Capitol Reef

Last year, Chip got a print for me for my birthday of the beautiful formation behind us in this first picture.  And since then, this trip to visit it has been in the works.  Spring is a great time to be down south, and we only have certain weekends throughout the camping season that we can get out.  So, we took advantage of the first one, and Oma just so happened to still be in town.  She hasn't camped in 25 years so this was a big adventure for all of us!  There were so many great pictures- I struggled to whittle it down.  I will let the pictures and short captions tell the story of our long weekend in Capitol Reef.

This was home for four days and three nights.  Not bad, eh?

Air mattress city.  Weather was nice.  A little cold the first night....mostly because we did not dress warm enough...and with some adjustments...comfortable the rest of the time.

 An evening walk to a lookout.

 Hiked to a ridge on day one.  Got to get up close to this Hoodoo- which is a word Ruby and Owen really liked.  Incredible views here and really the entire time.  CR is a stunning place.

 Smiling faces.

Silly faces.

Yup- we can still cover some ground with them in these things.  Won't last much past this summer, so we will take advantage while we can.  Soon, Ruby and Owen will have to do all of their own hiking. 

 Cathedral Valley- Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon.

I LOVE blooming cactus.  We were a week or two early for the explosion, but with Ruby and Owen's help, we did manage to find a few.  

Owen's favorite activity at camp was to "hammer things in" with the rubber mallet.

And everyone enjoyed making and eating Smores...one of the best parts of camping.

 Ruby and Owen exploring their first slot canyon.  They are amazing climbers and were very interested in the "yucky puddles" that we came upon.

We were on a constant salamander hunt all weekend.

Oma hiked with us as far as she wanted to go.  Then she would turn around and meet us back at the car....

Where she could hang in the shade and knit.  So cute. :)

Don't ask.

My shirtless boys after a hike on a hot afternoon.

Mother's Day morning.  Ruby and Owen painted some really cute frames and made (with dad's help of course) a few really sweet cards. AND, I got to be with MY mom.  Can't imagine a better way to spend this special day.

Walking up a wash.  I just like how small we look compared to how immense the steep red walls are.  This is exactly how it feels.

Ruby's "monster" has made quite a few trips with us over the past year.  Here it is making its way up a canyon.  And, Ruby is also showing off her (or her mom's) awesome fashion sense again.

A parting shot.  That is myself with Ruby in the pack in the lower corner.  Another great perspective shot.  It looks like I am about to get swallowed.  Good times and a huge thanks to Chip for doing all the research and planning so we knew where to go and what to do.  I feel like we really saw the park.  Yahoo!