Camping at Zion's---Spring Break 2009

We had a great time during Spring Break. We visited Grandmother and then went camping at Zion's. Joseph chose to stay and work with Papa Joe on his farm----we missed him, but know he had a great time with Papa Joe.

We found a great camping spot outside of Zion's along the Virgin River. The first night it was nice and warm and the kids, of course, jumped into the river and got themselves completely wet and dirty before changing into their swimsuits and then getting them completely dirty also!

Jonathan and Ben try out the water

We got the tent up and had our wienie roast and had a great time freezing in the tent all night----I think that's what you're supposed to do when you camp---it's required! It probably wouldn't have been so bad if the air mattress would have stayed full of air, but one side kept deflating all night----fortunately, Jeff's side!

The next day was soaking wet! We drove around and looked at the beautiful canyon and finally summoned up enough courage to hike in the pouring rain. The first hike the boys did was a short one up to Weeping Rock. The next one was a bit more ambitious up near the Narrows and Temple of Sinawatha (I think that's right). We were rewarded for being soaked to death by beautiful waterfalls coming off the cliffs into the river. Jacob seemed quite happy to stay in the backpack, covered up in his winter snowsuit. There was even some snow on the tops of the gigantic canyon walls. Here are some pics:

Jonathan just woke up from his nap and is looking for the 'baby' in the waterfall (he overheard us say we were looking at 'baby waterfalls')
Climbing on rock formations along the Virgin---David, Ben, Sam and Jonathan


David's thinking spot---'Picture me' he begs!

Fancy Footwork by David and Jonathan

Finally, after getting completely soaked on this Sinawatha hike, we decided to go try out at the Visitor Center. There we found rain ponchos! Yey! Why didn't we hink of that sooner? So complete in bright red ponchos, we headed over to Emerald Pools. The 3 waterfalls on the lower pool were incredible! We got to walk right underneath them. The hike up to the second waterfall wasn't bad, but up to the 3rd waterfall, I was wondering if Jonathan and I would make it back down! But we did. I have never seen so much water at the 3rd pool---the wind was blowing the water al over the huge rocks and it was turning into ice on the rocks----it was pretty impressive. Cold....but impressive! It took us a little longer to get back since Samuel and Benjamin figured they were expert hikers and took off a different way back down the trail. Yes, we panicked, thinking they had somehow took a wrong turn and were high above us on a canyon wall that they couldn't get down from. But, of course, they found us----happy that they had beat us down pretty good----well, who wouldn't since we backtracked 3 or 4 times to find the 2 lost boys!

Benjamin in front of 2 of the 3 falls at the 1st pool

The next day it cleared up and was a beautiful sunny day. Benjamin and Samuel were set on hiking Angel's Landing. I could just remember being terrified of the heighths and dropoffs when I hiked it before. But, fortunately, Jonathan got sick and so I had an out. So off went Jeff with David, Sam and Ben. They had a great time hiking, taking pictures and daring each other---glad I wasn't there!

The view on the way up to Angel's Landing

Having fun in rock cavities!

We headed home late that evening and were thrilled to find warm food, hot showers and soft, warm beds at Grandmother's house----the very best part of camping is coming home and cleaning up! Yey!