48 Strong

This weekend brought another Davies vacation. This time we set out for Altamont, Utah. We left Thursday morning and set out, arriving in Vernal, Utah just before midnight. It wouldn’t be a Davies vacation if we didn’t stop at a Roadside America Stop. This trip it was Rock City. We stayed with Zed’s Aunt and Uncle who have housed us many times on our trips across the country.

Friday we worked on Zed’s masters program, the kids played with the farm animals (horses, dogs, and goats) and then they and Zed went to the Dinosaur museum. Ana is currently obsessed with dinosaurs, her favorite being long necks and triceratops. I stayed back with Zoe and spent some time with Zed’s aunt. We were then off to Hidden Springs Ranch in Altamont.

If you’re ever looking for a great place for a wedding or reunion location, it’s perfect. It sleeps 92 people, has trap shooting, a rock wall, acres to ride ATVs on, a pool, basketball/volleyball court, and good-sized game room. It was a gorgeous lodge with even better views.

Friday night was filled with catching up and great food. Brisket from Country Natural Beef, homemade scallop potatoes, green beans and rolls. The best part of the meal was Grandpa Davies’ Dutch oven poppy seed cake. Zed and I may have taken half of it with us for the road trip back. The kids went swimming in the hot tub and bedtime was close to midnight.

Birthday day! I started my day with a kiss from Zed then I headed out for a run, 2 miles. Ana was half way through a huge waffle when I got back and Zoe was enjoying the whipped cream on top of Zed’s. Dax had already finished bacon and eggs and Mia decided on a banana. After breakfast we got ready for our day of fun. People started sticking cloths pins to me every time I said someone’s name in my family. It took me a little bit to notice I was the only one collecting pins and realized it was a birthday thing. The boys set out to shoot skeet and Mia insisted on joining; she was the “puller”. Once I reached 27 pins I received my gift, a spa bundle complete with a massage. My sister-in-law is a massage therapist. When in Bend, OR look up sole foot bar and schedule a session. Zed’s aunt scheduled a photographer and the full picture had 48 people in it. We played some fun games and had some amazing steaks.

Sunday brought packing up and saying goodbye. Dax went with ‘ parents for a fun week at the ranch. We set out with the girls and spent the night in Colorado with Zed’s sponsor family from the Academy. We drove the rest of the way home on Monday, completing a successful family vacation. Part of the drive home was stopping at a “cano” in New Mexico. Capulin Volcano last erupted 60,000 years ago and the girls absolutely loved hiking it’s rim and bowl. Zed had a great time with his brothers and I had a great time with my sisters and getting to know, hopefully, sister #4.

Next adventure…Tulsa.
-S