Look out world, we have two teenagers in the house. Just over a month ago, our Talia Lily turned thirteen. My, time flies.
For Talia's birthday, we played hooky from school and traveled to Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands is so large and diverse that you could easily dedicate weeks to exploring it.. Since we only had a few hours, we limited ourselves to three short hikes in the well-developed Island in the Sky district.
If you must throw sand, I suppose it's best that you toss it at yourself.
Mesa Arch
The arch isn't large, but approach carefully.
There's quite a drop off on the other side! I guess that's why they call it Island in the Sky.
For our next hike, Brooklyn was anxious to find a place where she could throw her frisbee.
Our destination? Aztec Butte.
Following the cairns to the top. After reading the trail description, we were searching for some ancestral Puebloan ruins.
Our birthday girls looks like she knows the way.
Not over here either.
Brooklyn wonders if we should give up.
At least the views from atop the butte were pretty stunning.
Well-done, gals!
Our last hike, Upheaval Dome. While we aren't certain what caused this giant crater, it certainly is giant!
Back in Moab, we decided to splurge by taking Talia to Thai Bella. Our Talia sure is Bella as well.
Afterward, it was back to the hotel to open presents. Aw, the owl blankie is so soft!
New ski goggles too.
Made in '06 indeed.
Next it was time for a late night swim in the Marriott pools. That's Talia standing on her head.
Reminds me of when she was nine.
It's hard to find the right words to describe how fortunate we feel to have Talia in our lives. This gal is bright, inquisitive, hard-working, creative, and ever so thoughtful. Each day she grows more beautiful both inside and out. Happy, happy birthday Tally Wally!
Early the next morning, Jason and Annie dropped me off at the trailhead for the Dead Horse 30K, sponsored by Mad Moose running.
I had the beginning of the course all to myself, thanks to my forgetfulness. I left my timing chip at home and had to wait a bit for a replacement.
While I don't have any photos, the course was just as beautiful as last year with breathtaking vistas and heartbreaking climbs. The aid stations were awesome, plus I loved the number of runners: enough to feel motivated without feeling crowded along the single track. While I still walked the steepest climbs, I must have hustled a bit more than last year since I finished in 3:18, a ten minute improvement.
Lest I gloss over the challenge, the race was still hard. Training was hard. But it was worth it.
So many thanks to my family for cheering me on. And thanks to the race organizers for the enchilada at the finish.
After the race, we headed over to Arches for some more fun. Here Brooklyn found the perfect spot for playing frisbee.
Welcome to Sand Dune Arch. Despite our many ventures into the park, this was our first time discovering this gem. What a delightful place to play!
And munch.
Brooklyn and Talia went off on a little adventure with their Daddy.
This photo makes my heart melt.
My favorite crew.
On the way home, we stopped off for dinner at a place called Cowboy's Kitchen outside of Price, Utah. We were all pretty famished by this point so we were delighted when they brought bread to our table. Funny story: the table behind us left their bread completely untouched. When no one was looking, we stole their loaf and devoured it too before the staff could whisk it away. Yup, we're that kind of people.
So there you have it. Talia's birthday, Canyonlands, Arches, a 30K, and home in time for church. We sure know how to play hard. Now time for another decade of adventures. Happy New Year, world!
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