Capitol Reef Road Trip (7)

To wrap up our grand adventure...

...did we mention our car broke down on our way to Capitol Reef? And that we got the last rental car in town? And that it was the beginning of about 500 times moving the car seats from one vehicle to another. Yup, that totally happened.

Very cramped in the back of the tow truck.

Pretending to drive at the auto shop.

We stopped in Las Vegas again--Henderson actually. It was--no surprise--really hot!

A fierce ping pong competition.

Chess for one.

Trying to take a picture with zero participant cooperation.

Palm trees a'plenty on the property.

And finally, let us acknowledge how you cannot pass through the California desert without thinking of U2...well played, Bono. Well. Played.

Black and white.

Color.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (6)

Let it not be said we didn't return to civilization once in a while...

...for ice cream.

Putting Quinn in white was a mistake.

We also hiked to Hickman Bridge. Still hot but the girls did much better.

More beautiful views.

I love photographing bare trees.

Interesting vantage.

Hickman Bridge...we made it!

Dillon was here.

We found a mini bridge.

Still smiling!

Capitol Reef Road Trip (5)

More, more, more from our road trip. In the mornings we arrived at Griffin House promptly at 8 a.m. to make sure we got the few bags of fresh plums that were fresh from the orchard.

Pretty good backdrop for a flag.

We saw lots of deer too.

Plum bliss.

We also spent an afternoon hiking the Great Wash. It was beautiful but so hot. The kids wilted pretty quickly.

This is how dry it was.

Expansive views.

Hugging a tiny bit of shade.

One of many breaks.

Sky for miles.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (4)

Moving right along...we visited the ancient petroglyphs, fed the hotel llamas, and walked around the property, which was right at the foot of the park.

Quinn and Craig share a quiet moment.

Dillon helps feed the llamas.

Harrison and Dillon jump for joy.

Free range child.

Sissies.

The view from our room was amazing.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (3)

Capitol Reef National Park was gorgeous! So many great hikes, beautiful vistas, and fun times together as a family. We also met up with my dear friend Lynn and her family (the last time I saw her boys, Quinn didn't even exist).

A short hike to a stunning view at Gooseneck.

Just as impressive in black and white.

It was surprising how much greenery there was.

Gorge-ous.

Dillon up high.

She may have over-accessorized.

Quinny girl.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (2)

On our way to Utah we stopped in Las Vegas for the night. Oh, did I mention it was Quinn's 3rd birthday too? She put on her fancy skirt for dinner at the Venetian (thanks, Aunt Julie).

Ready to par-tay!

The skirt has good twirl!

Birthday gelato.

The Beatles on her shirt and on the building behind her.

Sisterly...

...Love

Capitol Reef Road Trip (1)

We went on a road trip to Utah this summer so get ready for A TON of photos! Starting with...

...a trip to Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, CA. I think this is quintessential "roadside America." It was a neat installation but OMG hot as Hades.

Mom is never in the photos...

Dillon is almost hiding in this one.

Fun signs.

Local craft beer bottles.

Folk art.

Rusty typewriters (this place has it all).

Close to Barstow.

Everything too hot to touch.

Happy selfie.

Quinn wore her birthday crown to lunch.

Words to live by in the diner.