This last week my cousin Belinda (Billy) flew in from Australia to visit us in Utah on her way to holiday in Columbia. I can't recall the last time one of my cousins popped over to the United States to visit, so this was an unusual but first-class treat for us. While in Northern Utah/Cache Valley she experienced Bear Lake+A Rodeo, Logan Canyon,The Wind Caves, and Shaved Ice. Since she was meeting up with her mates to fly out from Las Vegas, it was settled we (Violet, myself, and my sister Victoria) would road trip to Las Vegas and hike+ explore a few National Parks in Southern Utah along the way. We especially wanted to season her with an involved experience only Utah can offer. We started out early Sunday morning and throughout the week trekked through Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Zions National Park, and ended with a day and night in Las Vegas. It was phenomenal, and I think Violet and both Billy and Victoria would agree.
We tried rattlesnake at the Diablo Cafe', lost $3 gambling in the casino, climbed above the Emerald Pools in Zions, rode so many buses (Violets favorite part, hands down), sweat buckets in the 100+ degree weather, ate mango key lime cheesecake, sipped on mint chili lemonade and had dreams about the sugar cookie we split from Swig in St George. We had many inconvenient potty trips for Violet, Billy drove several times on the freeways (and did an amazing job!), thought we'd broken my parents car when we bottomed out on a sneaky cheeky rock, and slept on extremely cushy beds. We also paid $7 for a bottle of water in Vegas (to be somewhat fair, it was delicious), enjoyed the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens inside the Bellagio, and also watched the fountains. We swam in a salt water pool and hot tub, found an anthill the size of Violet, took selfies, and Billy tried a waffle for the first time! Violet, Victoria and myself had the chance to listen to some kiwi reggae which Billy provided and debated with Billy over who was a better singer- Bob Marley, or Damian. Violet woke up crying in the middle of the night because she'd rolled off the bed in her sleep-twice, she also ONLY wanted to hold Billy's hand the entire trip, and drink her water, and sit next to her, etc. We drank gallons of water, enjoyed our Tevas on all our hikes, and drove oh so many miles. We saw flamingos and parrots, Billy and Victoria went to Margaritaville and had a fun time while Vi and I went up to our hotel room, watched an episode of FullHouse and turned in early. We got lost and had to backtrack several times, talked to Billy about her travels, and finally were pretty sad when this adventure came to an end.
Better then traveling to all these places, it was an absolute joy to get to know my cousin. Living in a different country then ALL our extended family has meant not a lot of cousin bonding time. Billy doesn't feel like a stranger anymore, and that's something more precious to me then this entire trip-though I'm grateful this trip allowed a camaraderie to blossom. We miss her so much already, and Violet is confused about where her partner in crime has gone.
All in all this was a week full of memories we will all hold and cherish deeply.
We love you Billy!
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