I Can Hardly Wait

Sandra and Maxine just left. We've mapped out our route to and from Arizona using Map Quest and WE ARE GOING TO BRYCE CANYON.

Sorry, was I shouting?

We're also going to the Grand Canyon, but somehow I'm not as excited about that.

But the very best part?
The. Very. Best. Part!
WE ARE GOING TO STAY AT RUBY'S INN!



When I was in high school, going to Palm Springs was an annual event, it symbolized the end of winter for us. Most years we zipped up and down the I-5 like it was our own private autobahn. But one year, I think it was the year I was in grade 12, we, along with 3 other families, took a more scenic route and traveled south via a more easterly collection of non-interstate-type roads.

We passed through Boise, Idaho then spent the first night in Salt Lake City, Utah. The following morning we went to the Mormon Tabernacle to hear the choir practice and see the organ. On our way out, we stopped at the Great Salt Lake and looked.

From there we raced to Zion National Park and headed over to Bryce Canyon to take a peak. Absolutely fabulous. Mind numbingly beautiful. Windy and cold but stunning. Fifteen minutes later we left.

On the spur of the moment it was decided that we should probably stop for the night rather than continue traveling, so we pulled into the only hotel that was in the area: Ruby's Inn. All four families booked rooms for the night, but seeing it was still early, we hung out in the lobby/gathering room to visit and play charades. I will never forget how much fun that was - all of us, adults and kids, in a great big room with a fireplace, being silly and laughing forever. The owner poked his head in and told us he was going to go home for the night. He gave us the keys and asked us to lock up before we went to bed... He and his wife would be back in the morning to make us breakfast.

Of all the travelling we did as a family during those years, that one night at Ruby's Inn will always stand out as being special. Extra special.

And so tonight, when Sandra and Maxine were deciding on our route home, I got all tingly when they decided our best bet was to stay at Ruby's Inn. They didn't know my history there - they thought they had chosen a place at random.

Nothing is random. There are no coincidences. God wants me to play charades again. This time with my kids.


Sure wish Clint was joining us on this holiday...



Three things I'm thankful for:
1. Airmiles. Accomodations on the drive home are FREE due to my abundance of accumulated points.

2. Got another donation for our Mexico trip - enough for 2 bunkbeds. Thanks, Rayyychhh.

3. After months of asking Clint to do it, Max switched propane tanks on the BBQ today after school and we had BBQed steak for dinner. Nothing says summer like BBQed meat.

Shalom,