Lurp's Lounge

Las Vegas - November 2018

2026-04-18T13:55:00.004-06:00

Well, for the third time in about a month we found ourselves down south. This time was a quick visit to Las Vegas mainly to watch AGT Live, but we also filled our time with some other fun things.

Always stopping in Beaver to charge.

Pool time.

Checking out the indoor storms.

Giordano's for lunch.

We were really into AGT this season and tickets were surprisingly cheap, so we found ourselves making last minute plans to head to Vegas to catch the show.

We had to stop at Shake Shack (this was before they had any open in Utah).

Tournament of Kings at Excaliber.

We ended up on team Dragon (in the Tournament of Kings) and as luck would have it we were the winners that night.

Chocoholics!

Stopped by Fremont Street to charge on our way out of town. Didn't eat here, sounds like a real gem...

Next up, a Thanksgiving trip to Europe.

St George - October 2018

2026-01-24T17:17:00.005-07:00

Another quick trip down south, this one to St George over fall break.

We started by stopping by Glitter Mountain in AZ where we found some shiny rocks.

Then we went looking for dinosaur tracks.

We were able to stay at a neighbor's winter home. It was amazing.

Saw Matilda at Tuacahn.

Hiked in Snow Canyon.

Looks like Ada was in a bit of a mood.

Found an arch.

Checked out where my parents have built a condo.

Went night hunting for scorpions.

Snuggled.

Posed for pictures on the couch.

And we were sad to leave the warm weather, but appreciated a great place to stay.

Next up is a quick trip to Vegas.

Las Vegas - October 2018

2025-12-26T17:37:00.005-07:00

Ada, Kate and I took a quick trip to Las Vegas to see a magic show, stopping on the way in St George to see The Prince of Egypt at Tuacahn.

Charging in Nephi.

We made it on time to the show.

Such a great place to watch a show. Especially The Prince of Egypt with the flood water rushing down the mountain.

Had The Creperie for breakfast.

And cheered on the marathoners while the car charged.

We went straight to the Seven Magic Mountains south of Las Vegas.

We found a kind photographer who helped us do a bit of a photoshoot.

Obligatory mask photo.

Look who's got the hops.

We went to Primm to try and ride Desperado, which at one point was the tallest & fastest metal roller coaster in the world. It wasn't open and I don't think it ever opened since.

Checking out the strip.

And the Conservatory.

The nitrogen dragon ball ice cream was a hit.

We went to the Nathan Burton magic show at Planet Hollywood and enjoyed it.

Had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. This was a meal that Ada and Kate talked about for years (unlimited refills on fruit punch!).

And finished the night with ice cream.

Our view from Embassy Suites.

Next up is another quick trip to St. George over fall break 2018!

Maui - Day 5

2025-11-20T17:05:00.001-07:00

Day 5 - Road to Hana - October 29, 2018

Today we tackled the famous road to Hana.

First stop was to check out the turtles at Ho'okipa Beach Park.

Made a stop at the arboretum.

Found some tiny hermit crabs.

Checked out some tidepools.

Went for a river swim.

Al hates pants.

Made the short hike to Kopiliula Falls.

And stopped at Pua'a Ka'a Falls.

Checked out the roadside lava tube.

Hanawi Falls.

And finally the black sands beach in Hana.

Obligatory picture in our best latex.

Loved it.

Stopped again to check out the turtles at Ho'okipa.

Then, capped off the day with Ululani's Shaved Ice before catching our flight home.

Onto the next trips, a quick blurb about a few trips to St. George & Las Vegas.

Maui - Day 4

2025-11-19T14:58:00.001-07:00

Day 4 - Beach Time - October 28, 2018

Today we tried to hit up church, but instead ended up at the beach and pool.

The cardboard sign says "Visitors: Stake Conference 10AM Sunday", so we took that as a sign to hit the beach.

Obligatory "we went to church on vacation" pic.

And the beach today was lovely!

A good day for boogie boarding.

Ya gotta be careful. Lots of crack on the beach sometimes.

And then off to find shaved ice.

Or ice cream if you would prefer.

Late afternoon swim in the hotel pool.

Ended the day with dinner in Kihei. Tomorrow we tackle the road to Hana.

Maui - Day 3

2025-11-18T16:50:00.001-07:00

Day 3 - Snorkeling & Volcano - October 27, 2018

Today we went on a snorkeling excursion to Molokini Crater and then visited Haleakala National Park.

Started out bright and early on the boat.

Lots of boats though. We definitely weren't the first ones there.

We snorkeled for as long as our stomachs could handle it.

Saw some fishies.

Look at that hair color!

We survived.

Next stop was the long and winding road up the mountain to Haleakala National Park.

It was windy and surprisingly chilly!

Tomorrow is another beach day!

Maui - Day 2

2025-11-17T14:21:00.001-07:00

Day 2 - Beach Day - October 26, 2018

Today was mainly spent at the beach!

First stop, though, was breakfast for Nutella waffles.

We stayed at the Residence Inn and it was great.

Yep, I worked. Even brought three monitors to be more efficient.

The beach.

Gotta get the perfect shot for the 'gram.

We really enjoyed the food.

And the shaved ice of course.

Beach #2 for the day.

Tomorrow a snorkeling trip!

Maui - Day 1

2025-11-16T20:21:00.001-07:00

Onto our next trip, this one to Maui for fall break.

Day 1 - SLC-OGG - October 25, 2018

This was our second trip to Hawaii in 2018 (lucky kids (and lucky parents)).

Flights on Delta, look at that old SLC airport.

We had a long layover in Seattle. We went searching for a good breakfast.

Pancake Chef hit the spot.

Obligatory cloud photo.

Coming in over the Maui windmills.

Tomorrow is a beach day!

Island Park - Day 4

2024-10-30T13:19:00.001-06:00

Day 4 - Island Park - September 3, 2018

Today we got all packed out and made our way home. Looking for adventure along the way.

We stopped by to hangout Henry's Fork where grandpa was fishing.

I've failed as a father as I've never really taken my kids fishing. Grandpa FTW.

Lyla & Chloe.

Our next stop on the way home was to visit Mesa Falls. I think the rest of the family visited the falls on Sunday (while we went to lunch), so from here on we were on our own.

Then I flew the drone. The rangers warned me to watch out for eagles who liked to attack the drones. We had to get a photo in our critter heads. I think we had a horse, fish, beaver, buffalo & deer.

Drone shots of the falls.

Next stop home.

Next post that is 6 years late... Maui, Hawaii.

Island Park - Day 3

2024-10-29T21:31:00.001-06:00

Day 3 - Island Park - September 2, 2018

Today we went to church and mainly hung out around Island Park with the family.

Busy Sunday at the church.

We snuck away for lunch at Cafe Sabor.

Back to the cabin for games.

I had fun flying the drone.

Took some dronies.

Checking out Island Park from above.

If we did this today we would write skibidi.

Ada the tough girl.

Now it's Lyla's turn for a little photoshoot.

YEET!

Finish the night with ice cream.

And a face mask.

Tomorrow (Labor Day) we head home.

Island Park - Day 2

2024-10-28T18:03:00.001-06:00

Day 2 - Yellowstone - September 1, 2018

Today we ventured into Yellowstone. Such a great place.

Madison Information Station.

Ok. This is one of my favorite pictures ever. We're in our car, but these idiots were approaching a bison and it false charged towards them. They took off running. This fellow's shirt is the icing on cake, but I'm sure glad we didn't see anything gory.

Making our way to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook.

One of my favorite views in the park.

Our goal was to see some wolves. We drove up the Lamar Valley with our binoculars trying to spot them.

No luck with wolves.

Back to the cabin for nachos.

Tomorrow we mainly hang out around the cabin.

Island Park - Day 1

2024-10-27T17:50:00.001-06:00

I'm still getting further and further behind, but I find that I like reminiscing about our old trips as I put these posts together. This next trip was a short Labor Day weekend trip to Island Park with my family.

Day 1 - Home to Island Park - August 31, 2018

The drive was fairly uneventful.

We stopped to charge in Pocatello and Alison supported a lap stack.

My parents rented a cabin for the weekend. The cabin had a nice selection of taxidermized critters for our enjoyment.

Games every night.

Tomorrow we venture into Yellowstone.

Oregon - Day 10

2024-04-02T19:45:00.001-06:00

Day 10 - Baker City to Home - August 12, 2018

Today we finish driving home.

Checking out the sites near the supercharger.

In Boise. You can see the temple spires behind us.

Twin Falls.

Our last charge in Tremonton before making it home.

Next up is a short trip to Island Park over Labor Day.

Oregon - Day 9

2024-04-01T19:42:00.001-06:00

Day 9 - Portland - August 11, 2018

Today we had to check-out of our beach house. We hit some sights in Portland then started our long drive home.

Ada was in no mood to wake up for the day.

One last visit to the beach and some nearby tide pools.

Even Lyla was all-in in her jammies.

Isaac trying some Oregon shroom.

Hugs goodbye.

What's that I spy? Salt & Straw? Since this visit (March 2024) we've made it a point to visit whenever one is anywhere close to where we're visiting. I think we've visited about 15 of their locations in the last 5-6 years.

We, of course, stopped at Multnomah Falls on our eastward journey.

Never too many photos of waterfalls. We don't have good ones in Utah.

Well, here was the real goodbye. Marstons off to Houston and Squires off to Utah.

We stopped at one of the fish hatcheries along the Columbia River.

Where we found bigfoot.

Action shot of Al and her dinner.

Lyla was the only one of us who had never been to Washington, so we crossed the bridge got out of the car and made sure to document this moment.

Tomorrow we finish driving home.

Oregon - Day 8

2024-03-31T10:49:00.001-06:00

Day 8 - Whale Watching - August 10, 2018

Today our adventure was to head out to sea for a little whale watching.

Alison and I went on a walk first thing in the morning. Stopped by some tide pools.

If I ever make a rap album, this will be my cover.

Ada and Ella at the marina.

Sea dogs waiting for any fish scraps.

Here we go!

Look at these little sailors.

Success!

Lots of sea lions.

Isaac.

Lyla.

Alison is totally in her element.

Grandma keeping the grandkids warm in the cabin.

Lyla and I ended the day spending a few hours on the beach making sand castles. This was lots of fun.

Our creation was pretty impressive, I must say.

Ended the day with the nightly dance party!

Tomorrow we check-out and start the drive home.

Oregon - Day 7

2024-03-30T10:33:00.001-06:00

Day 7 - Tillamook - August 9, 2018

Today we made a day trip to Tillamook.

We practiced milking cows. An important skill for when the apocalypse comes.

Cheese sampling.

Lunch!

We stopped by a jerky place. Ada and I were excited about our long beef sticks.

George treated us all to dinner at Mo's. Al and I aren't big on seafood, but we found something.

Ended the night with NES retro games.

Tomorrow we go whale watching!

Oregon - Day 6

2024-03-29T17:12:00.001-06:00

Day 6 - Beach Day (& Family Pictures) - August 8, 2018

Today was mainly spent on the beach with some family pictures mixed in.

Lyla and I took some pictures with my drone while we waited for things to get going.

Ella, Noah, Ada & Eden.

Our beach view.

Our beach house is in the top middle of this picture.

Me, Noah & Hyrum.

Lyla, Audrey & Eden.

One last drone shot.

The 2018 Dickson clan.

One more.

After pictures we got changed and spent time on the beach. Only the brave made it into the water. As is typical with the PNW the water was chilly!

The generous benefactors, Jill & George.

We had some raucous games of Swedish Chess (Or formally known as kubb).

Lyla in her element in the sand.

Tomorrow we visit Tillamook!

Oregon - Day 5

2024-03-28T19:48:00.001-06:00

Day 5 - Lighthouse & Science Center - August 7, 2018

Today we made a visit to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Started with some dress-up at the interpretive center.

A photoshoot with grandma at the lighthouse.

Mommy and Lyla.

Looks like I'm just happy to be there...

We hiked down to the tidepools at the water's edge.

Lunch with cousins.

Photos by the bridge before we head into the Science Center.

Touching starfish.

We didn't know it would be an aquarium, so we are lucky that Ada loves aquariums.

Always chasing Noah!

More bridge pics. I love bridges.

Night visits to the chilly beach are always in order.

Storytime before bed.

Tomorrow we mainly hangout at the beach and beach house.

Oregon - Day 4

2024-03-27T19:47:00.001-06:00

Day 4 - Portland & Lincoln City - August 6, 2018

Today we started with doughnuts.

Followed by exploring Portland with the Hewitsons. I wish SLC had a nice river or waterfront.

Stopped by Powell's books.

Found an urban elephant.

Picked up loads of pizza from Costco, then drove to our beach house on the coast.

It was time to party! And to celebrate the official adoption of some cute kids!

With a piñata no less!

Alison really put her back into it!

Then a quick walk down to the beach.

Tomorrow we visit the lighthouse and science center.

Oregon - Day 3

2024-03-26T19:47:00.001-06:00

Day 3 - Crater Lake NP - August 5, 2018

Our first stop today was to church in Klamath Falls, then onto Crater Lake National Park.

Watching a volcano demonstration that shows how the lake was formed.

Now onto loads and loads of photos from all around the lake.

I'm not sure what's going on here...

The obligatory animal head photo. Sloth, bear, duck, horse and pig.

I quick trunk picnic before making our way to Portland!

Oregon - Day 2

2024-03-25T19:47:00.001-06:00

Day 2 - Reno to Klamath Falls - August 4, 2018

Today we journeyed from Reno, Nevada through California, ending up in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

First stop was Tony's fruit stand.

We made our way to a new National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park.

We stopped by the stinky Sulphur Works.

I made Alison take some photos by this lovely rock.

Lake Helen.

We found a spot to take a short hike through the woods. Eating peaches from the earlier fruit stand.

Imagine me juggling these big cones.

Sharing a peach.

We hit up a Black Bear Diner for dinner, luckily it was close to the Mt Shasta supercharger.

Tomorrow we visit Crater Lake.

Oregon - Day 1

2024-03-24T19:46:00.001-06:00

Day 1 - SLC to Reno - August 3, 2018

No onto our next trip! We were crazy to schedule another road trip just a week after we returned home from Banff. This one to the Oregon coast.

Our first charging stop was in Wendover. Lucky for the girls there was a park nearby.

Lyla playing in the playplace in the armpit of America.

Wrapping up the night with a late charge.

Tomorrow we continue on to Lassen Volcanoes National Park.

Glacier/Banff - Day 10

2023-01-17T15:10:00.001-07:00

Day 10 - Helena to SLC - July 29, 2018

Today was another long drive, this one from Helena, Montana, through Idaho to home in UT.

Ada somehow managed to sleep like Gumby.

I got up early and went to charge the car. I found a Goodwill to wander through and had to document some of the treasures.

I'm not sure why Mr. & Mrs. Asbury gave this one up.

The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful. Now we're looking forward to our next trip to the Oregon Coast!

Glacier/Banff - Day 9

2023-01-16T14:50:00.001-07:00

Day 9 - Banff to Helena - July 28, 2018

Today we start the long drive south to take us home. I was really nervous about the drive today because this is the one portion of the whole trip where there not any Tesla Superchargers for a too long stretch between southern Canada and Helena, Montana.

Charging in Canmore (near Banff) before leaving. This was one of the first Model 3s that I recall seeing. Now they're everywhere!

We stopped by the Calgary temple.

Lyla loved her hairdo today.

While charging in Calgary we visited a Bass Pro Shops and checked out the taxidermized critters.

We knew we had to get poutine before leaving Canada.

Oddly, there are superchargers in Fort Macleod, Alberta, which is not on a main highway or interstate. We stopped there to charge and grabbed some lunch from the local Igloo restaurant.

Fresca and ice cream. Good combo.

Our route took us through Cardston, Alberta, Canada. We stopped to see the temple.

This next portion of the drive was the one that I was most worried about. It's a long distance between high-powered chargers, but I had mapped out a location with an RV plug-in pedestal. Luckily, we were able to find it and I had the correct adapter. Unluckily, charging at this rate is much slower, so we had a few hours to kill.

I think we walked through the entire town of Conrad, and spent quite a while playing on the playground at the elementary school.

Dinner was at another small diner.

Finally when the sun was long down we were able to keep going with another short stop to charge at a hotel in Great Falls in order to get enough charge to make it to Helena.

Interestingly, it would be a long time before this part of the drive was finally covered by superchargers. A supercharger in Great Falls opened in the summer of 2020 and another one on I-15 to bridge the gap only opened about a month ago (Nov. 2022). I'm glad we didn't wait to make this trip!

Glacier/Banff - Day 8

2023-01-15T14:38:00.001-07:00

Day 8 - Banff Day 2 - July 27, 2018

Another day in paradise.

We started off visiting Johnson Lake.

I think this is Lake Minnewanka.

Overlooking Banff.

Our next stop was a cool hike in Johnston Canyon.

Highly recommended. Most of the hike is on an elevated boardwalk through the canyon with views of lots of waterfalls along the river.

After the hike we took a drive north to see more of the blue lakes of the Canadian Rockies. This one is Peyto Lake.

Tomorrow we start our long journey home!