Living Life with Jill in Park City, Utah

Outside of snowboarding, we've still had plenty to do with Jill in Park City. On Monday, our first day in town, Jill gave us a tour of the area. We drove past the nearby ski resorts which include Deer Valley (no snowboarders allowed) as well as Park City Mountain and Canyons that have now merged into one giant park (where we've been snowboarding). We saw the downtown main street filled with shops and restaurants. Jill recommended a cafe with red velvet hot chocolate that we vowed to return to try. There's even a lift that runs from downtown to the slopes; it's a true resort town! 

Though Park City is a resort town it feels more like a normal city than we expected. This is probably because of all the standard city amenities that are present. It also doesn't feel isolated because Salt Lake City is just 25 minutes away. Jill said that Park City stays alive in the summer. The town does a good job putting on weekly concerts and events. It also has plenty of hiking and mountain bike trails for summer adventurers. 

On Tuesday we ran some errands in Salt Lake City. I desperately needed a new pair of climbing shoes as mine were full of holes after our time in California. I had found a pair online, but wasn't sure of sizing. As it turned out the company was located in Salt Lake City, so we just dropped by their warehouse instead of ordering online. There was no customer store front, so it was an amusing experience as I sat on a small couch in an office space trying on the climbing shoes from the warehouse in the back. But, I successfully found the right size and purchased them for a good price. I am so excited to try them on the wall! 

Gear Express: No store front, just a warehouse and office in an industrial park

Ridiculously excited to have new climbing shoes

We also took care of our car in Salt Lake City. Lucille got an oil change, tire rotation, and car wash. While that was being done, we wandered the neighborhood parks. We also stumbled upon a Chick-fil-A which Brandon was obliged to get chicken nuggets from. 

Brandon feeding his love of Chick-fil-A nuggets

Tuesday evening, we went to junior high youth group with Jill, as she is the Student Ministry Associate of the church. We participated in the silly games and listened to the lesson about dating and relationships. It was fun to be see that part of her life in action. 

This week we also took time to check out Olympic Park where the 2002 winter games were held. The museums were entertaining, but what was most exciting was seeing the facilities in use. We watched some youths practicing jumps and then headed over to the bobsled and skeleton course. At the course we were able to walk up the service road and onto some decks overlooking the track which was over two miles of great exercise. Thirty minutes later some professional drivers with paid tourists riding behind them took the bobsleds down the track. They hurtled by us reaching speeds of 63.5 mph. Though I'm sure real bobsled teams go much much faster it was still impressive and fun to see. We didn't want to pay the exorbitant amount to ride the bobsled, but if they had offered it for free we would have accepted it in a heartbeat. 

Some of the smaller jumps at the Olympic Park

Mid-sized jumps with a swimming pool at the bottom to land in for practicing

The terrifyingly largest ski jumps still used for competitions

Brandon awkwardly pretending to carry to Olympic torch

Giant decor used in the Olympic opening ceremony

Jill and I in front of the bobsled course map and scoreboard

Appreciating the view down over the bobsled course

Brandon was hoping to be scouted for Olympic bobsled team 

Beginning of the track

A bobsled going uphill to complete the course and slow down

Bobsled speeding along curve 12, which is traditionally the hardest curve of the course

On Thursday evening we were able to join Jill and her Life Group for a Bible study about community. It was great to meet more people that are a part of her life, share stories, and well, just be in community together. We're looking forward to spending next Thursday evening with them as well.  

We've also enjoyed cooking together this week as well as conversing and playing card games. Jill shared her delicious orange chicken recipe with us, and we've made some of our regular dishes for her. Our hosts have a beautiful kitchen that I've enjoyed utilizing. They also have a hot tub that has soothed our achy muscles after snowboarding and skiing. We're rather spoiled. 

Friday night we were able to have dinner with Jill's co-worker Joel, the youth pastor of the church, and his wife Kristy. It was a delicious and wonderful time of fellowship together. We can see why Jill has fallen so in love with Park City and quickly made a place for herself in the community. 

Everyone we meet around town asks what touristy things we plan to do in the area. They suggest the national parks in Southern Utah or the hot springs or different hikes. While I'm sure we'd enjoy all those things, we try to explain that we're just here to spend time with Jill. The best part about being here is just living life with her and experiencing the ordinary days. 

Twelve Plus Hours from Santa Cruz to Park City

We made it safely from Santa Cruz to Park City! We did the 12-ish hour drive in one day and are happy to report no car issues. Sunday was definitely a great day to leave as traffic and weather were both a non-issue. On our route across I-80 we were primarily treated to the desert land of Nevada with a sprinkling of mountain views. It's now snowing heartily in Park City, and we're thankful to be here already hanging out with our friend Jill. 

Mountains of Tahoe, California 

Brandon had to have an In and Out Burger for lunch in Reno, Nevada. I made myself a pb&j sandwich. 

Nevada scenery for hours and hours

You can't tell from the picture, but the moon was the largest I had ever seen 

The desert definitely has it's own brand of beauty

Some Cool California Cats

Here are some cool cats we got to hangout with while visiting Becky. 

Meet the cuddly Kitsch, Bri and Carl's cat.

Kitsch was quite often very talkative and playful.

Kitsch also really liked attention...

... and cuddle time.

Meet Becky's new cat Doc. He's the softest cat I've ever met.

Doc would hangout while Becky and Katie worked on their Ukulele skills...

... though he would quickly grow bored of our human activities and either nap or go adventure outside.

Our Last California Day

Three weeks have flown by, and now it's time to leave California and move on to Utah! Our last day in Santa Cruz was eventful. We started off the day with a brunch consisting of a veggie egg bake and samples of Breakfast Stout and KBS. We followed the delicious meal with some ukulele practice. 

Brunch is one of the best meals

Breakfast Stout and KBS

Eventually we decided to head toward East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz for a scenic stroll. On the way we stopped at Yogurtland for froyo. I have to say it was some of the best froyo I've had in awhile. At East Cliff we watched hoards of surfers competing for waves. Becky grabbed some coffee, and we all sat and chatted for awhile basking in the sun. 

The next stop was Pacific Edge climbing gym for one last time. We all climbed for awhile. I think we've made pretty good use of our month climbing pass even though there's one week left on it still. I also got in a run on a treadmill, because I was starting to worry about being prepared for an upcoming 5k in Spain. Yikes! 

We couldn't spend our last day in Santa Cruz without checking out another taco place. We came across Tacqueria Agave II and spontaneously stopped there. The vegetarian tacos weren't quite as good as others we'd had as they seemed to be missing guacamole. However, Brandon felt the al pastor, chicken, and chorizo tacos were top notch. The pico de gallo was delicious as well. 

Chicken, al pastor, pork verde, and chorizo tacos

We still had the evening ahead, so we decided to stop at Whole Foods for some bombers of beer. As we watched several episodes of Parks and Rec, we enjoyed the beer and each other's company. 

Vanilla Oatmeal Stout, Black Lager, and Oatmeal Stout

And that was our last California day. Well, for now. Becky is pretty insistent about us moving to California at some point. 

Tacos, Tacos, Tacos

On Thursday, after getting Brandon a haircut, we consumed a taco lunch from Los Gallos. According to Becky the people of Mission Springs spar over whether the tacos at Los Gallos or those at Taqueria Vallarta (which we had Monday night after climbing at Castle Rock) are better. Of course we had to go and form our own opinion. 

Tacos of Los Gallos 

Tacos of Taqueria Vallarta

Taqueria Vallarta won out. Their meat was more flavorful and the vegetarian taco seemed to have more beans and rice. Of course to do a true test we'd have to try out both a few times. We've learned that at authentic taco places the food can taste different on different days. 

Later that night, after rock climbing at the gym, we had tacos at Olitas on the Santa Cruz wharf. It was dark, but out the windows of the restaurant we could still see some of the ocean waves hitting the supports of the wharf. The restaurant has a taco and beer deal on Tuesdays and Thursday. And the tacos were delicious topped with cabbage slaw and guacamole. We wished we hadn't waited to check out Olitas until our last week in Santa Cruz. 

View of the bay from Olitas

Olita tacos and Anderson Valley IPA

In all we've had tacos at these Santa Cruz places: 

• Salsas
• El Palomar
• Taqueria Michoacan
• Taqueria Vallarta
• Los Gallos
• Taqueria Agave II
• Becky's home
• Our stay at the round house 

Needless to say it's been an appetizing stay in California. 

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park

After filling our bellies with tacos we worked some of them off by exploring Quail Hollow Ranch County Park. I had found the park on a website detailing Santa Cruz' best-kept secret and free places. It must be somewhat of a secret, because Becky hadn't been there yet and the parking lot was not busy. It was free. And, it provided some lovely hikes. We took a trail to a sunset overlook, which was nice, but underwhelming as the sun wasn't setting. On the way back we took a different trail however that turned out to be extra picturesque as it hugged a cliff line. It was a great way to spend part of the afternoon, especially since we beat the rain home. 

Ready to start the trails

People had carved into the soft, sandy rock face along the path

View from Sunset Point

Entertaining cliff-line trail

Rounding a switchback

Brandon showing off his new haircut from that morning as he examines some moss

A California Mini Blind Date

I took Brandon on a mini blind date this week to check out the greater Santa Cruz area. We learned that driving someone who is blindfolded on winding roads can make them nauseous. Despite this small set back, we ended up having a pretty good time exploring Capitola. 

View of Capitola Beach from afar. Well for a view for me anyway. Brandon is obviously blindfolded. 

I let him take his blindfold off and see the view too

We found Sante Adairius Rustic Ales off the beaten road in Capitola

The Vanilla Java Porter with local Verve coffee was definitely worth a try

As we re-hashed the blind date with Becky we discovered that of course she had been to Capitola, but that she had never heard of Sante Adairius Ales. She'll have to check it out... perhaps on a blind date of her own. Seriously, people should try these blind dates. No one takes us up on the idea. But, it can be a lot of fun! 

Path of Perseverance for Paczkis Fails to Prevail

For the past 7 years, while living and working in Michigan, I have been spoiled with easy access to the Polish delicacy known as the paczki. A paczki is basically the donut's older, more mature, and more tasty sibling. I first encountered a paczki thanks to a coworker of mine at TechSmith who every year brings in boxes upon boxes of them to work on Fat Tuesday. On several occasions I even went out of my way to help finish off as many of the paczkis as possible in a single day. I don't remember exactly what my best record was, but I'm pretty sure I at least made it to double digits. Either way, paczkis now have a special place in my heart. So this year on Fat Tuesday Katie and I set out in pursuit to find me a paczki here in the Santa Cruz area.

Should have set my expectations way lower, no pazckis at Safeway, our first stop

None at the neighboring coffee shop either

None at any local donut shops

None at this bakery called the Buttery

None at this small corner grocery store across the street

None at this place google claimed was bakery but really wasn't

And none at any of the other grocery stores we stopped at 

Our journey eventually came to an end and... Mission Failed. I settled for two normal donuts to try to console my weary paczki-less soul