Horseshoe Bend then up to Bryce

June 30, 2013: this morning after breakfast we did a short hike to Horseshoe Bend just a few miles south of Page, AZ. It is 3/4 of a mile to a lookout over an amazing section of the Colorado river. Here the river did not continue to carve its way through the sandstone in the typical fashion but rather took a wide turn before continuing on, leaving the rocks cared out and the river running sound it in the shape of a horseshoe. It really is neat to see. It was very hot and we took the kids back to the motel to swim and have lunch then we packed up and hit the road. It actually rained for a few minutes during the drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. The wind blew so strongly, we even saw a few tumble weeds roll across the roads. Everyone had nice long naps as we drove to Bryce and we were greeted with temperatures almost 25-30 degrees lower than what we left in Page. We were surprised to find a tent site still available when we drove in after 5pm. We set up camp, made dinner then went to sunset point to see the sunset, how cliche! This was our first glimpse of what Bryce has to offer and has us excited for tomorrow's hikes. Julia wiped out and got bloody knees, ankles and elbows. And molly is running a fever, but we are all fine. We are so happy to be sleeping in this nice cool weather!

Antelope Canyon

June 29, 2013: this morning we drove out to Lower Antelope Canyon to see a famous slot canyon. These canyons are on Navajo land and all the guides are Native Americans. We were in the first group to go down at 8:20. The time zones are funny here in Page, AZ. They are in MST but they do not observe daylight savings so suddenly you are an hour off. Then if you drive to Lake Powell for a swim you change time zones again. It's all confusing. Anyways, we have seen so many pictures of Antelope canyon before going into it and it did not disappoint. The narrow passage through the beautifully eroded sand stone was so gorgeous. We couldn't stop taking pictures. The tour was about 90 minutes and we came back to our motel, The Page Boy, for a swim and lunch and naps. After naps we drove down to Lake Powell for a swim. It is amazing how quickly a swim can make you forget that it is 107 degrees. We came back for showers and had a birthday party for Molly. Pizza and Minnie Mouse cupcakes ( or cup-capes as Molly calls them). Afterwards James and the girls sat outside in the motel's courtyard area and listened to 4 Germans playing instruments. They sang Happy Birthday to Molly. 

Aches National Park

June 25-28, 2013: the kids had a great sleep by the Colorado river. We woke up early and headed into the park to hike to Delicate Arch, a 3 mile round trip hike. We hit the trail around 7:30am. Caseybhas done an amazing job hiking every step of the way. There was some trail and mostly slick rock hiking which is fun. The arch is really outstanding at the top. We played around at the top checking out the views all around for about an hour and taking in lots of water and snacks. It was in the 70s when we started and getting into the 90s when we got back to our car around 10:45. We went to the visitors center so the kids could get their junior park ranger workbooks and learn a bit about the area. We tried nap time in the tent which was shaded but still very hot. After naps we went swimming in a pool and had dinner in town. We had to keep the kids out of the sun, as it was about 105 degrees. Later on, around 7:30pm we headed back into the park and did another, shorter hike to Windows arches. It is so beautiful in the park in the early mornings and evenings. We had a great sleep and woke up and did it all over again the next day. We got to the trail early and set out for Landscape arch and Double O arch. This was a really cool hike, walking along slick rock and on the tops of "fins", the narrow rock ridges. The kids were exhausted, Molly fell asleep in the back pack on my back and Julia fell asleep with James carrying her. Casey soldiered on and made it all the way. We got back to the car around noon and it was almost 100. We went into Moab for lunch and bought a bunch of life jackets and tubes. We got into the river at our campsite and floated for 3 miles. James and I were nervous about how the rapids would be. There were no real rapids but just some swiftly moving parts. I swam along holding Molly and Julia's tubes and we did just fine. The kids would hop out and swim in the slow parts and ride the tubes in the fast parts. It was a great way to beat the heat as we actually had goosebumps. We saw a mountain goat mom with a brand new baby walking along the rocks. We hitch hiked and all got a ride in the back of a pickup back to our camp site. We had a BBQ dinner of hot dogs and sausages and went to bed. It was much hotter the last night. In the morning on Friday we packed up our campground and drove to Canyonlands National Park. We did a short hike to Mesa Arch which had a spectacular view.  Now we're off to the next stop!

Mesa Verde National Park

June 24-25, 2013:  we ventured into Pagosa Springs and had some breakfast and hit up a playground for a bit. The weather was so nice, cool and no humidity. The place is known for hot springs along the San Juan river running thru town. We got suits on and played by the river for a few hours. The water was chilly and our float attempts didn't last long, especially since it wasn't scorching hot. They like dipping their toes into the hot springs and payed nicely on the sand and by the waters edge. After a brief picnic by the river we headed west to Mesa verde national park. We set up our tent at the campground in the park and drove out onto the Mesa to see one of the dwellings called spruce tree house. These little homes/ villages are built right into the sides of cliffs, it's absolutely amazing. This site is busy because anyone can see it and its the closest to the park entrance. The kids liked climbing down the ladder into the dark, circular rooms built underground called kivas. After that we drove back to camp, had dinner and went to bed. We woke up early the next morning because we had to be on the road out to the dwellings by 7:30. The campgrounds are about an hours drive from the farthest dwelling sites, but all within the park. We had 9 am tickets for a guided tour of balcony house dwelling. These dwellings are only allowed by guided tour. Normally the day feels half over by 7:30 am but camping the kids are going to bed much later and waking much later. We broke down our camp and hit the road on time. The balcony house dwellings are truly an amazing site to see.  We descended the cliff walls by steps and ramps then had to ascend very steep exposed ladders. Everyone was impressed we allowed our small kids to do it. The fact that the site is exactly as it was 750 years ago blew us away. These brick walls with windows, balconies, doors, steps and ladders are so well preserved and so durable it is just amazing. The kids loved the ladders, tight tunnels and narrow passages required. There were a lot of adults on the tour more afraid than they were. After our tour we went back to the campground for a shower then had to make a special stop at the visitors center before we left. The girls, especially Casey, were working on an activity book they received upon entering the park. When you finish it a park ranger checks it over then makes them hold up their right hands and repeat an oath. The kids were excited to get their junior park ranger badges. We had some lunch and drive to Moab Utah. We found a campground along the Colorado river in the beautiful red rock valley. I've dreamed of seeing this area for so long. We dipped our feet in after setting up camp then went into town to do some errands. We got back late and cooked hot dogs and sausages for dinner now finally off to bed. It's going to be hot here but we are going to try to hike in early mornings.  

Colorado

June 23, 2013: Today we said vaya con dios to New Mexico. On the way out of town we checked out the Rio Grande Suspension bridge. We drove up to Colorado while the kids napped. Our destination was Great Sand Dunes National Park. These amazing sand dunes are incredible to see from afar and close up. We got out, lathered in sunscreen, loaded packs with water and snacks and set out. There is no set trail you just go wherever you want to explore. It is you walking as your feet ink in and your sneakers get loaded with sand. You can't wear sandals because your feet will get too hot. We explored and hiked around for about 2 hours. The wind blew very strongly at times and you have to be sure to turn your back to it. The kids had fun setting off sand avalanches from the ridges and running down hill. It was a very unique place to explore and we all had fun. Our plan was to leave a drive a bit towards Pagosa Springs, CO. We could see that there were forest fires somewhere to the west. We learned at a gas stop that the highway between us and our destination was closed because of the fires. So we had to detour down into New Mexico again to get around the fires. We went over the Chama pass and saw cool old coal trains to explore. We eventually made it to a campground outside of Pagosa Springs later than we had intended. The kids did fine with the unexpected detour, having sing a longs and playing silly games with each other in the car. We saw lots of elk and deer along the road. We set up camp in the last moments of light and were rewarded with a huge moon rising over the mountains. 

Viewing Photos

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Taos, NM

June 22, 2013: after breakfast we took the kids to the Taos Pueblo, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions here. It is a Native American village that is in the traditional adobe style and has no electricity or running water. People have lived here for over 1000 years. You can wander around the village and check things out. We bought a lag of bread cooked in one of the hornos, an adobe oven. Julia helped one woman get her rocks set up for sale, I think her name was chilie flower. We headed back into town and went to a great play ground at the local toy store. The kids bombed around and they even had some arts n crafts for them to do. We went back to our campsite for lunched an attempt at naps. Casey and I did laundry in the camp's laundry room. The kids get so dirty in the desert! Dust and dirt sticks to them! After naps we went to the Taos rodeo, which we were lucky enough to be here for. It's called the Taos County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo.  We got to see a little of everything; roping calves, bucking boncos, barrel racing, team roping, and bull riding. They had a few events in between where kids could go out into the arena and Julia charged right into the action. One was they tied green ribbons to the calves tails and you get a prize if you can grab a ribbon. Julia was upset she didn't get one but really she was one of the youngest out there and the oldest kids got all the ribbons. Then she went out for the greased pig event and she actually managed to touch the pig. So funny. She saw some kids playing with squirt guns and left us to go get one. She made a friend and played with all the local kids while we finished watching the rodeo. She was exhausted but her true colors shone through. She is an adventurous spirit and a sweet kid. We took the kids swimming and then came back for showers, dinner and bed time.