A Long Drive + Cove Fort

The kids and I traversed 800 miles via The Fo (our Ford Focus) last Monday and Tuesday. Point A: Phoenix, Arizona. Point B: Roosevelt, Utah. There were the usual back seat kerfuffles but all in all it went amazingly well. Low expectations was the key as always. We stopped over in St. George for the night. The next morning, things were getting hairy right about the time I saw a sign for Cove Fort. I'd driven past this historic Mormon landmark my whole life. This time I stopped! It was a perfect break for our weary, cranky bones.

Turns out, I did not know one thing about Cove Fort.

This nice old man tour guide set the record straight. It had nothing to do with battles. It was a way station for traveling Mormons.

It had a telegraph office and post office.

 It had a kitchen...

 and a laundry room.

 It had 12 bedrooms for travelers to stay in.

 It may or may not have had this contraption, used to lift hay bales.

 Not sure if it had a garden then but it does now.

 That's a replica of a hat Brigham Young would have worn, that stallion.

 Here's a spinning wheel.

 We got to go walk around the top of the fort.

 That giant door is awesome.

The kids got plenty of wiggles out.

 No talk of pioneers is complete without a covered wagon thrown in the mix.

Ahoy, weary travelers! (That's us.)

 
I'm happy to be a modern day weary traveler ... air conditioning, pre-packaged food in coolers, picnic tables.
 
We are just suh blessed!

Camping, The Second

Last weekend we headed north to Sedona for our second family camping trip. We passed through this 50s diner on the way, which was straight up yummy. Little truck stop, small town goodness. 

Welcome to Camp Lo Lo Mai! Why, thank you.

It was dark when we got there. Noah was pantless. A good start to any vacation.

By morning, everything was in its place.

 Mr. Nobers woke up a little grumpy-grumperton. He enjoyed some light reading before breakfast.

 There's my smiley guy.

 Look, breakfast!

 Sienna was awake and full of pizzazz! A stream nearby? Swim suit is ON.

 Bacon and eggs by Adam.

 Rock throwing is in full swing.

 When they got sick of that, we headed to the pool.

 Yes, pool. It was getting hot already. And this is a camping "resort," mind you.

It had a store...

 and a playground.

After lunch, we needed some AC. Into the car to head into town to see a few sights! Starting with Church of the Holy Cross. I just love this place. Built straight into the rock. Who does that? I love it.

 

 On the ramp up to the church. The hair-dryer-hot wind blowing in our hair.

 They let people go inside! It's just so freaking cool. Sienna and I sat on a bench and talked about Jesus.

 Oh. The boys want to join us? I thought they wanted to stay in the car.

On to Slide Rock! Noah stuffing his face with Sun Chips as he descends the stairs into the canyon.

 The water was cold and the rocks were slippery. Adam and I took turns going down the "slide" but the kids were totally uninterested in getting in themselves. They are used to bath tub warm pools.

 On the way out we stopped at Slide Rock Market for some pre-dinner ice cream!

 Noah would not share his without a fight. I was willing to fight.

 "Mom, can I have a spoon to get the rest of the ice cream?" Still not understanding the edible cone part.

 Back at the ranch, breakfast two!

 Pancakes! Adam is to thank for the gourmet breakfasts.

 Two great nights in this thing. Star gazing and book reading and falling asleep while the bugs bite. Mmmm.

Heading out, we hit another diner.

With scruff, and tans and crumpled hats, we are ready to go home.