There are No Ties in Monticello

This weekend Robyn and I decided to embark on an adventure with our friends Cameron and Tammy.  As part of our continuing mission to visit all of the LDS Temples in Utah, we drove down to Monticello to experience the temple there.  We thought it would be fun to go to the temple and then stop off at Arches National Park to do some hiking.

Upon our arrival at our hotel, it occurred to me that, in my infinite wisdom, I had forgotten to bring my tie.  I had my suit coat, my dress shoes, my white shirt, everything else I need, but somehow I forgot a tie.  I figured it wouldn't be a big deal.  I'd just swing by a store and purchase a tie before we go to the temple.  I called the front desk at our hotel and asked where they thought I could buy a tie.  They couldn't think of anyone that sold ties.  I wanted to ask, "Does your husband own a tie?  Where did he get it?"  But I figured that wouldn't be nice.  We even went to a little store nearby and asked the teller if she knew of anywhere that might sell ties.  Apparently no ties can be bought or sold within Monticello city limits.

I went to the temple without a tie.  I saw people coming out and figured they didn't need their ties anymore.  I told Robyn I should go offer to buy one of them, but she felt that was much too embarrassing so I didn't do it.

Here is a self portrait we took at the temple.  There are more pics at my temple blog

After the temple, we proceeded to Arches National Park.  Luckily, a tie isn't required attire in Arches.  But apparently Robyn and I had a disagreement about what attire was required.  You see, I was under the impression that we were in the middle of the desert in southern Utah.  I think she thought we were in Alaska.  But this is us in front of Balanced Rock.

We hiked up to Delicate Arch.  I have done that hike a number of times in my life, but I've always done it in the middle of the night. (You can see some night shots at Robyn's blog from a previous trip.)  Cameron and Tammy were with us but we decided they were cheating because their legs are longer and require less strides.  This is what we looked at the whole way up.  (Isn't it unfair that they were ahead the whole time?  President Obama should do something about this.  I think when you spread the height around, it's good for everybody.)

We finally made it to Delicate Arch despite the fact that we are vertically challenged and required more strides to get there.  We celebrated by being precious in front of the arch.

That other guy was celebrating with us.  That's how he rolls.