Saturday Exploring: Zion National Park

Ryder was the only one excited about going hiking at Zion. Dave worried about the weather, Reganne & Rylee worried that it would be to cold, and I worried that I mixed the dates up and it wasn't a free day. Much to everyone's surprise the day turned out nice and you only needed a jacket. We also discovered that the kids have never been here. The last time we came was in 1994 on our first trip to Southern Utah.

Our first stop was at the park museam to look at displays and watch a quick movie about the park. Then we were off to explore. The falls colors were bursting around us.

Museum

The only one excited was Ryder.

We tried to find an easy hike for everyone. Emerald Pools was supposed to be the best one. It was perfect for us and about 100 other people.

This was perfect stop for a fall picture and collecting leaves.

Water Falls at the Emerald Pool

You can even walk under it.

Reganne was all for it, Ryder wasn't sure, and Rylee said no way she wasn't getting wet.

The Pool

Come on Ryder it's ok.

He was walking with his pants hiked up not to get wet. However, the water was coming from above not below. People around us were chuckling at him.

Another picture perfect spot. Smiles all around now. Could be we were headed dow the trail.

Mom's turn for a picture.

Wow!

Double Wow!

Time to stop exploring and eat lunch. We stopped at Wildcat Willie's very expensive and not very good.

The trip was successful they all fell asleep on the way home.

Were can we explore next month........

Saturday Exploring: Ghost Town of Grafton

This was Dave's weekend off and we were without plans or activities. It was Free National Park Day what better time to explore our neck of the woods. The weather promised to be cool with a 20% chance of rain. We set off with jackets.

First stop was the Ghost Town of Grafton.

Check out this house. Yuck there is a dead bird in one of the rooms.

Let me see!!!

Are there really ghosts?

The church / schoolhouse

Like Little House on the Prairie

What next??

The cemetary

What are the mounds?

A quick stop to the cemetary and checking out the names & dates on a few tombstones. Ryder asked why they planted flowers on the mounds. We tried to explain. However, his response was. So you die, they bury you, and plant flowers in you.

Time to get back in the monster truck and check out more things.

Exploring Warner Valley

Last weekend when Grandma JeanAnn & Grandpa Chris came for a visit the weather was perfect. Dave decided after dinner that we needed to go exploring so off we went towards Warner Valley and the dinosaur tracks.

Official Marker

Footprint discovered by Rylee.

Wow! Look how big they are.

Grandpa Chris & Ryder explored together.

It was a fun adventure for a spring night. Ryder loved it that he and grandpa discovered dinosaur poop.