Arches and Canyonlands Trip

I always have a desire to go south right after school gets out and before it gets too hot. We had not been to Arches for seven years so it was time to head that way. We left on a Tuesday evening and made it as far as Green River State Park. We opened up the tent trailer and found that the queen bed had come off its roller. It took us a while to figure out how to get this bed out so we could get set up.Of course it was at 10 at night as we tried to do this. We broke a couple of other things while trying to pull out the bed such as the kill switch so the lights inside the trailer would not work. We finally got things livable and realized when we stayed here 7 years ago the front wheel of the trailer broke off. The curse of Green River.

Next day was a short drive to Moab area. We found a great spot along the Colorado River at Goose Island. Finally something went right. The place had shade and a Mulberry Tree that was fruiting so we had snacks as well.

After setting up camp and having lunch we headed to Arches. I wanted to do a hike that we had not done before. I saw at the visitor center a hike called Tower Arch. It talked about a longer hike but also another route of taking a different road for a short hike of .3 miles. That would be good for the kids. However it was not as advertised. The last two miles of the 7 mile dirt road was the worst washboard road I had ever been on. We could go no more than 5 mph and even then we bounced so much it was hard to control. We made it to the main trailhead and the hike was 1.7 miles to the arch. We found the other road that would make the hike shorter but we went a little ways on it and the only way to keep going was with a mule team which we did not have so back to the first trailhead. We started up the trail which required climbing up some rocks which the kids enjoyed and had Cindy worried. On the way up we met a ranger coming done asking if we had plenty of water and telling us of easier hikes as a hint but on we went.

We came to the top of the hill and looked out over  the valley  to where we had to go.





















We made it this far so lets keep going. On the way there were interesting rock formations all around us.

 



We finally came to the sand dune that we had to climb up.

One good thing is there were some areas that provided shade that we could rest for a while. Finally we came to Tower Arch and it was well worth the hike.

We walked under it and rested in its shade.The view from under the arch was amazing of another valley to the west and the rock tower that was behind the arch and we were all by ourselves out here.

Now it was back the same way we came.

 

We got back to the camp ground and noticed that parts of the Durango had been shaken loose. That night as we ate and then played some games we noticed the canyon walls being lighted by the river cruise that went up the river. We have stories of that same spot light cruise that took place 30 years ago. 

The next morning I went into town to get some parts to put the car back together and then it was off the Delicate Arch. The kids were good hikers again.The occasional lizard along the way also helped to keep their interest.

There were a lot of people doing the same climb and they looked like ants on the slick rock.

 

We finally came to the arch  along with lots of other people.

Looking past Delicate Arch there were other arches in the distance.

 

It is always a spectacular view.

We then began our way down.

After Delicate Arch it was on to a picnic spot and then to Sand Dune Arch to play in the sand and the cool shade. We had brought sand toys which we shared with others.

The kids liked to crawl and slide and scoot in the sand hill.



















We went back to camp for dinner and then decided to go back in the evening to Arches again when it was cooler. We first went to Balancing Rock. I thought I would do my part to keep it in place.

We also noticed the Batman Shadow   that Balancing Rock made as we walked around. Notice the Raven on the tree at the right.

We walked around the rock and  the moon just above the rock.





We then went over to the windows section and Double Arch and Cove of Caves. We started walking and the walls were looking at us with their glaring eyes asking "Who dares to come to the cave of wonders." 

We made our way over to the Double Arch.

We spent some time walking around the Double Arch and then headed back to camp for a game of scrabble and a fire to cook smores in.





The Rangers had told us Friday would be crowded because they were having a celebration for the beginning of the distribution of the new quarter which had Delicate Arch on it so we decided to drive along the river. We first stopped at a bike bridge that crosses the Colorado and walked across the river. We played Pough sticks from the bridge. Then it was off to look for petroglyphs.

After that drive we then headed for our last visit to Canyonlands Islands in the Sky area. We saw the area the Green River had carved out.

We then looked over the other direction to the area the Colorado River had carved out. The two rivers would join not far from this area. After this it was time to head back home after an enjoyable trip.

Memorial Weekend

Tradition is to meet out in Plain City at Gaven's grave. This years gathering was a good family group.

We had mom and dad over for a barbecue on Memorial day and afterwards we went and played Frisbee Golf on Harrisville's new course. Mom was still working on how to throw the frisbee but she was a good sport and had fun.

This holiday signaled the beginning of summer and Cindy's summer break. The1st Monday in June was the second Jennings picnic of the summer, this time at Liberty Park in Salt Lake. It is good to get together and there was a good turn out. One thing that is fun is to hear the stories that everyone has to tell.

Spring Rites

Soccer games and planting flowers are part of spring. Payton's Blue Dragon team was a joy to watch even though they are still learning to kick the ball. It was fun to watch her try to do her best and please all her onlookers.

One Saturday I had bought flowers to plant and Connor and Payton wanted to help me plant rather than  help their mom. They came over and we got the tools and gloves and planted flowers.




























After it was all done they each got a drink. Payton chose to walk home through the field in her boots. She was happy as could be and they both were fun helpers.

Another activity include getting together to celebrate Mother's Day. It always means so much to Cindy to have everyone together.

Something that also meant a lot this year was the concrete getting poured on the addition. That really meant a lot.

Payton had gone to preschool this year and she had her graduation ceremony at the Kangaroo Zoo. It was a fun place for kids and Connor was glad it was there so he could play on the toys. 

End of April

There were several events that took place over the last part of April The first event was Cindy's visit to have a tooth removed. It had bothered her for years off and on and already had two root canals. It was time to take it out. Little did we know the next day it would look like the dentist but his foot on her face as he tried to pull the tooth out.The tooth that was removed was on the upper jaw.  She lived with this bruise for a couple of weeks.

 

Spring means flowers on the trees. When they fall it covers the patio with and great looking confetti. 

The other event was moving forward with the addition. I had 13 tons of gravel brought in and we hauled it by wheelbarrow and dumped into the area around the footing one wheelbarrow at a time.

A train known as the Big Boy, the largest steam locomotive in the world was brought through Ogden on its way to be restored in Cheyenne. In the late 1940's and 50's this locomotive was a regular in the Ogden rail yards as it pulled loads between here and Wyoming. It was great to see such a piece of history.   

The first week of May we started our extend Jennings family picnics. This first one was at the Harrisville Park. It was good to get together.