The third time’s a charm!

Our San Diego friends Brian and Pam are building a beautiful vacation home outside of the east entrance of Zion National Park in the Orderville community. The first two times we’ve driven through neither of them have been there. This trip Pam was there!

I love back stories, so here’s a condensed one. In a previous life, circa ’87, Amelia met Pam. I did not know Pam. I met Brian in ’89, Amelia did not know him. In the early days of Fins Rancho Bernardo, ’89-’91, when we only had one location it became sort of a clubhouse for locals and friends. Paths constantly crossed and long lasting friendships developed. Pam and Brian were a big part of that microcosm. They got married in ’95, the same year we started dating. They have three adult children. That’s all I’m telling!

Two years ago, we saw the freshly dug footing trenches on their lot. Last year we saw the rough-in, insulation, dry wall, and some of the exterior finishes were complete.

This visit, the ADU is now complete, meticulously designed, and generating revenue. The main residence is oh so close to being complete. It’s been really cool watching the progression. I can tell you one thing for sure, we won’t ever be building a home. We had a little taste of it when we remodeled my brother’s condo in Mammoth. The time and stress is overwhelming, especially if the home you’re building is 500 miles away! It’s just a ton of work.  The three couples that we have known who’ve done it say it’s a real test of a marriage. Like any herculean task, I’m sure when it’s complete there’s a lot of pride and satisfaction.

Opal parked at Brian and Pam’s! We got out of the Airstream and spent the night in a big bed.

Here’s the ADU last year…

…and Pam and Amelia standing in front of it now.

This is what it looked like when we arrived on Friday. Pam had a big list, broken into four days, of all the things she wanted to complete. We told her we were there to help. Put us to work!

Saturday we drove 20 minutes down the road to Best Friends RV Park in Kanab. There are only 18 sites, spread apart with full hook ups! Most full hook up places jam in as many customers as possible. Pam came down to our place for dinner on Saturday.

Tilted Mesa has some great local trails. I wouldn’t put it in the destination category, but if you’re driving through it’s worth the stop.

A look at the Tilted Mesa terrain.

It’s easy to tell who’s a mountain biker and who’s not. The folks that aren’t, think these scrapes and blood are a big deal. If you’re a mountain biker, this is nothing!

Nice No Kings Day turnout in Kanab! I was really surprised.

Sunday, things were really looking up!

There’s quite a story behind this table and the assembling of it! It was a proud moment for all of us to get it upright.

Upstairs view

Happy hour selfie from the upstairs deck with the Elkheart Cliffs in the background. It was such a delight to spend time with Pam.