Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Wednesday's drive to Utah & Thursday's fun

We started out at 8am Wednesday for our 650 mile trip to Utah.

We had borrowed some DVDs from the library only to find that Star had chewed the cord that connected the 2 screens. The second screen would work only if you held the cord "just right." Elise sacrificed for the good of the team and jiggled the cord "just so" and sat very still so as not to disturb the cord. Yeah for Elise!! When we got into Utah we were looking for a place to eat and found Cafe Rio. I have heard so much about this place we decided we HAD to try it. I have to say I really liked my enchilada, and the rice was awesome, especially for being "fast food." I ended up getting 2 meals out of mine. We wanted to go back again, but were never hungry enough to justify it :DThursday morning we met up with our good friends from Mass., the Gygis. It was really good to see them again.
We had planned to go to Timpanogos cave together, but the cave tours were booked 'til later than they had time for. So we just went for a walk together and had icecream.

Joel and Abby were really cute together


All together again


Sadly we had to say goodbye (again) as the Gygi's had prior commitments.

We stuck around though and made the 1.5 mile, 1000 foot climb up to the Timpanogos cave at 1pm in 100 degree heat. Doesn't that sound like fun?

Don't they look like happy campers?

Here are the happy hikers, going up the last 1/4 mile.

I was impressed Abby made it up. She only got the ride for the last 1/4 mile.

This is what your car looks like from 1,000 feet up.

We kept encouraging the kids to keep going and telling them how nice and cool the cave would be. And of course it was a cool 42 degrees and the formations were very cool too.

Once we finished our cave experience we decided to head down to Provo to some of our old haunts. As we drove around to some of our old apartments we couldn't believe how run down and small some of the places were. Ahh, love is blind :-D

While the dorms we lived in when we first met were demolished a few months ago, the dorm I lived in my second year and where we spent most of our dating days was still there, so we had a little reunion there for old times sake (16 years later!).

Brad and I used to like this shake shop in Pleasant Grove called "The Purple Turtle", and for Brad it was the "Gold Standard" in shakes. So... we had to go and see if it was as good as he remembered. Brad's favorite and the ultimate shake
So... was it as good?


Have you ever been to the Purple Turtle? If not, next time you may find yourself in Utah, make it a stop on your trip. The shakes are so filling we only ate half and saved the other half for a "milkshake" the next day.

6 comments:

brittany said...

We love the purple turtle, and I am so jealous about cafe rio. honestly it's a little hard for me to read about it, because the craving for fideo friday has never gone away. looks like a 650 mile road trip is in order...

Shawna said...

One of the first things we did when we moved to Provo was drive around, Ben wanted to show me the places that you guys lived and where he used to go and visit you.

We tried the Purple Turtle off your recommendations and loved it. We also loved the Malt Shop.

Christie said...

MMM Purple turtle. Good shakes, really good shakes. We made the haul out there only once, but it was memorable. Cafe Rio Rocks! SO SO Yummy. Man, now there is NO WAY I am eating pancakes tonight! Now I want mexican. humph. WHere was Ethan on that big hike?

Unknown said...

I am getting so homesick reading about your trip to Utah. I am so glad you have taken so many pics. I never get enough of seeing Utah!!

Anonymous said...

Now, I see all of my questions were answered from the top blog. Your family is very hearty and adventuresome, making that hike. I went on that hike once, and more than half the people turned back. This is an accomplishment they should be proud of. And Abby always keeps up.

SJacobus said...

So fun! On one of our last outings we picked up a booklet of our local caves. We'll have to get together with you guys and go see some together. That way if we go backwards you can help us get going straight. As you can see I think I'll never let myself live that one down, but only in fun right? Anyway it would be fun.