We decided to start our summer vacation a little early this year. I had a few vacation days left to use and Blake had several days off from work--so we packed up and off we went! I was really worried about how the kids would do on such a long car ride (almost 6 hours), but they were troopers! Plenty of snacks and some toys in the backseat kept them busy and entertained. We didn't even have to break out the DVD player--yep, we traveled the old fashioned way!
As soon as we got there, we unloaded our stuff and hit the pool!
We went for a walk that night and found a trail along the river that led to a great playground
The kids were tuckered out and slept in the next day. They were spoiled and got to watch TV shows in the morning. We don't subscribe to any cable/satellite/local TV channels so this was a big treat!
We went for a drive after breakfast and did some shopping. Then, after lunch, Blake stayed home with Porter so he could nap and I spent the afternoon with Brooke at the pool.
The next day was our big day at Zion's National Park. Blake and I had only briefly been there several years ago in the winter, so we were excited to go back.
By far, Porter's favorite part of the whole day was getting to ride the bus.
Starting our first hike:
The kids loved getting wet. It was a great reward after walking almost a mile to the falls. Even though we brought the backpack for Porter to ride in, he walked most of the day and only rode in it when the trail was too steep or technical for him.
After the lower falls, we kept climbing up and up to the middle falls and then to the upper falls.
A rattlesnake we saw along the way
Porter at the upper falls.
Hiking back down:
Finished our first trail--the kids probably walked around 2 miles. Porter was a little grumpy on the walk back, but I kept promising him another bus ride at the end and that kept him motivated.
Our second hike was to weeping rock--another hike that involved water and the kids getting wet. They loved it.
On our third hike, we encoutered some very tame squirrels. The kids loved spotting them all over and Porter especially loved chasing them.
We spotted this lizard on the way back to the car. Blake and I figured that the kids probably walked 3-4 miles during the day. They were such good sports about it being hot and their legs tired.
After our long day at Zion's, we were treated to dinner by Blake's grandma who lives down the street from where we were staying. We love seeing her and I am always glad that our kids get to interact with their great-grandma.
Another day was spent lounging by the pool. We needed it after all the hiking we did the day before! And of course we had to visit the park again.
We had such a great trip and are definitely planning on visiting St. George again. It was the perfect vaction for our family.
