Feeling the blahs

After our failed attempt to hike yesterday, an eh night trying to find something edible that didn't cost a fortune, and a so-so night of sleep in the hotel (there were elephants upstairs and jitterbugs in bed with me), I was ready for the day to be amazing. Instead, we ate in our room, loaded up the Pilot and headed back to the Ranger station where the kids were able to get their second Junior Ranger badges. We tried to go on a short hike, and ended up going on a longer one. A much longer one that we were ill prepared for, again.

We dressed for the morning cold, although I knew it wouldn't last long, and the kids had winter coats and gloves. We had two 1.5 L Camelbaks, and two 1 L bottles of water, all of which we left in the car, because we were only going to do .8 miles. Only... we ended up doing just over three miles, at least half of one was in mud 3-4" thick, and sticky, resulting in several removed shoes (but no soiled socks, talented). I have to say, the kids were troopers, and we made it through with little issue.

Back to the ranger station to use bathrooms, and tidy up a little, then another breathtaking trip through southern Utah. I tried to do my homework this time, and found a hotel near the entrance to Capitol Reef that is a two bedroom suite for less than we've been spending on most of our rooms, that would give us some space to breathe a little, which I think we can all use right about now. Only... this place is kind of a dump. It is obviously a converted apartment, with a complete kitchen and two bedrooms each with their own bath. But I don't think it has been updated, or the furniture cleaned or changed in any way since the late 70's, being generous. It isn't bad, per se, but it isn't exactly nice either. I booked us for two nights. )sigh(

I think the kids are done ooh-ing and aah-ing over canyons and valleys and so on, and I'm thinking we need to look for something a little less... remote. I'm thinking a city or town or zoo or museum or just something different, then we can come back and see more untouched Americana.  But I'm still just in awe of all this region has to offer.

Decisions are the worst, but for now, I'm too tired to even post photos.