Just got back from our annual trip with my favorite traveling companion, my cousin and bestest friend, Cindy Ca Pham! This will be our fourth year and this time its…..Utah! Why Utah, you asked? Why not? It’s in the middle of California and Illinois. She said it’s her favorite trip thus far. And I can’t help but agree. 🙂 We went to Midway, Utah the first day and stayed at Homestead Resort which is nice “hotel/home” in a quaint little town. It has a crater hot springs next to the property which we didn’t get a chance to go. We did, however, turned on the shower for 20 mins to create our own little steam room in our hotel bathroom. 🙂 There was a cute little bakery in town where we had avocado turkey bacon sandwich. Too bad it’s closed the next day because we were looking forward to breakfast there.

This is us at Wasatch National Park which was near our hotel. I really like the tall white birch trees and yes there is snow on the ground!

Next morning, headed to Arches National Forest in Moab!!! This has been on my bucket list for many years and  many missed opportunities to go, but, I like to think there’s a reason I went to to it now. It’s because it wouldn’t have been this amazing with anyone else but Ca. We share the same passion for design aesthetic, outdoor hikes, and natural beauty.

 

This place is so beautiful and serene with it’s arches; gateway into dreams and natural wonder. We stayed til nightfall to see the stars. 🌟 ✨  So we got to see the arches in daylight and sunset. Pictures cannot do it justice.

We didn’t realize the “Delicate Arch” is the the arch that was in every postcard, guidebook, etc. so we didn’t hike it…we only saw it at the viewpoint access. I’m a little bit bummed about that but that just means we have to go back there one day.

Sandstone Arch with its soft red sand! Surreal!

Broken Window Arch. I think this my favorite arch!

 

We stayed at Under Canvas Moab for the night. Let me tell you it sure was dark trying to find this place! Lol, it was smoky inside our tent because it was cold out and we had the wood fireplace burning most of the night. First time, “glamping” with an actual bed inside the tent. I can get used to that! They also have it in a lot of national parks as well!

This is Young Living, lavender fields. As you can see, in the winter, it’s not purple fields. LOL.

Next day we went to Provo for our Aveda Spa Services and then onwards to Antelope Island State Park to stargaze. I just really love the colors of the sun setting over the Salt Lake here at Antelope Island. Reminds me of this watercolor painting I had in my old workplace.

A memorable trip etched into my being, that no matter where I go, what I do, I will always strive to find that enchantment in my life. Life can be hard, crazy, and fragile but if we can hold on to these special memories/moments, it will sustain us. Til next time, Ca! I’m so glad we have this tradition. Can’t wait to see where we go next. xoxo.