Jenna

Hey Folks, 

Jenna

 Margo and I had a special treat this week.  Last Sunday my 20-year old daughter, Jenna, flew out from Florida for a week-long vacation.  We had not seen her for over a year so it was a very nice reunion.  The trip was in the planning stages for a few months.  We originally planned for me to take a few days off and we would all spend some time at Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. It’s the most awesome place within driving distance and I really wanted to impress.  She’s never been west of the Blue Ridge Mountains so seeing Zion would have been "da Bomb"– as the kids say.

Well, the day drew closer and the temperature in Zion started growing higher; into the 100`s then 110`s.  Plan B was contemplated and we decided instead to head over to Park City, on the other side of the Wasatch Mountains for a little high altitude cooling off.

I had to get through three days of chasing gas meters first though, so while I did that, Margo spent the first part of the week showing Jenna SLC.  It's history including the Mormon Temple, Temple Square as well as it's many downtown eccentricities.  They zoomed all over on the TRAX train.  In the evenings we all toured the east side mountain “benches” with their view of the valley.  And oh, of course the Great Salt Lake.  You can’t come here without seeing it so we headed over to the marina where Margo and I had gone a few months back.  

Great Salt Lake

On Thursday we hooked up LuLu and headed east about 45 miles to the Wasatch Mountain State Park.  It has an older campground with small sites but just large enough to fit our 25 footer, although I have to say it was the tightest spot I’ve ever had to back her into.  At 6000 feet it was nice and cool as well as rainy but it didn’t rain us out and we had a great time burning marshmallows (aka making S'Mores) and searching for Internet on “2G rock” (so named for it’s ability to acquire blazing 2G cell service).  This place is quite remote.  We could squeeze a text message out occasionally but that was about it.  Facebook had to take a break but this particular Gen Z’er handled it well. 

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Site MH53 - tight fit 'fer sure

2G rock -  "Can you hear me now?"

We took a drive down the road to the little town of Midway (population 4,000 or so).  Here we found the coolest coffee shop that Margo and I have come across since our journey began.  The Fill ‘er Up Coffee Station was definitely one to remember.  Afterward we took a ride to Park City.  It was here in 2002 that the Winter Olympics were held and they still have all of the ski runs and venues – waiting for another go of it, I hear. 

Midway Town Hall.  Settled by Swiss Mormons in the 1860's

Town Hall automated figurine door opening - think cuckoo clock

.... on a grand scale

Midway is on our short list for retirement

Our favorite coffee shop so far

Fill 'Er Up Coffee Station

Saturday found us back in the SLC valley at the KOA with plans to wrap things up for her Sunday morning return flight home. All in all she adapted well to living in 188 square feet.  She gave a thumbs up for comfort on LuLu's fold out couch and learned the "intricacies" of RV plumbing.

Bonding with DAD - #stinkyslinky

The TRAX station next to the KOA

Heading for the airport

The week went by in a flash – just like her first 20 years.  She’s a beautiful young woman now but will always be my little one.  I have been very fortunate in being blessed with 2 beautiful children -  the oldest of whom will be delivering my first grandchild, a girl, in just a few weeks.  So stay tuned for baby pics.  Aunt Jenna will be making all the calls.