The 4th!

We started the day with myself running the Freedom Festival 10k. My first 10k, and possibly my farthest running distance yet--embarrassing I know, but the good news is I didn't die. I actually felt pretty good. I had only run about 4 times in the month prior, but I finished in 55:12 which was far better then I thought I could do--my goal was 11 min. miles. It helped to have Ben run the last uphill mile with me to keep my pace up. It gave me hope that I can do the half marathon next month.

Then we spent the afternoon swimming at Gary's. Faith was very brave and asked her uncle to jump in the cold pond with her. And Jesse jumped off all by himself--although we don't have video.

Then in the evening we went to my other brother's annual Fourth bash. BBQ, swimming, great view of Stadium of Fire fireworks, and the highlight, Faith and her friends dancing to Ryan Shuppe.

All and all it was a fun day filled with family and friends. No pics, but we did get a little video.

All the Cool Kids are doing it...

Dar Ahlam and Kasbah Ruins

We came across this ancient Kasbah--I can't remember, hundreds, if not thousands of years old and got to take a look inside.  I was nervous the floor was going to fall out from under me--I think it got very close when the boys walked across--but very cool.

Perhaps the kitchen and kitchen tools?  I guess these Kasbahs were the homes, of the nobles, but all the locals would store their year supply of food and supplies there, just incase of an invasion.

Yes, I  did "Rock the Kasbah!"  That song was stuck in my mind the entire trip

And then we stayed in a very romantic remodeled Kasbah.  The pics really don't capture it, but it was so fun.  

Stair way up to our room

All the walls are 4 ft. thick!

Dades Valley and Todara Gorges

We spent one day driving across the desert and caught a lot of Moroccan landscape.  Very cool.  Very Southern Utahish.  The only bad part, well two bad parts.  We spent about 8 hours in the car and our driver didn't want the AC on, nor did he want to turn down his Moroccan techno music.  I lived, but Sarah and Jodie had a violent stomach flu that day.  If I had been sick, I might have killed myself.

Can't see scale in this pick, but if I were in this picture, I would have been a speck.  Bad news is we only looked. we didn't get to play.

One of many Kasbah's

Our irritating driver was caught in this picture (by the way, he was the only Moroccan that we met that wasn't thoroughly charming.)

Lovers

Date Night

Trip Distance: 12.67 mi

Trip Calories: 1998 kcal

Climbed Alititude: 2237 ft

and only half of our adventure last Saturday.

Does it get any better?

Sahara Desert

We spent a half day driving out to the Sahara Desert.  Rode some camel out into the dunes, then rode to our tented camp where we spent the night under the stars.

A real Bedouin tent.  Occupants didn't want their picture. But the little boy had a Sponge Bob hat on:)

At camp we were treated by this music sensation and we danced the night away--well, at least Sarah did.

Our tents and camp

Enjoying the show.

Moroccan Interiors and Design

The outside of a Moroccan home looks like this...

Plain plaster, on a narrow street, a few feet from the next.

Then you go inside and it looks like this...

And this...

Completely covered in ELABORATE decor from floor to ceiling.  Mosaic tiled floors, and about the first half of the walls were mosaic tiles.  Then carved plaster till the ceiling, which was always elaborately painted cedar.  Not to mention, all windows are either stained glass or, had iron work in them.

I could do without the floors and walls, but I loved all the ceilings.  I loved the colors the designs, the carved wood.  Oh and the doors were painted as well, or they had intricate carving on all surfaces, or both!

One ceiling without paint, but you can see the wood work.

We went to a tile factory where they make the tiles for the mosaic wall.  All the tiles are placed upside down like this...

 And the result is this.  Gave me a whole new appreciation for the artist.  Backwards and colorless.  I wouldn't have the memory or the eye.

Every mosque had one of these on top to show the direction towards Mecca

These next few are of the first university supposedly ever.  9th century.  Women were permitted, but stood behind wooden dividers so they couldn't be seen

The dark wood is original

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One gate to the Medena

At a restaurant