Blanding, Utah!

Last weekend Lincoln and I drove my much missed neighbor Robyn and her son Grayson to Utah.  Grayson's grandpa sold him his old pick-up truck and so we drove them up and spent a few days exploring some beautiful country.  On Monday we followed them and the truck back to the valley.  I am completely convinced that the only way to travel at my age is to have grandkids who are amazingly kind and know how to get me from point A to point B.  While in the area Lincoln and I visited the Monticello Temple then went to Moab.  While there we drove along the Colorado river and were awed by the beautiful cliffs, rock formations, and breathtaking views.  We also visited a museum there.  For me the highlight was finding a McDonalds so I could get my daily diet coke!  On the way back from Moab we stopped at a very unique (and for me--kind of creepy} place called Hole in the Wall,   A man and his wife literally cut out a large part of the mountain and opened a restaurant in one part of it and a home in the other.  It was about 2700 square feet.  Although it was interesting to see, I have to admit my anxiety level grew as we walked around their home.  I was extremely grateful to walk out into the fresh air and the light again.  You have to be very unique to live like that and especially when you realize that much of the chipping away was done by picks and shovels.  We also went to the town of Bluff and visited an amazing re-creation of Bluff Fort where the pioneer Saints went to colonize the area and make a home for their families.  It was so interesting and well done.  We enjoyed a movie in a very old movie theatre in Blanding,  We attended church on Sunday and met many very friendly people who made us feel welcome.  After having breakfast before church with Robyn and Grayson and lunch after church with Brother and Sister Shumway (Robyn's mom and dad) Lincoln and I drove over to Colorado.  We visited the Mesa Verde National Park and saw a number of cliff dwellings and other unique places that were developed by the ancient Pueblo people.  It was a wonderful way to finish out the day.  We left for home on Monday morning and stopped in Kayenta, AZ at a Burger King.  We stopped there to see a little museum in the restaurant dedicated to the Code Talkers.  It was a beautiful tribute to those who stepped up and kept the Japanese from being able to break the codes that were being given to the soldier in the area.  I hope Lincoln enjoyed the time we spent together as much as I did.  Sister Shumway told Robyn that I must be a really good grandma because she didn't think any of her grandkids would want to go traveling with her.  I'm sure she is a great grandmother but she probably doesn't have so many wonderful and generous grandkids as I have!