And You Need Her and She Needs You

Sunday I got to drive to downtown KC and pick up Tammy Draughon from the KC convention center where she had been grading AP Physics tests and bring her to my house for a great dinner outside in our back yard. We met the Draughons in North Carolina as we and they were newlyweds in the Durham First Ward. It was SO GREAT to just be able to pick up a friendship that old and just visit like the years in between evaporated.  

Here are some amazing things about Tammy: She has run the Boston Marathon many times. She did it the year there was a bomb and she did it once with a broken leg. She coaches the #2 boys cross country team in the nation. She has an undergraduate degree from Duke and at least two Master's Degrees.

I had a a fabulous girls' week planned for this week. Well, it was only sort of planned. I did buy tickets to fly to Las Vegas. I was going to spend the first half of the week with my dear friends Brenda (lives in Logandale about 5 minutes from Dad) and Janet (lives in St. George), and the last half of the week with Kirsta and her family. The details we left in the air.  Here are the things we learned:

1. I am great at talking about being laid back, but when it comes down to it, I'm a little bit bad at "just vibing" as Willa calls it. 

2. Kirsta is GREAT at it. She brings fun everywhere she goes.

3. Janet's parents are in Idaho with COVID. So she didn't make it, but her parents are improving.

4. Brenda is still as lovely as ever. And her family too.

5. Marj is a wonder.

Here are some pictures:

Valley of Fire at sunrise:

My kids are hiding in the cavity of that rock.

After some Navajo tacos at Lyman's house

Step aerobics at the Fairgrounds with entertainment by my littles.

Selfie in Paige's van to show her I drove it and all was well. Unfortunately, it didn't end that way. More below.

At Hangar 11, ready for takeoff.

FP doing flight checks. Looking fly.

We flew over Mormon Mesa first, because I wanted to see Double Negative from above. It was a pretty great view.

Those straight lines off the wing tip are the ruins of the pioneer town St. Thomas, which was inundated by Lake Mead in 1938.

I was driving Paige's van to Mesquite with the family when the van lights went on, clicking noises and the engine stopped and white smoke started pouring out from under the hood. Luckily, I heard the concerning noises, pulled off safely, had people stop and give us ice cold Gatorade, clouds and breeze came at just the right time, I had a friend to pick us up, and the tow was covered by insurance. Blessings all! I'm just bummed for Paige and John's van biting the dust. So sorry!

Eve has a great eye for detail

Bear portrait by Eve

Where the van ended up.

Last we saw of the van. Hood up.

We checked for scorpions when we got there. This gal must have come out to die while we were there. I think it is a bark scorpion, most venemous in North America.

New vacuum and Kirsta's shoes for scale with the scorpion.

Lake Mead at the lowest level I have seen in my entire life.

Las Vegas Marina right next to Boulder City Marina. These cars are parked about where the Boulder City Marina used to be. Or maybe beyond it.

But the carp are still there.

Kirsta helped my kids make pinatas! Spirit Airlines didn't even give us grief about bringing a pinata on the plane even though we didn't pay for carry on baggage.

My title is from Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung. For some reason I clicked a link explicating the lyrics and got this. Tell me if you laughed until you cried like I did.