2009 Hale Vacation in Southern Utah

What a fun trip we had this year with Grandma and Grandpa Hale and cousins! We went down to Lydia's Canyon and stayed in a cabin/house from July 14-21. It was a great place!

On the first day we drove down in caravan style with the Naluai's and Grandpa and Grandma Hale. We stopped at Cove Fort on the way down and toured the historic fort. We even got to play pioneer games. It was a fun stop.

On the second day we went to Escalante. We hiked some of the slot canyons. They were beautiful! We had a picnic by a cute stream. The weather was warm so the kids enjoyed playing in the water. Kendra really got into it. She took off her pants and sat in the water with only her underwear. What else could a 2 yr old ask for and not get in trouble :) It was so cute to see her in complete bliss! Blake and Keawe built a dam with some big rocks...such a man thing to do :). The hike was great with a little stream running throughout. We found some BIG BIG beetles along the way...good thing their not up here in Ogden! Later that night at the house we played games and filled up on junk food...yum yum!

On our third day we ventured to Zions National Park. The weather was warm but all the trails were mostly in shade so it helped tremendously! Especially with babies on your back! We hiked to upper and middle Emerald Pools and Weeping Rock. The kids had a blast with all the water to play in throughout the hikes not to mention a big pool at upper Emerald Pools to dive into...which is exactly what they did! Kendra and Trisha were in heaven being able to play in the water again in there clothes and it being okay :) We some well deserved ice cream at the Zion's Lodge in between hikes. YUMMY! Nothing like nice COLD ice cream on a HOT day! Pretty sure our heads sunk in a little deeper in our pillows that night.

On the fourth day we took a little rest from hikes and visited local sites. We went to The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We only visited the bird section. It was fascinating. The birds were beautiful and fun. Some could talk. Some just mimicked. Some sang. Some just perched. But it was fun and informative. We then headed to Kanab and visited a fun "movie set" for small town movies I think? Then we visited an old Queen Ann home in Kanab called The Heritage House. It was fun to see the great architecture and antique items in the house. It housed a polygamous family in the early 1900's. We then headed home (past the sheriff vehicle with a dummy in it...He He) and played games again with a little more energy since we didn't do any hikes.

On Saturday the fifth day we headed back to Zion's Nation Park. We left a little later cause Brian and April had run a half marathon in Bryce Canyon that morning. Good for them!!! We headed to the Narrows. Another day in the water...what heaven! all the kids are thinking :)... Grandma stayed back at the river shore and watched the wee ones Trisha and Annie Jane. Brian and April took Grace and Trevor a little ways and then just let them play in the water. The rest of us trekked on through. It was a lot harder then I remember...but I was a kid then and nothing was hard then :) It got deep at some points and the older kids made sure they swam through it. It was spectacular in views and water falls and just the color of the rock. Thanks to the men for helping the kids because us girls had to help each other! :) The canyon was a cool 86 degrees even though it was well into the upper 90's outside of the narrows canyon. It felt good! It was a fun and tiring day!

On Sunday we had a good day of a little R & R. Brian and Aprils family had to leave so Brian could be to work the next day :( It was fun to have them there! Before they left we all gathered together for some family pictures. We missed Greg but we were all there. It was great! We then attended church in the small town of Glendale. After we made the small drive to Crystal Falls. It was pretty! We had good cool weather and great views.

One night durring the vacation we were playing cards. April was going in and out of the house. Well one of her trips back into the house she let in a very unwelcome guest! Out of the corner of my eye I see something fly in. I knew without seeing it right away it was not a moth! I screamed to my mom that something had flown in and was by her feet. She looked down and screamed and jumped as it flew up near her and landed on the kitchen curtain. Dad caught the GINORMOUS beetle in a plastic container and we all marveled at it. It was HUGE!!! YUCK!!!

On our last day we trekked to Bryce Canyon. It was great weather! Cool, rainy but very spotty, and sunny. We went to most lookout's and hiked the Navajo loop. Kendra and Trisha stayed behind with Grandpa and Grandma Hale. They did their own little site seeing while we hiked. The hike seemed a little more vigorous, but I think it felt that way after lots of other hikes this whole trip. I don't know if I could have done it with Trisha on my back. I was a beautiful hike though! It was amazing and awing to see big tree's way down in the sand stone figures. They grew so tall and straight! Such fun rock! After we ventured to Navajo lake and looked out. So pretty and calming. Laura and Keawe's family traveled to St. George and took their kids to church history sites. That would have been fun to see as well...never enough time.

We headed home on Tuesday. It was a bitter sweet leave. It's never fun to leave fun times! But it's good to go home and dream of the next vacation!!! We had to go home and pack up our house so we could move the next week from Logan to Harrisville.

I'm grateful for the time we have to spend with family especially in such a beautiful country. How could you ever question the Maker of this beautiful land we live in! Thank you to all my family for making it such a fun and memorable time. I love you Blake! Thank you for the great teamwork in hiking :) Can't wait till next vacation!!!!!!!!!!!