Capitol Reef Elopement Extravaganza!

We eloped!  I guess that doesn't really count as an 'adventure,' but we did putz around Capitol Reef National Park, which almost counts ... right?  Yay!

I love Capitol Reef.  It's gorgeous (where else can you find blooming orchards in front of red cliffs?) and waaaay underrated.  I have no idea why it isn't as popular as some of Utah's other national parks, but I guess that's a good thing.  Also, it's definitely a cheeseball nostalgic place for Jordan and I -- we've spent a lot of weekends down there and it's where we had our first "What if we got married one day?" conversation.  We're still stoked to have a big family party this July back in Illinois, but it seemed right to have our actual ceremony out here.

I guess I'm failing at making this sound like a travel adventure, so let me try again:  We busted out for a three-day weekend at Capitol Reef and stayed at the Red River Ranch in Teasdale, UT.  The RRR is just outside the park, and it was definitely a swankier alternative to camping!  We stayed in the Saratoga Room, which had a little fireplace, a back porch overlooking an orchard (complete with a pony!), and a big new hot tub. The staff was really helpful and down-to-earth -- they totally understood what we wanted our wedding to be like and helped us make it happen.

We got married on May 13 in the park with just us, the officient, and our photographer (Gaylene Erwin.)  It was perfect.  :)  

Afterwards we went out to dinner at Cafe Diablo, which is also just down the road from the park in Torrey, UT.  Cafe Diablo is totally unexpected -- it's a Zagat-rated restaurant in the middle of rural Utah that specializes in fresh, upscale southwestern cuisine.  We went all out with trout, lamb, rattlesnake cakes (!?!), and homemade tarts, washed down with loads of margaritas.

Great weekend, great wedding.  Pretty excited to be married to the best guy in the entire world.  :)


from Walt's Witman's "Song of the Open Road"

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me, 
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. 
Henceforth I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune, 
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, 
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, 
Strong and content, I travel the open road.

From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master total and absolute,
Listening to others, considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.

The efflux of the soul is happiness, here is happiness,

I think it pervades the open air, waiting at all times,

Now it flows unto us, we are rightly charged.

I do not offer the old smooth prizes,

But offer rough new prizes,

These are the days that must happen to you:

You shall not heap up what is called riches,

You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn or achieve.

However sweet the laid-up stores,

However convenient the dwellings,

You shall not remain there.

However sheltered the port,

And however calm the waters,

You shall not anchor there.

However welcome the hospitality that welcomes you

You are permitted to receive it but a little while

Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before you,

The long brown path before you,

leading wherever you choose.

Say only to one another:

Camerado, I give you my hand!

I give you my love, more precious than money,

I give you myself before preaching or law:

Will you give me yourself?

Will you come travel with me?

Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?