We usually camp once or twice a year as a family and this year we decided to go to Bryce Canyon! We stayed two nights at a KOA campground, taking advantage of their bathrooms, showers, pool, Yahtzee (to Spencer's delight) and this one had a refrigerator! I was introduced to the luxury of a cot (with earplugs, I had the best camp sleep ever!) We had a great time together as we explored beautiful country!
An early moon at our campground
Mossy Cave is a very easy and beautiful hike outside of Bryce Canyon Nation Park. This is the actual mossy cave where water comes out of moss on the rock!
We hiked along the Tropic Ditch river that was dug and channels made by the early settlers in order to get water to their crops.
James found a perfect rock to take a siesta.
The obligatory family picture by the entrance.
The binoculars came in handy both to see things from far away and to distract young boys.
This is my favorite picture. James couldn't quite get a good view over the fence, so D.J. suggested James stand on his back while Spencer held the binoculars at just the right place. I love moments like these.
We went on three hikes in one day: Mossy Cave hike, Bristlecone Pine Trail and Queens/Navajo combination loop. Our feet were VERY tired by the end of the day, but the sites were all worth it! There was a lot of cloud cover so the temperature and shade was perfect!
We took great interest in the cairn garden created by many passersby. There were really interesting and intricate cairns, even some in trees! James insisted on giving this one bunny ears.
I gave the boys specific instructions to go over to the hoodoo and look like a hoodoo. James went over and hid behind the hoodoo. When we told him to come out and look like a hoodoo he got very mad at us and said, "I don't even know what a hoodoo is!"
Must have fire. Thankfully this KOA had a fire pit. In fact, it was the largest fire pit we had ever encountered. We decided the best way to enjoy our little fire was to actually sit on the edge of the fire pit with our legs inside. Our fire did not spread.
Before we headed home we decided that since we were so close to Kodachrome State Park and Grand Staircase Escalante that we fit in one more hike. But we looked much cooler because the boys decided to purchase sunglasses as their souvenirs. We were also much cooler because the kids begged us to play the original "Funky Town" - not the Chipmunk version - so we did. Over and over and over. And we picked out all the different instruments we could hear, ranging from car horn to cow bell (featured prominently).
We (I) learned that Grand Staircase Escalante is NOT a stone staircase carved by Native Americans long ago (one of my finer blonde moments), but it's actually 1.9 million acres and is a geological staircase. We also learned that a National Monument is a Presidential Mandate (this one came from President Clinton) whereas a National Park is an act of Congress. Nerd out.
In Kodachrome (Nerd in: Kodak company was first angry that this amazing place was dubbed Kodachrome, but eventually decided they liked the publicity. Nerd out.) we found crazy things like a white structure among red. Huh?
Other memories of this great place: D.J. bought glasses too small for his head because if he chose that particular pair, he could afford a fork and spoon combo knife that we went back into the park to purchase. After he purchased the fork/spoon pocket knife, they broke apart and he thought it was broken, but was soon cheered when he was assured that's how you use a spoon and fork: separately.
We were able to attend a Park Ranger night class where we learned about the moon and then we were able to see constellations using telescopes at the visitors center. We brought along our own telescope and tried to figure out some things on our own. We need to educate ourselves a little more regarding stars, but what we did see was amazing!
D.J. and Spencer were constantly talking about their new favorite game, Minecraft, which made them happy hikers, until Mom and Dad could handle no more.
During lunch on our marathon hike day, Mom and Dad were entertained by the boys rehearsing Clavin and Hobbes and Far Side cartoons.
Spencer, D.J. and James decided their sleeping bags were metamorphosis pods where they would morph into hiking boy or pajama boy or swimsuit boy.
