WE MET JOHNNY DEPP!!!

Just kidding about meeting Johnny Depp.  We headed to Canyonlands National Park today to ring in the 4th.  We arrived at the park around 9am and it was deserted.  For the first few hours it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.  It was overcast today during our hikes which made for a very jovial and active Odelia.  She frolicked and explored without a thought to the heat (yes, it was still hot).  Our first hike in Canyonlands took us up to an arch that overlooked a canyon.  Mark and Milo made it up there first with plenty of time for taking pictures and exploring.  Odelia and I meandered, backtracking to the potty and then really focusing on our Junior Ranger mission, which was finding litter on the trail.  We arrived at the arch and I immediately freaked about the drop off.  I couldn't let the kids get within 5 feet of the edge and I made sure one of us had a hand on Odelia at all times.  It wasn't a relaxing destination but certainly beautiful.  We hiked another short trail where the kids got to play and climb without fear of plummeting over a cliff.  Both kids earned their Junior Ranger pins at Canyonlands today.  They had to do a series of activities and then speak to a ranger.  It was serious business!  The ranger spent about 10 minutes with them going through their workbooks and talking to them about the park.  They were delighted to walk away with Junior Ranger badges.  We are leaving tomorrow at 4am for a LOOOOOOONG drive to Des Moines to visit my sister and Benjamin.  Big Trip 2012 is coming to an end and I notice my husband already has an excel spreadsheet started for Big Trip 2013.  It's like an addict looking for his next fix.  

Here is the beautiful arch with the gigantic canyon right below it.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

I was NOT here for this picture otherwise you would have seen my  hand death-gripping his ankle.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Last family picture of Big Trip 2012
Canyonlands National Park, UT

She was a live wire today which didn't mix well with the very large canyon below us.  Mark had a firm grip on her.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Jump!
Whale Rock Trail
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Mark does a handstand on top of a rock.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

At the top!
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Love this kid.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Milo is doing the Corpse pose from yoga.  He says, "We should change the name of this pose to the peace pose."
Good thought, buddy.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Yoga @ Canyonlands National Park, UT
A forest of Trees
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Climbing even higher.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Odelia does the downward dog.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Yoga@  Canyonlands National Park, UT
Odelia strikes a Tree.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

It wouldn't be a day of vacation without her stealing my sunglasses.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Milo does more of his Peace (corpse) pose.
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Hamming it up!
Canyonlands National Park, UT

Finishing up the Junior Ranger packet so he can earn his badge.
Notice his little tongue sticking out.
Canyonlands National Park, UT