Arches

St.Patty's day this year was also a day off for the kids AND RD! BYU had a new 'spring break' (of one day), and it fell on the same day as the kids break between terms. Since RD can't take off time whenever during the year, we were excited to have some overlap of days off. We actually planned ahead, (shocker!), and decided to visit Arches Nat'l park that Friday and Saturday. My parents were planning a time to visit, and came along with us, as well as my niece who's at BYU. That week turned out to be in the 70's in Springville, and in the 80's in Moab!
We planned to leave at 7am, which is ambitious for us, but we got up early and were actually in the van driving away by 7:20, which I thought was pretty impressive.
We made it the three hours with only one restroom stop, and as soon as we got into the park we headed for the Delicate Arch trailhead, the hike RD and I most wanted to do. We barely got a parking spot, then packed up and waited for my parents and niece, who were lucky enough to get a spot as someone left. We checked out the petrographs, then started up the trail.

It was warm and the sun beat down already, and just a few minutes in Aubree started to complain about being hot and sweaty. She probably wasn't wearing the most breathable clothes either. We were a bit worried we were going to have to carry her most of the way, but knew she could do at least a mile or so, so encouraged her on with Hi-chews, water breaks, and gum.

She rallied, and we all made it, past the last 200 yards of narrow ledge before the arch. I did NOT like that part, but I at least did walk on the edge side when little kids passed me. Carrying everyone's water the whole hike was totally worth not having to be in charge of Aubree on that hike with those drop-offs!  But we made it! The kids celebrated by eating a whole bag of popcorn (that wasn't a good idea, way too messy), and RD went under the arch for a pic. After a while we headed back, and made good time back, even Bree walking all the way herself with no problems. The kids were underwhelmed with the hike, and didn't think it was worth it for the view. RD and I were glad we got to see it, it's astonishing and awesome.

Can't see him, but RD's under there.

 
It was around 2:30, and we were all hot and beat, so we just ate lunch huddled in what shade we could find in/around the car. It wasn't quite the refreshment our spirits needed, but it got our bodies going again. Arches in fantastic in that many of the amazing sights are just a short hike or walk from parking, so we visited four more sites before the kids were done. The skyline arch was a fun easy hike, but the arch actually gets harder to see as you get closer, as it gets higher above you.

The kids hands-down favorite is the Sand Dune Arch, same as when we visited 9 years ago right after Grace was born. There's a fun walk through a narrow passage into a shady, cool cavern full of sand and ledges to climb and jump off of, as well as a cool arch. It's pretty perfect.

We reluctantly left, as we still wanted to visit a few places. We went to see the Double Arch, and of course the kids wanted to climb as high as they could. Isn't the world amazing!?

 Grace and Cameron liked just relaxing up high on the cliff, looking out at the great view.

After getting great views driving past the Parade of Elephants a couple times (wrong turn, woops), we briefly stopped to see Balanced Rock, and said hello to Park Avenue as we drove past.
We crashed at the hotel and ate the dinner I'd made the day before, then went to get frozen yogurt with the kids. Sitting outside with our treats and talking about the day was fun and relaxing, and a great end to the day. We were all pretty beat, and all went to bed when we got back.
Gotta get ready for another day, another adventure!