Welcome to New York, It's Been Waiting For You

I got to take a break from my busy new job (as executive assistant of enrollment services at BYU) and traveled to NYC with my mom. It was nice to have a girls trip and do whatever we wanted together. We walked all over the city and did so many things during the 4.5 days we were there. My mom had been in the city for work a couple days before I arrived, so I took a taxi from JFK airport and met her at our hotel in midtown. The first thing we did after I arrived was go to the rooftop lounge next door to our hotel where there just happened to be unobstructed views of the Empire State Building! What a way to kick off the trip! 

That evening we walked to the theatre district and got tickets to a new broadway musical: Come From Away. I am so glad this was the show we decided to see because it was amazing! Come From Away is based on the true story of the 38 planes and 7,000+ passengers who were re-routed to a small town in Newfoundland on September 11, 2001. It told the experience of the stranded passengers, some who were stuck on planes for 28 hours, and the townspeople who cared for them for several days until the airlines were open again. I felt so many emotions during this musical - it was funny, it was heart-wrenching, it was heart-warming. It was also kind of cathartic -- everyone who lived through 9/11 was impacted by those terrible events in some way, and I think we all still carry around some form of baggage because of it. Sitting there in a New York theater not far from where the events took place, with strangers from all over the world, and experiencing all of those emotions was really impactful to me. The story touched on the worst and the best of humanity and showed how much good can be done when people come together and show kindness to one another. The standing ovation at the end of the play lasted so long and it felt, at least to me, like everyone in that theater had the same cathartic experience. I left the theater with a renewed desire to "love my neighbor". This was a great way to start the trip off because for the rest of the week I looked at the city, with all its crowds, and noise, and hustle a little differently. If you ever have the chance to see the play, don't hesitate. It was truly amazing. And the music was great too!

The next day we walked to a Hertz rental rental shop, got a car, and drove out of the city headed for the Hamptons. We drove the full length of Long Island to reach Montauk lighthouse at the most eastern tip of the state. We drove through the Hamptons stopping here and there to get a feel for the famous beach-side towns. We toured Montauk lighthouse and took in the amazing views from the top tower. The water was so blue!

We also had some authentic east coast lobster rolls and crab cakes at the popular Clam Bar in Amagansette. I don't love seafood but I actually thought this was pretty good. Of course getting back into the city that evening was just as you might imagine - a nightmarish traffic jam. The drive on the highway actually wasn't too slow-moving, but once we reached midtown things came to a full stop. It took us 30 minutes to get passed one particularly jammed block. So crazy! I will say this - we got the true new york experience by driving ourselves in the city lol. There were cars honking, bikers lifting their bikes overhead just to traverse the car crowded street, and pedestrians yelling as they tried to cross the jam packed crosswalks. My mom kept exclaiming, "I love this!".

On Friday we took the subway to the Financial District on the southern tip of Manhattan where we walked all over and saw many famous historical sites. These included the 9/11 memorial, Trinity Church (where Alexander and Eliza Hamilton are buried), Wall Street, Federal Hall (where George Washington was sworn in as president), Fraunces Tavern (where the sons of liberty planned the revolutionary war and where George Washington gave his famous farewell speech at the end of the war), and Battery Park (with views of the statue of liberty). 

After lunch we took the subway into Brooklyn where we walked around the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, which is full of gorgeous brownstones and green parks, and walked along the Brooklyn Promenade which offers awesome views of the Manhattan skyline. 

We then took the Brooklyn Bridge by foot back into the city. Making our way back to our hotel which was in midtown, we traversed through Tribeca. SOHO, and Greenwich Village where we passed under the famous Washington Square Park Arch. One of the things I love about New York City is all of the amazing architecture. I also love that there are so many trees and parks throughout the city.

The next day we headed to the upper west side, stopping in the New York Public library with its grand statues and marble staircases, then walked around Rockefeller Center, and then rode the tram to Roosevelt Island. The tram ride was entertaining in itself, and so fast! 

After returning from this small strip of land in the middle of the east river, we took the subway to the upper east side where we found the restaurant that is featured in Seinfeld (and had lunch there), and the mansion from the tv show White Collar. 

We then walked across the northernmost part of Central Park to return to the upper west side and the MET. This museum is amazing and full of so many treasures from every century and all parts of the globe. My favorite thing in the museum was the giant painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware. So moving! Also, the MET has a rooftop exhibit which changes frequently but most notably visitors can take in amazing views of central park from here. 

On our final day in the city we had a lovely brunch at Tavern on the Green and then strolled through Central Park before taking a cab to the airport. I can't believe how much we did in less than a week there! I had a great time and came home feeling energized. Love you, NYC!

Happy 4th of July!

We enjoyed a wonderful Fourth of July day with friends, neighbors, and fellow patriots. We woke up early and headed to Provo for the hot air balloon festival in the morning. There's something exciting about waking up pre-dawn's early light in order to participate in festivities. It's like the extra effort of pulling yourself from a nice slumber makes the activity more worthwhile - because not everyone is willing to do it. I just love how the balloons are illuminated once the sun peaks over the mountaintops.

With us being in Provo already Jeff took the opportunity to fit in a bit of skateboarding at his favorite park. Fun to watch him with all the balloons floating around.

 After this we met the Rutters and the Thuets for breakfast at Kneaders where we enjoyed their signature chunky cinnamon french toast. So good! Jeff and I listened to the Hamilton soundtrack while driving to and from activities, which resulted in us humming and singing this the remainder of the day:

"Meet him inside! Meet him inside!

Meet him inside, meet him, meet him inside!" 

In the afternoon we went swimming and played Kan Jam and spike ball. Then we had a most delicious BBQ at home with Jake and Jen. The BBQ chicken we grilled on our Traeger grill. which has been so much fun to cook with, was phenomenal! We used the BBQ sauce from R&R BBQ restaurant and it is so dang good. Sweet with a little spicy kick! Along with our hand-shucked corn, quinoa salad, watermelon, and Old Glory cheesecake it was a meal very fitting for America's birthday celebration. 

 Later in the evening Jeff and I sat on our porch enjoying the warm evening air and listening to the quiet stillness of our neighborhood. It was a nice contrast to the rumpus that would follow later when fireworks started being lit off all around the valley. 

 As we went to sleep we could hear the celebratory booms of fireworks echoing late into the night. I thought of the people who helped shaped this country - those early colonists who celebrated with cannon and gun fire after winning their independence and the right to govern themselves. I’m grateful to live in this country and have the opportunity to leave my own positive mark on history. Also grateful for the chance to celebrate our freedoms each year! God bless America!

Sunny St. George

We started the Christmas season off right with a trip to downtown Salt Lake to see Ballet West perform the Nutrcracker. My coworker's husband was given tickets from his work and she kindly offered two of them to us. I was so excited! It was held at the beautiful Capitol Theatre and the sets and special effects were amazing! Jeff wasn't sure if he would enjoy a ballet, but even he was impressed. Those ballet dancers are super strong and athletic. Seeing the show put us right in the holiday spirit. I've been humming the songs ever since : )

This weekend we took a break from winter and made a quick trip down to St. George. Our friends Caden and Shikeyah Rutter have a family house there and they invited us to join them for little getaway. They have a cute two year old named Makai, who they call Muk for short. They were super easy-going travel companions and we had a fun time together. Every time I go to St. George I like it more. The house styles are so cute and everything just looks like summer. We were able to spend Saturday morning in Zion National Park where we hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail. It's a short hike but the views are stunning. We even saw some mountain goats up close! When we got back to St. George we stopped at a cool vintage shop that was full of antiques and Christmas goods. We also climbed up the Dixie rock which is a big red rock that overlooks the town. After relaxing at the house for a bit we went out for dinner and had dessert at Neilsen's Frozen custard, which was de-lish. We also took a drive around some of the best Christmas decorated houses in the state.

Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park

The next day when we headed out of St. George we stopped near La Verkin to walk around the Red Cliffs Recreation area. I thought it was going to be a short stroll through the desert, but it turned out to be much more! The path started out looking like landscape in Back to the Future III when Marty McFly is drives the Delorean over the sagebrush and red dirt. But then it led through some really unique rock formations which tuned into slot canyons with a beautiful clear river running through it! 

It did not feel like December as we climbed over the orange rocks that were bathed in sunlight. Sunshine and warm temperatures can be so rejuvenating in the winter! It had been in the low 20's and 30's all week in Pleasant Grove, so the 60 degree weather felt amazing. There was one part of the hike where we had to scale a wall using a rope to reach the backside of the canyon. We felt a little bit like Indiana Jones! 

This was certainly one of the coolest places I've ever hiked. It was AWESOME. After a couple of hours we headed out and began the scenic drive home. We enjoyed the time with our friends and being outdoors. So thankful for weekends and for our proximity to such magnificent landscapes!

Now we are home, have our Christmas lights on, are watching holiday movies, and feeling like it's winter again. We will be heading up to snowy McCall for Christmas to spend the break with my side of the family this year and are looking forward to it!

The Mountains Are Calling

I started a mountain biking class a couple of weeks ago and its been awesome! We meet as a class one evening per week and ride a local trail together, get coached, and practice various riding techniques. We also are assigned to complete one additional ride each week on our own. So far I've ridden at Lambert Park in Alpine, South Fork in Provo Canyon, and some trails at Corner Canyon, Draper. It's a beautiful time of year to ride in the mountains!

Lambert Park, Alpine UT

Riding up Clark's Trail before heading down Rush at Corner Canyon.

My favorite ride so far has been up Big Springs Hollow in Provo Canyon. Nice even trails for the most part, a steady but manageable climb, fun ride down the second half of the loop, and fantastic scenery!

This trail was fantastic. I had to stop every so often just to take in the gorgeous scenery and fall atmosphere!

Football Season Again

Disclaimer: I promise to upload a post about our trip to Europe, but I'm still editing photos.

It's starting to feel like fall again, and I love it! The start of a new football season always helps add to that sense of the seasons changing. This year BYU has a whole new coaching staff and we are excited to see how they fare. To start things off with a bang BYU faced Utah in another round of rivalry football. In preparation for this all of the statues on BYU campus were saran wrapped (apparently Ute fans vandalized a statue or two years ago and the campus police take this precaution every year now). It adds to the intensified atmosphere that precedes every BYU/Utah face-off.

Jeff's work put on an awesome tailgate the night before the game. They had dozens of food trucks, bouncy houses, live music, a flag football tournament, prizes, and fireworks. It was fun to try a little bit from all of the vendors we wanted and to hang out with Jeff's coworkers. He works with a fun bunch! 

The cornmeal battered corn dogs were my favorite!

Here's to a good season ahead!