Adventures in Utah

So it was about that time again to head back to Utah. We had family to see, which is always a good reason, but also a fun vacation and trying new things with the kids.

Like mountains.

I had promised to take them to the pool I used to work at. But before we went there, I drove them up Provo Canyon to bridal veil falls. I figured they'd look at the waterfall and see the river and say, "Cool. Now can we go to the pool?" Not so much. They took their shoes off and waded into the pool at the bottom of the falls. They called it Paradise Falls. Thanks in part to watching "Up" during the drive. They played in the freezing water, tossing rocks, climbing, just having fun. Shoot, who needs the pool?

The condo we stayed at (thanks to a great friend) had a perfect view of the Y.
I really would have liked to take the kids up there, but I was afraid there would be more dragging than walking and lots of whining. So I looked into Mt Timpanogos instead. Yeah, it's a bigger mountain, but there's also a cool reward at the end: the cave! Dillan has been all about forts and hideouts and caves recently, so I figured we should try it.

Yes, I was worried about the climb but I knew it was only 1.5 miles, paved, and the reward at the end would be worth it! We had a backpack with sweatshirts, water, a few snacks, baby wipes, and camera. There are no strollers allowed on the trail and no baby carriers allowed in the cave. Once we checked in at the visitors center, we had an hour and a half to reach the top. Chris and I switched off carrying Drew up the mountain. OK, it was more like 70% him, 30% me. There was shade, a nice breeze, and lots of benches along the trail. Dillan was the biggest surprise. He listened intently to the ranger explain some rules on the trail and reminded us along the way of those rules and safety issues. He was out in front the whole time, he never complained, he'd get ahead and then run back to tell us there was a bench around the corner. I never knew he was such a good hiker!

 

We were the only kids in our tour group through the cave. Dillan became the ranger's shadow. He was on his heels the whole way, carried his flashlight, everything. It was so fun to see how excited he was. Leah loved it as well and took a ton of pictures with my camera. On the way out of the cave the children were given stickers and we headed back down. Drew fell asleep on my shoulders right away, so I carried him awkwardly in my arms the whole way down. Not like I had something to prove or anything. I got a lot of attention from those coming up the trail, I'm sure I looked hilarious. Or maybe it was Drewby.

We walked all over BYU campus. The kids liked the Smith fieldhouse and ran around the track a few times, and we also peeked in at the pool/high dive. Dillan couldn't believe this was a college that he could actually go to someday even though it wasn't in California and he would have to LIVE there. The bowling alley was fun and the Creamery was as good as ever.

On the way back home Drew was able to get the first haircut of his life from Grandma Donna. She even saved some of his hair and put it in a nice envelope for us to keep. He didn't like being held down, but his hair at least looks sharper now.

 We had a great trip making memories and trying new things!