Our furthest destination for this trip was Utah. We visited two of our great nephews who came from upstate New York, CJ and Zeb, They suggested we go to Dairy Keen (yes, it’s Keen), because they said John had to eat there. What a perfect pick! A train chugged around the ceiling, and the scenery depicted local places. I accidentally had the video running when I thought I was waiting to get everyone’s attention for a still photo. From left to right were CJ, his wife Lauren, Zeb, his fiancee Bri (pronounced Bree), and John. We had quick food – hamburgers, a grilled cheese sandwich, a corn dog, and French fries. They insisted we try their fries and dip them in fry sauce. That’s the only place they know where there is a special sauce for fries. I wish I’d rolled the sauce around my tongue to see if I could identify the ingredients. We also had sweet drinks to sip and thick shakes to eat with a spoon. It was so thoughtful of them to take us there.
Zeb was on his break and left after eating. We went to the pet store where he works, and waited for him to be free.
I loved the way Zeb shared his enthusiasm for his job. He drew us in by looking directly at us and talking about the animals. He was luring us in to love the pets as much as he did.
I was juggling my phone and camera, keeping both busy. The shots taken with the camera were for the blog, and the ones on the phone were immediately texted to the boys’ mother, niece Chrissie. It was great fun for me to share our visit with her sons, and she was showing them to husband Chris as they came in. The one showing the boys together was one that went directly to them.
We went to Lauren’s and CJ’s apartment to visit. Lauren offered to make coffee for us. We didn’t want her to stay on her feet after working all day, but she said she enjoyed doing things for people. Am I glad we didn’t talk her out of making coffee! She has a sophisticated coffee machine, a gadget for frothing milk, and a collection of pure flavors. She orders beans from a special shop and uses a fancy gadget to get just the right grind. My almond iced coffee was heavenly, and John enjoyed his plain black brew. I wanted a picture of Lauren making coffee and happened to catch CJ there, too.
After Zeb got home from work, we went to his apartment. He wanted to introduce us to the animals he owns. We didn’t stay long, because he had to work the next day.
Before we got in our car to go back to the motel, CJ showed us their garage. He was programming a light show for a performance coming up. He does all kinds of things such as teaching snow boarding, programming games, repairing phones, and being a disk jockey. His technical knowledge knocks my socks off.
To be continued. The next day CJ and Lauren took off from work to go with us to Promontory Point.
Mehrling Muse 
Great stories of family meeting family. I know niece Chrissie through the blog. Was happy to see Zeb’s happy face with his animals and his job. He seems to be in a place he loves to be.
Waiting for the rest of your adventures. Utah is in the mountains too, like Colorado, isn’t it?
Susie
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No state is all mountains, but we were in mountainous areas in Colorado and Utah. We are out of the mountains now in Wyoming.
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Oooh!! How many states you have travelled through now on this trip- at least 5. Really impressive. Wyoming is the rather less populated of the states compared to the others? Is it mountainous too?
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John would know how many states we’ve been in on this trip. I might have to look at a map. I suspect Wyoming has fewer inhabitants, but I don’t know for sure.
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You are one lucky lady. I have heard and read of people who travel around the US after retirement. My supervisor is planning to get a small van and drive around the different states herself.
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Yes, I am very blessed to be able to travel with John. We are 10 years older than most retirees.
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So great to see family! These boys have done well are doing what they love.
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You have a quite amazing and lovely family Anne.You obviously all share the ‘Nice’ gene.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
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I hope we all have lots of””
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nice genes. I hit send by accident.
xxx Pleasant Hugs xxx
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What a wonderful experience!
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I have relatives in Utah…perhaps one day I will have a chance to travel to this beautiful state.
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I hope you get to Utah. It was our first time to visit there.
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It’s so fun seeing my children through your eyes. Your visit to them was a gift to our entire family. Thanks for the written treasure of photos and observations.
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I have the second installment ready to publish, but I couldn’t get the laptop to connect to the internet at the motel. Frustration!!!! I enjoyed writing writing both posts, because all of you are dear to my heart.
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You have a large family and it is nice you got to visit with so many of them on this trip. I like that up-close-and-personal turtle. I had a turtle when I was younger, but just the small ones that most kids kept in a bowl with a little water and a ramp which they climbed up. I’m surprised you didn’t come home with some little pet. 🙂
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Zeb would have tried to sell us a pet if we were not so far from home.
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I kind of got that feeling – he seemed really into his job. David would have been happy if you brought home a puppy.
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Yes, David would love to own a dog. He is enjoying Rose’s dog Sadie.
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I know – I could tell and you had said. We had three unsuccessful attempts with dogs when I was growing up and switched to birds and enjoyed their company immensely. My parents said they would buy me a dog for a housewarming present or wedding gift. Well that never happened, I am in the same house, never married and now won’t get a pet – too sad when they leave us.
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It’s being tied down that keeps us from having more pets. I guess it didn’t bother me to cater to animals when the children were young. I had to be home, anyway;.
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That makes a lot of sense – you are retired and have the opportunity to roam and enjoy no work obligations. Pets tie you down and if you don’t have someone to tend to them while you’re gone, you have to board them – never good either. My boss told me once that he has never had a pet in his entire life – his father did not want pets when he and his two brothers were growing up and he and his wife are never home, so they never wanted pets either.
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That is smart not to have pets if you aren’t there for companionship with them.
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How to Make In-N-Out Animal Style Fries at Home
https://www.thrillist.com/recipe/nation/diy-in-n-out-animal-style-fries-thrillist-recipes
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Thank you for that recipe. I figured the sauce I ate had mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard with other unknown ingredients.
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