Our anniversary is December 20th - 39 years this year!! So we decided to take a road trip to Southern Utah and take photos in the National Parks. I was a little hesitant since we left on the second day after treatment. I try to gargle with salt and soda 3 or 4 times each day for the first few days and am very careful about what I eat. So eating out and being in hotels had me a little concerned. But things went fine.
Selfies are never very flattering!
We stayed the first night at Ruby's Inn outside of Bryce Canyon. I thought it was cold enough when we went to take pictures on the afternoon we arrived, but Ken got up early to catch the sunrise the next morning. And it was 7 degrees with a little breeze. I stayed in the nice warm hotel and slept in. Smart me! But here are some of the photos that Ken took. Amazingly beautiful place with the snow on the red rocks. I wish I could have taken the hike that Ken did to get some of these photos. I just don't have the energy to do hills right now.
We left Bryce and drove to Zion's National Park that afternoon. After the dramatic contrasts in Bryce, Zion just didn't have the vistas we had hoped for. There wasn't much snow, and it was much warmer. But I did take these photos with my phone.
We spent some time at our condo in St. George and just enjoyed being together with no work to interfere. We did have a little excitement on Christmas Eve day. We planned to get up early and leave for home. I went to fill the car with gas while it was still dark and as I was almost to the station, I heard the car run over something. And then as I was leaving the gas station, the low tire pressure light came on. I wasn't too worried and when I got back to the condo, I got out to check the tires. Well, one of the tires was flat! Ken emptied the trunk and looked for the spare. What? No spare? Just a kit to stop a leak and inflate the tire. We knew we couldn't drive home with that temporary fix, so started calling around to find a replacement tire. I tried 3 different places and no one had the brand and size we needed in stock. They all said they would have to order it in and probably wouldn't get it until Monday. We were thinking we might have to stay in St. George over Christmas!
Then Ken remembered that he had the Hyundai Assistance plan with his car, so we called the dealership in town. They had the tire in stock, but would only be open until noon. Hyundai sent out a tow truck (they said, why use the kit when we could get towed!) and Ken went with the driver to the dealership. They found a nail in the tire, repaired the tire and wouldn't charge us anything. And with, "Have a Merry Christmas" Ken was on his way back to the condo. We finished cleaning up and then left for Provo. Thank you Hyundai!!
We had a quiet Christmas morning at home and then went to visit our local kids and grandkids in the afternoon. I am thankful that everyone was well and that we could go visit and enjoy being with the kids as they showed us their new gifts. So between being home and visiting with kids (either in person or by phone or by FaceTime), it was a very nice day.
And now I am staying home for the 5 days that my immunity is at its lowest. I have been catching up on some reading, trying some new recipes, and getting started with the year end things that we need to do for our stores.
Things I am thankful for:
- The opportunity to celebrate our 39 year marriage. I love Ken more than ever!
- Christmas at home and with some of the family. We even had a white Christmas!
- The many friends who left Christmas treats and gifts on our front porch, and for Diane keeping them all safe till we got home.
- The huge blessing of feeling good, even after 5 chemo treatments.
- The time to read and reflect on the Savior and what He means in my life.
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