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A Gathering of Kings

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Our big summer road trip this summer was to Fruita, Colorado (just west of Grand Junction) to visit with my mother's family, the King family. As might be expected for a week long vacation, we have a TON OF PICTURES! I have stalled on updating the blog, secretly hoping that Jeff would put together an iMovie or slide show or something, but oh well! I've included many, here, but honestly not all (I'm sure you're thankful). 

We had a great time traveling through the deserts of the Great American West, although it was a lot of car time in a week. And if there is one word I would use to describe the week, it would be HOT. I guess that's what the desert is though. ;)  It was great to see the family and we look forward to another gathering soon. 

Back Row, left to right: Cousin Damon, Jeff, Cousin Audrey, Cousin Annie, Auntie Betsy, Uncle John, Auntie Carol, and Mario (Sarah's husband).
Middle Row: Me, Nathan, Sarah's daughter Allyandra, Cousin Hannah, Cousin Sarah and her younger daughter Juliana, David (Betsy's husband).
Front middle, seated: Annie's daughter Lilly and Damon's daugher Rissa
Not pictured (I think he was napping): Annie's son Tyson

Day 1: Drive to Boise. 
Car time: Approx. 8 hours.

We made arrangements to stay at Jeff's parent's house in Boise. Given that Jeff's mother's 60th birthday was soon approaching, we teamed with Jeff's brother and wife to take some pictures of the grandkids together. Nate's cousins JD and Elliott are much more willing to pose for pictures, while Nathan can often be camera shy. It was nice to spend some time with the family as a start to our trip!




Day 2: Drive to Fruita, CO 
Car Time: Approx. 9 hours.

This was our longest car ride and we all noticed. Jeff was very clear that our goal was a lunch stop in Salt Lake City at his favorite burger place, In-and-Out. After that, back in the car to get to CO by dinner. We tried to keep Nathan occupied happily and sometimes he entertained himself.








Rental House. Not very big, but nicely renovated with a great yard to lounge and play in.

Day 3: Fruita, CO
Car Time: Approx. 2 hours
Nathan awoke earlier than any of us planned and we were sharing a small house with most of the family. Not wanting to disturb the others still sleeping, Jeff and I hastily showered, dressed and headed out for a morning walk through downtown Fruita.




 In the afternoon, we drove through the nearby Colorado National Monument. The rock formations were certainly awe inspiring and we even spotted some big horn sheep. Even just the views of the valleys below were pretty impressive.


If you look closely, you'll see the white hind quarters of the sheep.






One goofy kid who wouldn't pick up his sandwich to eat.




Day 4: Drive to Arches National Park and back to Fruita.
Car Time: Approx. 4 hours round trip.

Jeff was really enthusiastic about making this side trip from CO back into Eastern Utah. We started early in the morning, arriving at the park by about 8:30am (an attempt to beat some heat). Again, the rock formations are pretty amazing, but it was HOT. Being six months pregnant, with a two year old in tow, certainly slows down hiking progress! Fortunately, Jeff was patient and agreed to limit our outings to the paths designated as "easy" in the visitor's guide. 

As a perfect end to the day, we arrived back to Fruita to learn the families were heading swimming in the community pool. We spent a couple hours splashing in the water, and were definitely exhausted by the end of the day. 













Nathan spotted this yellow bus in the park and was more enthusiastic about it than anything else we saw!

 Day 5: Drive to Orem, UT
Car Time: Approx. 4 hours.

 Our short and sweet visit with family was already over! We said our good-byes, then went to the local Dinosaur museum. Nathan was intimidated by the large dinosaur bones and especially the animatronic dinosaurs that moved! Given this was our shortest travel day, we decided to spend the late afternoon touring the grounds of the Mormon temple in Salt Lake before settling into a hotel for the night. 

Great time with cousins!
Super Croc at the museum.
Making dinosaur tracks.




 Day 6: Check out Utah's Hogle Zoo (in SLC) and drive to Boise.
Car Time: Approx. 6 hours

 Ever since receiving our Oregon Zoo membership last Christmas, I have been hooked on using the discounted access to partner zoos. If you've been following our blog, you'll recall we've stopped at several regional zoos and this was one more to add to our list. Although it was small, I was impressed by the quality of this zoo, and especially the thoughtful details in highlighting cultural regions from which animals came. A significant portion of the zoo is under construction as they build a new African Savanna, and honestly, I wouldn't mind going back after it opens. 

This was one of the first zoos we've seen with African elephants. There was a baby elephant to admire as well as traditional African music serving as the soundtrack in the viewing area.

We had great timing to see the bird show and it was definitely impressive! Better than others I've seen.


There was a special Lego exhibit going on at the zoo, so many creatures were constructed out of Legos. Neither Jeff nor I can recall exactly, but the polar bear was, maybe 95, 000 bricks. 

Nathan loved the Baby Giraffe and he will tell you that too!

This gorilla was feeling threatened and actually charged the window, standing on hind legs, banging his fists. It was startling, and memorable. Note to self: gorillas don't like eye contact and teeth (according to a nearby keeper). 



Day 6: Drive HOME!
Car Time: Approx. 8 hours

After crashing at Jeff's parent's again, we gathered ourselves into the car for the final leg home. 


Ahh...home, sweet home. 

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