This past week, Dr. Deborah Ekstrom and I were expecting dear friends from the United Kingdom—friends we have had the pleasure of hosting here in California as well as in Massachusetts, and whom we have also visited at their lovely home in Hollywater, near Bordon, a tiny hamlet in Hampshire, southwest of London.

We had planned an ambitious loop through Utah, visiting several of the state’s magnificent National Parks together. Unfortunately, at the last moment, our friends had to cancel due to serious health concerns involving elderly and unstable parents. Family always comes first, and of course we completely understood.

By that point, however, it was too late to fully rebuild our surgical schedule for the week. Dr. Ekstrom and I faced a choice: try to fill the calendar and work at half speed for several days, or continue with at least part of the trip ourselves.

We chose something in between.

After operating Wednesday morning, we packed the car and headed east for a shorter but much-needed adventure—two parks instead of several, with plans to return by Saturday so we could recover, catch up, and write this very blog before Monday morning arrived once again.

Our first stop was one of my personal favorites: Peggy Sue’s Diner in Yermo, just past Barstow. This wonderfully nostalgic roadside diner is full of Route 66 charm, classic milkshakes, chrome finishes, and enough Americana to make anyone smile. I have a special fondness for Peggy Sue’s because, back in 2001, we filmed scenes for my movie F-Stops there—an independent project that still brings back wonderful memories. In fact, we had the entire restaurant to ourselves during filming. (F-Stops is still available on Amazon for the curious!)

From there, we continued to Zion National Park and checked into the charming Bumbleberry Inn in Springdale. The setting is simply spectacular—towering orange and red cliffs rising dramatically around the town, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes in the American Southwest.

After a wonderful dinner in Springdale, we awoke early the next morning for breakfast at the inn before heading to Zion Canyon Trail Rides. We spent three awe-inspiring hours on horseback exploring the park. There is something uniquely peaceful about seeing the grandeur of Zion from the saddle of a horse—it slows you down just enough to truly appreciate the scale and beauty around you. I do not know why I should have been amazed – after all, Dr. Ekstrom grew up on a farm – but I was impressed how naturally and well Dr. Ekstrom handled her horse.

The rest of the day was spent hiking and exploring the park further, followed by another excellent Western-style dinner in town.

The next morning, we drove to Bryce Canyon National Park and checked into Bryce Canyon Resort. Bryce is unlike anywhere else—its famous hoodoos, those towering red-orange rock spires, create an almost otherworldly landscape.

We spent the afternoon exploring the park, but if you ever visit Bryce, I strongly recommend planning around sunrise and sunset. The changing light transforms the canyon walls and rock formations into a living painting. The colors shift minute by minute, and the effect is absolutely unforgettable.

After watching the sunrise on Saturday morning, we pointed our Tesla back toward Orange County. Yes, we made it home in time to spend Sunday writing this blog and catching up on the inevitable chores of life.

We were disappointed our friends could not make the trip, but very glad we decided to go. Sometimes even a brief getaway can provide the reset we need. We were reminded that some of the most extraordinary places in the world are right here in our own neighborhood.

For anyone looking for a short but memorable escape, I strongly recommend a few days in Utah. Sometimes the best therapy is simply wide open skies, red rock canyons, and a little time away.

Cowgirl Dr. Ekstrom fording a river at Zion National Park.

Sunrise at Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon National Park – Ponderosa pine clinging to life at the edge of a cliff.