City of cedar

I got back yesterday afternoon from my trip to Cedar City for that archivists’ conference. Fun times. We stayed in the Eccles dorms at SUU, and wow, they were a lot nicer than my current digs. And while in the past I haven’t really gone for the whole desert thing, including the reddish-brownish color palette, but I have to say that I actually rather liked SUU’s campus. The statues are a nice touch, especially the awesome and inspiring circle of great thinkers. I want that on BYU campus. :) The Globe theater was also very cool, and particularly inspiring now that I’m a budding playwright and all. I’m definitely returning for the Shakespeare festival this summer.

We also went to Zion National Park for dinner on Friday, which was nice. Except the power was out at the lodge, so we were going to have to make do with cold sandwiches, but then a few minutes later it came back on again and I had some nice tilapia. I should also mention that we accidentally locked our keys in the van while there. Had to call in a park ranger to get us out. (It was the first time I’d seen someone do the whole wire-through-the-window thing, to tell the truth, and it was very cool.)

Anyway, the trip was fun and I enjoyed myself, but I’m also glad to be back. I’m somewhat of a homebody, I think. :) And yet I also think the travel bug has bit me, and now I’m itching at the bit to plan out some other trip this summer, somewhere. It doesn’t really matter where, even. So, any recommendations on cheap travel destinations that aren’t incredibly boring? :P

Come to California! You could take the train or do the ride board, and I can show you the awesome MLK library downtown with the Beethoven exhibit (you can play a harpsichord if you ask nicely), and there’s beautiful Monterey, and of course San Francisco. Plus we have a free guest room :)

Well, gas is going to kill you about anywhere you go, but that aside… :-).

Goblin Valley state park is fun, as is Arches National Park. Topaz mountain is a fun destination if you’re into rockhounding, though a bit remote.

The Lytle Ranch Preserve in southern Utah. I think it’s free to camp there. I lived there for a year when I was six while my dad managed it for BYU. Middle of nowhere in a big way, but pretty and peaceful. I would take a buddy, though, b/c it’s kind of hard to find.

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/utah/preserves/art5830.html

Oh wait…just went back and re-read your last paragraph. The Lytle Ranch probably falls under the “incredibly boring” category. :)

Haley: I just might take you up on that. :)

Dan: Haha, yeah — maybe I should hitchhike or something. :P Thanks for the ideas!

Tammy: LOL, the “incredibly boring” part was more of a joke, really. :) Thanks! And great to hear from you — it’s been a while. :)