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

Bowling with Koshari

Sue and I had a great date night on Friday. We went a real nice restaurant in Mesquite then went bowling. As usual, Sue kicked my butt. We had a really nice time and got a little exercise too. It kind of prepped us for our big hike on Saturday.

Koshari mostly just watched, but he seems to be a fast learner and tried his hand at bowling...not sure it's his game though....that ball could really hurt him :)

 Not only does Sue kick my butt...but she looks great doing it!!!!!

 Too bad my score isn't as good as my form....I really sucked....big time!!!!!!! :)

No Kosahri, Bad Kachina...get off that ball and stop playing around. Nobody ever said you were the sharpest Kachina in the shed :)

Koshari, don't get behind the ball, it's going to roll over you!

That's better...now PUSH!

Koshari likes it when mom whips dad's butt!

Easter Fun

We had a great Easter Weekend. Lots of exercise and fun at the house. I smoked a brisket and did some dutch oven potatoes, beans, and black forest cake while we watched General Conference. Kari, Will and the kids came over and spent the day with us and we had lots of fun. Jimmy, Hollie, and the kids came over later in the evening and had fun time with them as well. Lot's of Easter egg hunting going on. WE hope everyone had a fun and special day. Please check out last year's video on our blog from Elder Holland, I feel that it is so special that it will remain a permanent part of our blog.

Angels Landing - Zion National Park

So... Angels Landing is the little one... Right?

We can do that!

It looks easy!

Piece of cake...

Ooops!

Can't say cake.. focus on healthy... hiking.... we can do this!

Warning! STEEP CLIFFS

The trail guide says:

Round Trip: 5.0 mi. 4.0 hrs. Ascent 1488 ft

Strenuous - Long drop-offs and narrow trail.

Not for anyone fearful of heights.

Last 0.5 mi follows, steep, narrow ridge;

chains have been added. May be snow covered and icy.

Ok, maybe I am afraid to climb a ladder to the roof..

and I like to stand back to look out over high places...
but I think I'll be ok... won't I?

Where is Koshari!?

OK. I admit it... We stopped "several" times to catch our breath!

Amazing View!

Koshari! Get down from that wall!

No you may not scratch a picture onto the rock!

Half way?

We stopped to catch our breath & take pictures with a bunch of nice guys on spring break from BYU.

Finally to the base of the chains!

Koshari get down from that sign! No you may not run ahead! This is dangerous!

...Koshari ran ahead

He has some amazing rock climbing skills!

He wove his way in & out of the crowd of people inching their way along the chain!

Ray yelled "That's my boy!" as he crawled along on his belly clinging to the chain... trying to catch up to Koshari!

As we lost sight of Koshari I decided to quit the "chain gang". So many people trying to get up & down hanging onto the same chain... single file! I quickly realized that competing for a grip on that chain was not worth risking our lives!

As the tension in my body increased, waiting for Ray & Koshari, I remembered why the Lord blessed me with girls & not boys!

View from the top is breathtaking!

It was amazing to us how many people risk their lives for a good picture by leaning over the cliffs for the "best" shot!

On the way back down...

Depth perception is horrible in this picture, but the rock in the center of the picture is pretty much free standing. It looks like it is leaning to the left... There is a very narrow path that leads to it with many foot prints of people who have risked their lives to get a nice shot from on top of that edge!

Nice view from above of "Walter's Wiggles" the switchback trail near the top.

You wouldn't believe how many idiots "run" down the trail. If you over shoot a turn or slip on the sandy trail it's literally 1,000 foot drop!

Yikes!

Interesting to see trees growing out of rock!

I can't believe we did it !

We did it!

There it is over my shoulder...

Now..

Which trail did you say you want to do next?

I'm ready !

OOPs !!!

Ok, enough for one day...

You shouldn't have run all the way back down

Ray stopped to take this picture for Brett & Annie in the town of Springdale..

On our way home we stopped to have a nice Mexican dinner at the Bit & Spur just outside the park in the town of Springdale. Delicious way to end the day!

The sign says: Warning! STEEP CLIFFS The Trail Guide says - Round Trip 5.0 mi - 4 hours - Ascent 1488 ft. Strenuous - Long drop-offs and narrow trail. Not for anyone fearful of heights. Last 0.5 mil follows steep, narrow ridge; chains have been added.