Spring Break: Day 2 Hidden Canyon/Temple of Sinawava

O ye mountains high, where the clear blue sky
Arches over the vales of the free,
Where the pure breezes blow and the clear streamlets flow,
How I’ve longed to your bosom to flee!
O Zion! dear Zion!

We had a great day in Zion on Friday. We took the shuttle up to Weeping Rock and hiked up, up, up to Hidden Canyon. I attempted this hike when Rob and I were newlyweds, but having inherited my Dad's fear of heights and didn't make it. This time I did. It was a bit scary with kids, and I wish I had gotten pictures at the end of the trail but I was clinging to the chain with both hands. In the end it wasn't too bad, but I won't be attempting Angel's Landing. Ever.

In the parking lot, eating some cookies, pre-hike:

The trailhead:

The view across the canyon to Angel's Landing.  

This photo is dedicated to Dickie who may have a heart attack 

just looking at it:

You can see the crazy trail on the right of the pic, with the chain.  

Kind of scary to watch the kids.  I opted not to, it made it much easier:

Beautiful wind carved sandstone:

An attempt to capture the magnitude of the cliffs:

De-sanding our shoes before the descent:

Rob wins the gold medal for carrying Gocho:

Temple of Sinawava:

Spring Break: Day 1 Snow Canyon

I think Southern Utah may be one of the most amazingly beautiful places on the planet. I love it, and wish we could go down more often. It is like a giant outdoor playground, with vistas and views that take your breath away.  What better place to spend spring break?  Courtney and I headed down to St. George on Thursday morning (Rob and Todd drove down later that night).  It was a good drive and when we got there I had a vague recollection of playing in some sand dunes with friends back in the olden days.  I couldn't remember the name of the place so called a friend who pointed us in the right direction.  We drove west of St. George and found Snow Canyon for our first adventure.

We wore ourselves out.  Court and I both took a jog in the sand.  We didn't smell very good after that.  We had fun jumping, running, digging, and rolling in the sand.  Some really enjoyed rolling in the sand more than others.

Penstamon (I think).  So many pretty plants.

After wearing ourselves out on the sand dunes we headed further up the canyon to the petrified sand dunes, which provided endless fun, scrambling around on the slick rock.

I love the red and green of Southern Utah.  I mean I really love it. 

So beautiful.

I love this picture of Anders running on the rocks.  

Driving back into St. George we caught a glimpse of this guy.

It was a great day and let me just say some of us needed this vacation in the WORST way!!!!! Hooray for vacations, and beautiful deserts!!!!

A Funny

During conference Clara pulled a book off the shelf and said in her darling, adorable, everyone loves me when I use this tone, voice:

Dad, I have a book.  It is a cute penguin book.  It is special.  Read it to me.

Of course he did.  It was special, how could he refuse?

Will It Ever End?

I feel like I owe the world an apology by declaring in an earlier post that winter was basically over.  What a long two weeks of winter we've had!!!  I hope the worst is over.  Speaking of bad weather the last couple of weeks we have been under the weather and I am SO SICK OF IT!!!

A recap:

It started with Clara waking up barfing one morning.  Then she got a double ear infection and conjunctivitis.  She got on an antibiotic which gave her serious bowel distress resulting in a terrible diaper rash.  I was lucky enough to have a stomach bug on one of those bad diaper days.  Then when we both seemed to be on the mend Anders got the stomach bug.  Then the ear/eye infection.  This time we let Rob use his doctor skills and skipped the co-pay.  Then Clara got the stomach bug again and barfed for a couple of days.  Now she is back to wretched diapers and a HORRIBLE rash of some sort which I am throwing all kinds of ointments at.  None seem to be working.  Maybe I will break down and shell out another $20 to diagnose it. She also has another eye infection which is getting Ander's leftover eyedrops.  Please let it end.  Pleeeeease.  I haven't been to the gym in two weeks, which is probably where all this fun started anyway.  But that bothers me because I was on a pretty good nine month roll.  I hope I can slip back in the habit.  I feel a bit like Anne Elliot's horrid simpering sister in Persuasion, who is so irritated because her son has a broken arm which may prevent her from attending a party.  But, really, all this illness is cramping my style.  Enough already.

Walter Wick at the MOA

On Friday the kids didn't have school.  We went down to Provo for my Dad's birthday.  We had a yummy lunch at LaCasita and then went to the MOA at BYU to see the Walter Wick show.  It was great.  He is the guy that does all the Eye Spy books.  His photos are all really cool, especially knowing none of them are photo shopped.  Take your time and figure out the puzzles and try and figure out some of the illusions as well.  I can't wrap my brain around some of it.  And the kids can look for Seymour the little bead guy from the books.  It is a fun exhibit for kids and adults!   Make sure you go while it is there (and don't miss the fabulous Dan Stienbhilber exhibit too.  Very cool.)  The Walter Wick show will be there until August, so if you are in town you must put it on your to do list.

Solicitations

My kid's school is doing a 1 mile/5K race as a fundraiser.  So you know how at this time of the year every kid in the neighborhood knocks on your door wanting to sell you cookie dough to raise money for band/track/football/choir/etc?  My kids are knocking on your door asking for a donation to help them raise the money to enter the race.  If you are willing to donate some money we need it by April 10.  If you want to donate email me at anskadanska@gmail.com and let us know and I can give you more details.  Sorry to ask.  (I'm not a good solicitor)

If you want to run in the race, it is on April 25 at 9 am on the Jordan River Parkway, and the cost to enter is $20.  Let me know and I can get you more info.  

Winter Is Over (Basically)

This weekend, a dramatically beautiful hike in the foothills behind the U (windy and grand vistas.):

Last weekend, a long walk on the Jordan River Parkway:

Last Saturday: Jordan River Parkway