When I was starting this blog, I did what any novice would do…. I did research.  What makes a blog appealing?  What do readers want to spend their time reading?  What do the people want??

As I was doing my research, something stuck with me.  The advice was to live a life others would want to read about.  Well, that’s quite profound… am I right?

So, since I live a life I would want to read about, I guess I’m on the right track!  So, in that same spirit, I’m going to share our adventure to Moab, Utah with #louiethejeep.  No, there won’t be harrowing tales of near death experiences in our off road expedition, but I’ll be the first to admit that it got pretty tense at times.  But, here’s the thing… we did it.  We tried something new.  We made amazing memories with our amazing friends… and it was absolutely worth it.

As a preface, we are not hardcore off roaders.  In fact, this was our first time, and yes, we picked Moab.  Seriously.  (Maybe you shouldn’t pick the most badass place to off road on your first off roading adventure…  just sayn’)

For all of you Jeep fans, let me introduce you to #louiethejeep.

• 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, V6, 3.6L
• Mods: 33 inch tires, 3 inch lift, ARB front bumper, Dick Cepek Wheels, Bilstein Shocks, Old Man Emu springs, and IPF flood lights (and of course, we aren’t done…)

We drove 2800 miles, from Illinois to Utah.  We stayed in Hesston, KS on the first night, and left the next morning with an addition of a family of five, and an RV pulling a Land Rover.  Those are just some stats…  it’s what happens in between that counts, right?

We enjoyed each other’s company; we ate good food; we had delicious coffee (too many cups to count); we saw majestic mountains and stunning red rock bluffs and cliffs; we relaxed with cocktails and Mountain Dew; and we shared more laughs and movie quotes than I can even count…  most importantly, we made memories that will last a lifetime.

I’ve decided that there is no way to capture in photos just how beautiful Colorado and Utah are…  but, I wanted to share what I did capture…  feel free to be amazed…

Us, before Fins and Things.  Yes, we started on Fins and Things.

I mean, seriously…  isn’t that stunning?!

That’s us, and #louiethejeep.  Enjoying his maiden voyage.

So Whitey (the Rover) didn’t have reverse and needed a new transmission (insert sad face), but traversed Fins and Things with no problem.  Exceptional driving by Ron.

This is the breathtaking Arches National Park.  If it’s not on your bucket list, add it.

These are dinosaur prints at the Klondike Bluffs Trail… and that’s the rented Papa Smurf Jeep.

…and this was girl’s day… a wonderful day spent with these two amazing ladies!  We shopped, stopped for coffee and this amazing ‘Milk & Cookies’ treat from The Garage, shopped some more, and had a killer quesadilla from the food truck!  It’s good for the soul to spend time with kindred spirits.

These photos can’t even begin to describe the memories we made, the fun we had, and the total off roading experience… but, I hope you get the picture that this is what life is about.  Making memories, trying new things, spending time with those you love, and traveling!  My heart is full… and we’re already planning our next trip!

Now back to real life… stay tuned for my next post about traveling and weight loss, and how to balance the two…

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life.food.adventure & a cup of coffee… A blog about life, love, creativity, home, food, wine, step-parenting, weight loss, Jeeps, fitness, running, traveling, entertaining, fashion, being gluten-free, and… cats. Join me in embracing the chaos.

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