dianegclark

Today was relaxing. Took our time getting around this morning then went to get massages. I walked around while Hilary was getting massaged then I went. It was very relaxing.

I wanted to get a basketball sleeve to wear in the sun to protect my new tattoo so we went to a bike shop and found a colorful one. We looked at the camelback’s for me and they were too expensive then we found a child’s one, pink, of course in another shop. I got some tiny gifts for the fam along the way, yesterday and today.

We also found and took pics of the police car we saw here earlier because we joked that the painting on the side is Moab Camoflauge.

Then we put our swim gear on and went back to the hike with the water hole and this time got all the way in. We also hiked up over the top of it and looked down.

Topped off the evening with Mexican food with the most delicious mole sauce on the side. And walked home. Packing up and the adventure comes to an end.

I’ve had a wonderful time and got to know Hilary more making her a lifetime friend.

I slept until 9 this morning then got ready and headed to a great open air breakfast spot in Moab called Jailhouse Cafe.

We then drove up to Arches National Park and did some short walks to look at some amazing arches and rock formations.

Then we drove and met up with a group and a Ranger and went on the Fiery Furnace hike. I can’t even describe the beauty, majesty and challenge of this hike. Mostly, it was fun and beautiful and difficult. There were parts where we had to slide, or step far or climb or scramble, but at one point, my brain said, “No, you aren’t doing that.” It took two people to coax and help me across and then the full panic attack hit with tears. But I made it!

We survived the Fiery Furnace Hike! (And enjoyed it).

After a nap, we decided to do a short hike nearby Hilary’s house. It involved hiking in the creek some and walking through vegetation. It was beautiful and amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. A friend had texted just before so he sat on his couch in Manhattan eating chips while joining us on the whole hike by FaceTime.

At the end of the hike in was a waterfall into a wading pool.

After the hike, we went into town and shopped looking at unique clothing stores and novelty shops.

Then we ate at Pasta Zach’s. Yum. We then came back to the condo, ate brownie ala modes and watched an episode of Longmire.

Bedtime. Big day tomorrow!

Only a half day in to day one of the adventure and I gotta blog. This place is truly amazing. Hilary is the hostess with the mostest. We have had TWO amazing talks so far! I am so glad I came.

We got up and took our time getting ready. I had a good extended quiet time with a giant cup of coffee in the cool air on the back patio this morning then had eggs with Hilary and got ready for our hike.

We drove down through the canyon I came through yesterday and hiked in for about half an hour to Corona Arch, not in the National park. The hike involved some climbing that I had to mentally tackle but I did it.

It was so worth it.

Then we drove a little further to bow tie arch and took some pics.

Then we saw some dinosaur tracks preserved in the rock.

Then we crossed a footbridge over the Colorado river and saw some cool art.

A nap, a snack, and a blog post and we will go do some more cool stuff.

After a hike this morning in Golden with my granddog, Sierra, I left Golden and drove through the mountains on part two of my adventure. I again sang and listened to two books on audible (Living the Oola Life, and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone), took a roadside nap and ate a delicious roadside peach.

I left I-70 after a hard day of driving and headed down an off beat road with no cell service, a tire light on, and a prayer. After seven miles, I found the highway I set out for and checked in with my friend who assured me I was going the right way. “Excellent, enjoy the canyon,” she texted.

After praising God for the campground restroom I found, I headed into the most beautiful place I have ever been in my entire life. It was the red canyon along the Colorado river just outside Moab, Utah. Unbelievable beauty. I had the windows down and the sun roof open, a cool breeze blowing in the car. I took video after video and pulled off to take in the overwhelming beauty several times. I cried it was so beautiful.

Hilary was so excited that I came and she is stoked to show me all the cool scenery and hikes and sights around Moab. Moab itself is super cool, too, like Salida, CO on steroids! Hilary’s husband is on sabbatical so they rent a neat condo a short walking distance from downtown. We walked to dinner along a sidewalk that went beside a kid’s summer camp, through painted tunnels, and over scenic walk bridges. Downtown has awesome shops, artwork and restaurants. We ate at a pizza place on the open patio.

I am exhausted so after checking in with my peeps, I am off to sleep. Can’t wait to see all that tomorrow holds!

Part one of the adventure:. Today i drove to Golden, CO to stay the night with Hannah and Kent. I missed Kent by 10 minutes as he left for work in the Mohave. Hannah and i went for a walk and saw five deer and a prairie dog. Then we grabbed dinner, looked through wedding photos and watched a british cooking show on Netflix. My fortune cookie said, “a visit to a strange place will bring you a renewed perspective…”. Part two of the adventure starts tomorrow!

Stay tuned my precious blog followers….

I’ve been wanting a tattoo for some time. I have small tattoos of the words Jesus and Hope in cursive on the insides of my wrists that I got several years ago. This time, I knew I wanted flowers, maybe a sleeve or half sleeve. Its been on my mind for some time. Recently, I got the idea to have Leah’s flowers tattooed. I approached her and she was favorable, but hesitated about actually designing one.

A friend told me about art student, Freja, at Mash Up Gallery. A couple of weeks ago I decided to stop by to see her. She said she could look at Leah’s art and design something, a vine down my arm. Leah reminded me that her art is copyrighted so I assured her I would pay her.

Yesterday I went to Mash Up. Freja looked at Leah’s flowers and created the most beautiful vine design. She measured and fitted it to my arm and made a stencil.

Then she got started. Someone asked me if it hurt. I would say it was uncomfortable. At times, very uncomfortable. But not painful.

The design process took about and hour and a half. The tattoo itself a little over an hour. And then it was done!

I love it!

We will add color in a few weeks after my skin settles down.

Someone I love made a comment the other day on facebook. She said, “shaved hair, shooting guns, now a tattoo, who are you?” I reminded her that she forgot the belly button ring. And kickboxing. My true answer is this. On this healing journey, I have awoken the badass side of myself. This is an expression of me. Feminine, a little unpredictable, and fully badass.

This month has been a whirlwind with Julie’s hospital then hospice stay and passing and then Hannah and Kent’s wedding. This weekend, we all came together to celebrate Julie’s life and begin the grieving process together.

Julie’s closest friends and family met up and stayed at the Circle S ranch just outside of Lawrence. It was the perfect place, peaceful, with many outdoor and indoor places to gather, and beautifully decorated private rooms on three floors. Each room has a different theme.

Our room had a giant bed, a couch, table and chairs, jacuzzi tub, two sided fireplace in the bathroom.

Friday evening we sat around the bonfire while the kids got acquainted and ran around together.

Later, Kent, Dave, Nancy and I sat in the hot tub.

Saturday morning it was raining when I got up. Dave and I and Chris sat outside on rocking chairs and watched the rain and sang a little to Dave’s guitar. It was lovely.

My friends Alexis and Jeff came in time for the lovely brunch prepared for us and I sat and visited with them for a couple of hours. It meant a lot that they came.

I grabbed a quick nap then the service started out in the renovated barn at 4. It was filled to spill in out with Julie’s family and friends. We sang, a Pastor from Julie’s church spoke, and Scott, Shari, Ian and Peggy also spoke. They talked of Julie’s faith, her love for her family, her love of walking, and her constant smile and positive outlook, even after her fall.

The party went on late into the evening, just as Julie would have liked it.

I haven’t faced the fact that Julie is gone yet. I will include a few more pics from the weekend then blog more about Julie, the Grandma, Mom, Sister, and Mom-in-law.