Fruita

You might say we are slow learners. Or, to put it positively, we are perseverant people. After the looooong car ride home from the Grand Canyon this fall, which involved a lot of baby crying, I vowed to NEVER AGAIN take a long car trip with a baby. That vow lasted a couple months. Some acquaintances suggested a mountain biking/camping trip to Colorado and we thought, "Let's do this. It'll be a fun adventure!"

The drive down wasn't horrid but it was ridiculously slow. In order to keep Kye from screaming (and thus stay sane), we stopped often and for long periods of time. To make that a bit clearer, what I mean is that we stopped every 2 hours and hung out for 3 hours. The drive time was 14 hours. You do the math...the whole 'journey' took us 40 hours, one way. Of course, we were eating and sleeping some of that time but still...

When we arrived, weather came in and we were disappointed to be camping in a state park in the snow/wind/rain. We were reluctant to head out to the camping on 18 road because we heard it is not fun in bad weather. We rode in the cold and wind one day, then hung out and relaxed for another. 

[The view of camp from Joe's Loop]

Finally, the weather cleared and it was sunny and even warm. So, we headed out to 18 Road and set up camp. Over the next few days, we traded rides (guys ride, girls back with babies, and vice versa) and did most of the loops on 18 Road, which were a ton of fun.

Carly drove out from Jackson, WY!

Ellie & Carly waving to the boys back in camp

Carly on Zippity Do Dah

One of the 'steeps' of Zippity

Auntie Carly & Kye, enjoying dinner outside

Let's take a moment and discuss the craziness of sleeping in a camper with a nursing baby. Let me rephrase that...there wasn't a whole lot of sleeping going on for us adults. Kye didn't see why he couldn't nurse all night long.

Kye had his first 'girlfriend' in Finley, a super cute 3 year old that we shared camp with.

First pair of sunglasses, which he mostly threw all around.

Super cute pic of Kye, mom looking exhausted/murderous.

We ended our trip riding at the Kokopelli area, which we found to be the best, most aesthetic riding in the area. 18 Road rides are fun and convenient, but these were much more scenic and natural, less contrived.

Our favorite ride, hands-down, was Horsethief Bench.

[Yes, we 'camped' in Walmart parking lots while on the road. 

I must say, there are some benefits: free, bathrooms, and easy to find.]

You must all be dying to know how the trip home went. A stroke of genius occurred to me somewhere in those long hours on the road to our destination: we could fly home! And so it was. Kye and I took a flight out of Salt Lake City and were home in a jiffy. He was thrilled as he could be held the whole flight and also socialize with everyone on the plane. Brandon drove home on his own and we were all cozy in our own beds that night. 

Best decision ever. Seriously. Well worth the airline miles used.

Now, please don't let us be convinced to take another long road trip anytime soon. If I start talking dumb again, I grant permission for a full intervention.