Cottonwood

Every summer Collin's family spends a few days in at their cabin by Cottonwood Lake in Star Valley, Wyoming.  We spend 3 days eating tons, sitting by the fire, playing games and occasionally hiking.  We were there just this last week enjoying all of the family time.  

This cabin has been in Collin's family for generations.  It's basically like a timeshare between the family.  Collin's aunts and uncles as well as many family members he hasn't met, are able to have a few days each summer to spend time together in this beautiful place.  I love the history surrounding the cabin.  There are many journals where family members can write about their experiences if they want to.    

We usually end up seeing deer, a moose if we are lucky, fish, chipmunks, birds and rabbits.  One year a family saw a bear on a hike! We did the same hike they had been on this year and I was hoping that we would see a bear too!  We ended up hiking to Dry Lake, which this year wasn't so dry.  The water was absolutely gorgeous!!  Since it's all run off from the mountains, it would have been freezing.  But the color made it so enticing and I just wanted to jump in. I didn't...but I wanted to! Everything surrounding Cottonwood is so beautiful.  It's nestled in the beginnings of the Teton mountain range.  There is so much wildlife and every year I am blown away with how beautiful it is! I can't wait for next years trip! 

Arches

Oh man am I behind on this blog...

Back in November of 2019, Collin and I took a trip down to Moab!  Neither of us had been to Arches and we needed a little vacation. We spent the weekend scrambling up and down rocks and looking at the gorgeous scenery.  We hiked to Delicate Arch, explored Devils Garden and saw all the arches we could in our short visit.  Although we saw most of the main attractions, if not all, we also felt like we could spend another week just exploring some of the trails.  We also were able to see some rock art, which I totally geeked out about.  My undergraduate degree was in Anthropology and it was so excited for me to see rock art.  Anytime I am able to see rock art I flip out!!! 

I had a bit of a struggle on some of the hikes...

I have a bad fear of heights and there were a couple moments were I locked up and almost freaked out.  Collin thankfully is patient and helped me through some of these moments.  For example, on the hike to Double-O Arch, you have to cross this 5-6 foot wide ridge that overlooks a huge valley complete with very large ominous drop off...I was doing ok until I got to the crack...I say crack and I literally mean crack...but in that moment it was 10 feet wide and I would have to jump over the gap and if I didn't make it I'd fall to my death....There was another man on the hike experiencing the same thing. I think seeing him sit down unable to move made my fear even worse.  Collin lifted/dragged me over the pit of doom and we eventually made it to the arches.  On the way back I had to keep telling myself that I wasn't going to die, the crack was just a crack and that I would make it.  The way back I did significantly better.  Collin spent all weekend scrambling up rocks and I usually made it maybe two feet up and had to turn around.  

While we were in Moab we stayed at The Moab Rustic Inn.  I'd highly recommend staying here.  Not only was it affordable, but it also included a kitchenette which came in handy.  The room was clean and spacious.  It was a great place to stay after hiking all day.  

On our last night we decided to try to find some Vegan eats.  We checked out Moab Kitchen a completely vegan food truck off the beaten path.  Little did we know, it was the last night that they were going to be open for the season.  To give back to the community that pushed them through the summer, the owner set up a pay what you want, all you can eat buffet.  The food was amazing and the atmosphere was really chill and pretty hippy! :) We will definitely be heading back there when we visit again!