Random Catch-Up Part II: Parks and Trails

I don't know about the rest of you, but I cherish outdoor public spaces.  Trails, parks, cemeteries, gardens--I am immensely grateful for these beautiful places that are shared by all.

Shortly after we got back from our backpacking trip in Zion, Annika and I went for a short hike up nearby Ensign Peak.  She wanted to carry the backpack so that she could train for our next trip as an entire family.  Granted, she passed it back after twenty minutes, but it's still a start.

The flowers were in bloom.  This one had already been picked, so we used it to adorn her hair. 

Sunset over the valley.

A different sunset, as seen from above the lime kiln.

A morning view of the valley as seen from above Memory Grove.  I was excited to discover that they've developed some new hiking/mountain biking trails.

 Just beware of traveling the route as a ballerina.  Someone may steal your pointe shoes.

While out for a run in nearby City Creek Canyon, I was surprised to discover a helicopter flying telephone poles right over my head!

Venturing out on trails headed the other direction from our home, you can see the U of U Hospital's major expansion.

Also in the neighborhood, Talia and I decided to do some exploring in the Salt Lake City Cemetery after learning about an entire alphabet's worth of letterboxes sequestered there.  Here we are hunting for the letter "F" stamp after following such clues as a "Family of Figures" and "Find a Ford, Fore, and Funny Face."  Things you thought you'd never see on a headstone!

The camouflaged letterboxing pouch was buried at least two feet deep beneath leaves, but we finally found it.

On the west side of Salt Lake, we finally checked out the 9 Line Bike Park.  The kids had a blast on the pump track!  We also discovered there's a great bike connection to the Jordan River Trail and International Peace Gardens.

North of Salt Lake, I ventured on a spring waterfall hike up Farmington Creek trail after dropping the kids off at school.  The abandoned cars were nearly as interesting as the falls.

I also explored nearby Davis Creek Trail.  While quite steep, it takes you to three similarly stunning falls.

The forest may seem verdant and the creek full, but Utah's actually in the middle of a severe drought right now.  To me, even the Great Salt Lake appears to be low on water.

A couple of weeks before school let out, we discovered this delightful Creekside Park just five minutes away from Woods Cross Elementary.  I just wish I'd discovered it sooner.  Here are Annika and Ruby enjoying some cousin playtime.

South of Salt Lake, we headed back to Gardner Village for some more cousin fun.  This time we were joined by Ruby's other cousins, Andrew and Rose.

It's not every day you get to feed the lambs a bottle!

Gardner Village also had a fun fairy scavenger hunt going on.

And there you have it! So much springtime joy right at the parks and trails close to home.