Mother's Day weekend

We kicked off the summer early with our traditional warm weather excursion to southern Utah over Mother's Day weekend. Marty and I are always looking for new places to explore right here in our own backyard. Utah is a hikers paradise and, although our two younger ones still need to be carried after a mile or two, our family of five is always up for the challenge of discovering new trails through breathtaking landscapes. Our first stop took us through the idyllic town of Torrey where we glimpsed the first vistas of majestic red rock beauty. We continued on into Capitol Reef National Park.

 Here we enjoyed an easy hike along the Grand Wash trail - a twisting canyon complete with sheer walls, narrows and eroded rock formations. My mother and my sister, Ashley, and her husband joined us on this particular trip and we were all in awe of nature's creations. We didn't get to spend too much time in the park but we will definitely be back. This place is what I'd consider a hidden gem. So many areas to explore and we loved that it wasn't crowded like some of the bigger parks in the area.

Our travels continued the next day with a sentimental journey to Escalante and Lower Calf Creek Falls. My mother and I have fond memories of this area. Many, many years ago, when my family lived in Salt Lake City; and my father was a professor at the University of Utah, we rented an RV and joined other faculty members and their families for an unforgettable camping experience. My mother was determined to, once again, hike the sandy 5.5 mile round-trip trail to the waterfall and she did it, like a woman-on-a-mission, in just a pair of CROC sandals! We were all rewarded by the grandeur of an awe-inspiring waterfall at the journey's end. 

Our last day was spent among the unique "hoodoo" formations of Bryce Canyon. We hiked down from Sunrise Point and ventured along the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trail. What an amazing perspective to witness the spires, fins and arches from below.  It was quite the hike back up to Sunset Point, especially with little kids-in-tow, but it was well worth the effort.

Noah, our oldest, has become a terrific hiker! He willingly goes wherever we go and is usually leading the pack. Isabella, on the other hand, would rather sit in a backpack carrier (meant for her brother) than use her own two feet but she's getting alot better. She was DONE with hiking by the last day but she handled it like a trooper! And Jonah, our youngest, has definitely expressed a love of hiking. Yay! As with all little boys, he loves to do everything on his own and that ends up slowing the pace quite a bit but it's so worth it to see him enjoying himself.