Return to Red Cliffs

It has been a fabulous day.  We made a return trip back to Red Cliffs.  This was our third visit to the park over the last two years and we enjoyed it quite a bit. I just realized something, Andy made the entire hike by himself without whining or asking to be carried.  It occurred to me while pondering our other visits while typing just now that I had to carry Andy a lot.  What a welcome change that added to the overall enjoyment of the day.  Not that the other trips were not enjoyable but this one was even more so.

We went further back than we have in the past.  A benefit of the kids getting older and the fact that we have done some pretty tough hikes that have allowed us to develop a bit more skill.  Anyway, we got up to some neat areas with rock that just kind of rippled on itself.  The stream continued back through some tight rock formations and we climbed up above and were able to look down.  I would have loved to continue following it back but the kids didn't want to continue and it was a little rougher.  I do think I will go back again on my own and follow it back as far as I can go. 

Here are some pics of the kids.  The first is the three of them standing on the rippled rock. 
 

 

Jack was taking a hard look at this pool thinking about getting in.  He didn't but he wanted to.

I have a picture of Andy in this little cave from a previous trip.  This time he wanted to get a picture of himself looking out this little hole. 

Here is Natty sitting up on top of a little rock cliff over looking a little area where we sat and played for a while. 

 

 

Andy was all about the photo ops today.  He demanded I take this shot.  Such a funny kid.  





 

Did I mention Andy was all about the photos? 

 

This is the first waterfall and the kids played around the are and this pool for quite a while.  They all ended up in the water eventually and wet from the waist down.  They had a great time though. 

 

 

It was a lot of fun getting out and about with the kids.  They loved it too and that was great.  I don't know that we will be out on a trail again next Saturday.  I don't want to over do it.  I think they got tired and needed a break so perhaps we will look at every other week or so and see how they respond to that.  Still a lot more to go and see and do.  We need to get back into Zion and I still want to get to the Grand Canyon.  I can say that for me it was very therapeutic.  I love being out there exploring, seeing new things and enjoying the beauty of the earth.