We are so excited to be back in Utah where we are surround by the great outdoors and adventure is waiting around every corner. This summer we tried to take advantage of every opportunity we had to revisit some of our favorite spots as well as cross a whole bunch of new places off our bucket list. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring Break in Zion National Park
We started off the season by taking a trip down to the Zion house with some of Scott's family over Spring Break. My mom came along and it was so nice having an extra set of helping hands. We ventured into the park to meet up with our friends, the Glahns, and do some hiking. We decided to do the Emerald Pools hike since it is a good one for all different levels. We were a little worried about the weather because it had been rainy all week. It turned out to be perfect hiking weather - a little bit overcast and not too hot or cold. Things didn't go quite as planned when we met up with the Glahn's at the shuttles. They got there before us and were further up in line. We didn't feel like it was fair for our group of 20 people to cut to the front of the line with them so we went to the back of the line and told them we would meet them at the Emerald Pools hike. Mason and Brynn jumped up in line with Daniel and Maggie so they could hang out on the shuttle. We took the shuttle to the stop for Emerald Pools which had been closed until the day before, but was now open. We looked all around for the Glahn's but couldn't find them anywhere. We began to wonder if they had started the hike already. With no cell service we had no way to contact them so eventually we decided to start the hike and see if we could catch up to them. We made it all the way to the top pool with no signs of them anywhere. We had no idea where they, along with Mason and Brynn, were. Just as we were getting ready to head back, their group showed up coming from the opposite direction. Turns out their shuttle had said that the Emerald Pools stop was still closed and that they had to go to the next stop and hike the Grotto to get to Emerald pools. They had waited around for quite awhile and when it became apparent we weren't on any of the shuttles they started hiking on their own, figuring we would meet up somewhere along the way. We all got a good laugh out of how debilitating it was not having our phones functional. We all hiked back together and had a great time.
Picnic Dinner at Big Springs
Back when we were first married and Scott's parents still lived in Orem, we used to go up Provo Canyon to big spring parks and have picnic dinners and play around on the field. When some of Scott's family was in town we decided to revisit one of our favorite places together. We had a blast playing games and eating dinner together.
Back when we were first married and Scott's parents still lived in Orem, we used to go up Provo Canyon to big spring parks and have picnic dinners and play around on the field. When some of Scott's family was in town we decided to revisit one of our favorite places together. We had a blast playing games and eating dinner together.
Lisa Falls
The kids and I joined Stacie and one of her friends on a hike to Lisa Falls in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The hike was a short half mile or so but was steep and boulder filled terrain that made it fun for the kids. Once we reached the falls we hung out and played in the water for a couple hours. Driving home the kids all agreed being back in Utah this summer has been pretty awesome
The kids and I joined Stacie and one of her friends on a hike to Lisa Falls in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The hike was a short half mile or so but was steep and boulder filled terrain that made it fun for the kids. Once we reached the falls we hung out and played in the water for a couple hours. Driving home the kids all agreed being back in Utah this summer has been pretty awesome
Springville Reservoir
Marie and I took the kids to the Springville reservoir to beat the heat. The kids absolutely loved rowing around in the raft and Ryan loved playing in the sand and water.
Lake Hill
Scott took the big kids on a camping trip to Lake Hill with his mom. There was a lot of fishing kayaking, hiking, off roading in the car, and a lot of excitement about sleeping in a tent. We we worried that Ryan was at the perfectly wrong age and it was going to be a disaster taking him. So when my Grandma fell and broke her back the day before I decided it was best for me to stay home with Ryan and be available to help my family. I am so glad my kids got to make all these fun memories but I'm sad I wasn't able to be there for them. Maybe next year.
Marie and I took the kids to the Springville reservoir to beat the heat. The kids absolutely loved rowing around in the raft and Ryan loved playing in the sand and water.
Lake Hill
Scott took the big kids on a camping trip to Lake Hill with his mom. There was a lot of fishing kayaking, hiking, off roading in the car, and a lot of excitement about sleeping in a tent. We we worried that Ryan was at the perfectly wrong age and it was going to be a disaster taking him. So when my Grandma fell and broke her back the day before I decided it was best for me to stay home with Ryan and be available to help my family. I am so glad my kids got to make all these fun memories but I'm sad I wasn't able to be there for them. Maybe next year.
Silver Lake
Whenever Steve and Jenna come up to Utah the boys always plan several mountain biking and golf outings while Jenna and I entertain the kids. This time we decided we deserved to sneak away for a little girls' adventure. Along with Jenna's friend Jessica we hiked up to Silver Lake. It was a stunningly beautiful hike even if it did start pouring rain as soon as we made it to the lake. With the freezing cold rain pelting us we didn't stay long but turned around and booked it down the mountain. It was one of my favorite hikes I've done and I can't wait to go back and do it again when I can enjoy the destination a little more.
Whenever Steve and Jenna come up to Utah the boys always plan several mountain biking and golf outings while Jenna and I entertain the kids. This time we decided we deserved to sneak away for a little girls' adventure. Along with Jenna's friend Jessica we hiked up to Silver Lake. It was a stunningly beautiful hike even if it did start pouring rain as soon as we made it to the lake. With the freezing cold rain pelting us we didn't stay long but turned around and booked it down the mountain. It was one of my favorite hikes I've done and I can't wait to go back and do it again when I can enjoy the destination a little more.
Mountain Biking in AF Canyon
Alpine Summit Ridge Trail
Lambert Park in Alpine
Backpacking to East Shingle Creek
My parents took Mason and Daniel backpacking in the Uintas to East Shingle Lake. It was everything he dreamed his first backpacking trip would be and I don't think we will ever have any problem getting him to sign up for more adventures like this in the future.
Timpanogas Cave
Hiking to Timpanogas Cave has been on my bucket list for years. You have to make reservations a couple weeks in advance and wouldn't you know the day of our reservations Brynn was sick with a stomach bug. So Grandma volunteered to come stay with her and Ryan while Scott and I took the big boys. We had a great time!! The hike was pretty strenuous for Miles but he did it. Mason was completely fascinated by the cave tour. Miles thought the caves were cold and boring but thought it was worth the hike to get the shake we bribed him with after.
Hiking to Timpanogas Cave has been on my bucket list for years. You have to make reservations a couple weeks in advance and wouldn't you know the day of our reservations Brynn was sick with a stomach bug. So Grandma volunteered to come stay with her and Ryan while Scott and I took the big boys. We had a great time!! The hike was pretty strenuous for Miles but he did it. Mason was completely fascinated by the cave tour. Miles thought the caves were cold and boring but thought it was worth the hike to get the shake we bribed him with after.
S'mores up AF canyon
We closed out the season by going up AF canyon for a picnic dinner and smore's over a fire. The big kids had fun learning how to start a fire with Scott while 100% of my attention and energy was on keeping Ryan out of the fire, river, or canyon road. It was another great - although cold - night.
We closed out the season by going up AF canyon for a picnic dinner and smore's over a fire. The big kids had fun learning how to start a fire with Scott while 100% of my attention and energy was on keeping Ryan out of the fire, river, or canyon road. It was another great - although cold - night.
