5th Anniversary

Jared planned a surprise weekend for our anniversary (I knew we were going somewhere but no idea where). We took the motorcycle and rode up Hwy 89 clear to Nephi. We got rained on quite a bit. We finally got ponchos in Richfield and it stopped raining shortly after. It was a really pretty drive. In Nephi we got on the Mt. Nebo loop and rode that to Payson. That was a really pretty drive (I won't tell you about the scary incident involving passing a car). From there we got on I-15 (no more back roads available) and rode to our hotel in Cottonwood Heights. We stayed at a Residence Inn at the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon. We went to dinner at Chuck a Rama (LOVE the dutch oven cinnamon sugar rolls). The next morning we rode through Big Cottonwood Canyon and the mountains to Park City (another gorgeous drive). From there we got on the highway and went to Heber City where Jared surprised me with a ride on the Heber Creeper. It went partway into Provo Canyon. It was so pretty. After riding for a short while we had a guy on a horse and another guy come "rob" the train. They took some hostages (they were the ones that signed up to ride the horses). It was quite the show. I took quite a few pictures of it and the entire train ride but I'll just post some of them.

These were some glider planes we saw while on the train. You can't see it, but the first one is pulling the second one up so he can release and glide down.

This is the conductor. Everyone that was a part of the ride was dressed to the part. Even the engineer (who we could only see through the back of the engine).

This was the first robber we saw. He came riding along the hill and then down to the train, shooting his cap gun.

This was the other one. You could tell he was totally loving it. It was an old guy and he was pretty funny (notice the beware/reward sign behind him). You can also see the "hostages" that were "tied up" to a pole. Everyone was confused when we really left them and then found out later they were part of the show so they could go ride horses.

For part of the show the conductor gave the old guy the box of loot. He tried using dynamite to blow it up (you can kind of see it in his left shirt pocket). The fuse died when it got to the dynamite. Then he took his gun and shot at it (he'd been shooting his gun - more like a rifle or shotgun size - and also came on the train and had us put our hands up). Inside was only a stuffed duck. That was when he took hostages. After that we were on our way.

The amazing one that planned it all.

Some horses we saw along the way.

On the train before we left.

It was a really fun train ride. The train goes pretty slow (we weren't expecting that) but it was fun. After that we stopped in Heber for lunch and gas and then went back to get our stuff at the hotel. We weren't able to check into our next place until 5 pm but the guy at the desk that had helped us with some stuff earlier said we could hang out since we didn't want to go anywhere and leave all our stuff on the bike. So we hung out for an hour and then headed to our place. It was Anniversary Inn. The entire trip had been planned around staying here. Jared had earned some money through passing tests at work and wanted to use his money for this. We stayed at the one on Fifth South in the Bridal Veil Falls room. It was awesome. There's a waterfall for the shower. They had two pieces of cheesecake in the little fridge. There was a bottle of sparkling cider. Both complimentary. That night we walked/rode Trax downtown and ate at Olive Garden. They deliver breakfast to your room (they leave it outside your door at a time you specifiy when you check in) and it was SO good. We walked/rode Trax (there's definitely some interesting people that ride that - don't think I'd go alone) to the Gateway just long enough to quickly look in one store and then grab lunch for me to eat on the ride home. We went back and toured as many of the rooms as were open and then headed home. This time we took the quick way home. Our butts were getting tired of the bike and we were anxious to see the boys. My mom had taken them for us and I'm sure she was ready for a break. :) Although they were good for her so I was glad.

It was a really fun trip and Jared was amazing (as usual). Our anniversaries have usually been just going to dinner but he started planning this months before. Other than the rain (which wasn't too bad even though it poured) it was a really fun trip. Getting there took twice as long as it would have just driving in the freeway but it was so pretty and it didn't seem to take that long since I had no idea where we were going. Thank you so much Jared for everything. You are the best. I love you!!!