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!

 

Pool-time and Play-time

What a whirlwind of a week!  We had swim lessons in the mornings and music camp in the afternoons.  The girls were sad to see the week come to an end and had a great time!

 

Natalie loved playing the role of "Marisa" in the church play.  She thought it was cool that she got to wear a headset microphone!  She made so many memories with friends- old and new!

Kate had two roles in the play.  She was a backup dancer for a pop-star singer (hints the sparkly shirt). 

 

Kate was also a friendly bear!  The girls thought this was the greatest because despite the other campers being scared of the bear, Marisa wasn't scared at all.  The girls embraced in the final scene and did the dance to the last song.  Loved it!