(Uncle) Bryce Canyon

(Uncle) Bryce Canyon was exceptional in every way.  We hiked down the canyon on a 1.3 loop mile trail.  About 1/2 way through the hike Milo started getting a little more inquisitive about our hiking plans than usual.  He had scaled all the rocks needed to be a happy 5-year-old boy and now he was ready for some lunch.  I didn't pick up on his questions right away but did wonder what was motoring through that brain of his.  Finally after a few minutes of talking about turning around and being "ready" to head back we caught on.  We've never done a loop trail with them nor does he know what the term loop means so he's a little panicky about how far we've gone and the fact that neither Mark or I are worried about heading back.  We spend the next quarter mile explaining a loop and I think he gets it but his little legs can't take another step.  On Mark's back he goes.  With Odelia on my shoulders we start heading up the steep path.  We instate a no talking rule and both Mark and I silently head up the canyon with an extra 40-50 pounds on our shoulders.  Halfway up we took a break and Mark pleaded with Milo to give walking a try.  Being the utterly compliant and people-pleasing child that he is, he does.  I tell him a story about a trip to Wal-Mart and a sneaky Power Ranger who comes to life as we finish out the hike.  It proves to be just the distraction he needs to finish out the loop.  He was tired, but triumphant, when we get to the top.  I think he'll understand a loop now but not sure if he'll ever trust our trail-picking skills again. 

Yesterday we left Kanab, UT and headed to Moab, UT.  It was a full day in the car with a stop at Capitol Reef National Park for a picnic and apricot-picking.  The park is an abandoned Mormon settlement filled with apricot, apple and cherry orchards.  You can pick the fruit in season, so that we did.  We also visited with a few horses, splashed in a creek and hugged some huge trees.  The park was outstanding.  As many things as I feel our government abuses and misuses, the national park system is a gem that I truly feel serves and educates the masses with a strong eye on maintaining the beauty and ecology of our country.  I am always proud of how pristine and preserved they are and the rangers are always helpful and accommodating. 

We are staying in a 4-plex in Moab that is run by hippies.  Organic coffee, patchouli body wash and more recycling directions than I can wrap my head around in a single reading.  We'll be exploring around here for four days and then heading home.  Tomorrow is an 11 mile canoe trip (downstream). 

No explanation necessary

This has been my favorite stop so far.  It's nothing I have ever seen before and the colors were so amazing.
Bryce Canyon, UT

Bluest skies you could ever imagine.
Bryce Canyon, UT

We begin the loop.  Notice the switchback in the upper right corner of the picture
Bryce Canyon, UT

To the bottom of the canyon
Bryce Canyon, UT

Bryce Canyon, UT

We'll be bringing dust home with us.
Bryce Canyon, UT

Teeny Tiny Milo
Bryce Canyon, UT

Looking up from the bottom of the canyon.
Bryce Canyon, UT

Odelia loved all the rocks and dirt.  She built many rock towers and dirt piles throughout the loop.  She was oblivious to the "loop" discussion.  Only caring about getting on and off Daddy's shoulders for her "dirt/rock breaks".
Bryce Canyon, UT

Milo LOVED climbing around on the rocks.
Bryce Canyon, UT

They found a teeny tiny cave.  They both crawled in and played.
Bryce Canyon, UT

Hunkered down in the cave.
Bryce Canyon, UT

This is about the point where Milo started to really get concerned.  We were out of the shade of the cave and he saw no good point in continuing on if we didn't have rocks to climb.
Bryce Canyon, UT

Loops suck!  Milo fades
Bryce Canyon, UT

As we climbed back up the canyon.
Bryce Canyon, UT

Happy Home Yoga:  Downward Dog
Bryce Canyon, UT

The switchbacks up the canyon that Mark and I carried the kids' up on our  shoulders
Bryce Canyon, UT

That's Mark
Bryce Canyon, UT

Little O.  Loving life.
Bryce Canyon, UT

She is seriously the best hugger, kisser, cuddler, displayer of affection...Here she is telling me that she loves me.
She manages to do this when other travelers are in ear shot.  It always gets her lots of positive attention from middle-aged women.
Bryce Canyon, UT

The town is old, not the uncle
Bryce Canyon, UT

Visiting the horses
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Milo kisses the horse
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

More horse lovin'
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Apricot grove
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

They had these pickers...fun
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Picking apricots
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

The kids loved the ladder.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Eating a sun-soaked apricot.  Mmmmm.....
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Capitol Reef National Park, UT

We found a creek.  Odelia instinctively lifted her dress.  Very Little House on the Prairie of her.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Odelia got so close to this deer we had to tell her to stop.  The deer didn't move.  Just hung out by us, eating grass.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Love these kids.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

It looks like he's hugging a tree but really he's really hanging over a creek.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

We hadn't planned on hiking around hence the skirts and dresses.  It didn't stop Odelia...
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Creek splashing....
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Love this picture.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

This is Milo looking like he's 14.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Again, he just looks so old.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Family picture.  Big, giant, humongous tree.
Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Moab Brewery.  Milo samples ginger ale.
Moab, UT

Milo photographs...
Moab Brewer, Moab, UT

Odelia's first self-portrait.  Many more to come....
Moab, UT

Yup, that says 114 degrees.