Moab, Utah

Living out of state did not give us many opportunities to explore our home stat of Utah to extent we would have liked. We decided that we wanted to get one more trip as a family in before the kids went back to school. I have wanted to see Arches National Park for a long time. We decided we better do it NOW, so off we went!

Moab is gorgeous! The kind of gorgeous that you don't know exists until you are there in person and understand the depth and scale of the plateaus and ridges. Until you stand, or drive next to the sheer drop offs, it is impossible to grasp. Much of Southern Utah is like this. Weeks would be needed to see a good portion of it. Moab is widely known for its harrowing jeep and four wheeling trails. We didn't get the chance to check out the off roading action. Next time!

We hiked to Delicate Arch early in the morning. I have wanted to see this arch in person for a long time. I was so excited to make the hike, even if it meant urging my whiny children along the entire time.  We had to stop in the shade as much as we could to keep their spirits up. On one of our stops, a group of Chinese tourists were also resting. They started asking us if all five children were ours with looks of amusement and surprise on their faces. We chatted for a few minutes, as best we could manage with a language barrier. At random points in our conversation, one person, or another in their hiking party would lift their camera and take pictures of us. I can only imagine the shots they got!
A little taste of the paparazzi!

At about this spot on our hike we came across an elderly couple standing off to the side of the path. We smiled and asked if they were okay. They told us they were just debating weather or not to continue. They had not planned to stop, as they were headed back home to the Midwest, but they decided to make detour through the park, and thought they should see the arch. But, they had NO water! It was HOT! They had already come quit a way for not having water, and they seemed a bit frail. We immediately got water bottles out and gave them each a couple. Another family walked by on the path, and when they saw the water hand off, they stopped as well to make sure everyone would be hydrated. The elderly couple started walking along side us for a while and then told us they would stop for a bit before they most likely would head to the car.
When we reached the arch, we were shocked to look back a while later and see the couple come around the corner into the view of the arch! They made it! Del went over and took a picture for them to document their visit. I told my kids to buck up and stop the complaining after seeing that couple make the effort to reach the arch!

We heard about a waterfall near the condo we stayed in, and Del was determined to find it! The road was pretty washed out, and I was a white knuckled nervous Nelly, but we found it! Wally took a picture of us while we were out of the car checking out the road to be sure we would make it in our car. The sketchy part was obviously in front of us.

The kids were so excited to see this thing after our driving around looking for it!

It was cold!!

 We went to church in a nice Moab ward on Sunday morning. The kids told me it was too bright for pictures that day. Oh, but I made them persevere!

We drove out to Dead Horse Point. If the views and vistas don't get you the  mystery and tragedy of the tale of cowboys leaving wild horses barricaded to die on this point will!

The drops here were steep and I was nervous having the kids roaming around.

We took the kids to the pool after our hike. We thought we would stay for a couple of hours and they would be done and ready to go. Four and a half hours later, and we were dragging them out of there! They LOVED it! They found lots of kids to play with, and didn't stop for even a second while we were there. It was the highlight of the trip for them. I can't decide if that is sad or not. The most memorable thing about most trips for them right now is the pool. I hope one day other memories from these adventures take front and center!

Lydie is a water baby! She has no problem sticking her face in the water and we have to watch her in the tub because she wants her head under the running tap. She was determined to get in this pool, so we had to go buy a swim diaper for her so she could take a dip, since we hadn't originally planned on having her swim.

Happy pool baby!

More Dead Horse Point. These photos are out of order, but I'm lucky I'm getting a post up at all!
We were all glad to head home and get ready for the new school year! It is always nice to know that this beautiful landscape is just a few hours down the road!