End of Summer Getaway - Dinosaur National Monument

It is almost the end of my summer vacation, so Charly and I decided to take one more little road trip.  Our first stop was Vernal, Utah where we spent a couple of nights and went to Dinosaur National Monument, to see the Dinosaur Quarry and do some hiking.  Dinosaur National Monument is a beautiful and interesting place in Eastern Utah.  It is one of our favorite places to go, and we were just here last year.  Here are some pictures from our day at this fascinating place.

The Quarry Exhibit Center

In this picture, Charly is going up to the Quarry Exhibit Center where visitors can see dinosaur fossils in the section of the mountain where they were originally found.   Here are some other pictures from the Quarry Exhibit Center. 

The Fossil Discovery Trail

This trail is called the Fossil Discovery Trail because you can actually see fossilized bones of dinosaurs and ancient fish in the mountain along the trail.  

This is a fossilized dinosaur bone in the mountain along the trail. 

This is a little lizard we met along the trail. 

Josie Bassett Morris Cabin and Box and Hog Canyon Trails

This is the Josie Bassett Morris cabin in Dinosaur National Monument.  Josie was a homesteader who lived here for 50 years - from the early 1900s until the early 1960s. You can read more about this fascinating woman and her life in this beautiful valley here. 

Here are some of the beautiful area and trails around Josie's cabin that we hiked. 

Hog Canyon Trail near Josie's cabin.

Box Canyon Trail.  This pretty box canyon is where Josie grazed some of her cattle. 

Charly watching a little lizard on the trail.

Another little lizard friend. 

This little guy was almost right under my feet when he stopped to let me take his picture. 

We had a delightful day at Dinosaur National Monument.  Stay tuned for more fun and adventure from our end of summer getaway.  

Until next time, 

😊Deb💖

"The world is a book, 

and those who do not travel read only one page."

~Augustine of Hippo

Best of Birthday Week - Friday Favorites

 

It's been another busy week here.  There just seems a lot going on and a lot on the to do list.  It is on weeks like this, that it is good for the soul to take time ou and remember the blessings of the past seven days.  Thanks to Susanne for hosting the link-up to do just that over at Living to Tell the Story.  Let's get started.  

Getaway road trip - I wrote about our long weekend trip to Dinosaurland in my weekend post, but it remains one of my favorite things from the past seven days. The trip was relaxing, fun, interesting and educational - the perfect long weekend getaway for Charly and I. 

Birthdays! -  Charly's birthday was Wednesday.  I am so grateful to have him healthy and whole and here with me celebrating another birthday.  He is my best friend and eternal sweetheart.   Our oldest son Alex was born on Charly's birthday back in 1990, so he turned 31 on Wednesday.  I have no idea where the years go.  Seems like just yesterday we were running red lights in the middle of the night to make it to the hospital so Alex could be born. Now Alex is a successful man who we are very proud of.  Finally, my birthday is Saturday.  I'm not much on big birthday celebrations, but I am grateful for the gift of life God has given me and that I am still making yearly trips around the sun.  

A delicious birthday treat to share - Charly wanted a cheesecake as his birthday cake this year, so I told him to pick out the one he wanted when he went grocery shopping. This is what he brought home.  There was plenty to share so it could be my birthday cake too and it was excellent.  We shared the piece that is missing in this picture because we are both watching our weight.  I may have my very own piece to celebrate my birthday on Saturday!

Fall colors - I love brilliant fall colors. We enjoyed absolutely stunning fall leaves as we drove through the mountains on our road trip last weekend.  I wish there had been a place to stop and take pictures.  This tree, in our neighborhood has been quite beautiful this fall, but with the windy and rainy week we have had, it is quickly losing its leaves.  I am grateful for a cool and colorful autumn. 

Fall flowers - Charly brought me this bouquet of flowers this week. He said they are my birthday flowers, a little early.  He is such a sweet guy to buy me flowers so much. He knows I love them, and I love the pretty fall colors of this arrangement. 

A job with benefits - every October, all of the employees in the school district I work for have to sign up for health insurance and other benefits for the coming year.  Charly and I went to the district benefits fair last week to do just that.  Now, I have my insurances in place for another year. Even though my job can have its frustrations, I am grateful to have a well-paying job that offers good benefits.  It is a blessing to me and my family. 

Those are my favorite for this fall week.  Thank you for stopping by.  I always enjoy and appreciate your comments.  Have a good weekend!

😊Deb💖

"Gratitude and joy are eternal twins.  

Where there is one, there is always the other."

~LeAura Alderson