited the Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in the US.  The lowest I have been scuba diving is about 125 feet.  That was REALLY deep for me and required safety stops.  I cannot imagine surfacing from 282 feet! So, I guess I am saying during the next flood, best place to stand--even if you have scuba gear--is on top of the rock hill, instead of in the basin. (Always good to know the emergency plan.  Reminds me of standing on the bow of the cruise liner in the fjords of Norway discussing cold-water survival skills with Dad.) 

Shawn waiting patiently for me
to take a few more pictures.
Cool how I caught his reflection in the car. 

We went looking for chocolate dessert and found a Russian bakery.  The baker recommended this chocolate ball for my chocolate fix.  It was really moist and brownie-like, but not as sweet. 

Shawn named this canyon "Slot Canyon",
it was a really fun to go up in. 

 

Tried three Greek desserts I don't remember
ever trying before. None made my top ten.
(Gyros at the festival were incredible!)

Our evening at a Mexican restaurant with live music
and great food. There might have even been dancing!

Looking forward to our next get-away in a few months.