A December to remember!

 

Let the Good Times Roll!

Our plans were to spend the Christmas holidays with the Martin family in California.  We were thrilled that because of Ben's ability to work remotely in the off season that he would be with us for an extended period of time.  Having everyone together for the holidays was a gift that far exceeded anything that could be found under the Christmas tree.  

Sure, we could have flown from Florida to California, we've done it numerous times.  But with time on our hands, we turned our December trek to California into an amazing road adventure.  OK, so we cheated a bit!  We've driven cross country on six different occasions over the past few years.  Also, having lived in Texas for over 24 years we made the drive between Texas and Florida too many times to count.  So instead of starting the drive in Florida we opted to fly to Albuquerque and start the road adventure there.

We headed out Wednesday December 4 on an early Southwest flight to Denver, which connected on to Albuquerque.  The flights were uneventful and on time, which is somewhat of an accomplishment in and of itself these days.  Because of the time change we arrived in Albuquerque early afternoon.  We had no plans for Albuquerque, so we simply picked up the rental car and hit the road.  Knowing we'd be putting in lots of miles over the next four weeks, and that gas prices in California border on ridiculous, we opted for economy over luxury.  Our rental car was a Kia Soul.  Not exactly the largest car in the rental fleet, but when we turned it in over 4,000 miles later, we were pleased with both its performance and comfort.

Roughly our route from Albuquerque to Novato, California

It's a short one-hour drive from Albuquerque to New Mexico's capital city of Santa Fe.  We still had a few hours of daylight left, so after checking into the hotel we quickly headed toward the Santa Fe Plaza which was fairly sleepy on a chilly mid-week afternoon.  After looking around a bit we warmed up (literally) with a delicious, but spicy meal at the Plaza Cafe', which as the name implies is located on the Santa Fe Plaza.  There were plenty of traditional southwestern cuisine items on the menu, and the green chili that was generously covering the food provided plenty of warmth.  The pies and cakes looked amazing, but we were too full to indulge.  We'll keep them in mind for future reference.

Plaza Cafe   

We drove a few blocks over towards the small, but modern looking capital building and were pleased to find that it was still open.  A very kind security guard told us we had about 30 minutes to look around and suggested a few highlights for our short visit.  The capital had a beautiful rotunda, and the walls were decorated with over 600 pieces of art that had been produced by residents of the state.  We could have easily spent more time looking at the art.  If you go, make sure to check out the buffalo made out of "collected trash".  Before heading out we took a peek inside both the house and senate chambers.  As we exited the building, we thanked our security guard friend for the wonderful insight and assured him that if we ever do a return visit we'll plan to arrive earlier and spend more time wondering the halls.

One of the many interesting pieces of artwork in the capital building.  

Entrance to the capital at sunset

After touring the capital, the plaza Christmas lights were shining bright 

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is located near the plaza

Santa Fe to Denver

The drive from Santa Fe to Denver is approximately 6 hours.  However, with stops in Taos, Red River and the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, we turned it into a sunrise to sunset adventure.  Ben had lived in Denver for several years and still has a number of friends in that area, many of whom we've met over the years.  We enjoyed having dinner with a nice young couple before heading back to the hotel, while Ben carried on and visited with some other friends before turning in for the night.

With the early start on the day we arrived at the Taos Plaza just as the shops were opening

Ben and I made a friend in one of the many Taos Art Galleries

Red River is a small ski resort town (pop. less than 600) just a few miles off the main road between Taos and Denver.  We had taken Ben and Sarah there when they were young and enjoyed seeing it again.

We got photo bombed!

The ski area was being groomed in anticipation of opening soon

Shotgun Willie's was a nice, inexpensive place to eat in Red River

Shotgun Willie's

Garden of the Gods

The moon was in a perfect place for this photo!

Garden of the Gods

A full day in Denver and a memorable night in Golden!

Over the past few years, we have become big fans of the IHG Hotel Chain.  They seem to have the best rewards program for our needs.  Often times when staying at IHG properties we stay at Holiday Inn Express locations.  Of all the ones we've stayed at, Beth and I agreed that the one in Castle Rock (just outside of Denver) is one of the nicest.  We enjoyed a good night's rest and a hearty breakfast before heading out for a day in Denver.

We started the day roaming around the downtown area.  Larimer Square was festively decorated for the holidays, but unfortunately a good portion of the 16th Ave Pedestrian Mall was undergoing extensive renovations.  In spite of the jackhammers and closed sidewalks it was still fun to spend a little time walking around and reminiscing about previous visits.  We enjoyed meeting up with one of Ben's closest Denver friends (and someone we enjoyed getting to know quite a bit) for lunch.  Chelsea, it was great seeing you and we look forward to catching up with you again!

The Larimer Square welcoming committee!

A nice lunch with a really nice person!

After lunch we walked the short distance to the State Capitol building and the adjacent Civic Center Park where a Christmas Market was taking place.  Day by day it was getting closer to Christmas, and we were getting into the Christmas spirit more and more.  By the end of the night, we'd really be in the swing of things. 

The Mile High Capitol of Colorado

A nutcracker and two nuts outside the Christmas market

To get a head start on our next day's drive we spent our second night in Golden, which is just west of Denver.  Golden is most commonly known as the location of the brewery for Coors Beer.  Over the holidays a traditional Golden event is the annual Olde Golden Candlelight Walk down Washington Avenue.  We took full advantage of the event, purchasing candles and joining thousands of locals and visitors in the procession.  It was a spectacular event not only to see, but to participate in as well.

Downtown Golden........"where the west lives"

Ben treated us to Woody's............it was great!

A group of carolers led the procession

All lit up and ready for the big event!

It was an amazing sight to see.........and participate in!

 Checking off Utah's Big (or Mighty) Five

Utah is an incredibly beautiful state that we've enjoyed exploring several times.  It is home to five National Parks, which are often referred to as "The Big Five" or "The Mighty Five".  They're uniquely different, but all spectacular and worth checking out.  We had ambitious plans to see them all!

The Mighty Five

Leaving Golden, our first Utah destination was Moab, which is the gateway to Arches National Park.  However, before getting to Utah we had two very important stops to make in Colorado.  First up, we'd never pass through Glenwood Springs without a stop for a treat or two.......well actually a dozen, from Sweet ColoraDough.  Their doughnuts and "cronuts" (a cross between a doughnut and a croissant are a mouthwatering treat that's hard to stop with just one, even though they're huge.

It would be downright unAmerican to pass through Glenwood Springs without stopping at Sweet ColoraDough!

Sweet ColoraDough  

After a few more hours of driving we arrived at Grand Junction, Co. and enjoyed a late lunch with the Sallade's.  Wayne was one of my best friends from way back when we lived in Charlotte County, Florida.  In spite of the years, we've managed to stay in touch, and we enjoyed a nice lunch with them all while enjoying Wayne's large, colorful Christmas hat!

Wayne's hat shows he was in the Christmas Spirit!

Our plan of attack for getting in the Mighty Five was Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion.   We visited Arches and Canyonlands while staying two nights in Moab.  After leaving Moab, we visited Capital Reef and Bryce Canyon on our way to Springdale, which is just outside the entrance to Zion National Park.

If you're traveling from Grand Junction to Moab take "the road less traveled".  Exit I-70 onto Scenic Byway 128........as you can see from the pictures below, you'll be glad you did and you've only added a few minutes to the drive!

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

The distance between the entrance of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (Islands in the Sky) visitors centers is only 29 miles.  Although you could spend days exploring either park, with an early start you can get a feel for both parks in one day, especially in December when the crowds are much smaller.  We started at Arches and spent most of the morning exploring the highlights along the approximately 25-mile drive, as well as taking several short hikes to scenic views and points of interest.

The first of Utah's Mighty Five!

Early afternoon we left Arches and headed over to Canyonlands, which size wise is the largest of the Mighty Five.  At 527 square miles, you're not going to see all of Canyonlands in one day.  Unless you're real ambitious, have a four-wheel drive and are comfortable primitive camping (permits required), you're not going to see it all.  However, it's easy to get a taste of the park by accessing the park through the Island of the Sky Visitors Center Entrance.  We enjoyed driving down to the Grand View Point Overlook and hiking a bit along the rim trail before returning to our Moab hotel...........two parks down, three to go!

Park #2 of 5!

The mountains in the distance are over 60 miles away!

Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks

As we headed out of Moab we had a parting gift of a little snowfall.  Nothing significant as far as creating any hazardous road conditions.  While it didn't last long, it did actually make the drive more enjoyable.

On our way to Springdale (Zion National Park), we planned to visit Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon.  The drive between Moab and Springdale was five hours, so we knew we were in for a full days adventure.

What started as a snowy morning..............

...........soon became a bright sunny day!

In terms of acreage, Capitol Reef National Park is the second largest of Utah's Mighty Five (241,904 acres), only Canyonlands being larger.  In spite of its size, it receives around 1.3 million visitors per year, making it the least visited of the 5 Utah National Parks.    As much as anything, the relatively small number of visitors may be due to its location, which makes it a little more difficult to reach.  We didn't spend too much time inside the long, narrow park.  We did enjoy the visitors center as well as the drive through on Highway 24.

Ben did a nice job spotting these Big Horn Sheep high on the side of a sheer cliff

From Capitol Reef it was an easy two-and-a-half-hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park.  We arrived in time to look around the visitors center a bit before driving deep into the park. We enjoyed the canyon overlooks and the unique geological features called hoodoos that have taken a few million years to develop.  

4/5's of the way through the Mighty Five

Bryce Canyon was a bit nippy, with windchills in the teens

It was getting late in the day and the sun was setting as we arrived in Springdale. It was a long, but really fun day.  After a nice meal at Jack's Sports Grill and a game of Mexican Train Dominos it was off to bed, with visions of seeing more of Zion National Park dancing in our heads.

Zion receives over 4.5 million visitors per year, making it the most visited of the Mighty Five.  Needless to say, it can get quite crowded at certain times of the year.   We'd much rather deal with it being a little cooler and much less expensive, than overcrowded and high prices.  

Each of Utah's Mighty Five are beautiful and unique.  Comparing one to the other isn't worth the effort.  If you have the chance to visit all or even some of them, take a deep breath, relax and enjoy being surrounded by the incredible scenery.

The Final Park on the Utah Mighty Five Park Tour!

And now for something completely different............

A mere 163 miles from the natural beauty of Zion National Park is a world that could be easily described as the polar opposite, Las Vegas.  At this point in our lives, Beth and I prefer the national park scene to the Las Vegas Strip, however, it's still an interesting place to visit.  Ben certainly enjoys it and being there with him always gives me the opportunity to share a bit of "Dad Wisdom".   He doesn't need to be reminded of it, but I always take the opportunity to remind him that they don't build those fancy hotels and casinos to give money away.  

During our stay Ben had a chance to visit with a high school friend of his who is in the military and stationed just outside of Vegas.  Daniel, it's always great to see you and reminisce about you, Ben and so many others playing poker in our backyard.  Thanks for your service!

We enjoyed roaming the strip, checking out the strangeness of the Area 15 Omega Mart, which is described as an "immersive art exhibition", and trying to "break the bank".  We were only slightly lighter in the wallet when we pointed the car westward towards Death Valley National Park and California.

The Las Vegas Sphere.  The construction cost was over 2.3 billion dollars.  It can seat up to 20,000 people for concerts, sporting events, etc.  The exterior of the sphere is constantly changing.

Las Vegas Sphere

Area 15 is an entertainment area and home to the wildly weird but entertaining Omega Mart.

Omega Mart

You have to find your way into the inner sanctum of the Omega Mart through secret doors.  Once inside..........it's unique.

The Bellagio was decorated for the season!

 Death Valley National Park

The road trip from New Mexico to California was coming to an end.  We were already looking forward to our time with Sarah, Joey, James and Emma.  However, there was one more landmark to check off on the journey, Death Valley National Park.

Our sixth and final national park of the journey!

The park is located on the California side of the California/Nevada border.  On the park map Death Valley is described as "so empty, so vast, so simple, so quiet".  I certainly couldn't come up with a better description no matter how hard or long I tried.  To expand on the description just a bit, it's the largest national park in the lower 48 states (over 3 million acres).  On July 10, 1913, a toasty temperature of 134 degrees was recorded in the appropriately named Furnace Creek section of the park.  Death Valley is a must see, but you probably want to avoid it during the summer months!

Unlike summer, the park is a bit chilly in the winter months

Badwater Basin Salt Flats

Artists Palette

Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells

After a few hours in Death Valley, it was on to Visalia, California. our final stop of our nine day road trip.  Thanks to me not paying attention to the GPS we made the drive a little longer than it should have been, but we made it to the hotel unscathed shortly after sundown.

Holiday Family Time, the best time!

The next few weeks were all about family time.  We were so grateful to have this time together.  While we did do a few special things, every moment was special and appreciated.  There was James's acting debut in the school play, puzzles galore, wonderful food, a visit to the San Francisco Zoo, Santa Claus, birthday celebrations and much, much more.  

We were so happy to be there for James's acting debut!  The play was titled "Vacation to Mars".  James was an outstanding Martian!    

Growing up in Mulberry, Marty was one of my best friends.  He now lives in the Seattle/Tacoma area.  We hadn't seen or talked to each other in years.  He was kind enough to call me last year and we realized his daughter and her family live very close to Sarah and her family.  We had a wonderful breakfast together and are looking forward to doing it again soon! 

Puzzle time....one of many completed!

The Airbnb where we stayed is known as "The Farmhouse".   Emma and James loved seeing the chickens.  Our host was wonderful in teaching Emma about the types of chickens she raised.  When we checked in we had an awesome welcome package, which included fresh eggs!

Ben teaching James and Emma the finer points of baseball card collecting.  They love their Uncle Ben so much!

Brewsters Bar and Grill in Petaluma is known for its Christmas decorations. 

Sonoma Plaza just a few days before Christmas was very festive

A day at the San Francisco Zoo!

Beth and I had enjoyed visiting the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa with Sarah and James back in the summer.  It was fun to see it again, this time with Ben. 

Christmas Candlelight Service at Hillside Church of Marin.  Joey is Hillside's Family Minister Pastor.

Getting the cookies and milk ready for a special guest!

We always enjoy Joey's skills on the grill.  This Christmas Brisket was amazing!

James's first few minutes on skates.  The split was not planned!

Emma's first few minutes on her skates.  It was a good thing MiMi was back there.

Electric Scooter Time

After a few days of practice there was quite a bit of improvement!

New Years Eve Birthday Buddies!

Sharing a breakfast treat with my birthday buddy!

In addition to having Emma as a birthday buddy I am so thrilled that I've been able to spend part of my birthday with James every year of his life!

Ben had said his goodbyes to all of us a few days before New Years Eve.  He flew to Texas to spend some time with friends there before heading back to New York.  After our birthday breakfast with the Martins and a trip to the annual ball drop in Novato, we said our goodbyes.  Beth and I celebrated the arrival of 2025 in Tehachapi, California, our first stop on the drive back to Albuquerque.  We love being on the west coast on New Years Eve.  We can watch the ball drop in Times Square and be in bed shortly after 9:00 local time.  From Tehachapi we drove to Sedona, Az on New Years Day.  We enjoyed a four-night stay before returning the car and flying back to Florida.  

We stayed in the Oak Creek Village area of Sedona which is a few miles south of the "tourist district".  There is great access to the Bell Rock Pathway and multiple trails.  The pathway and loop trails are really nice, flat trails with great views.

Along the Loop Trail

It was a December to Remember and a great start to what will hopefully be a healthy and happy new year for everyone!

On our drive from California to New Mexico we passed this sign for Buc-ee's.........Clean Restrooms and Beef Jerky just 834 miles down the road!  Thankfully we didn't have that many miles left!