Thanksgiving in UT

This year we spent Thanksgiving in UT.  Last time we did that was in 2018.  We intended to go in 2019 but go defeated by snow, then  Covid prevented our travels in 2020 and 2021.  As per tradition, we left Tuesday night, ate at Wendy's around Sacramento, and continued to drive through the night.  Around 5:00 am traffic was stopped between Wendover and Grantsville.  There had been warnings three hours prior that 80 East was closed.  Heidi was driving.  I woke up and asked, "Did you get pulled over for going 95?"

We had to wait about 20 minutes before they opened up the freeway.  One car was totally mangled and looked like it had rolled 20 times.  Another had front-end damage, and a 10-wheeler had its right front wheel smashed in.  It was nuts.  

This is the view from my parents' porch; a view of the Layton temple and Great Salt Lake, or what's left of the lake.  Lots of evaporation has shrunken it quite a bit.  

On Wednesday we went to the Bountiful Rec center.  It was nice.  The water was warm but a little heavy on the chlorine.  

Hanna helped make Thanksgiving dinner

Cousins

Old skool Nintendo kept the kids busy for hours

Mara's preferred picture pose

Kira and Siena

On Friday we usually go to Boondocks but it was suggested we go to the Rush Funplex because it was supposed to be cheaper.  In the end the price was the same.  There were the same attractions minus batting cages.  The electric go-karts were not as disappointing as we had expected but the whole place was lit by black UV lights and I did not like that.  Mini-golfing felt claustrophobic.  The kids liked the climbing wall.  Scott, Tyler, Blake, Turin and I bowled a round.  Scott won with 118 which upset Turin and Tyler.  Our kids all preferred Boondocks to the Rush Funplex because of the outdoor attractions and the ability to bring your own lunch and eat it outside.  

Had to show the kids my alma mater, Layton High School.  I liked high school.  I told the kids that I left in the Riv at 7:09 in order to secure a spot in the main parking lot; otherwise, you had to park in the driving range.  The kids just couldn't get enough of the absurdity of a driving range.  It had been striped to be a regular parking lot now.  

Timer on tripod of us in front of the Layton Temple.  

We left for CA at 6:20 am and stopped for a sit-down breakfast cafe in Elko, NV, called the Coffee Mug.  It was great because they sat us fast, took our orders fast, and the food arrived fast.  It was much better than the IHOP where Scott and I had eaten the day prior.  He swam with a regional team that practiced at the Bountiful Rec center.  I went with him and did about 2000 yards.  He said he was faster than they were but felt the effects of the altitude and did not lead.  After, we went to the IHOP in Centerville where I used to work.  I explained that there were parameters for efficiency:  Orders taken within 30 seconds of being seated, breakfast delivered in under 2:00, lunch, 4:00, and dinner, 6:00.  

It took them 25 minutes to take our order (and the place was busy but not slammed) and another 20 minutes for the food to arrive.  

But the Coffee Mug exceeded our expectations.  We got just the right amount of food and everyone was full.  It was snowing for an hour before and after Elko.  

It was a good trip.  I was impressed at how much food my parents kept in their fridges.  I'm glad to be home though.  Okay, bye.  

Birfday getaway to Monterey

This year for my birthday I wanted to get away instead of get presents.  Originally we were headed to Maui but after my short trip to Provo and sitting on BART for quite a while, I realized I don't like traveling that much.  Instead Heidi and I went to Monterey, CA, sans kids.  

I worked 1/2 day on Thursday, 11/10.  After picking up Parker's pink eye meds and cleaning the home, we left at almost 5:00.  Dinner was pupusas and tacos from two separate vendors.  The pupusas were better.  We stayed at the Mariposa Inn.  It was nice.  

Friday morning we had a basic continental breakfast and then headed out to tackle the 17 mile drive, on bicycle.  I wanted to take a before shot since I didn't think we'd be that happy after the ride.  

The first 5-7 miles were flat, good riding conditions along the coast.  The weather was perfect.  Our bikes worked well.  

I brought my little tripod for the Canon 5d and did several timer on tripod shots.  

The bike ride should have ended here at Lovers Point but we foolishly chose to go on.  The scenery changed to obscenely large houses in various stages of remodeling.  It seemed like 1/4 properties had a skid steer scraper and jackhammer in use.  

The Lone Cypress.  Maybe you can ride to it as a bonus but don't go any farther as the scenery is just boring trees and an uphill grade that is barely rideable.  Heidi had no trouble going up the grade and thought that maybe because I had the camera and waters in my basket that they were slowing me down.  We switched bikes and Heidi had no problem going up the hill on my dumb Trek commuter.  I realized that the bike she'd been on was quite a bit nicer.  

After about mile 12 my body gave up and was running on emergency power.  We seemed to stop every 100 feet so I could rest.  I guess all the swimming hasn't done much for my bicycling muscles.  The last three miles were downhill.  Phew.  

We decided to ride bikes to downtown Monterey and went back through Lovers Point and down the boardwalk

The sunset was nice but my camera didn't adequately capture it with the settings I used.  If I'd had my bigger tripod I could have focused and metered a little better but these will have to do.

On the way back from cannery row for our late lunch.  I got the Mahi Mahi.  It was overcooked.  Heidi got a clam chowder sourdough bowl and it was satisfying.   

On Saturday we went to Moss Landing for a whale watching tour.  Took a quick pit-stop at Phil's Snack Shack for the best Denver omelette I'd ever had.  

Heidi was worried about motion sickness and asked a fellow passenger for a dramamine.  I was most worried about being cold.  It was cold but we were okay and Heidi didn't get motion sickness.  Bonus:  Saw lots of whales!  The humpbacks break up schools of anchovies and the sea lions then feed, so when you see a swarm of sea lions, there's most likely a whale or two nearby.  

It was a fun trip.  Lindzer watched the kids on Friday and Saturday and learned what I meant when I said my kids melt down.  Scott said their behavior was what it's been in days past, but that's not saying much.  Heidi was soon back in the grind of cleaning and managing the chaos.  She went to bed early and I finished the van's brake project but that's an entry for my other blog.  Happy birthday to me!  Okay, bye.  

 

Late Oct and early Nov

Peyton, Scott and Tyler after church

Parker found a three legged salamander at Vecna's.  I thought it was a snake based on how it moved.  We put it in the terrarium with a heat lamp and he's doing well.

Trunk or treat is the best bang for your buck.  The kids can get adequate candy without fatigue.

Brennan joined us for traditional trick or treating

Tyler was a part of Breanna's quinceañera/super sweet 16 crew.  It was two months of rehearsals leading up to a 12 hour day which exhausted him.  

Hanna dances with Mrs. Rattaro, her kindergarten teacher

I experimented with some no-flash shots at ISO 32000.  Direct flash in this application had the most consistent results.  

Despite this being a quinceañera, no one else wore their cowboy hats or boots.  Regardless, I wore mine the whole night and was happy to log 11k steps in my cowboy boots.