celebration out west

Ryan graduated from college last Thursday, so I took that opportunity to spend a week out West. It was awesome.

I flew into Las Vegas on Saturday, and checked into Treasure Island in time for dinner and a couple slot games before bed.

Sunday I slept in, lazed about, and then went to the spa! I haven't had a massage since my aunt got me one for my high school graduation, but I treated myself to a 50-minute therapeutic massage. In addition to the massage, I enjoyed the dry sauna, the wet sauna, the hot tub, and the relaxation room. It was just what I needed.

Shortly after I was done Ryan showed up! We enjoyed some happy hour drinks and snacks at the fancy restaurant in TI, and while there we saw Wayne Newton walk in. No joke. Then we walked down the strip, stopping occasionally to see ice skating or to enjoy a drink. Finally we ended up at the Todd English Pub for dinner.

Monday we had pho in the casino for lunch, then stopped by the outlet mall on our way out of town. From Las Vegas we drove a little over 4 hours to where Ryan lives, in Big Water, Utah. It's a tiny place in the middle of nowhere. Ryan made dinner and we watched a movie.

Tuesday morning we made our family's special rolls and took them to a work potluck at the fancy resort where Ryan works. After the potluck he attended a meeting while I hung out with some guy who told me all about the resort. Then Ryan took me for a tour. Ah, how the other half lives. After the tour we hiked out to a cave on the property. The cave has petroglyphs and lots of old Native American archaeological finds, including a bunch of petrified human poop all over the place. I'm confused about why they pooped all over the place. We also hiked all the way around the cave. Ryan is all "same ol' same ol'" about the desert, but after spending so long out East I think it's beautiful.

Ryan at the resort

The view guests see at the main entrance

the Cave!

Cairns mark all the trails. I like them.

Paintbrush Graveyard

Inside, checking out some artifacts.

Ryan spotted a real tree! Possibly the only natural one on the property?

The neat rock mountain we hiked the next day.

Siblings at Sunset

After our hike we headed to Page, Arizona (just over the border) for dinner, then it was back to his place for another movie.

His truck, his trailer, and his dog.

Wednesday morning we were back on the resort property for a guided via ferrata hike. It was probably the most fun hike I've ever done. We had harnesses and helmets and used steel cables and rungs to get up the rocks.

the via ferrata, or "iron way"

Geared up and ready to go!

This part was scary coming down.

I couldn't quite bring myself to no hands.

At the top! Next we'll go across that bridge.

I named that pile of rocks over there the Big Chief when I saw it from below the day before.

On top of the world and the guy still has to check his phone. Ugh.

Cautiously getting on the bridge...

Our guide sat down.

So I sat down, too. I also lied down.

Ryan could only bring himself to take a knee.

I accidentally dropped a glove from the bridge, and it waved to us as it floated down.

Getting brave with no hands!

After the via ferrata we went back to Ryan's place to pack up, then drove to Page. We grabbed some lunch, then visited Horseshoe Bend.

Ryan was too scared to get near the edge. And too busy with his phone, apparently.

Next we tried to tour a slot canyon, but we pulled up right as they were shutting the gate. Bummer. So we drove on another two hours to Flagstaff, Arizona. That's where we met up with my parents and our good friend Cynthia, who drove over from New Mexico. With Ryan's girlfriend Lauren in tow, we all went out to dinner at a local brewery. Then I went to bed exhausted.

Thursday was the big graduation day. Dad and Cynthia and I walked the short distance from our hotel to the skydome, while the others drove. We met up with Ryan just before the ceremony.

A sighting on our walk to the campus!

Ryan was second to last, and hamming it up as usual.

After the ceremony we went to the Hospitality and Restaurant Management building for a reception. Then we went shopping downtown. After an afternoon nap, it was time for a nice graduation dinner with a couple of Ryan's good friends. The food was delicious. We followed that up with some champagne back in our parents' hotel room. Then I joined Ryan and his friends for a drink downtown.

 Friday we said our goodbyes, and I drove back to New Mexico with my parents. Immediately I missed Ryan. I'm so grateful I got to spend an awesome week with him and be there to watch him graduate.