Summer Vacation 2008- Phase 2- Mt. Zion National Park

In our humble opinions we liked Mt. Zion much better then the Grand Canyon, and we hardly saw it. We pretty much have a standing date to go back and meet Andy and Lindsay there for a week. There are tons of hiking and biking trails for all levels of expertise, not to mention the camping. We are going back, and we are going back for at least a week. Anyone interested is welcome to join us. You know how I like to get a group together!

We arrived at Mt. Zion by driving down into it by means of Mt. Carmel Hwy. What an experience that was!! My only regret was that I was in such awe that I totally spaced taking pictures till we were almost finished with the 25 mile drive. Here are a few of mine and a few I found on line to try and give you an idea of how cool this drive is.

These first two were taken by me as we were winding down into the canyon. By this time we are almost to the bottom. Mt. Carmel Hwy is mostly 2 lanes crammed in between these giant cliffs winding down the canyon. At some points they had to carve tunnels through the rock. Those pictures are coming up.

The following pics I found off the Internet at the National Parks website or just random pics when I did a search for Google images of Mt. Carmel Hwy.

Every so often they carved out just enough space along the side of the road to pull over and look out over the edge. Most of the time I could just look out my window and see over the edge just fine, thank you very much!

Inside one of the tunnels.

Outside one of the tunnels.

We loved our hotel here, Flanigans. There is a little town called Springdale just outside the park. You can catch a shuttle from any hotel to the park or trail head. This is the pool area that we had to ourselves most of the evening.

Since Joe had injured his back right before the vacation, and I wasn't feeling well, we couldn't participate in the hikes we wanted to. So we went on a mini hike right above our hotel room.

I borrowed Jake's hiking stick to make the picture look better :)

See ya next time with Andy & Lindsay in the final instalment, Salt Lake City!

Summer Vacation 2008- Phase 2- Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon at Sunset

After tearful goodbyes and promises to be back soon, we headed off on the second leg of our vacation. The Grand Canyon, Mt. Zion National Park, and Salt Lake City, Utah to visit Andy and Lindsay. I will post each destination separately as they are more pictures, less talk. Here we go...next stop Grand Canyon! Oh, by the way. Keep in mind the night before we leave, Jake gets a Wii. I know, I know, but they were sold out everywhere in WA and his Grandpa Brent has CONNECTIONS!!! So now the 6 hour drive to the Grand Canyon is filled with begging to just skip the remaining stops and drive 24 hours straight home to Port Orchard, WA. That added a fun layer to the "are we there yet?"

This was Jake's first attempt at the ledge. Let me admit, it took me longer.

We found a really good spot to catch the sun setting and as you can see by the following pictures, we took advantage of it. So did a tour bus of people right as we were leaving :)

Don't you hate it when you realize it "could have" been a great picture if you would have had the fore thought to not wear cut off sweats, not have a camera bag strapped across your chest, and maybe left your hair down????

Cool replica of a ancient watchtower in the background.

Inside the watchtower was covered with tons of cool markings. Jake thinks they look like "thinking" bubbles, I guess I should of scooted over.

Coming soon....Mount Zion National Park.

Summer Vacation- Phase 1

Jake with his Aunt Lori

Well, this year we did something we have never done before. We took a 3 week vacation. Now, I never thought I would doubt my decision to insist that my frugal husband ensure our new car had black leather seats......until Arizonia.....June.....115 degrees. Our first day we purchased one of those window blocker thingy's that EVERYONE should have in AZ, and the NOBODY has in WA. It actually helped, but we still needed towels to save the back of our legs from 3rd degree burns (well, it felt that hot anyways).

So, lesson #1. Visit Arizona during spring break, not summer break!

OK, so Phase 1 of Summer Vacation 2008 was Mesa, AZ to visit family and friends. Joe said he was tired feeling like he didn't have enough time to spend with everyone, and that he wanted to be sick of his family by the time we left. So 2 weeks in Mesa it is. Didn't work. Actually made things worse I think. Oh, well. What to do, we still had fun!



Cousin Time
Jake, Nathan, & Caleb


Good Buds and their little Mother
Jake, Logan, & Natalie

Mexican Train anyone?
Jake, Grandmother, & Me

WARNING: Public Affection
Judy & Brent


At least you guys aren't eating in this picture:)
Chris & Lori


When you won't stand still, you can't complain when I post it on my blog!
Cheryl, John, Caleb, & Nathan

Again, if you would just cooperate every now and then I wouldn't have to put a picture like this up.

Joe, Lori, & John

Phase 2 still to come.......I am a little tired from posting phase 1 a million times to get the picture thing right.

Kicking and Screaming

Well, I suppose I better get with it. I will attempt this blog thing and see if I can stick with it. I don't know why I have been fighting it. I enjoy reading all of yours. So here it goes. Wish me luck...better yet, keep me in your prayers :).