We're Still Not There Yet: Day 9: Farewell to Colorado! Happy 40th to Billy!

We left beautiful Snowmass behind at 9am, heading west to Utah. And today is Billy's 40th birthday!

Over the course of the 4 full days in Snowmass, we only drove a total of 116.5 miles. That's like an hour and a half on a drive through Wyoming! We said goodbye to this wonderful home, probably forever (it's now on the market. So if you know anyone looking for a gorgeous home in the greater Aspen area, let me know!)

Sometimes on these trips Billy tasks me with some kind of logistical challenge. Usually it's around finding the cheapest gas station within the next 75 miles or identifying the best place to stop for dinner before we experience 8 simultaneous meltdowns. Friday morning I had the challenge - and honor - to find a gas station, grocery store, Wal-Mart, and place to eat breakfast within the first hour of our departure. And, the breakfast place needed to serve pancakes. I'm pleased to report that I rose to the challenge and Glenwood Springs offered us relatively inexpensive gas (compard to Aspen's $4.79/gallon), a Safeway, Wal-Mart, and the best breakfast place in the Rockies - all within 2 miles of each other. Yes, Rosi's Little Bavarian Restaurant and Pastry Shop is a gem, and was able to quickliy and cheerfully serve us 4 adults and 8 hungry children an absolutely delicious meal. They even capped if off with a free pastry for Billy - complete with a candle. 3 cheers for Rosi's!

Once we finished getting our groceries for the next several days, we headed west to Utah, driving straight to Canyonlands National Park just outside Moab. Danny was a tiny bit disappointed it was a beautiful scenic stop and not Candyland which is what he kept thinking we were saying.

When he learned he got to climb some really cool rock formations, he was okay with it.

Danny and his Godfather, the birthday boy

Our intrepid hikers

Billy and Jenny needed to give Mesa Arch a little boost.

The view from under the arch:

The views on the road from Canyonlands to Green River State Park weren't so bad, either.

Once we arrived at the campsite we got to work on setting up tents, preparing dinner and Billy's birthday cake.

Jenny made a delicious pork tenderloin on the camp stove. For 14.

Sam and Marta helped make a fantastic apple salsa.

Oh! And my parents met us here in Utah to join us for a week of the road trip! Dad likes to build fires.

And mom likes to help do dishes, while looking oh-so-stylish in the process. She is officially glamping.

I also set to work on Billy's homemade, from-scratch, chocolate birthda cake, cooked over a campfire in a dutch oven (that Jim received as a birthday present from his sister a week before we left. Perfect gift and perfect timing!)