2018 in Review

What’s up everyone?

We hope that you had a great Thanksgiving, at least for those that celebrate it.  For those that don’t I hope that you had a great week.  I know that we did.  It was good to see family that we haven’t seen in a long time.  For many of us, during this time of year, our minds turn to the many things that we are grateful for and I am no exception.  I am grateful for my family and friends and I am deeply grateful for all those that follow us.  We really enjoy sharing our adventures with you and hope to inspire you to seek out your own.  With the holiday season upon us, we here at the Adventure Diaries will be going on a small hiatus for the month of December.  Don’t worry though we’ll be back in January after all the hustle and bustle is over.

With that said I thought that we would take a minute to look back at the past year.  Even though it didn’t start off that way but our year turned out pretty crazy.  We had some big milestones that we celebrated and some major life changes.

This year our adventuring did really start until April when we visited two of Chicago’s landmarks: Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium.  I had forgotten how much I used to be obsessed with outer space until we visited the Planetarium.  The many displays and artifacts that the Planetarium has will spark you interest as well.  My favorite part was the Astronomy in Culture Exhibit.  In it there are instruments that date back centuries showing that humans have always looked to the stars and wondered what was out there.

I just realized as I’m writing this that I had not done a post on Shedd Aquarium.  I was pretty sure that I had but can’t find anything on it.  I hadn’t been to a real aquarium in a long time.  We had a lot of fun there seeing the different sea critter and even the local once.

2018 is a big year for Erin and I.  This year we celebrated our 10 year anniversary and we wanted to do something special to celebrate.  We decided to relive our honeymoon and go back to Disney World.  This time we invited any of our family, from both sides, to come a long with us and the majority of them was able to make it.  It was the first time in a very long time that all of us were together in the same place at the same time.  We spent seven days in Disney and we enjoyed every minute of it.  Even the days that it rained on us.  It adds to the stories that we would later tell.

In June we found ourselves heading to Michigan to check out Warren Dunes State Park.  These were not the type of sand dunes that I am accustomed to.  Growing up in Utah, sand dunes existed because we lived in a desert with very little water.  The Warren Dunes sit on the edge of Lake Michigan.  I guess you can say they are more like an over exaggerated beach.  I’m not much of a water person so I really wasn’t too excited about visiting but it turned out to be really fun.  We walked up and down the lakeshore and enjoyed each others company.  It was too bad we didn’t pack a lunch.  We could of had a picnic on the beach.

July ended up being the busiest and craziest part of our year.  Near the end of June, we had started talking about how we no longer felt that Chicago was home and that we should move back to Utah.  There was a lot of things that we had to take care of before that was even possible.  As quickly as we decide, everything else fell into place.  The universe was definitely telling us to head home.

It was still the early July and we couldn’t leave till the end of July so we found some adventure to occupy our time.  Erin had heard that there was a Swedish Museum and had been trying to get me to go.  I finally said yes and off we went.  The Museum was small but it was really interesting to learn about the Swedish migration to the United States.  Just incase you didn’t know, there is a huge Swedish population in the Chicagoland area.

For our last hurrah in Chicagoland we went down to Chicagoland Speedway to see the Nascar Monster Energy Series.  It was a good and exciting race.  I didn’t like who won, I would have preferred anyone else but thats okay.

July came to an end quickly.  We found ourselves boxing up everything we owned and cramming it into a U-haul.  I’ve been on a few cross country trips but I don’t remember them ever being as bad as this one.  I think it was just me wanting to be back home that made it feel so maddening.  That and maybe being stuck in a U-haul all by myself and nobody else to talk to.  Two and a half days and 1300 miles we were back in Utah and ready for a new set of adventures.

September and October was really about us getting back to the swing of thinks in Utah.  Starting new jobs and getting used to our new co-workers.  It wasn’t all work though, there was plenty of play to be had.

The first stop we had was This is the Place Heritage Park.  This Is The Place Monument stands near the place were Brigham Young state “This is the right place.”  With these word  the Territory of Dessert, which would eventually become Utah and parts of other states, was founded.  The Heritage Park takes you back in time to see what it was like to live in Salt Lake City in its early years.

One thing that Erin was looking forward to was the 2018 Lantern Fest.  It was a pretty cool event.  People came from all over to participate in the releasing of the lanterns.  When we finally got the go ahead to release, the night sky was illuminated with hundreds of lanterns rising to the heavens and gently drifting along.  I will say that not all of us got our lanterns in the air but thats alright.

Besides our trip to Disney the highlight of the year for me was our trip to Daniel’s Summit. We spent a weekend exploring the mountains of the Wasatch in our side by sides.  I’ve mentioned it many times and I sure I’ll mention it again.  I love getting into the mountains, I should say that I love getting out into the outdoors and exploring.  It doesn’t matter if it the first time or if we’ve been there many times.  The trails were fun and the fall colors were on full display.  You couldn’t ask for a better day.  For me its was more about the  quality time spent with friends and family than it was about exploring.

That was our year in a nutshell.  A lot of things have change for us but we want to continue bringing you entertaining adventures.  This time off will not be wasted though.  We are currently working on plans for this coming year.  So far there is only one trip set in stone and thats the Easter Jeep Safari.  The rest of the year is still in the air.  We did finally get our YouTube channel up and running and are working on bring you content about our adventures and more.

As always Thanks for stopping by.  Until next year.

Josh and Erin

Daniel's Summit

What’s up everybody?

I am super excited for this weeks post.  We finally had a chance to get out into the wilds of Utah.  If you follow us, then you should know that it is one of my favorite things to do and I really haven’t had the chance to do it in quite awhile.  That has all changed now, we have a better opportunity to explore than we did before but thats enough of that lets get into it.

It was special day in a different sense as well.  It was the maiden voyage for our latest adventure vehicle “Coco”.  There has been some debate over her name but I’m pretty sure it to late to change it now.  Coco is a charcoal and gold 2018 Polaris RZR 900 side by side.  She has a 50 inch wheel base so she is ready to tackle any trail that we through at her.  We have add a couple of extra already with a few more to add later.  We added a roof and a full windshield.  Come to find out, we would be glad that we did.

We arose early on Saturday morning.  We had to finish loading the side by sides on to the trailers.  Preferably we would have done it the night before but for one reason or another we couldn’t do it.  That okay though, it gave a chance to all meet at one locations and we could travel together as a group.  That and we wanted to get up to the Summit early so we had plenty of time to ride the trails.

Packed and on the the road by 8.  We made our way up the canyon towards Park City and then made our way to Heber.  If the drive up the canyon was any indication of what we would see on the trails then we were in for a treat.  The leaves on the trees had definitely reached their autumn peak.  The yellows, oranges, and reds shined vibrantly through the thin layer of clouds that had fallen upon the road.  We had lived in the Midwest for a time and had seen some beautiful fall foliage but nothing compared to this.  I wish I could describe it for you in better detail.  I might be a little bias but to me nothing compares to driving through the mountains in fall.  It was truly breath taking.

Our base of operation and home for the night would be Daniel’s Summit Lodge.  The lodge is about 35 miles from Salt Lake City.  It has all the amenities you could want: rooms with two queens all the way up to family suites, pool, hot tub, spa, general store and a restaurant, The Lodge Pole.  Besides the rooms in the lodge, you can also rent cabins.  For the adventurous type you can rent side by sides or snowmobiles.  The rooms are very clean and each one comes with their own fireplace and deck.  After a long day of playing it was nice to be able to sit on the deck and look up at the stars.

Only one of our rooms were ready when we got there, so we decided to head over to the The Lodge Pole to grab some breakfast before we hit the trail.  We have eaten there several times in the past and have yet to be disappoint with our orders.  I had the biscuits and gravy, served with eggs and hash browns.  It was good and hearty.  Everything that is need to keep me full for some time.

With our bellies full it was time to head out.  The skies was looking a little gloomy.  The weather was calling for rain for most of the day.  At the elevation that we were at there was a possibility for snow.  Luckily we came prepared for anything that could happen.  We had planned for colder weather, we brought plenty to bundle up with or at least some of us did.  Erin, as a precaution, picked up a warm little blanket from the general store.  You can never be too warmer.  As I had mentioned, only one of our rooms were ready so the girls gathered their stuff and went up to get ready.  While the rest of us unloaded the trailers.

With rain coming down we were on our way.  The trail was wet and muddy, with lots of puddles.  I tried my best to avoid them as best I could.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem driving straight through them, but when its already wet and cold its another story.  I will say that sometimes it a curse to be the driver.  The views around us were beautiful.  The foliage was definitely at its peak.  I would have loved to be able to sit there and take it all in.  Thats alright though, I stole some glance when I could and really enjoyed what I saw.

Our first 10-100 stop was interesting.  I guess I should explain what a 10-100 is for those that don’t know.  A 10-100 is code to denote a five minute break.  In our case it was a potty stop.  Our break went from a potty stop to a dance party as some of our group attempted to floss.  I will say that it was horrific.  I know that there are people that should floss and those that should not.  We were, for sure, the latter and had no right trying.  My Niece and Nephew knew what the were doing and tried to teach us but fail miserably.  Believe me, a bunch of “mature” people trying to floss in the middle of nowhere was ridiculous.  Luckily we were in the middle of nowhere and nobody could see us.  I know I can’t dance, no rhythm what so ever, so I don’t even know why I tried.  Why not?  I guess.  We were having fun and thats all that mattered.

For me, the best part of the day came after lunch.  With the constant drizzle of rain, the trail became more technical to drive.  Deep ruts, slick rocks and mud made wheel placement keen.  I consider myself more of a technical driver than a high performance driver.  I like the idea of being able to, on the fly, pick the best line to get me over an obstacle.

Our biggest challenge of the day was in front of us.  A big hill steep, rocky, and rutted out.  Momentum and quick wit would be our allies for this fight.  Knowing that the wrong wheel placement could spell out certain doom.  Momentum lead the charge as we raced up the mountain.  Our quick wits quickly took command as we turned this way and that, avoiding the debris on the trail.  We have reached the top.  Victory is ours!  It was a good fight.  I can’t lie, there was a few rocks that jumped up and bit us.  What can I say?  Not even the best of us can make every shot.

With the trail reaching its end, we had to decide if we want to continue and find another trail or turn back and head back to the lodge.  We elected to head back since the day was fading away.  We want to get back to the lodge before it got too dark.  Turing back meant one thing.  We got to do everything in reverse.  It was fun and we made really good time.  Once we made it back to the lodge, the rest of the group finished checking in and we head to our rooms to get cleaned up.

Showered and clean, we made our way down to the lobby to wait for the other.  We found a nice comfy spot in front of the fireplace and snacked on some cookies.  When our group finally all came down from their rooms, we once again found our way over to the Lodge Pole for some grub.  With our tummies full, some over full, we decide to check out the pool.  I did not join in but I did hang out with them as they played in the pool and soaked their weary bones in the hot tub.

With our goodnights said, we settled in for the night.  The following morning we would go our separate ways.  We had to get back home early, while the rest planned on hit the trails again.

Normally I would end our post there but the following morning we awoke to snow on the ground.  It was not a bad snow fall.  Maybe an inch or so but it lead to the first snowball fight of the season.  I can’t say who started it, probably me though, but eventually everyone was involved.  Nobody was hurt.  It was all in good fun.  It was definitely a good trip.  I can’t wait to do it again.

Thanks for stoping by.  Until next time.

Josh

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