The dateline between New Zealand and the USA meant that we arrived in the US at the beginning of our holiday earlier than we left NZ.
We had gone from being 19 hours ahead of the US, to being 19 hours behind NZ. So it was inevitable that the "time travel" to return home would have some catches.
For us that meant we lost an entire day. We left LA on Thursday night, flew for 12 hours and arrived in New Zealand on Saturday morning. No Friday for us at all. It is quite an odd experience.
The flight was okay, I slept more than I had thought I would and was feeling not as rubbish as I thought I might. Still pretty rubbish, but mostly tired. We had a straightforward process at customs and were soon outside in the chilly damp winter air. Brrr.
Once we got to the car we piled in the luggage and set off for home. Initially the car did not want to co-operate about starting. Two weeks of sitting in the outside air were obviously not appreciated. However, it did eventually start with no added intervention.
H.O.M.E
And because I have this extra post which sort of covers two days depending on which hemisphere you are in, I thought it was the best place to finally share the pics of the kitties from Best Friends who we spent a quiet afternoon with a week or so ago.
Before I begin, my previous post was #100 - woo-hoo. Just felt it needed to be noted.
Anyway, back to it now.
There has been a lot of anticipation about coming to Utah. For me, I wanted to see where the newly discovered rellies had lived, what sort of country they had settled, and where they had made their lives. I actually phoned a distant cousin before we left Kanab, to say hello. It was her birthday though (better remember to add that to the family tree) so we decided to forgo trying to meet up, and we will write to each other once I am back home.
This morning we wandered through the city centre and Temple Square and soaked up the atmosphere. Next time I am going to make sure I have a few spare hours or days to immerse myself in the records at the Family History Library. We had a bit of a drive around Ogden as well, where some people lived - and may still - and to check out the locations seen in a favourite movie.
But mostly, we have had GREAT food. A list of recommendations had been collected from some recent posts on welltraveledwife blog. Everything we have tried has been d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s !
When we were in Kanab, we found shaved ice, being sold from a caravan over the road from the hotel. Just what was needed on a hot hot afternoon.
Later the staff at our hotel recommended eating at Houstons Trail End and specifically that we should have pie. Sadly we forgot about portion sizes and didn't have enough room for the deliciousness that was on offer.
So, pie was added to the list of must haves.
On our detour to Bryce Canyon we found a diner, which turned out to be more of a hamburger/hotdog joint - but it was lunch, although it didn't really rate that well. Had to be done though.
#merica
Fortunately I missed a turn off a little later on our trip north to Salt Lake and we ended up going through Salina where Mom's Cafe serves up delicious pie and pretty good coffee too.
Then last night we ate at Cafe Rio a mexican grill where everything is fresh from the farm to the table including the tortillas made right in front of you. They're a bit of a chain, but feel so much better than all those run of the mill ones we have.
Needless to say we were pretty full, by the time we had eaten all of these things in one day. And all had offered excellent vegetarian options as well which was a lovely surprise. Many offered gluten free as well.
This morning, the next places on the list were added to our itinerary.
Breakfast at The Protein Foundry in Cottonwoods. So delicious, what a way to start the day - we are even going back tomorrow for smoothies to go, as there was just so much to choose from on the menu.
I have to say too, just as an aside, I LOVE the granola you get here. So much nicer than ours back home. Anyway, off the the next places. We went shopping in downtown - but mostly window-shopping and then the plan was to walk to Even Stevens for lunch. Which we did after grabbing a drink from Starbucks (as you do) and which has so many more choices than those on offer back home.
The folk at Even Stevens have a great initiative, where for every sandwich bought they donate a sandwich to a non-profit organisation working with people requiring shelter and food. There are many businesses here who have great initiatives like this. A real community feel, where humans actually care about and respect each other. (Pickles and chips as a side - was a bit reminiscent of England I thought)
We made a visit to RubySnap - if you are ever in Salt Lake you need to check out the deliciousness of these cookies. We had a great chat to the staff there, SO friendly and one of whom had spent some time in New Zealand and wanted to share her experiences, and for us to share ours.
Then tonight after thinking we might try something from In n Out, we discovered they are just like the other well known chains and don't offer anything vegetarian. So we went to Zao - another of the eateries recommended on the welltraveledwife blog. It as delicious as well - although we were both unable to finish because of all the other goodies we had eaten through the day.
All of the staff we have met, including the retail staff who just bend over backwards to help, and who really take an interest in who you are and what you are looking for, have been amazing.
Ooh, I almost forgot - I bought some shoes today. TOMS. Another great little business with a giving back to the community initiative. For every pair of shoes sold they help a person in need. It started with shoes and it has expanded now to water, sight, safe births and preventing bullying.
...don't go thinking I have forgotten the pictures of the kitty cats at Best Friends the other day either. I'm still working on that.
We were up just after sunrise this morning, and on the road by 6am - why you ask ? Because we had a schedule to meet, and Arizona does not observe daylight saving, but just a bit north - Utah does.
So anyway, we headed north to Page, past some incredible rock formations and stopped at the summit to admire the view.
Just past Page is the Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell, so that was a photo stop too.
Anyway, like I said we had a schedule to follow and couldn't afford to dilly dally too much. Just before lunch (as planned) we arrived at Kanab which seems to be a lovely town just over the border in Utah. There are so many National Parks & Forests as well as State Parks and more in the area that visitors and locals are spoilt for choice.
Our activity for the afternoon was at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary just north of Kanab near Angel Canyon. We followed the signs to the visitor centre and were then directed up the road (to the other side of the sanctuary) where we could get lunch for $5. Best lunch we have had since leaving Santa Monica, and because it is an animal focused organisation - completely vegan or vegetarian. Very tasty. Then back to the visitor centre for our orientation and we were off. We spent the entire afternoon playing with cats in one of the houses they live in at the sanctuary. They run tours throughout the day for those who aren't able to volunteer and have two shifts for volunteers each day. We registered, and picked our day and time ages ago, and have been looking forward to the experience ever since.There are dogs, cats, birds, horses, pigs - all sorts, and you can specify your choice of animal and experience. It was lovely and relaxing after all the racing about we have done. Chillin' with the kitties, some of whom seek out attention and others who are still a bit unsure about humans - but all benefit from the socialisation, even if they wont come too close. (There would be many many photos, but icloud isn't being nice and uploading everything as quickly as I would like)
After our shift was over, we made our way back to Kanab and found our hotel for the night. We went for a walk to find dinner but weren't very successful. So we came back to the hotel and asked for recommendations. That done we found it and enjoyed our meal.
After dinner we went for a drive to Zion National Park. Another jaw dropping experience. Your eyes just don't know where to look - and remember that mine should also be looking at the road. There are no words to describe these places - and we still have so much more to see !
