TORREY, TORREY, TORREY!

4Wheelin Weekend

Not sure how it happens, but sometimes in life you forget that there is a place on earth that is just simply a happy place. I rediscovered such a playground this weekend, just three hours south of SLC, and two miles North of Capital Reef, Utah- it's Torrey, Torrey, Torrey. (Otherwise known as Torrey, Utah.) AKA: My new playground.




We celebrated our family all together down at my uncle GB's ranch this last weekend. He built a home in Torrey and is currently building a lodge adjacent to the property. It's a great property and I'm sending a gratitude shout out to GB for the gracious accomodations. Above are some pics of the amazing views from the home.

Having all the youngin's together is quite a sight. And definitley quite a loud experience. I'm the proud auntie of 15 youngin's and as the coolio auntie that I'm trying to be, spent a siginificant portion of the weekend sitting on the back of a 4wheeler while the underaged experienced driving for their first time. FUN TO WATCH, SCARY TO SIT THERE (at least sometimes). Actually, the youngin's are pretty good drivers. Those multiple trips up and down the dirt road sitting behind those minors brightened my weekend. Sure do love the youngin's. Even if they chickened out of sleeping outside with this Rambling Girl under the beautiful Capital Reef stars. What's a little bat or two going to really do to you??? And just because it's called Cougar Ridge, that doesn't mean there are really cougars out and about...



Here is a pic of the youngin's playing on the front lawn with a parachute my madre brought down. Such simple entertainment (and it didn't require a playstation!).


Saturday we packed up the 4wheelers and drove down to trailhead GB recommended. The precarious ride up the cliff front made me a bit unsure of what lay ahead, but once we got to the top, and saw the dramatic red cliffs and green sage contrast, I knew I was going to have a good time.




I'll take a moment to be honest here: there once was a day that I had a 4wheeler aversion. While trapsing across the Wyoming countryside on Hutch's ranch back in the days, I unknowingly hit a ditch and being a 4wheeling novice, went flying head first over the handle bars sommersault style. This wouldn't be as great of a story if I didn't add that I landed flat on my back with a rock pressing right under me. Next thing I remember is looking up and seeing the 4wheeler flying towards me and landing on my chest. My caring, considerate friends, rushed to my side, but once they ascertained that I was a survivor, broke up laughing. I'll be honest, I had just landed on a massive rock and experienced the pain of a 4wheeler landing on my ribcage, but their laughing, it hurt... Turns out I busted a rib or two, but definitley my pride was bruised, broken, traumatized.

Look close, there I am.



So, back to the present: Saturday afternoon I had a flashback or two. But didn't realize how much it was affecting me until one of the bro's pulled me over to encourage me to "take the ditches with more confidence". Bro's never end being bro's... even when you're grown up. Proudly, I stepped up to that challenge and spent the rest of the afternoon shaking my fist at those silly past fears. 3 cheers for aversion therapy! The ride was beautiful, the company was a hoot, especially at the lookout point where I glanced up just in time to see my fam walking towards the edge of a 200 foot cliff to look at the "horse bones". Luckily, no one tripped...

Due to threatening black clouds, we only spent 2.5 hours up on the ridge, but I'm determined to head back soon to finish that ride. A girl has got to have a goal.


Thanks again uncle GB. The time was great and once again realized what a fab fam this Rambler has standing next to her.