Arches National Park 6/7-6/8

On our way to Arches I thought it would be a lot of fun to go to Goblin Valley.  It looked like it was just to the side of Moab, but ended up being a lot more than I expected.  When we got there the kids had a blast running down and through the goblins.  Unfortunately it was a little hot for Buddy Boy; he lasted about an hour.  Munchkin and I went exploring more while Eve took Buddy back to the car for snacks and to try to cool off.  It wasn't really that hot, but there was no breeze and it was the middle of the day.  It would have been perfect if we arrived a little earlier, but we still had a good time.

Also on the way I heard about a ghost town, and thought the kids would love to explore a ghost town.  The town name is Sego.  This was disappointing and the kids weren't too impressed with the Indian writings.  So we quickly started back for Moab.

We finally made it to Moab and we were all tired and hungary.  We ate and let the kids play at one of the parks.  The park (Rotary Park) was awesome!  They had giant musical instruments for the kids to play with.  Our kids love parks and this was a whole new excitement for them.

We then went exploring around Moab and saw more Indian writings, and rock cliffs.  The pictures don't come close to show the height and mass of these rock mountains.

Six months ago is when I started to plan our family trip to Arches.  Shortly after Eve and I were married my family invited the me and her to go with them.   It was a beautiful place and I really wanted to go again.  I figured the kids are old enough now to do a lot of the hikes.  When I went with my family we didn't have enough time to go to Delicate Arch,  so this time we planned on going, then after Delicate Arch do what ever we had enough energy for.  The hike wasn't as strenuous as I was expecting, but there are cliffs that we were afraid the kids might trip or do something we would regret.  I was wishing a got one of those kid leashes for Buddy.  Munchkin, and Eve did incredible.  Eve doesn't like heights and this hike had its moments of them.  We were too nervous to walk around the Arch for the above reason,  so we had some snacks, took some pictures and made our way down.  As we started the way down Buddy said he had to go potty, there were so many people on the trail that we couldn't stop on the side and let him go.  It seemed like a miracle he made it to the bathroom.

Our next stop was Sand Dune Arch.  This is the best place in all of Arches for kids.  The giant rock slabs keep the sand cool.  Lets face it the kids don't really care about seeing arches, and would much rather play in sand.

We then ate lunch and took them to a view point when the kids became agitated.  We started back to the entrance and stopped at Park Ave and me and Munchkin walked down the parkway.  The views here were spectacular.

We then went straight home.  Kids wanted to go back to the hotel and come back, but It was only a two day vacation.  Maybe another time we will get to see more of the Park.~Clay

Temple quarry and Lisa falls 5/28

5/28

Temple quarry is just before the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  The mouth is where Wasatch and little cottonwood connect.  There is a turn off on the south side of the road that has a few parking places.  This is a paved walk with signs that tell about the history of the sight.  The hike goes down to the river.  The kids loved to step on the rocks on the river and enjoy the surroundings, with trees and the sights of the mountains.  It is only about a fourth of a mile of walkway, but the scenery is unbeatable.

2.8 miles up from the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon is another short hike called Lisa Falls.  Park on the north side of the street where there is a side section for parking.  The distance for hike there and back is only a fourth of a mile.  The waterfall is not as impressive as the others.  This one was pretty popular with not a lot of exploring.  The best part was watching people climb up the rock next to the waterfall. ~Clay

Bell's Canyon hike 5/7, 5/13, 6/2

Yep, we've done this hike three times so far this year.  It's a favorite.  The first time I went with my kids and a friend, the one who introduced us to this hike.  Six days later I took the kids with me for Mother's Day.  We didn't want to leave Clay out, so we brought him along with us the 3rd time.  The hike is 0.8 miles one way (I know, we mapped it on our phones while walking), at least the trail we took.  There is another trail that is supposed to be 1/2 mile, but I've heard it's steeper.  The trailhead we took is on 9400 south just east of Wasatch Blvd, just before you enter the mouth of the canyon.  There is a parking lot maybe a block past Wasatch Blvd on the right side of the road.

Above:  View from about halfway up the trail.  Left:  Part of the view from the reservoir.

Gorgeous hike...a little longer than the others we've gone on, but oh, so worth it!!  One of our faves....except when Clay tries sitting on rattlesnakes.  I'm still not over that. :-)

Battle Creek Trail Hike, 5/19

Battle Creek Trail is a fun hike; we really enjoyed it!  I think it's about 1/2 mile each way, and the pathway is really wide.  Essentially you follow the river up to the falls.  It's a really pretty falls.  Dogs are welcome on this hike, and we saw a few.  It was great for our kids!  At the same parking spot, there is an entrance to part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  We wandered on that a bit after the initial hike...it was fun, but hiking up to the falls was definitely the highlight! Go HERE to get directions.

Loved all the butterflies!

Rocky Mouth Trail 4/28

This fun little hike in Sandy was one we did twice...the first time was just Clay and the kids.  They enjoyed it enough to invite me along the second time.
The trailhead is located at 11300 South Wasatch Blvd.  It's a quick, 1/2 mile or so hike.  You park at the trailhead and then go up into a neighborhood to the actual beginning of the hike trail.

Beginning of the trail