2013 Camping in Zion

A magazine on my computer desk features an article, "How to Avoid Perfection Paralysis." I haven't read the article yet, but I should. There are so many life events that I want to blog well that I'm not recording any of them because I don't have the time to produce something that matches my perfectionist standards. I seem to have forgotten that above all, this blog is our family photo journal. The most important thing is to simply write--quality can come after. And so, I beg your forgiveness if this next series of catch-up posts is a little less than, well, perfect.

So without further ado, here are the photos of our mid-October camping adventure in Zion. Since we planned this trip with Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles months in advance, we probably should have tried to reserve a campsite in advance as well. With all the schools in Utah enjoying a long weekend, we were fortunate to snag the very last spot in Zion.

Our first evening there, we took the kids for a scooter/balance bike ride along the Pa'rus trail.  While cramming the scooters and bikes into the already overloaded minivan, I wondered if it was worth the effort to bring them along.

It was.

The fall colors in Zion were breathtaking.  I'm grateful that after the lengthy shutdown, the park was open once more.

Back in the campground, here's Talia Lily.

Hey look!  It's Grandma Susie with her super nifty pop-up tent.

Annika says, "Good morning!"

Grandpa Charles agrees.  The morning is beautiful, and just perfect for a hike.

Charles found this tip to an arrowhead just a few hundred feet up the trail.

Meanwhile, this group of Wheelers found some brilliant fall leaves.

Where'd they all go?

Here's Jason!

 I spy a Brooklyn too.

After several miles of hiking, we discovered some amazing vistas.

Of course, Eli might have been just as content to stay home and play in the sandbox.  Fortunately we had Grandma Susie to help encourage him (and others) along.

While the East rim trail continues for ten miles, we felt we had arrived once we reached this spot:

 

Beware the edge, Talia Lily!

It's a LONG way down!

A grand day to spend with your grandchildren.

Brooklyn, Eli, Grandma Susie, and Talia aboard their wooden mount.

Eli wishes this log would carry his tired feet back home.

Annika, on the other hand, had it made atop her Daddy's shoulders.

Don't laugh at me, I'm laughing at you!

A marvelous conclusion to a marvelous day.

Morning #2: Brooklyn and Talia invent a makeshift wheelchair using hiking sticks and a stroller.

Whether packing up to come or go, camping is great practice for moving a house.

I confess to shedding a few silent tears as we left Zion National Park.  I felt so wistfully nostalgic as I bid farewell to this place that has been such an integral part of our lives over the past few years.  Painful as it was to say goodbye, I feel even more grateful for all the opportunities we had to cherish the canyon.

Luckily for us, the day still had one more fantastic hike in store: Spring Creek Canyon near Kanarraville. 

This time we brought along a tiny monster.

Hold onto that hat, Annie Mae!  You're gonna need it in Nebraska.

Talia, our frog, hops across the creek.

Playtime!

Pausing for our picnic lunch.

Annika liked the fall leaves.

Baby Smile!

What do you see, Eli?

Very pretty.

Talia preferred the bugs.  Our fearless gal quickly grabbed the bug that the eleven year old boy scout wouldn't touch.

Family Photo.

Goofier.

Goofiest.  (And yes, Talia does have her finger up her nose.)

Pretty as these pictures are, they still don't capture how magnificent the canyon was that day.

In our opinion, the hike was every bit as neat as Zion.

Thanks for the memories, Grandpa Charles and Grandma Susie!  We sure miss you and look forward to camping again...once the weather gets warmer.