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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Dog Days of Summer Trip




I am fist pumping that it is already Wednesday but scrambling because I am not 100% caught up on life. I am getting better about not answering work emails when I am on PTO but that ends up being overwhelming when I get back! We snuggled into our beds at almost 2am Tuesday morning with an early wake up call for Jon to head back out of town and me to work. Poor Jonny hasn't seen Ernie yet!

To catch you up (if I haven't said it enough), Jon surprised me with a trip this weekend. The last trip we made in February we decided to buy a house so we felt like we needed to name this trip so we called it the Dog Days of Summer trip...aka, get us out of the dang heat. We flew to Salt Lake City and spent time there and in Park City. It was gorgeous! And for those of you who asked/wondering, we are not Mormon, it is just a great place to visit!

If you follow me on instagram, then you will have seen most of these pictures but I want to recap the fun/special parts of the trip for my own sake. We also took my Canon 60d and took some video so once I have some free time, I want to share those or compile into a movie.

Even though Jon told me where we were going on Thursday, he said I needed to be prepared for more surprises. And boy did he go all out! Honestly it was one of the most relaxing trips I've been on because I didn't have to plan a thing. Finding restaurants was the most work I did on the trip and we had tons of recommendations :-)

First surprise of the trip...our rental car. 

Jon originally booked the GT Mustang right next to it (men and cars!) but I was excited for the convertible. Yes the color is obnoxious but it was OH so fun to drive! We normally get your basic sedan and this was a big treat. Jon booked with Hertz points too :-)

Jon booked us a suite at the Sheraton Downtown Salt Lake City (also a surprise, and he booked it with SPG points so it was "free"). One major bummer was our bags didn't make it, despite a 3 hour layover in Phoenix. I planned lots of cute outfits and ended up wearing my stinky plane clothes for our first night out. We didn't get our bags until the next morning so we showered and slept in towels haha. Glamorous! 

Something we did a lot of was eating. One of my girlfriends gave me lots of recommendations and I mentioned before that we ALWAYS use The Food Network for recs (Man V Food and Diners, Drive Ins and Drives). I wanted to make a list of the places we ate in case you are in the area and need a recommedation. The food was FABULOUS in Utah!

Salt Lake City
  • Eva- Mediterranean tapas, super cute patio, very hipster
  • Crown Burgers- this was on Man V Food and Jon got a burger topped with pastrami..so good!
  • Red Iguana- amazing Mexican food
  • The Copper Onion- great for brunch, I highly recommend the goat cheese omelet and huevos rancheros
  • Kneader's- cinnamon french toast with caramel syrup. Enough said
  • Ruth's Diner- how could I not go there?! Loved it! Reminded me of Kerbey Lane in Austin (but better food!)
Park City
  • Ruth's Chris- yes yes I know we have one in Austin but we went in PC. Delicious.
  • Java Cow- cute little ice cream parlor
 Crown Burger/The Copper Onion
Ruth's Diner/Banana bread walnut French toast

Ruth's Chris (I have had a weird craving for shrimp)

java cow

I love vacation because it is like one big date night. I love getting dressed up to go out with Jon and he was accommodating as I was teaching him to take fashion pictures!



Saturday we went white water rafting and I have to say, I think I have a new hobby. Okay I won't really get to do it here in Texas but I told Jon I would love to go on a rafting trip. The trip was pretty mild and there were 9 people on our raft and my adrenaline was pumping when we would go into the rapids. I never thought it was something I would like! We also visited the Hogle Zoo on Saturday evening. It was an AWESOME zoo (we try to go to a zoo or aquarium every trip we go on) and I would go back in a heart beat. What makes an awesome zoo for me is monkeys and elephants. I could watch them for hours. 

I had such a special experience at the zoo with a little squirrel monkey. Ever since seeing the movie Return to Me (one of my all time favorites), I've wanted to walk up to the glass and touch hands with a monkey. And that is exactly what happened! Jon got tons of pictures but this is my favorite...


You can ask Jon. I was pretty much crying tears of joy because this little guy was so glued to me. If I could, I would be one of those weirdos on TLC's My Monkey Baby. No lie, you can read my old journals, I always wanted to be a monkey trainer when I grew up. It also made my miss Chunky boy! 

One of the best surprises was our hotel change on Sunday. I assumed we were staying in SLC the whole time and just driving to Park City (about 20-30 min away) but sneaky Jon was at it again. Jon booked us an immaculate suite at the Waldorf Astoria in the Canyons in PC. This hotel was voted Trip Advisors #1 Hotel in the Luxury category for 2011. It was out of this world. Our room was probably 1,500+ sf with a full gorgeous kitchen and a breathtaking view. Now we are loyal Starwood members and when I saw Waldorf was a Hilton Hotel, I immediately thought, oh Lord we are going to go broke. Friends...our room was $150! I really want to check to see how much it will be during prime ski season because I am sure it would be over $1k. My hubby is the best deal finder!


Sunday we went on a 3 hour private guided ATV tour through the mountains. Hands down my favorite part of the trip. Originally I planned on just riding behind Jon but we switched off driving and I had a blast! It is very similar to driving a wave runner and I got such a thrill. Nothing better than holding onto my hubby riding through the mountains with a chilly breeze. I kept whispering to Jon how every time I look at the view, I want to pray. I want to thank God for the beautiful mountains, the trees, the air, the sun. His work is beyond words.



I went to Park City a few years ago with my family and I remember how cute the downtown strip being. We spent Sunday night walking up and down, peeking into windows and enjoying the crisp air. It is amazing how weather can totally change your mood!

The 2nd best part of the trip was Monday morning lighting the fireplace, opening the windows and laying in bed staring at the view. Despite it being such an adventurous trip, it was the most relaxed I've been in a while. 


Jon sure does know how to treat a lady because we ended the trip with a couple's massage. I got really lucky in the husband department


Jon is in sales, specifically software, and it has it's perks of a flexible schedule. He was able to take Friday and Monday off but being available comes with the job so I was cracking up that he was on a work call, driving through the mountains, in a convertible! How awesome is the iPhone?!



And this is my life. Luckily I am a football fan (I just limit it to watching 2 games a week)


 It's a sign! Ernie needs a vacation! We are silly and miss the crap out of him when we are gone. We always make sure to have lots of videos and pictures on our phones to watch though.


We ended the vacation with a layover in Vegas which included a crappy dinner and gambling (I lost $1 on the slots, boo)



I've been putting off grocery shopping in favor of spending time with this chunk (and catching up on trashy DVR shows). I picked him up from his gramma's last night and he was soaking wet. He is a toot and puts his ball in the water and fell into the baby pool trying to get it haha



I am savoring this time at home because next week I am in San Francisco and then we are spending the holiday weekend at the lake!

Do you and your hubby/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/etc get away every so often?

25 comments:

Casey said...

Sounds like a super awesome trip! Your hubby is such a sweetie for planning all of that for you both! The hubs and I are always on the go living here in Europe...but he never plans a thing. I think I need my man to talk to your man for some pointers! :)

Carolyn said...

Sounds like an AMAZING trip!! :) This made me SO EXCITED for our trip to Tahoe! I have been trying to research places to go and things to do, but it seems difficult for Tahoe! HAHA Anyway... so glad you had a fun time, and props to the husband for planning such a great surprise trip for you!

Nikki said...

Your trip sounds like you had a GREAT time! That hotel room is AMAZING! I miss the heck outta my dogs when I go away too.

I am going to San Fran in November so any insight on the town would be great! Must sees or must dos or must eats!

Sandra said...

Sounds like an amazing trip! I cannot wait to see the pictures. I've always wanted to go white water rafting so I'm pumped to hear you loved it! And that ATV tour sounds wonderful! Ok now I may have to start planning a trip!

Samantha said...

I am so jelly! We never get away (other than visiting family) so I have been itching for a REAL vacation! Looks like you guys had a blast, girl!

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

Looks like so much fun! So far, we have been on a big trip (like a cruise or week long vacation to somewhere in the states). It's definitely a tradition we want to keep up!

Abbey said...

You guys are too cute! What a fun vacation! I love your black and white outfit paired with the yellow necklace!:)

Brooke Hamilton said...

This trip sounds amazing! So glad y'all had such a good time! Scott eats at the copper onion when he skis in SLC! Maybe we'll go there sometime! It looks really nice. But we'll probably have to go when there is snow and skiing!!!

Leilani said...

Loved following along on instagram! Unfortunately, Paul and I rarely get away. This past trip to Hawaii was the only big vacation we've gone on since before we were married.

It's Sooo Fluffy said...

Looks like y'all had so much fun!

Liz Brown said...

What a great recap! :) I love how appreciative you are of all Jons hard work and thought. Yes you are blessed to have him ... but I think he's blessed to have you too.

Katie Price said...

That is it. I have to go to the Waldorf in Park City! I love all their hotels, and our current favorite is in Palm Springs where you get your own little "casita" and pool :) The ATV ride looks fun too. I think our husbands would get along: atvs, guns, mustangs..

Michelle said...

Wow sounds awesome! And that hotel is sweet!

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

That sounds like a great trip! Once me and my husband are able to afford it, we will do get aways like that!

Girls Love Fried Pickles said...

I am so glad you do these trips. I can live vicariously threw you. And the shrimp craving must be a thing. I found 3 recipes on Skinny Taste for shrimp. Coconut shrimp..i can't wait to make.

Tammy said...

We do! And I'm so glad. We have 2 young kids and it really helps us stay "us". He just came with me on a work trip to the British Virgin Islands. :)

Clancy said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! your hubby is so thoughtful, and scored major brownie points with that massage at the end of your weekend! ;)
my boyfriend(now fiance) and I love getting away with his family at their cabin. it's so great to be able to get away from the every day grind of life! but it's always so great to get back to life too...
have fun in sanfran!

Because Shanna Said So said...

Ruthie, this is a trip you will definitely never forget! I wish Ross and I would have traveled more before we had our kiddos! I love the obnoxious, but FUN Mustang. I have always wanted to go white water rafting. And that place was only $150? NO WAY!! Can you, Jon , Ross and I have dinner soon....I will need Jon to be my personal travel agent! ;) He ROCKED it!!! ;)
Shanna

Simply Splendid LOVE said...

First off, I'm going to have my husband read this just so he can see how sweet your husband is and maybe get an idea for a trip for us!! Second, OMG what an amazing trip. I've never been there and it looks so fun. I am not adventurous at all and my husband has mentioned taking me white water rafting. It's good to hear you enjoyed it. It's not up my ally at all, but maybe I could put on a good face for him and give it a try. It's scary to me though!!! Most of all, I love it that Jon planned everything and it was a surprise for you. How awesome and super fun! Ya'll are such a sweet couple. It's been so hot here in TX so I'm sure you enjoyed getting away to cooler weather (or at least I assume it was cooler). Did you and your husband go to Baylor or just your husband? I went there too!

Breeann said...

I love the monkey picture, too! I just watched Return to Me yesterday...for like the 30th time. I love that movie!! Looks like you had a great trip! xoxo

Jessica said...

Your trip looks like so much fun!!! awe :) I wish Alex & I would go on a vacation like that sometime.. maybe one day in the future. its hard not having a babysitter for Eli..

Rafting sounds like such fun!!!

Sarah said...

Looks like a wonderful trip! Ours are generally revolved around eating as well! We love to search out Food Network places too. We are going to NOLA in Oct and literally planning our trip to maximize the amount of food we can eat while we are there.

Celeste said...

Man, your hubby is a great trip planner! Think he could give Arsen a few tips? He even thought of a massage! Amazing.

And we are actually coming to Austin and then on to San Antonio next month for our 1 year anniversary! I may have to get a few restaurant/things to do recommendations from you :)

Amanda said...

As much as I would have liked you to be in Boston, I'm completely jealous of this amazing trip! How romantic and fun and adventurous! I'm glad that it was a successful and fun trip :) Good job, Jon!

Kevin Nguyen said...

Amazing trips.... I wish i can have good vacation like that.

the right treatment for your dog

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