Day 230

The Utah party managed to squeeze in a couple more sites before heading home today. First up, Black Bear Diner (there are two in St. George) for breakfast, which was nicely decked out for Halloween. Then, probably the most amazing tourist attraction in all of Utah, the Bloomington Petroglyph Park (tongue planted firmly in cheek). Really, though, it was rather intriguing and to think it was saved on a 1/2-acre plot in the middle of a residential development. Sandy had an earlier flight, so we dropped her off at the airport and went back to town to visit the World Wildlife Museum (over 300 taxidermy animals from all over the world). It, too, was good for a short visit. We took one last shot at a fun place for a latte and maybe a munchy, and lucked out - George's Corner Restaurant! We were actually looking for a particular coffee shop, but literally parked in front of this place and decided to give it a whirl. Fun place, lots of history, and Jamie managed to quench both his thirst for booze and hunger for ice cream - Grandma's Float (a scoop of vanilla ice cream drenched in Grand Marnier in a martini glass). All the Utah photos are here.

World Wildlife Museum

George's Corner Restaurant

Last look at St. George, Utah

Just before landing in Denver

Day 229

Back in Colorado, all three dogs got groomed today! As for the folks still in Utah, it was quilting and fabric day. After a brief stop at Feel Love Coffee, we hit three quilting shops: Scrap Apple Quilts, Quilted Works, and Clover Patch Quilt Shop. In between those we had a fun lunch at Chef Hog's Oyster Bar and Grill. And being the last evening of our trip, our fanciest dinner was at Aragosta Restaurant in downtown St. George. All the Utah trip photos are here.

Aragosta

These next three are after the grooming.

Feel Love Coffee

All three off to the groomer

Day 228

Snow Day in Colorado Springs! While our intrepid explorers traveled about Zion National Park, the homestead was getting some painting done, lightening room colors with much more whiteness. Breakfast on the way to Zion was at Oscar's Cafe. And dinner on the way "home" was at Pig's Ear American Bistro. Both were gems! At Zion, the threesome explored the area accessible by the shuttle including the Lower Emerald Pool hike out of Stop 5 (saw the Zion Lodge, too) and the Riverside Walk up to the Narrows at Stop 9. Lots of mule deer along the Stop 5 hike. Good thing we had done the drive through Zion on Highway 9 yesterday. The latter actually had much more dramatic geology. All the Utah photos are here.

Kings on the Corner (last night, actually, in St. George, UT)

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Day 227

After a last look at Bryce Canyon, we headed down highway 89 and then 9 west through Zion and into the St. George area to find our next home away from home, Coral Springs Resort. Early on the trip we visited Sevier Coffee and caught them during the last nine minutes of their last day open for the season. Also along the way we spotted a small herd of bison - finally! Shortly after turning west on highway 9 we entered Zion National Park. Wow! Can't wait till we hit the park tomorrow. Soon after exiting the park we stumbled upon Balcony One, a restaurant in Virgin, UT that has been open a mere two weeks. And it was great! Ever had bacon on the bone?! Dinner was at the Stage Coach Grille, during which the power went out (very high winds). Ambience! All the Utah photos are here.

Sevier Coffee

Bison!

Zion (just a tiny piece of amazing geology!)

Balcony One

Stage Coach Grille (after the power outage)

Coral Springs Resort

Day 226

We went back to "town" for breakfast at Ruby's Inn. Spent the entire day wandering around Bryce Canyon. We took parts of two trails: Queen's Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail. It was really fun to get down into the "canyon" but getting back up was quite strenuous. We didn't notice quite how steep the descent was until we started back up! Dinner was at Bryce Canyon Pines about 15 minutes from the park. In the meantime, the Reguscis got a trip in to the pool. Good thing as winter weather is due tomorrow. The kids loved it (it's been a while since we went to the pool). All The Utah photos are here.

That's ours.

Ruby's Inn

Bryce Canyon Pines

Day 225

After getting Matteo to the bus stop and checking in with the rest of the family, Matt drove Lynn and Jamie to the airport for their Utah trip. Started to get a look at interesting topography quite a ways out from St. George, UT. Had lunch at a really fun place in St. George, Painted Pony. Then on to Bryce Canyon. The cabins were perfect, and ours was just about the closest one to the rim of the non-canyon canyon, about a one-minute walk. Since we had a late lunch we just stocked up on some cheese and wine and settled into our cabin for the night.

First glance about 45 minutes out from St. George, UT

Painted Pony

Our Bryce Canyon Cabin

First glance just after sunset.

Day 224

Fairly normal day other than no school for elementary (end of quarter). So let's start their day with some reading. Matteo had a half-day, so he got to join Matt, Nana, and Papa at Atmosphere Gastropub for dessert (snickerdoodle cookie griddle with ice cream!). Jamie had his 2nd It's a Wonderful Life rehearsal, blocking the entire show. We're on a fast track with just 15 rehearsals including tech week. Lastly today, an evening of packing for Jamie and Lynn...

No school today, so let's start with some reading...

In-n-Out is getting there!

For whom in Toy Story 4?

What else do you do with old therapeutic shoes?!

Nana took this pic for David's school project: About Me.