April 13, 2021

Last day of week 1 and first day of week 2 in Utah Last day of week 1 and last day in Moab. Was an early morning so that we could get into Arches Nation Park and see THE famous arch before we left Moab since the day before we were unable to get into the park as it was full. We saw the arch from the lower viewpoint and then headed into town for donuts and coffee before getting on the road again (cue song of the trip, Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again”) to Monument Valley. As we entered Navajo nation, we shared some Native American history with the kids who were very intrigued and wanted to learn more. Luna said she wished she could meet a Navajo. Once we got to the famous Monument Valley drive, there was a Navajo woman selling handmade jewelry on the side of the road. We stopped and spent some time talking to her and learned about story telling, Navajo homes made of juniper trees and mud (no nails), how to say “hello” in Navajo, and the healing powers of the horntoad. Afterwards, we ran in and out of the road to get our pictures in front of Monument Valley. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see the stops along Monument Valley as the tribal lands are still closed due to Covid but we had a long drive that day anyway and wanted to get to our next accommodations at a decent time to enjoy them. On the road again, our drive continued through Page, AZ where we were in September 2019 to see the Antelope Canyons. Didn’t think we would be back to Page so soon but this time it was just to drive through to get to our glamping spot in Escalante Grand Staircase. We loved our glamp tent and the kids were most excited that there was no electricity and wifi so that mommy and papi could give their full attention to playing Uno. We ate dinner by the fire pit, played bean bag toss, both kids swung the hook onto the nail, and roasted s’mores. Then we returned to our tent to stargaze through the opening right above our heads as we laid our heads on the pillows on our bed. Mommy and Papi woke up various times throughout the night, sometimes at the same time and sometimes at different times to gaze at the sky full of stars and then to fall back asleep comforted by their presence. In the late hours of the night, we saw the Milky Way right above our heads and Papi got some pictures with his phone. Mommy saw two shooting stars! Nobody wanted to leave the next day but we promised we will be back, God willing. Then, we were on the road again to our next Air BNB destination in between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. On our way we passed by Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Luckily, we had found out the night before that the state park rents sleds and “sand boards” to go down the dunes and we were able to snag the last few! We headed out to the dunes and walked on the finest, softest, prettiest rose gold colored sand. Luna sand boarded down and Leo sled. The rides down were fun, the walks back up not so much! Sand as far as the eye could see and covered in every corner of our bodies! We had fun until it was not fun anymore and when we were done, we were done. Our feet sank into the sand and that beautiful sand became treacherous trying to trap us in those dunes. The walk out was filled with a lot of whining, complaining, collapsing and carrying but we made it out of the dunes alive and are still dumping sand out of our socks, shoes and hair. We were too wiped out to go through any other parks so we headed to our Air BNB and ate at a local sandwich shop owned by husband and wife - the food was fresh and delicious. We made it to our cabin and returned to ice and snow on the ground so we stocked up on firewood, s’more supplies, and cuddled by the fire for an early night of relaxing on the couch next to the fireplace. Unexpected surprise was seeing a prairie dog pop up and look at us on the road up to our cabin!