Just My Luck

I met a boy today.

Today was ward temple night. We were the only two people to show up to carpool. We are in Blanding. The temple is in Monticello. That's about a 20 mile drive. Taking into account the snow, the dark, the chance of deer, it's at least a 30 minute drive. So, I had plenty of time to get to know him.

14 Nice Things About Teddy

1. His name is Teddy. Like Teddy Roosevelt. Does it get any better than that?
2. He drove to Monticello. Therefore I didn't stress about deer and driving in the snow.
3. He's very nice.
4. He opened all my doors for me.
5. He's tall.
6. He is quite good looking. Especially in a suit.
7. He is easy to talk to.
8. He managed to avoid hitting the deer that appeared out of nowhere. Also, I wasn't driving at the time (see #2).
9. He is great at making conversation. Almost no silence the whole drive, and the silence that did occur wasn't awkward.
10. His family owns goats!
11. He's smart.
12. He loves country swing dancing. Like more than me even.
13. He made me laugh.
14. He served his mission in Independence, Missouri.

Oh, did I mention? Teddy returned from his mission on Saturday.

In which I learn to photograph myself

Blanding is a beautiful place. But there's no one to see it with me. The problems with seeing the sites alone are many. One of which is the lack of photographers. I've never been good at sticking my arm out and taking my own picture. I've had lots of practice recently. What do you think?

Butler Wash Ruins - if you look closely there are ruins on the cliff behind me

Hiking at Natural Bridges National Monument - this is the first hike I've ever done that required climbing a ladder

More Natural Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument - can you see the bridge behind me?

Climbing out of a Native American Ruin - too lazy to turn the picture. Again.

Half way in the Native American Ruin

 

 

Nations of the Four Corners hiking trails

 

 

 

A couple of times I was able to ask someone to take my picture for me. Check out how they turned out. It makes me smile.

Outside the movie theater. Yes, she used a flash.

The nice old gentleman I ran into while hiking does not have steady hands.

Ding Dong...

What time is it? 7:15? Who could possibly be ringing the door at this hour?

(shuffling to the door in my jammies...peeking out the eye hole...seeing no one)

Crackle crackle

Hmm. That's sounds an awful lot like a walkie talkie. I guess I'd better open the door and see who it is.

Hello?

A police officer! What happened? Does he think we witnessed something?!?!

Hello. Does a Madeline B____ or Kayleen S____ reside here?

Oh no! Someone got hurt or died! Madeline's dad!

Or Evan!

No, probably Madeline's dad.

Madeline lives here, let me get her for you. Come on in.

whisper whisper: There's a police officer wanting to talk to you.

Hi. Madeline? Do you own a Jeep Cherokee?

Yes. (in a sleepy, confused tone)

Is it supposed to be here?

Ack! Her car's been stolen! But how could he know?

Yes...is it not?

We found it in the middle of the street with the doors open. We wanted to give you the chance to pick it up before we impounded it.

Oh! Thank you. I'll get my keys.

Umm...the car is also registered to Kayleen S_____. Any chance she could have left it there?

No. She lives in Colorado.

Okay. I'll give you a ride to your car.

And so began the adventure. Well, maybe that was the most exciting part.

But, Madeline's car was stolen, hot-wired, in fact, from our own covered parking spot. When Madeline and the policeman got to her car, they found that her key would not turn the car on due to several cut wires in the steering column. They couldn't leave the car where it was because it was in a no parking zone. So, the officer brought Madeline back to me, and the two of us headed out to the abandoned jeep, a mere 4 blocks from our home.

Then began the fun of calling the insurance company, who called the towing company, who called their people in Utah, who couldn't find us because the out of state towing company insisted on giving them our address as a name instead of number ("We promise, it'll be easier if you tell them 950 S. than Mountain Road.*"). We didn't get back to our apartment until 9:15. Good fun, if ever there was.

Oh, and then we ate blueberry pancakes.

The End.

*Street names and addresses made up. So don't bother stalking us...