Action Packed Weekend

This past weekend was full of fun and adventure. Keri and Will and the kids went camping in Springdale (city just outside gates of Zion National Park), Sheri and Talon went up with them too as well as their young friend from Buffalo, Christina.

For those of you who know Sue and I, you know that we are not campers, so we stayed behind on Friday night and babysat Addy, now, that was a really tough job but somebody just had to do it :)

Sue and I went up Saturday morning to meet them so we could all go on a hike. We were expecting a few hikes that were pretty mild since all the kids were up there with us. But when we got there we all decided to do Angel's Landing......again.....for Sue and I that was pretty great. We've done that hike now twice in the last month. Everybody did great....even Eli...the 3 yr old. Kari was a real trooper by helping Eli the whole way. Seriously, she carried him almost the whole way back down...yikes! My pedometer showed that I had walked almost 13,000 steps (almost 6 miles). Now, I'm 6' tall, you can imagine how many steps Eli and the rest of the kids took with their short little legs. The kids were awesome though....really!

Kari and Will packed a terrific lunch for everybody and we ate at Scout's Landing right near the very top. Will and Talon went all the way to the top of Angel's Landing which is about another 400 yards, but it is a treacherous climb those last 400 yards so they were the only ones who went. I stayed to guard the "women folk" and chil'n (actually I think they guarded me :)

We took a few more pictures but this time we took most of our pictures with family....you can see our previous photos of Angel's Landing  on a previous blog and on my Facebook page.

We left Koshari home for th trip as we was acting up a little bit and I think he may have even been jealous of Addy...not that we're focusing on her or anything :)

We also celebrated Brinly's birthday over the weekend too. We had a big honkin Butterfinger Blizzard ice cream cake that was, well, pretty fandamntastic!

All in all it was another great weekend in Sue and Ray's Zion Paradise!

Weekend with Sherri, Talon, and Addison

Sherri, Talon, and Addy came to visit this weekend. We had lots of fun. Talon had never been to the Petroglyph site in Ivins so we went out there but took an extra long away to the site so we could have a nice hike with a little burn. All is all the hike was about 3.2 miles round trip with some nice up and down inclines. Talon, Sherri, Addy, and Kosahri enjoyed the Petroglyphs too. It was like taking Koshari back to his homeland so he could get in touch with his roots. The resemblance was very striking.

On Saturday evening, Talon, Will, and I went to Warner Valley to shoot some clay pigeons and some pistol target shooting....that is always lots of fun.

After church we headed over to Kari and Will's on Sunday where Kari cooked us a great dinner and then Addison wanted to play Rumikub...she's pretty good too. After dinner, uncle Talon entertained the kids by playing steamroller on the trampoline, fortunately this time the door was zipped close and nobody fell out of the trampoline.

 On the way to the Petroglyphs

 Daddy and Addy

MOM....DAD!!!!! Where have you been...we look so much alike....long time no see! Did I grow up in this neighborhood?

 Koshari, how did you get in THERE! Hitchin a ride with Addy!

 The Urick Family: Sherri, Addison, and Talon

 Hanging out

 Lunch break

 My first attempt at a self timed portrait...not too shabby!

 Grandma and one of her little pride and joys, Addison

 Talon scouting things out

 The resemblance is striking....I think this is a cousin

 Talon showing good form!

I think the birds were pretty safe with me around

Will is just way too cool!

Mom, Dad, there is a straight right there! Can't you see it?

Too cute!

How big is Addison? Soooooooo Big!

Scout Cave Hike

Scout Cave Hike was a really great hike that began just outside of Snow Canyon and uses the same trailhead as Johnson's Arch, which is now closed for the summer. The hike meanders through the lava fields that were left by a close lava dome from thousands of years ago. The trail drops down into a wash then has a steep climb through some amazing desert flora and fauna. During the hike we even saw our very first Desert Tortoise...very cool

The cave itself was pretty spectacular. It went into the mountain about 150 feet or so and was maybe 60 feet wide. It was very open and well lit. When we go to the back of the cave there was a opening all the way out that let the sun in. It was beautiful. We enjoyed lunch up there and even listened to Conference. As we headed home we actually got lost by missing our turn off to get back on the main trail. We were never really lost, lost, but we did have to hike almost 3 miles out of our way to get back to our car....sheesh....we walked a total of almost 7 miles that day. My little lady is a real trooper and is really becoming a professional hiker. We love doing these hikes together. They are a great way to get some serious exercise as well as see God's beautiful creations.

We will be moving our hike farther up North in the weeks and months to come as the area begins to heat up...but don't despair, the adventures of Grizz (Ray), Mountain Bunny (Sue), and Koshari (Kachina Boy) will live on...enjoy the ride!

Enjoy all of this hike's photos on my Facebook page.....Happy Trails!

Moth cocoons. Lot so larvae inside

Beautiful desert flora

It's amazing what grows out of basically nothing

Koshari still getting a lift....that's Scout's Cave in the background...not too far away now

Sue wanted me to take this photo especially for Talon and Will...yes...she's becoming a little risk taker....bad girl :)

Koshari wasn't too hungry, but he did love General Conference....good Kachina

Mom and Koshari enjoying a break, some lunch, and just listening to conference.

Your truly at the mouth of the cave

Koshari, what are you doing up there...and HOW did you get there....bad Kachina... bad

Koshari, get your butt down from there...right now!

Sue showing us her rock climbing skills

He was a pretty good size Tortoise

Our first glimpse of the Tortoise

Koshari took one look at the Tortoise and hid behind a bush. Tortoise are herbivores you and he didn't want to become lunch :)

yes that is a very steep step area...doesn't Sue look like a great hiker? She just looks great too :)

Koshari got tired and need to hitch a ride in my backpack...he's got such short legs you know, it's hard for him to keep up :)

Far away view of Scout Cave with steep stairs

Larry the lizard