DAY ONE:
We drove to Bryce Canyon hoping to hike a little before heading to Escalante to meet Lisle (who invited herself to our family trip and we were so glad!) We later discovered that the Bryce in the following pictures was not the Bryce Canyon but just a pretender. So we actually never made it into the park but did a little hike outside the area.
Oh yikes! (Mom, a little scared jumping at such a height . . .)
Flying high Izzy!
Of course we had to visit our dear friend's arch.
DAY TWO:
Peek-a-boo canyon and Spooky Gulch
Found our first snake. It was alive, but none of us were scared by it. However in Spooky, Elizabeth got spooked (horrified, freaked, etc) by another snake...which was dead.
.
Our first obstacle was to scale this wall. There was no rope but working together we did it with no problems.
The problem...a mouse. It pretty much freaked us all out. But the worse thing was the baby bird that wanted to fly into our faces. Lisle almost got a face full of feathers which sent her several leaps backwards.
This hike was really the most fun hike we've been on. It was just right in challenge but so much fun going up and over the rocks. We all had the most terrific time.
Now for Spooky Gulch. This was much more narrow and a little claustrophobic for me, but it was worse for Lisle who was carrying her load in front and really had a tight squeeze. (She is after all five months pregnant).
We stopped by The Devil's Garden for more climbing. I mean who could resist a name like that? Brian only had a slight heart attack at the height Elizabeth climbed.
DAY THREE:
Lower Calf Creek
(there is no meaning in a name like that)
It was a hot day so we obtained water from an obliging creek. Lydia put her hat into the ice cold water and slapped it on her head. Wow, refreshing!
Beautiful and spectacular, but ice cold!
Brian was the brave (or crazy) one. He dove in then swam to the water fall trying to get through it to the back wall. The current was so strong and with his limbs going numb it was hard work, but he did it. We were all very concerned and kept yelling for him to come back.
Our hero!
The toe dipping crew.
Brianna was also very brave and got in up to her head. Well done Bre!
And the least brave of all...Lisle. This is as far as she went and I had to pull her to get her that far. But she took some great photos for us!
Bottoms up!
On the way back Lydia was the leader and we had to hike fast and furious to keep up with her. She would not slow her pace and only take small breaks upon our requesting (demanding).
This was a fabulous trip with wonderful memories. So glad you came Lisle! Let's do it again!
