Idaho to Texas Y'all
There is something fulfilling and rewarding about hitting the open road. It calls to me regularly, even if I've just recently returned from an adventure, and sometimes sooner than my husband would like. But it calls nonetheless. Some would call it wanderlust. But I do crave it and I do enjoy it!
Monday, I headed down to Salt Lake City with Benson and Kylie. We left just before 5 p.m. because Kylie had to work, but we made really good time, arriving at 7:45 p.m. to our hotel near the airport. Jacob and Hannah drove up to meet us for dinner, which ended up being some takeout being devoured in our hotel room together. We visited for a while, with Jacob asking several questions about milestones in his childhood for a research project in his BYU class. We took some pictures before giving hugs and saying goodbyes.
I successfully delivered Benson and Kylie to the SLC Airport Tuesday morning, with Benson flying out shortly thereafter and Kylie taking a shuttle back up to Idaho Falls, while I continued heading south. Benson made it safely back to Aviano Air Force Base after about 24 hours of travel.
Unfortunately, Sickness #2 arrived quite obnoxiously Monday morning, and has been quite a process the past several days for me. This time it started out as a severe version of croup, with swollen tonsils, a sore throat, and coughing fits. Monday night I could hardly sleep because my throat was so swollen and I felt like garbage. Tuesday, my throat was less swollen, but more sore throughout the day. Tuesday night, I woke up multiple times because I needed to cough, but my throat was so constricted and tight that I was scared to cough for fear that I would injure myself. I ended up putting some "Deep Relief" essential oil on my throat and voice box area and it miraculously stopped the need to cough, allowing me to sleep for about 3 hours before re-applying. Then in the wee hours of the morning, my right ear was noticeably hurting and woke me up. I couldn't do much about that besides just turn over and sleep on my left side. I ended up stopping at a clinic in Page, Arizona Wednesday morning where I was diagnosed with an ear infection, securing some antibiotics to start the healing process. It wasn't much fun that day with all the elevation changes while driving, though. Up to 8000 feet, down to 4000. Up to 7200, down to 5000. Ears clogged or popping all the while. Ugh.
The FUN took place at Bryce Canyon on Tuesday afternoon before the whole ear thing. I stayed at a hotel near Panguitch, Utah and just 18 miles from the Bryce Canyon visitor center. I spent about 2 hours there, driving to each vista point to hop out and explore and take lots of pictures. It was about 28 degrees with a breeze, but I didn't care. I even met an adventurous 20-something young man from Germany - we kept bumping into each other at all the vista points and needed someone to take our picture. He was a very polite, somewhat quiet adventurer. From the NW Cologne area of Germany, he came out to the U.S. to study business at a university, but enjoys hiking and trekking outdoors. He said he found that winter time is the quieter time to visit places like Bryce & Zion National Parks, and even Yellowstone and Yosemite. There are far fewer people to contend with and the quiet and stillness were motivating factors for him. I enjoyed the few minutes of meaningful conversation along with some great trail photos that he took for me. I love meeting new people from around the world.
A video I took approaching the overlook at Bryce Point:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rj817qaMqg7Y6Aih9
Wednesday I made it to Clay Springs, AZ to spend the night with our niece Vanessa Jackson, and her family. She made a lovely Zuppa Tuscano Soup (with sausage, kale and potatoes) that really hit the spot! I just love visiting their home. Between Vanessa and my neighbor, Kim Parkinson, across the street back in Idaho Falls, they've really nailed the decorating style that I wish I had in my own home. I'd call it rustic chic, farmhouse, and full of family photos and quotes that would uplift even the crankiest visitor.
Vanessa treated me like royalty that evening, first making me soup and then later she made me a Hot Chocolate Float. (Hot chocolate with a scoop of peppermint ice cream that melts in) It really hit the spot! She also set up a humidifier in my room with essential oil diffusing into the air for my coughing fits and sickness.
I woke up the next morning to this gorgeous view outside.
Thursday I drove down to my sister Melanie's house in Gilbert, Arizona. She made a perfect recommendation for a pit-stop on the way down: Saguaro Lake, just north of Mesa and Gilbert. I spent close to 2 hours exploring around the lake! She said the area is known for its wild horses that randomly walk down to the water's edge and into the lake to splash around, seemingly unaffected by humans being nearby. A lake? A trail? Wild horses? Count me in!! Here are some of the spectacular views from the afternoon.
Sadly, I did not see any wild horses. Maybe next time. Just a few minutes into my drive south from the lake heading towards Gilbert, I came around the corner and this breathtaking view literally took my breath away! I still can't pinpoint on any maps what the name of this mountain range is. It's either the Superstition Mountains or the Usery Mountains. Either way: Spec.Tac.U.Lar.
I really enjoyed visiting with my sister and her family. We had a delicious dinner that included brussels sprouts with melted cheese, a fun game called Suspend after dinner, a lovely moonlit walk around the neighborhood, and brownie-in-a-mug for dessert.
Melanie, Mandie and Caleb
Thursday night, I had a revelatory experience with prayer. I was up coughing as usual, late into the night instead of sleeping. I had prayed numerous times that Heavenly Father would help stop my coughing so that I could sleep. At 1:45 a.m., as I lay there exhausted and frustrated, coughing and coughing and coughing, I decided to change what I asked for in my prayer. This time, I said, "Please tell me what I need to do to fix this." The answer was to turn off the humidifier and to open up the window. Within 5 minutes, my coughing settled down and I finally went to sleep around 2:00 a.m. That really taught me the importance of asking for the right thing. I could relate to the Brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon, when he needed help with preparations to sail to the promised land. He had asked God to bless him with a way to resolve several things that they needed, but eventually he had to put some thought and some effort into resolving an issue on his own, with support from his loving Father. I had to do the same. Sleep was my reward.
Friday I drove from Gilbert, AZ to El Paso, Texas. It was beautiful coming into town as the sunset was shaping up so nicely, a bittersweet welcome to the town where I last saw my husband before he left the country.
Unfortunately, I had another rough night sleeping due to the coughing fits until around 2 a.m. again, which was even more worrisome because of so many sleep-deprived nights in a row.
I had a long day on Saturday to get to San Antonio, about 7.5 driving hours plus any stops, as well as an hour changeover to Central Standard Time. As I left El Paso in my rear-view mirror, I started bawling. I cried because I missed Scott so much and I wished I didn't have to. Throughout the day, several things set me off and I would start bawling again, perhaps because I was so tired both mentally and physically. Catalysts included a song (or 2 or 3) that came on, a thought that popped into my mind, a feeling that came over me, etc. It was hard to drive at times because I was crying so hard. But I kept plugging on, on toward family and hugs and the love waiting for me in San Antonio.
When I finally arrived, I was so trashed I just sent out a short phrase to everyone that said: I made it.
This is what followed:
But I made it. Five days of travel by myself and I did it. I went to the Doctor again here in San Antonio this morning and he told me I have some bronchitis. So that's why I've been coughing my guts up every day for a week. He gave me a steroid shot in my hip along with prescriptions for Advair and Provair, reassuring me that I should be feeling much better soon. I'm grateful for a purposeful diagnosis and that help is on the way. I've been feeling so lousy for about 2 weeks now, and it's really been wearing on me.
I'm so grateful to be here. I'm so grateful for Amber and Weston and all the little things they've been doing to make me as comfortable as possible, from making a delicious and hearty split pea soup, to making me a cup of tea, to letting me sleep in, and taking an extra turn reading stories to the girls so I didn't implode with a coughing fit. Soon I will be in a better position to offer more help around here and to be the one reading stories to my grandbabies. So very soon.
Monday, I headed down to Salt Lake City with Benson and Kylie. We left just before 5 p.m. because Kylie had to work, but we made really good time, arriving at 7:45 p.m. to our hotel near the airport. Jacob and Hannah drove up to meet us for dinner, which ended up being some takeout being devoured in our hotel room together. We visited for a while, with Jacob asking several questions about milestones in his childhood for a research project in his BYU class. We took some pictures before giving hugs and saying goodbyes.
I successfully delivered Benson and Kylie to the SLC Airport Tuesday morning, with Benson flying out shortly thereafter and Kylie taking a shuttle back up to Idaho Falls, while I continued heading south. Benson made it safely back to Aviano Air Force Base after about 24 hours of travel.
Unfortunately, Sickness #2 arrived quite obnoxiously Monday morning, and has been quite a process the past several days for me. This time it started out as a severe version of croup, with swollen tonsils, a sore throat, and coughing fits. Monday night I could hardly sleep because my throat was so swollen and I felt like garbage. Tuesday, my throat was less swollen, but more sore throughout the day. Tuesday night, I woke up multiple times because I needed to cough, but my throat was so constricted and tight that I was scared to cough for fear that I would injure myself. I ended up putting some "Deep Relief" essential oil on my throat and voice box area and it miraculously stopped the need to cough, allowing me to sleep for about 3 hours before re-applying. Then in the wee hours of the morning, my right ear was noticeably hurting and woke me up. I couldn't do much about that besides just turn over and sleep on my left side. I ended up stopping at a clinic in Page, Arizona Wednesday morning where I was diagnosed with an ear infection, securing some antibiotics to start the healing process. It wasn't much fun that day with all the elevation changes while driving, though. Up to 8000 feet, down to 4000. Up to 7200, down to 5000. Ears clogged or popping all the while. Ugh.
The FUN took place at Bryce Canyon on Tuesday afternoon before the whole ear thing. I stayed at a hotel near Panguitch, Utah and just 18 miles from the Bryce Canyon visitor center. I spent about 2 hours there, driving to each vista point to hop out and explore and take lots of pictures. It was about 28 degrees with a breeze, but I didn't care. I even met an adventurous 20-something young man from Germany - we kept bumping into each other at all the vista points and needed someone to take our picture. He was a very polite, somewhat quiet adventurer. From the NW Cologne area of Germany, he came out to the U.S. to study business at a university, but enjoys hiking and trekking outdoors. He said he found that winter time is the quieter time to visit places like Bryce & Zion National Parks, and even Yellowstone and Yosemite. There are far fewer people to contend with and the quiet and stillness were motivating factors for him. I enjoyed the few minutes of meaningful conversation along with some great trail photos that he took for me. I love meeting new people from around the world.
A video I took approaching the overlook at Bryce Point:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rj817qaMqg7Y6Aih9
Wednesday I made it to Clay Springs, AZ to spend the night with our niece Vanessa Jackson, and her family. She made a lovely Zuppa Tuscano Soup (with sausage, kale and potatoes) that really hit the spot! I just love visiting their home. Between Vanessa and my neighbor, Kim Parkinson, across the street back in Idaho Falls, they've really nailed the decorating style that I wish I had in my own home. I'd call it rustic chic, farmhouse, and full of family photos and quotes that would uplift even the crankiest visitor.
Vanessa treated me like royalty that evening, first making me soup and then later she made me a Hot Chocolate Float. (Hot chocolate with a scoop of peppermint ice cream that melts in) It really hit the spot! She also set up a humidifier in my room with essential oil diffusing into the air for my coughing fits and sickness.
I woke up the next morning to this gorgeous view outside.
Thursday I drove down to my sister Melanie's house in Gilbert, Arizona. She made a perfect recommendation for a pit-stop on the way down: Saguaro Lake, just north of Mesa and Gilbert. I spent close to 2 hours exploring around the lake! She said the area is known for its wild horses that randomly walk down to the water's edge and into the lake to splash around, seemingly unaffected by humans being nearby. A lake? A trail? Wild horses? Count me in!! Here are some of the spectacular views from the afternoon.
Sadly, I did not see any wild horses. Maybe next time. Just a few minutes into my drive south from the lake heading towards Gilbert, I came around the corner and this breathtaking view literally took my breath away! I still can't pinpoint on any maps what the name of this mountain range is. It's either the Superstition Mountains or the Usery Mountains. Either way: Spec.Tac.U.Lar.
I really enjoyed visiting with my sister and her family. We had a delicious dinner that included brussels sprouts with melted cheese, a fun game called Suspend after dinner, a lovely moonlit walk around the neighborhood, and brownie-in-a-mug for dessert.
Melanie, Mandie and Caleb
Thursday night, I had a revelatory experience with prayer. I was up coughing as usual, late into the night instead of sleeping. I had prayed numerous times that Heavenly Father would help stop my coughing so that I could sleep. At 1:45 a.m., as I lay there exhausted and frustrated, coughing and coughing and coughing, I decided to change what I asked for in my prayer. This time, I said, "Please tell me what I need to do to fix this." The answer was to turn off the humidifier and to open up the window. Within 5 minutes, my coughing settled down and I finally went to sleep around 2:00 a.m. That really taught me the importance of asking for the right thing. I could relate to the Brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon, when he needed help with preparations to sail to the promised land. He had asked God to bless him with a way to resolve several things that they needed, but eventually he had to put some thought and some effort into resolving an issue on his own, with support from his loving Father. I had to do the same. Sleep was my reward.
Friday I drove from Gilbert, AZ to El Paso, Texas. It was beautiful coming into town as the sunset was shaping up so nicely, a bittersweet welcome to the town where I last saw my husband before he left the country.
Unfortunately, I had another rough night sleeping due to the coughing fits until around 2 a.m. again, which was even more worrisome because of so many sleep-deprived nights in a row.
I had a long day on Saturday to get to San Antonio, about 7.5 driving hours plus any stops, as well as an hour changeover to Central Standard Time. As I left El Paso in my rear-view mirror, I started bawling. I cried because I missed Scott so much and I wished I didn't have to. Throughout the day, several things set me off and I would start bawling again, perhaps because I was so tired both mentally and physically. Catalysts included a song (or 2 or 3) that came on, a thought that popped into my mind, a feeling that came over me, etc. It was hard to drive at times because I was crying so hard. But I kept plugging on, on toward family and hugs and the love waiting for me in San Antonio.
When I finally arrived, I was so trashed I just sent out a short phrase to everyone that said: I made it.
This is what followed:
But I made it. Five days of travel by myself and I did it. I went to the Doctor again here in San Antonio this morning and he told me I have some bronchitis. So that's why I've been coughing my guts up every day for a week. He gave me a steroid shot in my hip along with prescriptions for Advair and Provair, reassuring me that I should be feeling much better soon. I'm grateful for a purposeful diagnosis and that help is on the way. I've been feeling so lousy for about 2 weeks now, and it's really been wearing on me.
I'm so grateful to be here. I'm so grateful for Amber and Weston and all the little things they've been doing to make me as comfortable as possible, from making a delicious and hearty split pea soup, to making me a cup of tea, to letting me sleep in, and taking an extra turn reading stories to the girls so I didn't implode with a coughing fit. Soon I will be in a better position to offer more help around here and to be the one reading stories to my grandbabies. So very soon.
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