Spring Break 2011

We thought we would take advantage of the cool weather during spring break to head to southern Utah where it is too hot during the summer. We ended up visiting Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands, Arches, and Mesa Verde. It's pretty cool that we have so many spectacular sites within easy driving distance and that we could do all of this in a few short days.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park

Another view of Mesa Arch

The wind storm that blew up while we were in Canyonlands.

Our first day of spring break was spent camping in dead horse state park. We caught some great views there as well as at Canyonlands National Park where we hiked to Mesa Arch. While we were out sightseeing a big wind storm blew in and knocked our tent down. Not much damage done and we were able to put it back up before it got dark and had a nice first night.

Dead Horse Point at Sunrise.

We camped our first night in Dead Horse Point State Park and Troy got up early and got a few shots at sunrise. Delicate Arch on a beautiful cool day.

A great shot of Delicate Arch.

Resting before the 3 mile hike back to the car.

We hadn't planned to visit Arches, but it was such a beautiful day and we decided that since it was free we would make a quick visit before we left for Mesa Verde. We ended up spending longer than we planned mostly due to the hike we took to Delicate Arch. It was worth it.

The Spruce Tree House at Mesa Verde National Park.

The Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde.

We finished up our trip at Mesa Verde in Colorado. We had planned to camp but the campground was not open till mid May but fortunatly the lodge had available space and we got a relativly good deal. It was nice to have a warm room and a shower so I think it was worth it.

Fall Break

Just a couple of pictures from our great weekend camping in Goblin Valley and hiking through Little Wild Horse Canyon. The adventure through the narrow canyon was breathtaking and unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. The kids had a blast, and we could barely keep them on the ground.

Click on these next two pictures and see if you can find those tiny little figures that are my children on top of the rocks.

Picturesque camping

Hiking the narrows. (I can't tell you how many times I begged them to please stop climbing the walls.)

Can you see Haylee walking underneath Wes and Heather?

Summer Summary

We enjoyed some simple pleasures this summer - like beautiful sunsets...

swinging...

somersaults...

and fixing and riding bikes.


We also helped Wesley finish his Eagle Scout project - woo hoo!! We painted tables and cleaned out firepits in the canyon near our house (got 41 people to help for a total of 72 hours of service).

We took a quick hike up that same canyon to see the wildflowers.

Wes came too - but didn't want his picture taken.

CAMPING

MMMMMMMM - S'MORES!

Silver Lake

Donut Falls

Heather made herself at home with a good book.

Visit to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point
It was free, but Wes wasn't sure he wanted to be there, so we told him to find
his inner child. It seemed to work - he acted like a 4 year old.

We hiked Timpanogos (the last time we did this, Wesley was the age of Quinn)

Snowball fight in June?

We had a great family night activity tonight and had to share - a snowball fight. The neighbors looked on in a state of disbelief - a little out of character for the Hyer family, but it sure was fun. The snowballs were of course from our snowball bush - just passing it's peak. The balls showered hundreds of blossoms on impact - or even a little before.