So… last week. It was quite a grand adventure and I have a lot to say. I think the best way to do this so that you don’t lose interest with at novel-length blog entry is to give you the basics of the past week, then go into more detail over the next few days about some of the observations and conclusions I’ve made as a result of these events. Sound like a plan? Cool.

We headed out last Friday (June 19) to Moab to see Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band play at Star Hall (an old pioneer theatre that only seats about 250 people). Hollee and I love this band and Conor Oberst has played a significant role in several aspects of our relationship, from connecting to Bright Eyes (his previous band) lyrics while dating and seeing Bright Eyes play in Salt Lake City, to seeing him play in San Diego when we got married. We met up with my friend, Adrian, there and saw one of the most incredible concerts I have ever witnessed. We were so close that Hollee was able to go all Marsha Brady and claim that she would never wash the spot where Conor spit on her again. I guess you could say that Conor Oberst is her Davy Jones.

After the show, we had to head straight back home. Hollee is a florist and she had a wedding to deliver on Saturday. So we drove through the night and got home a little after 3 am. A few hours later we were up preparing the wedding, which we delivered that afternoon. We had tickets to see Conor Oberst again that night in Salt Lake City. This was an outdoor concert, and through the day the rain clouds started to gather. About the time we delivered the flowers for the outdoor luau wedding, they opened up and dumped. It was sad to see all the preparation for that wedding end up a soppy mess. I’m sure they made the best of it, though.

We finished up the wedding flowers and had just enough time to grab a bite to eat and head to the show. To ensure the rain would stop, we stopped and bought rain parkas. Sure enough, they were never used. The night ended up being pretty nice (though somewhat brisk) and Conor put on another amazing set. This time, we didn’t worry about proximity to the stage and just relaxed on a blanket on the lawn. It was very nice.

The next day (Sunday morning), we picked up all our kids from their respective other parents’ houses and headed out to Lake Powell (about a 7-hour drive from our house). My in-laws met us at the marina and took us out to the three-houseboat setup where we would camp with a large group of friends and family for the next 3 days.

On Monday, we set out for Rainbow Bridge in a three-boat caravan. It was pretty amazing, and I dragged my whining kids up the measly 2/3-mile hike that most of the adults refused to do. As we were leaving Rainbow Bridge, the boat’s fuel pump crapped out and we had to be towed to the nearest marina. With darkness setting in, we left the boat there, loaded up into the other two boats and went back to camp. The next morning, my father-in-law went out with a couple friends to fix it. He was gone most of the day, but did return with a functional boat and immediately relieved the kids of their boredom.

Wednesday, my in-laws dropped us back off at the marina and we headed for home. I turned to Hollee and said, “and now for the exciting conclusion of our grand adventure.” I spoke too soon. We stopped just outside Wahweep Marina for gas, where I noticed the coolant dumping out all over the ground. We jumped back in the car and drove into Page, Arizona (7 miles from where we were). The service manager at Lake Powell Ford (extremely nice people and if you are ever in need of a Ford in Page, please buy one from them) sat down beside me like a doctor about to give his diagnosis. The good news was that it was only about a $200 fix and would only take an hour or so once they had the part. The bad news was that they couldn’t get the part until Friday.

So there we were in Page, Arizona (known for the Glen Canyon Dam and Church Row [with 12  religious denominations lining one street]), with four kids, waiting for a part. Hollee had a $300 flower order being delivered to the house the next day and a wedding to prepare for before Saturday; I was supposed to be at work the next day; and the kids were sunburned, tired, and hungry. We got lucky and found a cheap room with three beds, fed the kids, and turned in for the night. This only happened because some people came through for us in a pinch (Thank you, Dad. And thank you, Nick) (more on this in later posts).

The next morning was frantic, trying to get a hold of someone to pick up the flowers that were being delivered to our house and get them in water. Unable to get anyone else on the phone, Hollee’s grandpa went to the house and picked up the flowers. We were also able to get a hold of someone from the group that was camping with us who was going home that day to give Hollee and the girls a ride home so she could get her wedding put together before Saturday. I stayed behind with my son in Page and waited for the part.

On Friday, about noon, Lake Powell Ford fixed my car and I was on my way home. Just in time to drive through a fairly intense thunderstorm. But it was ok. I was on my way. Saturday, our kitchen sink clogged and I spend the day Sunday tearing into walls and dealing with old pipes. Never a dull moment.

The important thing is that we made it through. We relied on some people who came through for us and today, life moves ahead, business as usual.

Sorry for the long, boring, expository post. I promise to pop and lock tomorrow. That’s right, I’ll break it down, yo.

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