Arches NP: 2 of 2

After having a nice morning at camp we went hiking in the Devil's Garden area. If you missed part 1 of our trip you can catch up here. Hiking is a very loosely used here but fun nonetheless. Rob's dad gave emergency whistles to each of the kids right at the start of this hike. Shockingly, the kids used them happily despite his warnings to use them only for emergencies (go figure).

Pinetree Arch. I'm resting in the shade looking up at the monolith hanging above me. This arch is massive.

 

Landscape Arch

Rob was surprised how much he latched on to Landscape Arch. It was not an arch he was terribly interested in before starting the hike. When he saw it he was blown away. In contrast to many of the arches around the park which are fairly thick and bulky, Landscape Arch is something else. So slender and delicate. Such a marvel.

By the time we got on the way to Landscape Arch the heat was really starting to kick in.

The kids were very hot and it seemed like Cara was even worse. I've heard that young kids do not do as well sweating to reduce their temperature. In any case she seemed pretty toasty and we focused a lot of attention on her to make sure she was safe.

Rob carried her on his shoulders most of the way there and back. We kept her drinking fluids regularly and kept the misters going on her pretty constantly.

As a father Rob loved carrying Cara around on this hike. He felt that papa bear instinct I suppose. She is his little girl and darn it he was going to carry her on his shoulders and make sure she is OK. She was happy and so was Rob. 

Next stop, rafting down the Colorado River! Sometimes there can be some challenges to selecting activities that will work for three entire families. We chose to raft down the Colorado River in the very mild section just before Moab. We put in at the Big Bend area and enjoyed a very mild float down the river. It was a lot of fun and I think all the kids enjoyed it. We adults would rather have experienced some rapids but we still enjoyed being on the river for the hot part of the afternoon. It was fantastic!




We had two rafts between the 11 of us. We switched up the rowers and the kids between the boats several times. Sometimes we did the switching on the shore and sometimes switched while on the river. Those switches were the most exciting.



Most of all it was super fun to go very slowly through the gorgeous terrain and scenery while enjoying the company of family. It was truly a beautiful area.



Most of the adults and all but the youngest kids took turns floating down the river outside the boats. I think that was a fun change for the adults and exciting for the kids. We ended up starting our float a little late and the folks at the rental shop didn't think we'd make it back in time. Boy did we show them! We made it back with about 15 minutes to spare. That was some sweet paddling.

After finishing our rafting trip on the Colorado river I (Rob) needed to head back upstream with my Dad and Sister to pick up the SUVs.

Julie and Gene were waiting at the outlet for us to return and trying to contain all the kids. Just before we got back with the cars Cara needed to go #2 pretty bad. It is true with most the kids that when they need to go it is pretty close to an emergency.

Julie took her away from everyone else into the bushes for her to do her business in a shallow hole. After they finished the ground looked disturbed and a little mound remained.

Cara looked concerned at Julie and said in her cute and concerned voice, “what if someone thinks it is treasure?” We later shared that story around the campfire and everyone had a very good laugh!

The next morning we stopped at Delicate Arch. We didn't have time to do the big hike up to it so some of us did the shorter hike to the viewpoint. So I (Rob) look completely fat here due to all the horrible food I was eating on a project in Central Utah both before and after the trip. Oy. Anyway, I love to hike, I love it, and to go a little farther than the rest of the group and my oldest kiddo was very cool. Nate and I both had our cameras and got some nice, albeit distant, pictures together with Delicate Arch. What a marvel!

While taking photos of the arch Nate asked *if this was the most famous arch in the world* and I told him that yes indeed. He was so excited about this and was amped up to tell his friends about it. I was happy to have been with him to experience the most famous arch in the world.

Our last walk was to Sand Dune Arch. This was a really fun place for the kids to play in the sand. In the heat of the afternoon this area provides ample shade. We had a blast climbing around on the rocks, playing in the sand, and relaxing. There are very few arches that allow hiking up onto the arch. The boys took the opportunity to figure out the way up. It was just challenging enough for the older boys to feel triumphant for making it up there. Can't recommend this hike more for kids in the hot afternoon.

Madeleine figured out the next great sport while we were trying to take a family picture up in a ledge about 6 to 7 feet off the ground. Before I could help all the kids up on to the ledge, Caroline (a month short of 4 years old) proclaimed that she needed to pee. 

Upon returning from the restroom. We were informed that Madi had fallen off the ledge! She was OK and even excited about the fall into the loose sand. Both she and Nate were now jumping with purpose off the ledge despite our encouragement not to do so. Madi was very popular with her brother and cousins over this discovery. Oy. At least no one was hurt. 

We only had time to drive through the Windows section of the park but it looked pretty awesome. We'll spend more time there next time we go. 

And that concludes our trip to Arches. (See part 1 here). It was a marvelous three days. I (Rob) can't express my gratitude to live so near to wonderful national parks. Also, I'm so thankful for Julie; she figures our these short amazing trips that everyone in the family enjoys. It is truly a treasure for us. It also represented a short break from a long dam project I'd be working on all month in Central Utah. 

Day Trip: Utah Olympic Park

Last month we journeyed to Park City to see some snow and part of a ski jump competition that was taking place at the Utah Olympic Park. 

Cara sliding down the hill in her snowsuit. Click to see the video.

We enjoyed our snow day together.

Arches NP: 1 of 2

Last September we went to Arches National Park with Rob's parents and his sister and her family. We had a really wonderful time! Give my kids the choice between Disneyland and camping in a national park and they'd have to think about it.

(Side note: As I went through our pictures I realized we don't have any of Rob on our first day. We need to be more mindful of taking turns with the camera.)

We drove down to Moab and met for lunch before heading into the park. After learning all about the park's geology at the visitor's center and on the way to the campground we had a couple of stops.

The first was Wall Street. So awesome. We played in the area for a while.

Rob's parents bought the kids water bottles that also spray. They were a huge hit the whole weekend.

Next stop was Balancing Rock.

There were lots of cairns built all around (for display not use) and we added to the bunch.

We got to our campsite, Devil's Garden group site, which is easily the best campsite in the park (or central Utah). It was huge and private and beautiful. On two sides are huge red rock outcroppings and behind us was open land.

After it got dark we took a night walk and explored with our flashlights.

The next morning kids climbed and climbed and climbed.

It's hard to tell but where the kids are walking is high above our campground. Note the tops of the trees at the bottom of the picture.

I also climbed up and did some yoga in the morning sunshine.

After this we were off to do some hiking and river rafting. To be continued...

Madeleine's Randomness

Here's what she has been up to lately.

A couple months ago she finished her very first chapter book all on her own. Have you read these Junie B. Jones books? I love them. So funny.

She has started a new hobby...writing music! Rob is so excited for this. She will jot down her lyrics and then ask Rob to record her. It's precious but the thing is...all her songs are so depressing! It's funny because she is the opposite of depressed in real life. Click on the black boxes below to hear her singing them. Believe me, you'll want to.

After she bathes we usually put her hair up in a bun. She says it makes her look like Mulan.

She started ice skating lessons and loves them. Well, to be honest she loved the first two lessons. After that she said she had learned everything she needed to and didn't feel like she needed to finish her 6-week session. Too bad, she's finishing it anyway. Click on the pic or here to see the video.

She beat everyone at bowling on Christmas Eve.

She is a bright star in our family. We love Madeleine!

Nate's 9th Birthday

Hi There!

Late last year Nate had another birthday (can’t believe it). He really wanted a scooter so we grabbed him one and he really loves it. Nate chose to take a car load of friends to classic skating for his party. Nate and his friends had a blast; they scootered, laser tagged, blast zoned, ate some really gross pizza, and had a great time.

A few days later we got together with family and Nate’s cousins. It was cold outside so we had everyone over to the church with their scooters, bouncy balls, and a pile of plastic cups. Check out this video that I made of the festivities. Fast forward to the end if you just want to see all the kids fly through the stacked cups in slow motion. Link in case you can’t see the video.

So what is Nate up to these days? Nate is participating in the knowledge bowl at school. Nate has spent a lot of time on this. In the fall his group met once per week after school. This year he has been meeting with his group twice per week and will be for the next several weeks. This is a considerable amount of effort for a 8–9 year old and we are incredibly proud of him.

Nate is learning to snowboard this year. We hit the sledding hill to get started. Lately, I’ve taken him up to the Bird. Once we just rode the magic carpet and last time we hit the bunny hill for a few runs. Nate is improving quickly. I think after the next time he’ll be turning both ways like a champ. Here’s to his continued success.

Other things he’s got going on? He recently wrote an essay (for school) about what it means to be a good friend. One of the first things he suggested is that a good friend should be able to play a lot. In that spirit Nate is huge on his play time. Lego, scooter, minecraft, nova, science, and space. This kid loves to have fun. And we love him so much.

A Few Things You May Not Know About Me (But Maybe You Do)

Following the precedence of a fellow blogger, here's a list of a few things you may not know about me (but maybe you do).

1- The book genre that I tend to read most are historical memoirs, specifically 1890s-1960s. I also like to read about wars and geography and pretty much anything non-fiction, really. I've never read anything sci-fi or religious fiction and I've only read one young adult (other than classics). I have read the entire standard works including the bible dictionary.

2- I get neck and head and face aches almost every day from my slightly protruding neck, underdeveloped lower jaw, and large overbite.

3- I get bored. So bored. So much. But I'm very finicky with how I want to cure my boredom, just anything won't do. The activity has to pass a very strict and lengthy vetting process.

4- I don't understand why people pay to run (5ks, marathons). I'm not sure why running for free isn't as cool as paying to run. Rob has tried to explain it to me but I just can't wrap my brain around the idea.

5- While I'm on the subject, I don't understand why yoga studios and yoga clothes cost so darn much. I can bend just as well in my $3 rec center class as the $12 studio class. I can bend just as well in my $15 leggings vs $80 leggings. Besides, isn't all the exclusivity against the very core of the yoga philosophy?

6- I have a savory & sweet palate. I love me some meat and potatoes. I love me some treats. I have a much harder time with fruit (so tart!) and vegetables (so bitter!). I've gotten much more well-rounded as I've gotten older but it's taken time and practice.

7- When I go to sleep I have to have my covers up over my shoulders but they cannot touch my neck. If they do I feel like I'm being strangled.

8- I'm entirely unhappy with the amount of travel I've done. It's very unsatisfactory. As soon as I go back to work all my paychecks will go toward funding my dream adventures.

9- Before having kids I relished and was good at focusing on one thing for a very long time. Now, I'm so used to constant interruption, that even when no one is bothering me I find myself having to stop and take frequent breaks from whatever I'm doing.

10- I'm really, really bad at drawing. I should take a class.

11- I have an amazing memory. There are a few random exceptions where I forget something I was going to say or do but I remember so many very specific details of my entire life. I remember a few things from when I was two years old and pretty much everything ever since. I get my recall memory from my dad who also remembers back to when he was 2 and from my Grandma Allred who swears she can remember back to when she was 6 weeks old.


Well, that's all folks. I'd love to learn more random things about you!!