This is a National Parks Passport booklet. You take it with you to all the parks and get it stamped. We bought one for all three kids when we realized that our vacation trend seemed be national parks. We figured this would one day be a great souvenir and we aimed to collect as many stamps as we could before the kids grew up.
One day a few weeks ago it occured to me that if we lost one of these books it would be really, really sad. While we could certainly buy new ones, we would lose all the stamps we had acquired thus far. So I whipped out a marker and wrote my phone number in each booklet, hoping against all odds that if it were lost someone might find it and call us.
Last week that is precisely what happened. Kristin's booklet went MIA and we didn't notice it until we were in Utah. We stamped small pieces of paper with the plan to tape them into her booklet when it turned up, but that didn't happen. We gave up hope, figuring it had fallen out of the truck somewhere. Then I got a call from Death Valley National Park. Someone had found it and they offered to mail it to us. I did the Happy Dance right here in the trailer.
One day a few weeks ago it occured to me that if we lost one of these books it would be really, really sad. While we could certainly buy new ones, we would lose all the stamps we had acquired thus far. So I whipped out a marker and wrote my phone number in each booklet, hoping against all odds that if it were lost someone might find it and call us.
Last week that is precisely what happened. Kristin's booklet went MIA and we didn't notice it until we were in Utah. We stamped small pieces of paper with the plan to tape them into her booklet when it turned up, but that didn't happen. We gave up hope, figuring it had fallen out of the truck somewhere. Then I got a call from Death Valley National Park. Someone had found it and they offered to mail it to us. I did the Happy Dance right here in the trailer.
This is my iPad. While it has no sentimental value, it certainly is valuable. While grocery shopping in Hurricane, Utah (locals pronounce it "hurri-CUHN;" we Floridians say "Hurric-AYN" -- silent final e makes the vowel say it's name) it was left in the shopping cart. An employee found it and took it to the front desk where they looked in my contacts and called my mom, because she is listed as "Mom," and of course that seemed like a good place to start. Before we even realized it was absent my mom was calling to ask if I was missing my iPad. Hallelujah! My list called "Where We Put Stuff" was in there. Without it we can't find anything in this beast. We might have had to turn around and go home because how else am I going to find the toilet paper and lantern and S'more supplies? These honest people have no idea what they rescued. Commence Happy Dance again. (In case you're wondering, it is equal parts Running Man, Gangnam Style and White Girl with Overbite). (Oh, and that funky thing Lee Stuart does with
On our way through southern Utah a couple of weeks ago we stopped for gas. An attendant at the repair shop pointed out that one of our trailer tires was very low. He offered to get under and take a good look and when he did he found a huge bolt embedded in the treads. Kevin asked how long it might take to fix. The man offered to just plug it, as he said that would work just as well if not better than replacing the tire. It took about fifteen minutes and he would NOT let us pay him.
We are in Sedona right now and I am not bothering to blog or post photos because frankly, we aren't terribly impressed. Too many houses and tour helicopters and airplanes buzzing around overhead and I just didn't think a Debbie Downer style blog post was worth your while to read. But we are totally impressed with the honest and helpful people that still inhabit this big blue marble. They not only make life more enjoyable but the trip a little easier.
-Jenni
P.S. I just finished a mountain biking class at the campground here at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. It was top notch and by the end I was riding stuff that used to make me screech my brakes and declare my wussdom (it's a word) to whomever could hear. So what I am saying here is that the course is well worth $5 and four hours if you happen to be here on any Saturday before May 4.
On our way through southern Utah a couple of weeks ago we stopped for gas. An attendant at the repair shop pointed out that one of our trailer tires was very low. He offered to get under and take a good look and when he did he found a huge bolt embedded in the treads. Kevin asked how long it might take to fix. The man offered to just plug it, as he said that would work just as well if not better than replacing the tire. It took about fifteen minutes and he would NOT let us pay him.
We are in Sedona right now and I am not bothering to blog or post photos because frankly, we aren't terribly impressed. Too many houses and tour helicopters and airplanes buzzing around overhead and I just didn't think a Debbie Downer style blog post was worth your while to read. But we are totally impressed with the honest and helpful people that still inhabit this big blue marble. They not only make life more enjoyable but the trip a little easier.
-Jenni
P.S. I just finished a mountain biking class at the campground here at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. It was top notch and by the end I was riding stuff that used to make me screech my brakes and declare my wussdom (it's a word) to whomever could hear. So what I am saying here is that the course is well worth $5 and four hours if you happen to be here on any Saturday before May 4.