day 19—crater than most

Not all RV parks are created equal, but Mountain Valley RV Park was a far cry from our first few experiences.

Tucked in a broad valley beneath the towering Wasatch Mountains, the park felt like a peaceful pause. Neatly arranged rows of campsites stretched before us, each flanked by gravel pads and patches of green that hinted at spring, even in winter’s grip. Crisp mountain air carried the faint scent of pine, while snow-dusted peaks framed the horizon like a postcard.

Beyond the serene setting, the amenities were surprisingly robust, including hot tubs, a small gym, and even two dog parks. The best part was the impeccably clean restrooms, complete with private shower suites. We made the most of the gym before heading into Heber City for coffee at Black Rifle.

With time to kill before our 1:30 reservation at Homestead Crater, we settled into a cozy nook, coffees in hand. A few household games lay scattered on the table, but one in particular caught our eye—a simple wooden square with numbers 1-10 on each side and a pair of dice in the middle. How hard could it be?

The rules were straightforward: roll the dice and flip the corresponding numbers, either as a total or individually. First to flip all ten won. Simple in theory, but 45 minutes later, we were deep in competition, laughing at how absurdly invested we’d become. Somehow, rolling a 10 had turned into a battle of pride.

I was ahead, 3-2, but Trent was determined to make a comeback. All he needed was a 9 to even the score. He jostled the dice in his hands before letting them tumble onto the felt-lined board. A 4. A 5.

“Yes!” he exclaimed, breaking the quiet hum of the cafe. “One more to end it?”

I never back down from a challenge—especially when board games are involved. I blame my older twin sisters and the Monopoly wars of our childhood.

The final match was close, but my strategy prevailed: record the higher numbers as early as possible.

“That was more fun than I expected,” Trent admitted.

“So simple, too,” I said, laughing.

With the game settled, we packed up and made our way to Homestead Crater, just 20 minutes down the road.

The 65-foot-deep geothermal hot spring, resembling an hourglass, beckoned us into its steamy depths. Unlike the remote hot springs we had previously soaked in, this one necessitated life jackets—an immediate indication of its more regulated nature. We shared our time slot with ten others, all eager to bask in the mineral-rich waters. Even with a group of scuba divers exploring the depths below, the 95-degree water was irresistibly soothing.

Floating on our backs, we let the warm currents hold us as we gazed up at the limestone walls, our eyes tracing the dome until they met the opening above. Sunlight streamed through, casting a golden glow over the cavern.

A voice from above, emanating from one of the staff members, filled the space with historical significance. Over thousands of years, melting snow from the Wasatch Mountains had seeped deep into the earth, undergoing geothermal heating before gradually rising back up. This process caused the surrounding limestone to slowly dissolve, shaping the crater. The natural opening at the top likely formed due to erosion and the collapse of rock, allowing fresh air and light to filter into the otherwise enclosed space.

We spent the rest of our time floating on our backs, absorbing both the warmth and the wonder of an ancient, hidden world.