Ponderosa Grove Camping

I can't decide if I'm procrastinating or being extremely effective.  Our family is supposed to leave to camp with friends in three and a half hours.  I have SO much packing left to do, but golly-gee-willikers, I refuse to be three camping trips behind on this blog.  And so, without further ado, here's the photo tour of our third camping trip of 2020, once again in Southern Utah.  

In mid-May, we met up with most of the Wheeler clan just outside of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes for a few nights camping at Ponderosa Grove Campground.  Grandpa Charles and Grandma Susie drove down from Hyde Park, Uncle Ben and Aunt Christy drove up from Arizona, while Justin, Brianna, Ruby, and our clan represented Salt Lake.  Uncle Lance, we missed you!

As we pulled into the campground, Annika was excited to drive the final few feet.

The campsite was perfect!  A green, wooded oasis surrounded by dunes.  There was plenty of room everyone to spread out, with the only downside being that you had to provide your own water.

Talia immediately set to work constructing a Bucky Fuller geodesic dome out of pinecones.

 

Camping brings out my inner happy--at least once we arrive.  Getting prepped is always a challenge, but worth the effort.  (This is me giving myself a pep talk.)

 

Grandma Susie is all smiles with family gathered around.

 

This section of fine earth must be God's sandbox.  All we had to do was walk across the road and we were surrounded by impressive dunes.  

 

Add shovel for instant fun.

 

I love how this sand sculpture looks like Zion or Bryce Canyon in miniature.

The kids sleep amazingly well while camping.  You'd think the morning light would function as a natural alarm clock, but not for this crew.  It takes bacon to get them to emerge from their comfy cocoons.

The next day we all headed for a short slot canyon hike up Wire Pass by Coyote Gulch.  Since our family had been there before, we should have been able to navigate there without difficulty.  Instead, we were the only ones to get TOTALLY off course, not realizing we were headed the wrong way until we hit Jacob's Lake.  We ended up taking a dirt road for miles so that we could connect with the trailhead from the south side.

 

The road got a bit sketchy at the end, but we made it.  

 

Such a pretty hike!  Definitely a winner if you want to get lots of bang for your buck.

One downclimb is a bit tricky, but we made it with the help of a log that doubles as a ladder.

 

My pictures really don't do Wire Pass justice.  It's really something you need to experience in person.

 

Emerging out the other side.

The beauty of southern Utah.

 

 

Cousin love.

 

 This rock is amazing.

 

Plus, these brothers rock out.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

 

Back at camp, Christy colored with Ruby and Annika into the evening hours.  Three cheers for the artists!

 

Getting prepped for a campfire with epic tales from Uncle Ben about the fiery shenanigans of his youth.  

 

Doing dishes is so much more fun with Aunt Brianna's wash station.

 

On Sunday morning we gathered together for Come Follow Me and home church.  The kids particularly enjoyed acting out the exodus of King Limhi and his people.

 

Ruby and Annika also gave us a tour of their desert museum.

 

I found the exhibitions to be quite endearing.

 

After breaking camp, we drove a few miles to the outskirts of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes for a final chance to play in the sand.  And my oh my, what sand!

 

The sand is incredibly fine--it clings to everything.  The weather was perfect, with the sand comfortably warming your toes instead of scalding them. 

 

Plenty of wind for kite-flying.

No better place for leaping.  Watch Talia go!

 

Brooklyn's turn, then Eli.

 

 

Mommy Kara gives it a go.

 

Check out Grandma Susie!

The most epic sand dive, however, is awarded to Uncle Justin.

Another reminder that life is good.

 

A photo op for the Millcreek Wheelers...

...and the Avenues Wheelers too.  In case you can't tell who is who, from left to right we have Kara. Brooklyn, Talia, and Jason, with Annika and Eli up front.  And yes, the height differential is just about right, with Talia now being the tallest Wheeler gal in the house.

Thanks to all for the amazing weekend!   While we may find red sand in sundry nooks and crannies for ages, we will cherish the memories even longer.