Utah- Day 4- Afternoon

 

I think we may all agree that our Hummer Ride experience was our favorite part of the trip.  A kid described it as a long roller coaster ride off the tracks! 

We had an adventurous tour guide who had me shrieking and gasping a couple of times.  I was so thankful that we had done this AFTER the day we did our self-guided off-roading or Jon would have gotten some crazy ideas! 

Our guide, who seemed very daring, kept telling us to be very careful when he posed us for these pictures.  He didn't have to tell me twice.  My legs were shaking as we stood too close to the edge for my liking.  But- he did get some good shots! 

WWWWEEEEEEEEEE!!!

We ended the day by checking out the Colorado River.  Fun day!

Utah- Day 4 Morning

This day was jam packed!  We started early and visited Dead Horse Point.  Spectacular! 

From there, we headed to Canyonlands National Park.  Some of the views behind the arches left me repeatedly saying, "Be careful kids!"  They knew, they knew (eye roll).  They are growing up on me.  At 8, 11, and 13, they really are at such fun ages.  We are out of the cute baby stage, but they can actually all do things now, and we enjoy one another's company. We had good conversations on the trip, and everyone got along so well.  (Minus Day 8...but that was just our last long day on the road and that doesn't count!) 

 And then we headed onto Moab for our favorite trip adventure...

Utah- Day 3

We explored Capital Reef National Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon on our third day in Utah. 

Don't step on the lizard!  AHH!

A park ranger warned of flash floods in the slot canyons that afternoon and advised against trying to hike them.  We started in, but turned around when it started to sprinkle.  Yikes!   

We would all enjoy returning to this spot again another time to hike the slot canyons.  Our brief time there left us wanting more. 

And finally, the highlight everytime...the hotel pool! 

Utah- Day 2

Bryce Canyon was BEAUTIFUL!  We all enjoyed this day of hiking and exploring this incredible park.  The weather was perfect, and the views were spectacular. 

PEEK-A-BOO!

Despite being late June, it was on the chilly side.  Perfect hiking weather, but swimming was questionable. Some sat lounging by the pool in their fleece jackets, while others took the plunge! 

In the picture below, Natalie was entertaining us with some singing and dancing.  Surprisingly, this was NOT the hotel where the management knocked on our door and told us to keep it down.  Yikes!!  That was a first for all of us which ironically caused us uncontrollable laughter afterwards. 

 

Utah- Day 1

 

After a couple of long travel days, we arrived at our first destination- The Paiute Trail.  We started out early and rented an ATV from Lizzie and Charlie's ATV Park where we met Lizzie and Charlie themselves!  We think Charlie had beer for breakfast.  Eek!  They were nice though, got us set up with a vehicle, and sent us on our way.  

Jon had a childish grin as he drove and truly loved driving the ATV.

I was told that this trail is so long that people can spend days on it and still not cover all of the ground.  By hour 6, I was convinced that Jon was attempting to travel all 250 miles in one day!  The dust, cold air, and sharp turns were not mentioned in the brochure.  I took one for the team however, and kept my complaining to a minimum.  At least that's how I remember it!;) 

We had to brake a few times for cows which ended up being the highlight for Kate! 

 

I took a picture by the sign when we finished to document the occasion.  (And to make sure that my memory doesn't fail me lest I get talked into returning to Lizzie & Charlie's ATV Park again!)  It was quite an experience to say the least!