A Quick Trip

 It's not very often that I get to make a quick trip out somewhere for a long weekend, but that's exactly what I did last weekend. The reason behind it was to watch Victoria perform at Extravadance, which is the fall dance showcase for the BYU I dancers. Each dance is directed and choreographed by a student dancer. Other dancers try out the 2nd or 3rd week into the semester and are placed by the choreographers accordingly. 

Victoria was chosen to perform in a contemporary, 2 tap pieces, a disco/funk piece, a jazz piece, and the closer piece. She worked really hard through her displaced rib, bronchitis, broken thumb, and strep throat, taking breaks as needed. Less than 2 weeks prior to the performance, she sprained her ankle at a trampoline park- badly! She was doubtful I should even go out there. I assured I would still go out and attend, whether or not she performed. 

The night before dress rehearsal on Monday, she and some of the choreographers decided that she should step out of the contemporary dance and the closer, because of the tricks she had to do in those dances. She was able to dance in the 4 others since they weren't quite as strenuous on her left ankle. She iced, heated, taped, and tried to use her ankle in healing ways so she could do her best in the 5 performances of that week.

I flew into SLC on Thursday at noon and my mom picked me up. I drove us up to Rexburg in time to hang out with Victoria before watching the performance that night. Afterward, we went to Applebee's with most of the dancers. Victoria still performed so well and has an amazing stage presence! Her ankle hurt a bit, but she hung in there!

We couldn't take pictures, but someone took some of Victoria in a couple of her dances at the dress rehearsal. This is one of the tap pieces. 

Jazz- Michael Jackson!

The Closer. Victoria wasn't in the main part, but she was out for the bowing and celebrations.

Her roommates!

Roommates and dance buddies.

A friend who graduated came to watch!

Friday we went grocery shopping for my poor college student, clothing/Christmas shopping, and lunch at a very delicious Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Taqueria, that Jason and Victoria found when he dropped her off at school last year. My mom and I shared some street tacos and a sopa de camarones- so, so good! We toured the school and her apartment area, which were getting decked out for the holidays and so cute! We even went on a quick hike for about 15 or 20 minutes on what they call R Mountain. It's out in the boondocks, not far from campus, and so pretty. I have to say that both gimpy people did well on the hike (my mom with a recently replaced hip and Victoria with a sprained ankle). While Victoria went to class, my mom and I got our hair cut at the newly opened Great Clips which had a grand opening sale. They were offering haircuts for $5.99! I couldn't pass that up!

The menu at El Rancho Taqueria. It's hard to see, but it's ok, most of you who read this are in the West and can get good Mexican food, unlike me in MI!

The Tetons from R Mountain.  

R Mountain looks more like a hill when compared to the bigger mountains, but it's definitely mountainous compared to Michigan. I never saw the R, I think it's on the left side. 

Looking toward the north.

While my mom rested, I hung out with Victoria and also took her to urgent care to get the official word that her ankle was sprained. She had to get a note so she can medically withdraw from her Modern dance class since she hadn't been able to complete the dance test in that class because of the movement required on her ankle. She's kind of bummed about that, but happy with her decision. She wants to get a good grade in that class and will do so next semester.

While she got ready for Friday night's performance, my mom and I hung out at the hotel. We enjoyed the performance Friday night even better than on Thursday. They all did so well and Victoria surprised me again, dancing on her sprained ankle the way she did. 

I hung with Victoria after the performance for another late night, but we didn't have to wake as early on Saturday, so that was good. My mom and I got to use the pool at the hotel again and enjoy a small breakfast before picking Victoria up for a brunch of pie. When Victoria told me she wanted to take us to the White Sparrow Country Store for some delicious pie I was surprised and a little doubtful. I thought pie in the middle of the morning a little odd, however, she had gone on a date there and assured us how good it was. It was also out in the boondocks, not far from campus (everything around Rexburg is in the boondocks!) 

The White Sparrow Country Store is about the cutest thing I've ever seen! Adorable Christmas country decor for sale and extremely delicious pies! Victoria got the apple, which I tried and it was divine. My mom and I split a gyro and a blackberry (savory and sweet). It was one of the best gyros I've ever had! And the blackberries....mmmm! The crust was so light and not overwhelming, which is my biggest dis with pie, I'm not a huge crust fan. And these were encased in crust, like empanadas. So, if you're in the area, go visit the White Sparrow Country Store!

We had to leave after one more visit to our favorite cute store in Rexburg, Real Deals. Luckily, I know I'll see Victoria in less than a month for Christmas! 

My mom and I went back to her place. I will see her and Jim in a few days for Thanksgiving. I went over to spend some time with my sister. We went for a little hike Saturday night, followed by dinner, visiting, and watching a show. We both were tired so we went to bed early so we could go for a longer hike Sunday morning before she took me to the airport. We don't get to spend enough time together, so it was nice to catch up.

We visited Blake's gravesite. 

Returning from our hike on Saturday.

This is the Stewart Falls hike. 

I was back late and up early again to start my week at work, but my weekend rejuvenated me!