Manti/Bike MS/Golden Spike

Road Trip!

So we took a week long vacation at the end of June to coincide with the Manti Pageant and Bike MS. DAY 1:

On Tuesday morning we got up and took off. On the way we stopped to check out the Golden Spike National Historic Park just to break up the trip a bit.

We then pulled into Manti early afternoon, set up camp, and got ready to head to the pageant. We camped just below the Manti Temple and we walked to the pageant from there.

My mom who was still visiting us was along for this week long excursion. She actually knew a family that was involved in the pageant and we were able to chat with them for a bit before the performances.

We were about 8 or so rows back.

Day 2: Wednesday ~ We all got right to sleep when we got back to camp. The next morning we got up and just hung around camp.

All that monkeying around wore her out. She would fall asleep sitting up and then tell us she wasn't sleeping.

We had some company right in camp!

We went to the local Elementary School for lunch and play time.

During the day many people rolled in to camp beside us. In talking with our neighbors at the campground Josh and the wife of the other family actually served their missions in the same mission at the same time so they had lots to chat about. They were visiting from back East. It's a running joke that Josh knows someone everywhere we go...it certainly holds true.

We then went to the pageant again. We sat on the front row. We were able to visit with many of the cast members before the performance.

Day 3: Thursday ~ We woke up, packed up camp, headed into Manti and took some pictures before heading North.

On our way toward Logan we stopped in Provo to see some good friends. Sister Campbell spoke at Brenda's baptism many years ago.

We also took a pit stop in Ogden to give us all a chance to get out of the car.

On Thursday night we got into Logan, set up camp, and we headed out to Emilie's place to make dinner for their whole family. It was a nice end to our half way point of our trip.

Day 4: Friday ~ We really didn't have much to do Friday. We helped around the fairgrounds with set up. We then had check in for volunteers and riders. We also took a drive up to the Logan Temple.

We got Josh all ready to go for his early start the next day.

Day 5: Saturday ~ Wake up came way to early, breakfast, team pictures, and got Josh on his way.

Once we got Josh on his way we bummed around camp until our assignment to cheer at the finish line. Brayden took the assignment to watch everyone's bikes in bike lock up.

We really did wear the kids out.

Josh crossed the finish line after his 45 miles. We were there cheering him on.

The favorite part of the Bike MS experience is always the food and snacks. Nutella was a favorite and the kids didn't care how they ate it.

I couldn't resist calling them my twinners.

Those 45 miles were tiring. At least they had some comfy furniture.

Day 6: Sunday ~ Another early morning wake up, breakfast, and get Josh on his way. While he rode we tore down camp and packed the car.

Another 40 miles rode! We were at the finish line cheering the riders in again.

Clean up at the fairgrounds was a bunch of fun. The kids got rides on the golf carts from some pretty exciting drivers.

We always hear of some really cool or neat stories from Josh's rides. It is fun meeting up with old friends and making new friends at the ride each year.

We got home Sunday evening and unpacked the car. Kaytlin fit perfectly in the car top carrier.

After the ride, the Bike MS team send us images taken during the ride. We wanted to share Josh's pictures with you.

We look forward to attending again next year. We do this ride because its fun, we can do it as a family, and because all the riders ride to help find a cure.