Zion National Park

Riley had 3 1/2 days off from school last week so Andy and I decided that we should go explore southern Utah while the weather was still nice. We left here Tuesday evening and headed to Zion National Park.  Our plan was to visit Zion as well as Bryce Canyon National Park.

When we got up Wednesday morning, the weather was drizzling and overcast, but by the end of the day, the sky started to clear up and we survived without getting too wet. We used that first day to get the "lay of the land" and learn our way around and try to figure out what we wanted to do in terms of hiking. We were able to see a lot of Zion Canyon that first day via the shuttle buses. We spent some time in the Visitor's Center and the Human History Museum. Riley was working towards earning his Junior Ranger Badge so it was a great time to hunt down most of the answers. We hiked through the mud to the Emerald Pools and got to see the Weeping Rock just as the sun was coming out! So cool how water just comes pouring out of the porous rock!

Thursday and Friday were beautiful! We hiked up to Scout's Lookout via Refrigerator Canyon. We would have loved to get to the top of Angels' Landing, but the trail was closed for repairs. Angels' Landing is a rather popular trail and supposed to have a fantastic view from the top.  Refrigerator Canyon is named because of the drop in temperature as you hike through it.  Then you hike up 21, yes, 21 switchbacks to the top of Scout's Lookout.  From there you can choose to hike up to Angels' Landing which requires you to hike a narrow steep trail with a chain railing to help you from falling off!  Oh well. Probably better it was closed since I probably would have had a stroke keeping Riley close by and having Kendall on my back in her pack!

We also hiked the Riverwalk trail back to the Narrows. The Narrows was finally open, but the Ranger suggested we stick to the paved trail because of having the kids. They had a few days of rainy weather and the Virgin River was flowing swiftly and was rather deep in certain parts. Guess that means we'll have to go back again someday to hike the Narrows!  For those of you who don't know, hiking the Narrows means you hike the first mile on the paved trail and the rest in the Virgin River.  It can get deep at parts which is why we were advised against it with our munchkins in tow.  The river gets really narrow, hence the name, and you are supposed to be able to stand in the middle and almost touch the rock on either side of the canyon...Pretty cool, huh?

We were able to see some Big Horned Sheep on our way out of the park. We got to drive through the mile+ long Mt. Carmel tunnel and the kids thought that was pretty cool too.

Here are some of the views...These pictures don't do it justice.  Somethings need to be seen in person to truly be appreciated.

Here we are entering the park...We do this at every national park now

This picture was taken at the Visitor's Center

The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Daddy and Riley taking a break on the way up to Scout's Lookout

You could see this trail from the road at the bottom of the canyon

My son LOVES to climb in caves

If brother does it, then sister must too!

Momma and her hiking buddies in Refrigerator Canyon on the way to Scout's Lookout

The view of Big Bend from Scout's Lookout

Some warm sun in Refrigerator Canyon....It's appropriately named!

Another pit stop for some water on the way up

Taking a break at the top for lunch

This is why Riley wasn't allowed near the edge and why Kendall was not allowed out of the back pack!

Such a pretty canyon

My hiking crew getting ready to check out the Emerald Pools via the muddy trail from the Grotto stop.

Check out the "chocolate milk" Virgin River.

A cool little cave/tunnel we had to hike through to get to the Emerald Pools

Ah...The Emerald Pools...Well, the
waterfall at the top

We got to walk underneath the waterfalls. It would have been really awesome if I weren't worried about us all falling in the mud!

Here are the pools!

More caves on the other side of the Emerald Pools - we took this paved trail back to the Lodge

I think this explains why his dad always calls him a "cave monkey!"

She's still smiling after a few miles in the pack...

The sun finally did make an appearance!

This is the "The Great White Throne" in the background as seen from Big Bend

This is Angels' Landing where we would have liked to finish our hike, but the trail was closed...

The view towards the Narrows from Big Bend

How cool is it that these ferns were just happily growing on the side of the rocks?

These are the "sad rocks" aka Weeping Rock.  The water comes out of the sides of the canyon through the porous rock.

Plants also grow on the rock where the water is plentiful

My buddy.  Hanging with her Momma, and checking out the views

Taking a break by a creek near Weeping Rock

His new favorite toy:  7 Tools In One.  

It contained a compass, thermometer, magnifying glass, storage compartment, whistle, mirror, and flashlight.  What boy wouldn't want a toy like that?

Our little cutie patootie

This squirrel stood completely still on this rock and posed for pictures!  It almost didn't look real because it was so still, but it must have been hoping for payment in the form of food!  Kendall was fascinated by the fact that it didn't go running in terror that she was that close.  I was afraid she was going to try to pet it and get bitten.

This was on the trail to the Narrows.  Andy and I liked the color of the rocks and were fascinated by the water running down it.

Kendall kept wanting to see the "waterfall" which was a nice change from "ducky water."

Beautiful flowers growing along the river

Another example of how plants grow along the walls of the canyon

Goofy face pose...after the numerous shots, I always let Riley get a few silly ones in for good measure!

Looking back out towards the beginning of the trail

This is where the paved trail ends and hiking through the river begins...Another great reason to go back to visit Zion!

Taking a break from rock climbing on our way out of the park

Trying to capture that perfect family shot...You can see how well that's been working out on this trip!  

We came across some big horned sheep as well as mule deer, a frog, chipmunks and squirrels while in Zion.  The kids loved seeing the sheep the best!

This is Checkerboard Mesa...One of the last things we saw in Zion before heading out to Bryce Canyon.

We had so much fun on this trip to Zion and would recommend it to anyone who has the chance to get there.  We got smart and finally bought the annual National Parks pass.  Now we have no excuse not to go back and finish seeing Arches and Yellowstone.  We're even considering a trip to the Grand Canyon next summer.  It's not that much further of a drive from Zion...Oh the possibilities!

Keep an eye out for my next post about the second half of our trip...Bryce Canyon National Park.

A Great Birthday Poem

I came across this today during my weekly "blog stalking."  Julie from Less Than Perfect Life Of Bliss wrote this poem for her daughter's 9th birthday.  

It's so important to wash your face

And wear frilly dresses trimmed in lace.

You should brush your teeth 3 times a day

to keep the cavities away.

Wash your hair so it will shine!

And bow or curtsy from time to time.

Make sure your nails are trimmed and clean.

Add some polish to make them gleam!

All of these things a girl must do

to be thought prim and proper, too.

But, while the clothes may help you play the part,

What matters most is in your heart.

Are you kind to others? Do you scream and yell?

If someone wrongs you do you run to tell?

You must be a friend who's sweet and true.

And love the Lord, for He loves you.

Remember, a mirror will not get you far.

Real beauty is measured by how sweet you are!

I figured if I blogged about it, there might a chance I'll remember it when it comes to Kendall's birthday...In my little girl's world full of princesses, fairies and talking mice, this poem really gets to the heart of it all...Just like the Veggie Tales movie Sweet Pea Beauty.  I am cautious over which other princess-like stories I let her watch or read because life really isn't about exterior beauty and a "happily ever after."  All that really matters is what God thinks about how you are living your life.

Look Ma! No Training Wheels

So here I wasn't sure if there'd be much to blog about this weekend...Ha!  How wrong I was.  This afternoon my little boy rode his dirt bike without his training wheels!  Andy and I couldn't be more proud of him!  He was so excited for me to watch him kick start his bike on his own AND try it without training wheels!  He did such a great job!

Here's the video evidence of his accomplishment!  Grab some popcorn and enjoy!

October Has Arrived In Utah!

There are so many halloween type activities out here in the fall.  Cornbellies is one of the kids' favorites.  This was the first weekend it was open and one of the radio stations was offering a HUGE discount on tickets for this weekend only.  Typically tickets are $11 each and we scored them for $4 each!  I also wasn't sure how crowded it was going to be on the weekend, but GC is this weekend so most families must have stayed home to watch their t.v.'s!

Kevin had his nephew this morning so we decided to take all the kids together.  My kids adore Tristam and consider him not just a friend, but more like a cousin. Cornbellies offers an array of activities but their big draw every year is their corn maze...I have to admit, we did get lost.  My advice is to not allow a 2, 6 & 8 year old guide you through!  This year's maze is in honor of 100 years of scouting!  How cool since Riley is in his first year of Cub Scouts?  Here are some pics of the other stuff we did while we were there.

Riding in the Pumpkin Princess' carriage

Riley was wondering what he was supposed to do with the rope!

Riley and Tristam trying out the go-karts

Me and my boy while riding on the "Grain Train"

My Cutie-Patooties

The only maze we didn't get lost in today!

Our three jailbirds!  Kendall just had to be part of the action!

She LOVED these slides and probably could have easily spent 45 minutes there!

Didn't even think twice about climbing this to the top!

Riley had fun playing on the tractor and taking me for a hayride!

Kendall's turn to drive the tractor.  She told all her pretend riders to make sure to sit down!  I about fell on the ground laughing!

Air pillows are always a hit with my kids.  

Check out Riley's expression in this shot!

It's no wonder why we got her a trampoline for her birthday, huh?

Check out how high she gets!  Crazy nut!

Unfortunately our trip ended in tears.  Riley and Tristam were on the fire truck when Riley got stung by a bee.  Thankfully we discovered he's not allergic to them...his first sting ever!  All in all the kids had a blast and I'm glad we got a chance to take them...still not feeling like fall here though...notice the tank top and shorts Kendall is wearing in all the shots!  It felt like near 90 there!  Ugh!  I'm ready for sweaters and jeans, crisp mornings, and cool evenings...maybe next week.