We had been planning a trip to Salt Lake City all year long.  I dreamed of dropping off the kids with grandparents, then spending time in the city with our dear friends Nate and Miranda and my brother Andy and his wife Jenn.  After Brian died, I looked forward to the trip in a new way.  It was planned for mid-August.  By then all the memorial work and immediate grief would be past.  The trip would be like pressing the reset button.  It really worked too!  When I came home I felt more relaxed and at peace.  We had new memories with old friends to think about.  We had a really great time.

First things first: deliver kids to grandparents.  Done. 

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Then a half day spent in the desert listening to a Brandon Sanderson audio book, and we arrived in a soaking wet Salt Lake.  Thus began a continuous stream of talking, laughing, and eating. 

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(That’s ginger beer so strong I sputtered after a sip)
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Where we ate:
Japanese
Lunaberry
Hires
Mellow Mushroom
Finn’s

We went to the farmer’s market and craft fair, then saw Jenn perform in the Fringe Festival.  What a surprise to see my aunt Martha and cousin Jill there!  Miranda also had a reunion with a childhood friend in the audience – crazy!  Then breakfast with Andy and Jenn, quick stop at Trader Joe’s, then onward to Grand Junction to pick up the kiddos. 

I’m so so happy we went.  I can’t wait to do it again.  Is everyone up for this next summer?