Hiking in Utah with friends and Ritual Chocolate

Last August, we joined my husband’s family in Jackson Hole Wyoming for four days and then traveled to Yellowstone National Park for five days. We drove and also stopped for an overnight in Utah at our good friends the Tustings place. If you’ve never been to Utah, then you will want to know what to do while in this fabulous destination. Here is a blog from my latest hiking adventure in the Napa Valley.

We got an early start on a Monday and made it to North Springville by dinner in twelve hours, stopping several times for bathroom breaks, snacks, coffee and more. The Tustings had a nice ahi tuna poke dinner waiting for us when we arrived. Johnny is quite the cook. We brought them jalapeno peach jam, bread and dessert. I can’t remember what. We chatted and got caught up on what’s happening with their kids, grand kids and their new house build project in the most beautiful remote picturesque spot in Utah. We’ve known them for over 33 years and raised our kids together, seeing their daughter get married, etc…

My husband Ken, Karen, me and Johnny after the hike near the Sundance Mountain Resort

The next day we got a tour of their incredible property, and then they took us on a gorgeous hike called Stewarts Cascade Trail. We spotted grasshoppers, mullein, mushrooms, and even a cicada insect. We ended our hike at the Sundance Mountain Resort where Karen works as a hiker guide. Both Johnny and Karen retired to move closer to Karen’s family, yet decided to find jobs again to keep them entertained. These two are in excellent physical shape. Karen was a personal trainer for thirty years and Johnny has always been physically active fishing, hunting and keeping up with Karen. We adore them and are bummed that they moved so far away.

One of the many photos on the wall of Robert Redford at the Owl Bar at Sundance Resort

We ended our hike by the pond at the Owl Bar where we met Karen after her shift.This property was owned by Robert Redford who was committed to a balance of art, nature and community until Dec 2020 when he sold it. They still have Art, Music and Food Festivals during the summer, hiking and people can ski there in the winter. The Owl Bar has antique wood sculptures and some that had been in Robert’s movies. There was a fancy Indian theme restaurant which I would have loved to eat at, but we were in our hiking clothes, so we settled for a drink at the bar.

Old fashioned bar at the Owl Bar at Sundance Resort with fancy beers on tap

After a nice shower, we joined up with Karen’s parents at their community pool for pizza. It was a pleasant visit and fun to get to see our friends again. I didn’t swim much as I’m not a big water person. I’d pretty much do anything besides wear a bathing suit and go swim.

Me in my happy place with https://letsmakemudpies.wordpress.com the decadent hot chocolate drink and Complete Chocolate Collection from Ritual Chocolate

We made it to Park City Ritual Chocolates and had to buy the entire collection of chocolate bars, a few savory pastries and their sipping chocolate. Ken stayed in the car to avoid seeing me spend our hard earned money. I shared many of the chocolate bars with the family while in Wyoming. Shumway Farm Store in Afton Wyoming  was a fun place to visit. They sold ice cream, Icelandic Skyr Coconut and Lemon Yogurt and more. 

I will have to finish the rest of this blog at a later date. I have an appointment to get to.

Thanks for joining me in the fun.

Teri