back drop is Arches National Park – simply beautiful ride!
Our little family vacation was all it was hoped to be. Many great moments and memories were made: The rocks were still spectacular, the rides were thrilling, the sun peering through the blue skies was medicine for the soul. We were seriously debating coming home. Stephen and I have decided that in a few years (when we retire) we are going to become snowbirds during the winter and migrate to the south and then spend our summers in Island Park when it is too hot in the desert. We think our kids will still want to come and visit us – maybe even come more often. 🙂
Mason is still planning on his honeymoon spot for Moab so as he gets increasingly older please be picking out some tough and rugged girls to introduce him to. The first night we got there he practically jumped out of the car and dismantled his bike for some slick rock ride practice loop teasers. Friday we spent most of the day in Arches National Park and did a couple of the hikes there, but Mason was having a hard time resisting the call from his bike strapped onto the back of our van. Stephen understood his desires and drove us (after our Park fun) along a scary mountainous ledge – as far as I could handle – for the bikers to ride to Gemini Bridges. They loved the thrill of it all. Mason was amazing and finished the full slick rock trail with Stephen and Puzey friends on Saturday morning, he then rode the Bar M loop with our family. and was genuinely upset when we wouldn't let him get his bike off the rack at the city park that evening. I personally couldn't believe his rear wasn't telling him to take a break! We ended our vacation out at the Moab Diner for dinner and Stephen gorged himself with the "best green Chile in the state". Our kids had fun there. It was fun to choose from a menu with Moab wording and the milk shakes and malts were as big as the Moab rock mountains! Sadly, Stephen spent the duration of his his time in Moab cuddled up to the toilet – sick as can be. I think I counted him throwing up at least 3 times. Poor guy, he is just glad it didn't come on until the last night. Needless to say, I drove all 8 hours home while he nestled in a blanket in the passenger's seat.
it was a perfect getaway – o.k. everything except Stephen's flu bug…lol. 🙂
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 tired little children |
 Bar M Loop Riders |
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 biking babe |
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 Happy before the flu storm hit |
 wow! she had to share 2 pancakes with JT because it was “too much food”. |
 Lion’s Back Breakfast/Dinner |
 Olivia was thrilled to choose the baby Lion’s Back for dinner |
 Evolution of the bums |
 had to fit a little soccer in |
 we are a little crazy and gave this burley rental a run for it’s money! |
 Yeah! for Lily – this was an overwhelming ride that she conquered |
 Mason is in heaven |
 Lex is excited to fit in a more light hearted ride with her “relic” bike |
 This was probably one of my top 2 favorite we did in Moab! |
 The Orage Crush was a good ride |
 how sweet is this? Can’t believe he can sleep through the bumpy terrain |
 Yikes |
 double yikes |
 cutie |
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 Gemni Bridge Ride in his newly purchased helmet |
 a little chocolate mustache will do ya good |
 that is some slick rock |
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 slick rock fun |
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 big bike @ Poison Spider |
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 lizard lovers unite |
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 the windows |
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 my dad is the strongest guy of any guy around |
 look closely for Olivia’s lizard is about to be caught |
 so excited |
 finally o.k. with the rule of “catch and release” – she’s ready to let her lizard go back to it’s natural habitat |
 farewell |
 parade of the elephants |
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 imprressive? |
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 lots of bikes |
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 is this for real? |
 almost |
 fiery furnance |
 Lots of comments from people on the amount of bikes we fit on here |
 hiking to landscape arch |
 always ready to pose for a climbing picture |
 this is a happy 12 year old |
 fun surprise sand |
 truth behind the picture |
 Fiery Furnance again |
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 made it to landscape arch |
 boy on a rock |
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 up for a better view |
 love this picture |
 unloading for the first ride |
 Finally! |
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 excited the pool is open! |
 Happy to have survived an 8 hour drive without getting car sick! |
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 happy to play outside |
 ready, set, go! |
 JT took time to snuggle with mom |
 looking for lizards on the slick rock |
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 beautiful girl |
 petroglyph art is one of my favorite things |
 playing at another park |
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 happy on a donkey |
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 happy thoughts going on inside |
Comments:
Stacie said…
That looks like soooo much fun! I wish I was going in 3 weeks. What a great place to visit!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:19:46 AM
Michelle said…
What a fun time! Great memories-I’m impressed with the biking skills of your kids! That warm weather sure looks inviting!
Thursday, March 17, 2011 8:34:33 AM
Anne said…
Oh YEAH! I am SOOOOOO excited to go on our adventure in a few weeks! Looks like some great memories were made by all! Just can’t beat spring fever any better way than heading south :). What a cute and adventurous family you are!
Thursday, March 17, 2011 3:27:08 PM