Day Four of Vacation: Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

I liked this hotel, the Bowen Motel. We thought about swimming in the morning before heading out, but I decided we didn't have time. We headed out of Moab and went to Canyonlands. Yay for free entrance to the parks this weekend! We saw the orientation and we checked out the gift shop and asked questions like we have a pattern of doing. We drove down to the Grand View Point and all the overviews on the way. Then me and Pa walked the .5 miles to the Mesa Arch. I liked that arch because you could take a picture and see you and the arch and cuz you could walk on top of the arch. With all these arches are lots of people though. It wasn't that bad of a hike despite the 30 minutes in the 95 degree weather and feeling my skin bake in the sun.

Then we went back to the Arches and finished what we started yesterday. We finished driving through the overlooks and such since we spent our whole time at the Delicate Arch yesterday. We saw the Fiery Furnance last and by then it was like 3pm and we had to head home. It takes like four hours to get me home and two more for them and it turns out that Ma has to work at 11pm tonight. So after Dads harassment of getting out on the road before it got too late, we were on our way. I thought the route would take us back to Moab and I wanted a Pesto sandwhich that my Pa had the other day. So jealous, so good, but no, we went the opposite way.

Mainly today was a lot of driving. We didn't have time or energy to hike anything anymore after yesterdays 3 mile uphill in such heat. So we took driving tours of Canyonlands and the rest of Arches. Then we had to drive home back on I 70 West which apparently merges with I 15. Dad drove the first hour er so since we were in such a rush. I drove the rest of the way another 2 1/2 hours er so. We stopped by Mindys to give gifts before dropping me off and sending them home.

Its weird being back. Most vacations I feel rushed or frustrated with people so much that I want to come home and am so glad when I am home but this vacation wasn't rushed or plagued with frustrated feelings, so it feels like I could still be down there. Its feels weird not to be totally glad I'm back. I guess I really enjoyed it if I didn't care if I came back or not. It didn't even feel like it wasn't long enough. It was just nice and slow. Usually its rushed with screaming children and the like. I realize all my vacations I was either the child or there were children there. Its nice to not have either for once. I think my parents liked it too.

So Ma paid for gas the whole time and the food to balance out my charges of the hotels and musical tickets. I don't think thats a fair balance especially when it was ALL budgeted for on my end and she did no budgeting, story of her life. So I had lots of money to spend since I wasn't paying for gas and I realize the only things I got was a hoodie from Moab, pictures of the Arch, and postcards for myself. I should've bought me more stuffs, but I suppose I was content with what I had because usually I leave places wishing I had bought more stuff or certain things. I had plenty of time to browse and get what I wanted I suppose and I did. Still feels like I should've spent more simply cuz I had the money tho. Oh well, I bought a hoodie that'll fit my fat body I should be content.

Everything else I bought was for Dustin. I got him a stone angel statute (to replace the fairy I stole from him years ago) for his birthday and then a bear claw ring for Christmas. I got Sarah a bear claw necklace to match his ring too. I wonder if they'll like it. I got Christmas done for cept for the two boys and maybe Billy and Yolanda. I was thinking of getting McKayla a cute lil' outfit, but I didn't.

I'm gonna make a frickin book of this whole vacation. Sadly it might be the only vacation I take to document. I am officially a Utahn. I have officially seen Utah. Now on to bigger and better things, yes? Take me away! Among the list is the ocean, northern lights and flying in a plane.

Back to the normal life where the hardest decisions are the every day questions like "what do I eat for lunch?" or "what do I wear today?" or even "how do I do my hair today?". I suppose I could spice life up again by finding a new place to live.

A summary of our vacation: "Oh look! More rocks to look at!"