Another Wedding in Hawaii…at the Kualoa Ranch

Just nine months ago, we renewed our vows at the Paradise Cove in Kapolei, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Last month we were back on the island for another wedding, this time at the verdant Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe, Hawaii. It’s a 4,000-acre natural landmark of beaches, mountains, and valleys with historic sites and buildings. Best known as the movie film site for such cinematic greats as Jurassic Park and 79 other movies and shows, the Ranch offers many tours and ziplines for exploration.

My husband’s first grandchild and his bride chose the Paliku Gardens on the ranch as their wedding venue. It has spectacular views of Kaneohe Bay and Mokoli’I Island, otherwise known as the Chinaman’s Hat, as well as rolling pastures, and green gardens. The short and sweet ceremony was held at an Upper Garden with rustic steps leading to a lower open pavilion where we were served a farm-to-table experience of Kualoa-grown beef, fish, vegetables, and fruits.

Both the groom’s and the bride’s families were well represented as well as the couple’s friends, all coming from the islands and mainland USA. Everyone was booked in different hotels and resorts around Waikiki, 45 minutes away. We always got together with my husband’s three children and their spouses for a taste of Hawaii the day before and the two days after the wedding.

For brunch, we returned to Liliha Bakery at the International Marketplace, the restaurant and bakeshop that popularized the island’s cocoa puffs. Its signature butter bread served with all entrees was a standout. Another great discovery was Basalt, both a marketplace and a restaurant. I was extremely pleasantly surprised that they served an upscale version of Tapsilog, the popular Filipino breakfast, along with other classics.

For the evenings, we had three discoveries. The night before the wedding, we met at Moani Waikiki, a Bistro and Bar, one of the 13 eating places of the Garden Level on the third floor of the International Marketplace. The night after the wedding we returned to Doraku Sushi Waikiki at the Royal Hawaiian Center, a favorite restaurant of the new couple. We loved the grilled butterfish and tempura brownies aside from the vast array of sushis. The night before we all went home, we chose to do Italian and gathered at the Taormina Sicilian Cuisine. They had a truffle carbonara, the grilled monchang, a local fish, and the house-made tiramisu.

My husband and I were the first ones to arrive in Honolulu, closely followed by his youngest and the mother of the groom. While waiting for the others, we took the time to visit the Valley of the Temples, a beautiful sprawling memorial park nestled at the foot of the Koolau Mountains ten minutes from the town of Kaneohe and 12 minutes before the Kualoa Ranch.  There are sections for Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, and Catholic burial sites.

The centerpiece of the park is the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of the historic Byodoin Temple of Uji in Japan’s Kyoto prefecture built in 1052. This 11,000 sqft landmark was built in 1963 and was dedicated in 1968 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese in Hawaii.

Inside Byodo-In is an 18-ft. Lotus Buddha in gold and lacquer. On the grounds is a three-ton brass peace gong. A large two-acre pond abundantly filled with beautiful koi fish surrounds the temple as well as lush Japanese gardens with a Meditation Pavilion in the middle. All that beauty can be seen against the backdrop of the towering cliffs of the mountains.

At the gift shop, you can buy "wish" cards for a dollar and fifty. Tradition says you should keep it if you like what you find inside. Otherwise, ask the gods to improve it by tying it to any of the tree branches around. Secretly, I wished that I go back to Hawaii again soon. Every time I do, I find another version of beauty, another side of peace, and another level of happiness. 

Do You Want to Know the Secret to My Traveler's Soul?

Why do I travel so much? The secret comes from “somewhere in my youth and childhood.” It was something that deep because this passion is unstoppable. It was not magic. It was not chicken soup. But it has something to do with chicken.

How Much I Travel

We are currently in Honolulu, Hawaii. At 75, I am still on the go although no longer as constantly. When we started traveling, we were gone all twelve months of the year. We were full-time RVing across North America, as chronicled in my book, Carolina: Cruising to an American Dream. When we settled in Phoenix, it went down to just 60%. We left the desert in winter when it was cold and in summer when it was hot. Nowadays, it has settled at 40%.  

This is still a lot of traveling. What pushed me? There was a time when my job had me going to various countries to gain knowledge about how they pioneered IT applications so I could apply them in the Philippines. Much earlier, global companies I joined sent me to various countries for training. I was thrilled to get such awesome trips for free but that is not what pushed me.

It could not have been just that because when I retired and found my travel/lifetime partner, something powerful was unleashed. When I was no longer confined to trips defined by jobs, my exploration of the world became unhinged. I began to go all over the world…literally!

My Mother’s Influence

To answer the question, I had to go farther back in time. It must have been how I saw my mother who also journeyed across the globe. She was sent everywhere, starting from winning the Philippine government’s scholarship to the US to study how the deaf receive education and how they are taught to speak so she could apply it to the Philippines.

During her year in the US, she wrote us letters about how her studies were proceeding. One of the most life-altering moments of my life. She sent us a letter enclosed dry gold, yellow, orange, and red maple leaves that had fallen from trees during autumn. I was so fascinated I thought, “I wonder if she can send us snow!”

Yes, my mother had this outsized influence on my life. More than work and her travels, she fed me tons of chicken wings. She believed, like many in the Philippines during her time, that this would give me the “wings” with which to “fly” the world. I remember eating all kinds of chicken wing dishes: adobo, nilaga, tinola, afritada, steak, curry, inasal, arroz caldo, and, of course, fried. I grew to love anything made from chicken wings.

My Own Discovery

The Philippines was also greatly influenced by the Chinese, aside from the Spanish and Americans who colonized us. They also settled in my home country in droves. The first-ever Chinatown in the world is in a district called Divisoria in Binondo, Manila. At its dim sum places, I discovered Phoenix Claws (is it any wonder then that I ended up in Phoenix?).

This Chinese delicacy of chicken feet became my all-time favorite over the more popular siopao, chow mien, egg rolls, etc. It’s difficult to make (and source) so I order it every time I am at a dim sum place. Before you cringe, you have to give it a try. It’s a gelatinous, sugar and soy sauce-infused and spice-enhanced dish.

Chicken wings gave me the “means” to fly. Chicken feet gave me a reason to “roam” the lands. But now they are no longer high on my list of “Foods to Eat” as part of my largely plant-based Longevity Diet. It’s no wonder I am traveling less.

Adventures with Family in the Mile-High City

The Denver Skyline under the Rain from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

From Temecula, we drove with my daughter and son-in-law to their home in Livermore to spend a few laid-back days before the next adventure. We were going to Denver, Colorado to spend a few weeks with my husband’s daughter and her family.

What was supposed to be an easy flight turned into a 4-airport misadventure. We left Oakland International at 10 am only to find our connecting flight in Portland International Airport missing in action! We were whisked to the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport for a make-up flight. Minutes before midnight, we finally arrived at Denver International Airport.

There were still remnants of winter snow on the ground, and soon we witnessed another snowfall. Spring weather in Colorado was just like that, according to Bill’s daughter. But we soon adapted to the altitude and the cold. We even had opportunities to visit a couple of interesting spots and a range of dining places around the Mile-High City.

The Butterfly Pavilion

First was the Butterfly Pavilion, Denver’s landmark attraction with 97% of the species on earth (bugs and butterflies and more). We visited it on a previous trip but this time we got special attention. My husband’s granddaughter, the younger of two children, is currently working there. She was the one who let me hold “Rosie, the Tarantula,” one of about 50 of the gentle species used for this thrill.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

This also was not the first time we drove through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, just ten miles northeast of downtown Denver. But unlike the first time, we saw all that the refuge had to offer: bison, deer, and eagles. Still, we were not able to visit the extensive arsenal exhibit because it was raining. And that’s how I got to snap the cool headline photo of this article.

Dim Sum in Denver

I have been missing dim sum for a couple of years now, so we looked for a place and found one with a 4.8 rating on the Net: Nana's Dim Sum and Dumplings located on a popular foodie street, Tejon. It’s not a traditional but an excellent modern take on those Chinese delicacies. The décor was blazing red with Chinese accents but the ambience, including the music playing, was aimed at the younger generation.

Ice Cream in Winter

After lunch, we walked to the end of Tejon St. to Little Man Ice Cream marked by the huge can: diameter of 16 feet, 28 feet tall, and 14,000 pounds. Named after the father/founder, its mission to donate a 3 oz scoop of rice/beans to developing countries for every scoop of ice cream sol has resulted in over one million scoops since 2008.  Its menu of special flavors includes Turbulence, Red Eye, and Flambéed Baked Alaska Pops.

Yak n Yeti

My husband’s first birthday celebration was with our neighbors in Viewpoint. It was followed by one with our friends in El Cid in Cancun. Then in Temecula, California, my family celebrated with him. This fourth one was held at Yak n Yeti, a Denver restaurant chain of  Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian cuisine with my husband’s nephew and partner who flew in from Kansas City to join my husband’s daughter, her husband, two children, and their partners. For the birthday cake, we brought in the popular Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods.

Footnote

This article would not be complete if I didn’t mention a little neighborhood taqueria, La Torteria. On a day we didn’t want to cook or go out, Bill and I got to pick up the $1 tacos (every Tuesday) from the three-man operation. There was a long line for this yummy treat.

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Family Fun at a Farmhouse in Temecula Valley Wine Country

Four heartwarming events and a culinary competition got the family going to a one-of-a-kind four-night reunion in Temecula, California. We had two birthdays, a photo shoot of four generations of women, and a Filipino tradition: asking for a hand in marriage.

The Wine Valley

The valley is in southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. With nearly 50 wineries, its microclimate produces high-quality grapes and award-winning wines. Farmhouses, spas, and views abound, as well as dining places. My husband’s 80^th birthday dinner was at the Restaurant at the Ponte Winery. The Corbeaux Wine and Tea House was the site of the ladies' afternoon out for tea. My eldest celebrated her 50^th birthday at Bolero’s with three different kinds of paella and other Spanish dishes. This also became the venue for the asking of my Second Apo’s (grandchild) hand in marriage! 

One afternoon was spent wine tasting at the Masia de la Vinya Vineyard together with my daughter’s best-loved baked macaroni, Filipino-style. Another day we walked Temecula Old Town. The ladies took home shabby chic maternity and other dresses from Under the Willow. They were perfect for the photo shoot of four generations of women, including my great-grandbaby still in my First Apo’s womb. The boys shopped for wine and did their walkabouts.

The Farmhouse

My daughter found this great farmhouse in a vineyard atop a hill with a 360⁰ view of the wine valley. The 4br ranch-style white home was perfect for the grandparents, the parents, and the siblings and partners. There was a spacious open area for Karaoke nights with a large living room set and an 85-inch TV above the stone fireplace.  Every boisterous meal was celebrated at the eight-seater dining table after spirited meal preparations around the white kitchen’s large white island. Tucked in a corner was a round table with four chairs which became the scene for happy mahjong sessions.

Just below the house, beneath the orange trees, was a large pool/hot tub area perfect for other gatherings.  There were lounge chairs on the deck right outside the large open area looking out into the valley. Right after the outdoor parking area, there was a huge living/dining area for outdoor meals and gatherings.

The Culinary Competition

My daughter had this brilliant idea of a culinary competition for those meals when we were not dining out. She did not want any mediocre meal and gave away prizes of $50 for first place, 30 for second, and 20 for third.

The 1^st Prize went to the Corned Beef Kare-Kare dinner which my First Apo prepared for the first dinner as soon as everyone arrived late in the afternoon of our first night. Kare-kare is a Filipino classic stew with a thick savory peanut sauce usually prepared with beef oxtail.  Instead, they made corned beef patties served with the traditional veggies: eggplant, green beans, and bok choy.

2^nd Place went to a breakfast of Purple Yam Biscuits with Longganisa Gravy and Chia Pudding with Mango and Pomelo Bits, a healthy and delicious morning meal, made by my Second Apo. 3rd Prize went to Miso Bulalo courtesy of their younger brother who rehashed the Beef Bulalo (beef shank stew), by adding the Japanese thick paste, served with plenty of bokchoy and yellow corn. 4^th Place went to the father of the brood who fixed us “putosulot,” Filipino rice pudding with toppings: traditional, purple yam or pandan condensed milk, brown or white sugar, grated coconut, and optional salted eggs.

I came in last with a breakfast of hash brown casserole, scrambled eggs with cheese, sourdough bread, bacon and sausage, and store-bought “cowboy quiche.” I didn’t know there was a contest, and I had a Caucasian husband to please. Those are my excuses and I am sticking to them.

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In the Heart of the Colorado Rockies: a New Normal for Family Reunions

From Snowbird, Utah, we proceeded to Granby, Colorado for a reunion with Bill’s eldest daughter and her family who live in Denver, about two hours away. Being in the southwestern rim of the Rocky Mountain National Park, we considered it a safe way to have a reunion. To further minimize risks, they stayed at a 2-BR unit at our timeshare location in town and we stayed at a studio in the Inn at Silvercreek. 

The Mountain Town of Granby

boats on Granby Lake

Adam's Falls

Granby, Colorado is a small mountain town, about 8,000 feet in elevation, with a population of 1864. It is a great skiing area during winter especially at the Granby Ranch where our hotel was situated. But it was closed early during the last winter season due to the pandemic. But the town was also a great place for summer fun. Just twenty minutes from our base was the Granby Lake where boats can be rented, ospreys flew and nested, and a cute little town offered options for lunch. We went to one that had a great gumbo meal and beef po’boy sandwich which we all shared. On the patio restaurant was a giant chair that I enjoyed hogging.

Adams Falls 

From there we found the trail to Adams Falls, just up the hills from the lake. It was a moderately difficult but short trail (0.3 miles one-way). We even hiked farther to its source, the clear stream that navigated the rocks and tumbled to become the waterfall after some hundred feet. It was interesting to see all the pine trees felled by the tiny beetle that ravaged the area in the early 2000s. I was told it was the worst-hit area in all of Colorado. But it was also nice to note that a lot of new greens were growing but it would take 30-40 years before they fully replace what was lost. And there were many points along the trail where the lake was in full view and was full of Canadian geese.

Rocky Mountain National Park

streams like this are the beginnings of mighty Colorado River

Go farther from the lake and you will reach the Rocky Mountain National Park. Being very close to Denver, Colorado—just an hour and a half away—makes it the third most-visited national park in the country. And it is huge, with many hiking trails, campgrounds, lots of wildlife, and streams which are the origins of the Colorado River. The Park is currently on a timed-entry permit to control the flow of visitors and prevent overcrowding. Online reservations are required from 6 am-5pm to enter the park. But the wait is long and we did not know early enough about this requirement. Because the sun doesn’t set until 8:30 pm in the area anyway, we went at 5 pm.

Our main purpose was to hike and find some wildlife. The short and easy Coyote Trail beside a Colorado River mountain stream yielded no success. When we transferred to the Holzwarth Historic Site, we were immediately rewarded with a moose feeding quietly near the old cottages, the homestead of the family. But it was on the main park road as we were going back to Granby where we saw a lot of them. We stopped several times as did many other cars. And we all had our heydays taking photos of deer and moose. That was such a great experience. Only the darkness of the night got us to stop and go back to our bases.

Hot Sulphur Springs

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort

Another fun outdoor activity for the family was at the Hot Sulphur Springs about thirty minutes away in the opposite direction from our base. The resort featured twenty-three separate mineral springs on a hillside for just one, a couple, or a family. I could not handle the hottest one which registered 117 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest one was at 102. We enjoyed one big one for the whole family at 104 degrees outdoors. But when we got tired of the sun, we transferred to a much bigger one with the highest magnesium content protected by a roof, also at 104 degrees.

just by the Park main road

the strip mall at Winter Park

The Upscale Town of Winter Park

On our last day, we went to a more upscale town, Winter Park, about 30 minutes away, and there found the Nepalese-Indian Restaurant, Durbar, a Colorado chain, with the patio seating we required. We had some very tasty plain and garlic naans served with the shrimp tikka masala, tandoori chicken, chicken korma, vegetable curry, and lamb rogan josh. The water infused with a lot of oranges and mint was also very refreshing. The restaurant was located at a strip mall with several shopping outlets for mountain outfits, souvenirs, home décor, and sports gear. And I got stuck at the section for Roxy and bought two tops. We also looked for thrift stores but one was too full of people to be safe and the other was closed.

When we were not out and about, we were at the timeshare resort. We spent time at the patio where we could gather, drink, and get updated with each other. We also walked around the golf course, discovering birds, unusual plants, covered bridges, and retention ponds. It really was a great way to visit with family during the time of coronavirus. We discovered the new normal for reunions: outdoors.

a covered bridge at the timeshare resort

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From High to Low Risk, Cruising while on Quarantine

During summer, we usually go on a long cruising trip on the road to escape the Phoenix heat, visit our children, and celebrate our anniversary. But, since there is a ban on non-essential travel between the US and Canada and my middle daughter lives in Calgary, we won’t be able to go there. Even Ada County in Idaho—including Boise where Bill’s son lives—is imposing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for people from states with high community spread of Covid-19 like Arizona. So we will not be able to go there either.

Instead, we are doing two shorter road trips to visit family and celebrate in areas where there are, in fact, lower risks for Covid-19 than staying at home. We will soon be in Granby, Colorado to visit Bill’s eldest daughter. Then in August, we visit my eldest daughter in Livermore, California. Before Colorado, Bill and I have chosen to spend a week in The Cliff Lodge Summer and Ski Resort in Snowbird, Utah. Before Livermore, we are spending another week in Snow Lake Lodge in Big Bear Lake, California. Both are part of celebrating our 12^th year wedding anniversary. This post is about the Utah celebration. 

Shoshone Falls

Bill drove all of 11 hours from Viewpoint to The Cliff Lodge, plus two 30-minute rest stops. After a much-needed rest for the night, Bill again drove the following day to Twin Falls, Idaho—four hours each way. It was our only chance to have a picnic with his eldest son and his family since that part of Idaho is not restricted. They chose a spectacular location for a picnic: the Shoshone Falls, "The Niagara of the West." Standing 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide, it is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the US, higher than, but not as wide as, Niagara. I really don’t know why its application as a national park was rejected. It should be one.

Located on the Snake River, it carves its way through a deep basalt canyon to meet the Columbia River below. Its flow is dependent on many variables. The best time to see it is in spring when the snow begins to melt in the mountains. In the summer months, a part of the river is diverted for use in irrigating 500,000 acres of farmland so the flow is somewhat reduced. But I thought it was still pretty spectacular, even in July. The worst time to visit is during fall when the water is used to recharge the reservoir system upstream. 

The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird

After another night of rest, we woke up to the beauty of our 1,500 square feet one-bedroom suite of the Cliff Club, an up-scale timeshare property located within the Ski & Summer Resort in Sandy, Utah nestled in the lovely little Cottonwood Canyon. The bedroom had an oh-so-comfy king bed, a lounge area with a sofa bed, an office desk, and a bar set-up, a bathroom suite with a walk-in closet/washing machine area, and a balcony. The living area had a sofa bed and armchair, a bar with stools, a complete kitchen, another office desk area, a bathroom suite, and another balcony equipped with a jacuzzi kept at 104 degrees Fahrenheit 24x7. We certainly  founda lot of use for it.  

The two balconies both looked out to the green wonderland of the Wasatch Mountains. It offers great ski slopes during the winter but in spring and summer, there are wonderful displays of wildflowers amid lots of firs, pines, and aspens. We could even see parts of the little Snowbird Village like the aerial tram, the chairlifts, the mountain coaster, and the stream that made the constant hum of nature calling. The Snowbird Center on the Village features other lodging facilities, shopping outlets, and more activity areas like the huge trampoline, the alpine slide, summer tubing, the vertical drop, a tree climb, and gemstone mining. In the whole resort, there are a total of nine shopping outlets, five fine dining and eleven casual dining restaurants, a high-end Spa at the top of The Cliff Lodge, another swimming pool and hot tubs at ground level and get this: 11 lower mountain, ten mid/upper mountain, and six Mineral Basin Trails for hiking and biking. 

We bought the Bird Bundle pass that is good for three hours and did everything that we could finish during that time. We tried both the Peruvian Lift and the Aerial Tram to get photos of all the spectacular views from up there at 11,000 feet above sea level. We took the Chickadee chairlift up to ride down the winding Alpine Slide twice and rode the rollicking mountain coaster twice. And my vocal cords exploded to Bill's utter embarrassment. They were our favorites so we did not get to experience the others.

The Resort, which opened only on July 1, required masks at all indoor and outdoor gathering areas. There were hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Everything we touched was sanitized after use. Contact tracing logs had to be filled up wherever we went  Reservations, menus, and forms were all digital.  Employees were health-checked every day. The resort was only operating at 40% capacity. Each facility was restricted by capacity, too. Most restaurants had patio seating sections. There was hardly a soul inside the Lodge. There was no need for air-conditioning so there were no common airflows. We just opened the sliding doors during the day.  The only bad experience was the initial adjustment to the altitude and the dry air. Two humidifiers were available for our suite. 

The Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island

We must have passed Salt Lake City several times but I had never visited The Great Salt Lake. So we went down to visit the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Its size fluctuates a lot because the lake is shallow. It has recorded the lowest at 950 and the largest at 3,300 square miles. Three major tributaries deposit approximately 1.1 million tons of minerals in it each year. Because there is no outlet for the water besides evaporation, the lake water is far saltier than seawater. In fact, it is the eighth saltiest body of water in the world, just behind the Dead Sea, at 30% salinity. Thus, you naturally float.  

Antelope Island, with an area of 42 square miles, is the largest of ten islands in the Great Salt Lake. When the lake is at its low levels, it actually becomes a peninsula. We drove across the causeway, a narrow two-lane road connecting the mainland to the island. It was a great place to see the beauty of the Great Salt Lake and witness the variety of scenes from white salt beaches, to white salt lakes, to everything in between. It is also home to the wildlife which grows well since there are no predators on the island: pronghorn, bighorn sheep, American bison, porcupine, badger, coyote, bobcat, mule deer, and millions of waterfowl.

After covering the areas around the Visitor Center, the Park Headquarters, and the two campgrounds, and having some burgers and onion rings at the Island Grille on the northwestern section of the island, I was lamenting not being able to spot any wildlife. But, as we were driving to the southeast side, we chanced upon a herd of maybe fifty bison down by the lakeside on Bill’s side of the car. When Bill stopped to let me out and take photos, lo and behold, there were ten of them on the hillside beside me.  I had heyday taking their photos especially when they rushed down the hill, crossed the road, and joined the herd.

We did not forget to visit the Fielding Garr Ranch located on the southernmost part of the road. The house is known for being the oldest continually inhabited Anglo home in the state of Utah (1848 to 1981) and the oldest Anglo built house in Utah still on its original foundation. It was quite interesting to see the old barn, stand-alone cottages, stockyard, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, grain silo, and farm implements. The stables had a few horses, too.

The Great Salt Lake State Park

The Great Salt Lake State Park is nearer the city but is quite small. It consists of the only easily accessible and swimmable part of the lake, the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club and Marina, and a Visitor Center. There are great views of the lake, Antelope Island, the Black Rock, and Saltair Resort. The latter is a modern-day remnant and symbol of the original Saltair built on pilings over the shore area of Great Salt Lake. The new resort offers concerts and a concession service for souvenirs. This was opened as a state park in 1928. And in 1980, the marina was enlarged with new boat docks.

The Utah State Capitol

The Club is just 25 miles from Historic Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The beautiful mountain resort thus gives its guests a lovely mountain escape with great access to city life and an international airport. We have passed through the city many times as we visited Bill’s children, to and from Idaho and Colorado. We had been to Temple Square before so we went to see the State Capitol  has been instead. It isois of the state’s most prominent landmarks since 1916 and underwent one of the largest historical preservation projects in the US in 2004-8. It renovated the building against the risk of an earthquake and restored the original beauty and artwork. However, it was closed to visitors. Outside is the wonderful monument to Salt Lake City's founder and Utah's first governor, Brigham Young.

We have been to many timeshare properties but this is one we would definitely go back to and maybe experience it during other seasons.  And Salt Lake City offers a lot for visitors. I wouldn’t mind photographing Antelope Island during sunset and maybe spend more time at the Temple Square.

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Road Trip to a Reunion at Park City, Utah

Summer is when the heat kind of smothers you in the Phoenix desert area. It was a smoldering 105 degrees Fahrenheit when we left. We had planned a five-week road trip through Utah, Idaho, Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California to escape the heat, visit with family and friends, and see places we had not seen before. 

The Road Trip to Park City, Utah

It took us eleven hours to drive to Park City, Utah from Mesa, Arizona. After driving for seven hours, we stopped for a night in Panguitch, Utah, a town of 1,520 people. What I will not forget about this town is Yvonne at the Panguitch Drug Store. I had left the charger for my Fitbit Charge 3. She took my Fitbit to her home after work hours and called Bill to pick it up when it was fully charged.

Glen Canyon Dam

Before we reached Panguitch, we passed through the beautiful city of Page, Arizona famous for its unique slot canyons and Horseshoe Bend. Right after Page, we found Glen Canyon Dam. Even if it is only a third the size of Hoover Dam (8 generating units compared to 17), it is still the second tallest dam in the US and the one that actually feeds our Arizona home with electricity. And Lake Powell, the manmade recreation lake it created, is larger than Lake Mead created by Hoover Dam. No wonder Page has become a big city. It has a lot going for it.

Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area

The Reunion at Park City, Utah

On the second day, our drive was just four hours. We designed it this way so we could arrive in Park City early. We even had time for some fun at the Park Silly Market, held every Sunday from June to September at the downtown area. Then we went to the grocery to shop for some dinner ingredients before checking in.  

Park Silly Market

yellow bike areas in downtown Park City

This stay was a family reunion with two of Bill’s three children and three of his five grandchildren. The two families arrived at almost the same time and the dinner I prepared, Filipino chicken afritada and Vietnamese lettuce wraps, was ready just in time. The 3br suite at Wyndham Park City was spacious enough for all. The best part was the free drumstick or ice cream sandwiches at the lobby!

Day One: Downtown and the Olympic Village

The morning of Day One was a stroll up and down the hill of Main Street in Downtown Park City. Everyone found something to take home from the unique shops. We ended up having lunch at 501 on Main. After lunch, we found ourselves at Java Coffee where we had either ice cream or coffee. I had both with a scoop of Java Coffee ice cream. Yum.

Jump Skis at the Olympic Park in Park City

Then we headed to the Olympic Village. Park City was the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. We marveled at athletes training to dive at the Olympic swimming pool and took shots of the ski jumps. Wandering around the Ski Museum was also fun with the gift shop, the exhibits of bobsleds, and a huge artistic rendition of a bison head.

marmots are everywhere in Park CCity

On the way back to the resort, the children (and I) had so much fun spotting marmots on the roads. At Wyndham Park City, we again enjoyed the free drumstick and ice-cream sandwiches. Then the kids frolicked at the heated pool and hot tub before our chicken kabobs dinner. A game of Taboo saw the adults competing against the children, ending 1-1.

Day Two: Bloods Lake Trail

We searched the Net for hiking trails and selected one listed in the Park Magazine’s article, “Four Family-Friendly Easy Hikes in Park City.” It was a great find! The Bloods Lake is nestled at an elevation of 9,300 feet. We had to negotiate Guardsman’s Pass and parked the car at the clearing about two hundred feet higher.

the kids were brave enough to take a polar plunge at the cold lake

It may have been rated easy but for me it was hard. There was a section with a steep incline. Going down was hard; going back up was even harder. But the views were beautiful, especially since some wildflowers were still blooming. The children took a plunge at the cold lake. They got out as soon as they discovered a leech swimming. Are they perhaps the reason it’s called Bloods Lake? 

the view on the way back to the parking area/trailhead

Back at the resort, it was another round at the heated pool and hot tub for the kids; also the drumsticks and ice-cream sandwiches. Then, it was a left-overs night supplemented by one large and one medium. pizza Then the kids decidedly beat the adults at the games of Taboo and Catch-Phrase. We vowed to prepare for next year’s reunion.

Check-out Time was 10 am so we had plenty of time to pack and have left-overs for breakfast. But it was the goodbyes that took forever long. Bill was so happy his family finally had a reunion. He was sad to see them go but hopes that it will be an annual thing from now on. Next stops: Helena, Montana then Calgary, Alberta.

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