Dan and I headed to Utah July 1st for a little family reunion. The weather for the four days we were to be there would be 90s, sunny and dry. We met up with my daughter Gabe at the airport is SLC and then made a pitstop at the fabulous City Creek Mall in downtown Salt Lake City where we perused the Jo Malone counter in Nordstroms (Gabe bought a bottle of French Lime Blossom) and we had a quick bite of lunch at Blue Lemon. Then we drove to Park City where we would be staying at a four bedroom lodge in Deer Valley and where my sons Heath and Dane, daughter in law Emma, and Dan's son Caleb would all be joining us. Our first night there, the three of us went grocery shopping and had dinner in the adorable historic downtown of Park City - Thai food.
This is where we stayed in Deer Valley. The following day, Dan had a business meeting with two partners in Park City so Gabe and I went to the Outlets and found some great bargains and then into a few shops back in the little PC downtown. We picked Dan up and drove to Orem to Heath and Emma's little summer apartment where we had a glorious reunion first with our family dog Scottie, and then Emma and Heath. Scottie was so excited to hear our voices (mine and Gabe's - remember he is blind!) that he screeched and danced back and forth between us.
Smelling and kissing my pup! Dan doesn't quite share our obsessive love with our dog so he read emails - ha!!
We had some time to kill before Dane was out of his Chemistry class so we drove to Sodalicious, this new little place that makes a mix of whatever soft drinks you wish. I ordered a dirty Coke which was a Coke Zero with fresh lime and sugar free coconut syrup. Very interesting and 44 ounces for 2 bucks. There was also a fresh donut trailer right next to the place so Dan bought a half dozen and they make them to order. 10 minutes later we had a box of hot sugared donuts that oozed grease when you took the first bite - fantastic!!!! Then off to Provo and BYU where Gabe and Dane would reunite after 2 and 1/2 years! Remember that Dane had been in Australia for 2 years and he and Gabe hadn't seen each other yet since his return in March of this year.
This pic is not to show Emma's and Heath's unsuspecting faces but rather the donut truck and box.
Reunited - hooray!
The three siblings and Emma waiting for our seating at the restaurant Tocanas. Dan's son Caleb joined us for dinner too - it was a delicious meal with lots of meat! As much meat as we could eat. Then to the movies - Inside Out!
The following morning we had breakfast at the Eating Establishment in downtown PC followed by another trip to the Outlets on the outskirts of town where we all found bargains galore! 50-60 percent off clearance etc - we had so much fun there! Then back downtown so we could go in to all the cute shops there.
Three pics above are breakfast at the Eating Establishment - wicked good breakfast food!
Three pics above as we shopped downtown.
Heath asked what his law firm would think if he walked in and set this lunch sack down on his desk his first day on the job. Second thoughts I think.
I was on the hunt for a small backpack to use as a purse because I can't stand carrying shoulder bags or purses and my very old Eddie Bauer pack is falling apart. I texted this pic to Dan and told him I found my new bag. (Don't worry, I didn't buy this).
Emma and Gabe found matching socks with a mini schnauzer that looks just like our Scottie!
I told Dane to not wear his black tall socks with sneakers so he bought these instead. What I really meant is don't wear tall socks at all! They are cute though.
Next stop the Alpine Slides at the Park City Resort. We had to decide between the slides, zip lining, or downhill mountain biking. We all chose the slides.
I'm on the left and Gabe is on the right - we were racing at this point. Emma is pictured below.
Dinner and phone charades followed at the RedRock Cafe. These were some of the hugest and best onion rings I've ever eaten! Then we went to see Jurassic World - loved it!
The next day was the 4th of July. We ate a big breakfast at our lodgings and then went on a 2 1/2 - 3 mile hike on the Silver Lake trail. And for those of you who know who this person is, we passed David A Bednar and his party on the path! This was a great hike, long, a bit arduous in places but with plenty of times where it leveled off and gave us a break but so beautiful and with fabulous views at every turn! We found a tram at the top and all decided it would be best to take that instead of walking back down. After the hike we went back to our lodge for a light lunch. Then we drove out the back way on a lovely mountain road down into the farming valley and town of Midway. This area is so pretty and has a swiss heritage. Back at the Lodge we hung out and prepared a BBQ feast. Grilled chicken, steaks and sausages, a killer salad with all sorts of greens, veggies, nuts and dried fruit followed by ice cream sundaes.
Up the service road to find our trail. We meant to take an easy loop at first but Dan led us erroneously to a longer and more difficult trail. There was complaining by some in the beginning when we realized we were on the wrong trail but we did it anyway. I'm so glad as I loved it! Most of my encounters with Utah all these years for visits have been in the "brown" and desert parts coming from Nevada and back or the Salt Lake/Wasatch valley strip of constant construction and development from SLC to Provo so this green grandeur and the farms of the Heber and Midway areas and a couple lakes were so refreshing to view and explore.
Emma in the lead!
Dan and Dane behind me. Dan is leaning over like he is struggling - he is not! It was just the angle - he was a real trooper all the way in spite of some sore knees. Dane then ran ahead to stay with his siblings while Dan and I trailed behind.
I love an aspen grove
I really enjoyed the variety of paths on the trail.
Wild roses! I picked some sage brush because I love the smell and a wild rose and put them in my pack and now they are in my New Hampshire home potpourri bowl in the entry way.
We made it. Heath is giving the thumbs down because he really hates hiking but he stuck it out.
Me and my babies!
The ride down.
Well I look ridiculous but here we are ready to eat.
Dinner was followed by a professional soccer game between the Real SLC and Orlando City. The score at the end was 1-1. It was so fun! Fireworks followed.
We all went back to our homes the next day - Dan and I back to NH, Gabe to Spokane (her hubby was not able to make the reunion, darn it, due to his job), Heath and Emma to Orem for their summer internship, and Caleb to Provo. I loved being with all of you!
Scottie is naked!!
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