We decided to actually go do something for spring break this year. I've lived in Utah for 19 years and have never been to Moab and so that's where we went. I really wanted to go in the spring when it wasn't too hot and we had wonderful weather. It was a high of about 83. Perfect. This is the first vacation we've ever taken to see nature. We usually go for entertainment or amusement parks so this was a first and I was a little nervous if everyone would have a good time but we had a blase. I was also nervous about camping for 3 nights because we've only ever done an overnighter. I don't think we could have had a better trip. I was in charge of the food and clothes so we pretty much ate like kings. I let loose of the reigns a little bit and let the kids pack for themselves. I gave them each a list of what needed to be packed and they did it. Neil was in charge of getting all the camping gear ready. The Saturday before he set up 5 of our 9 tents in the backyard to decide which ones to take and he decided on the Kirkham springbar. We have a 5 person one that 4-2 men tents can attach to so we took the bigger one and one pup tent for Neil and I and it was the perfect set up. Plenty of room for everyone. Eliza ended up sleeping with us, which meant Neil didn't sleep so good. It was Jeep Safari week so we are so lucky we got a campsite. I insisted on one with showers and the ability to make fires. It wasn't the greatest campground, felt like you were in your back yard but it worked. What made it nice is that there was a creek behind our tent that the kids loved playing in. We got to camp at 8:30 and quickly got a fire going so we could roast hotdogs and make smores. Neil worked on getting the tents up. We went to bed around 10:30. On the first day we decided to go to Arches National Park because it seemed like the most difficult hikes and we had the most energy.
There was so much to see in Arches, we could have easily spent 2 days here. We have an Ergo baby carrier that I have never used to actually carry a baby in because it is just too bulky but Eliza loved riding in it back pack style. Thank goodness. I think we hiked 8.5 miles with only 2 meltdowns.
So many places to climb and explore along the way. The kids were loving it.
The first hike we did was to Delicate Arch. It was the longest and most difficult, but not that bad. It's pretty safe until you get to this ledge right before you get to the arch. There was this 3 year old throwing an all out tantrum on the ledge. I was freaking out and it wasn't even my kid. As I passed the dad, I asked him if I could help put the kid back in the carrier and he said he was ok. Well Neil passed him about 5 minutes later and saw the kid throw his shoes off the ledge. It was funny but not really.
Delicate Arch was amazing. All of sudden you make this turn and there it is, boom.
We stayed and ate lunch at the Arch.
Conner was the only one brave enough to go over and see the arch up close. I think my vocal fear of falling to my death rubbed off on the other kids.
Here we are at Sand Dune Arch. It was a huge natural sand box. This was probably the kids favorite place. We stayed for two hours and they could have stayed longer. Not only was their sand to play in but a ton of rocks to climb and explore.
They all got filthy but Mikey was the worst. This is when I was thankful for those showers. I love that toothless grin.
Here we are at Landscape Arch. This is the only time Lucy and Eliza had a meltdown. Lucy was getting tired and wanted to ride in the back pack. She started throwing a fit so we took E out and put her in but E would not stay on the trail and just wanted to explore so it was slow and go. Eliza kept waving to every person we passed and it was precious. When we went to put Eliza back in the pack she freaked out and screamed and arched her back all the way to the Arch. We were quite a sight. Being as that was their only melt down, it was quite a success.
Look at these happy faces. They are totally loving it and being outside. Who needs roller coasters.
A new Hibbert camping treat tradition. You fill a waffle cone with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, strawberries and bananas, Wrap in foil and put in the coals until nice and gooey. Yum, Yum
The kiddos spent every morning playing in the creek.
Dead Horse Point State Park
On our second day we started the day by going to Dead Horse Point State Park. According to one legend, around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top. Cowboys rounded up these horses, herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck, which is only 30-yards-wide, was then fenced off with branches and brush. This created a natural corral surrounded by precipitous cliffs straight down on all sides, affording no escape. Cowboys then chose the horses they wanted and let the culls or broomtails go free. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below.
Once again there were spectacular views and a ton of rocks to climb on. We played hide and seek for quite awhile and ate our lunch.
We ended our day at Canyonlands. The part of the park we went to was called Island in the Sky, perfect name.
This is Mesa Arch.
Conner really wanted to see Upheaval Dome. It is believed to have been formed when a meteor hit.
So tuckered out after another long day of hiking.
Peek a Boo
Packed in like sardines.
On our last day we spent it playing on another sand hill and playing in the Colorado River.
Now this water was freezing. I don't think I've felt more cold water. Eliza didn't mind it. Her legs were so scratched up I think it must of felt good on them.
While at the river we ate lunch and planned to heat up some leftovers but it was so terribly windy the flames on our stove kept going out so we moved into the van. I was so nervous we'd melt the vinyl on the seats but all was well.
Before heading home we made one last stop at Arches Visitor Center to use real restrooms and fill our water bottles. One last chance to climb as well.
Well that's a wrap. We are all so glad we went. As they say on the dinosaur train, get out into nature and make your own discoveries, and we totally did that. It was quite the success. Everything went well and we made it a goal to visit the other 3 national parks in Utah this year and we can't wait to go camping again.
Reflecting back the best part was just being together as a family and talking and discovering this beautiful earth we've been given to live on. In our day to lives there is not a lot of time to just talk to the kids about life and whatever. It's school, piano, scouts, homework, dinner, cleanup, showers and bedtime. It was so nice to leave all that behind for just a couple days and connect once again as a family, to see everyone's personality come out and notice things I had never noticed before. Sam loved being ahead of everyone and he and I would just talk and talk and talk, mostly him. He likes to talk if he's got a listening ear. But for being just 9, he knows so much. I was amazed. He loves animals. I think back when I was 9 and I didn't know anything, not like these kids. Mikey loved hiking and could have went all day. At home it's usually Conner and Sam together and Mikey feels left out but in Moab, Sammy and Mikey were inseparable. Conner was always at the end, usually by himself. He loved it but he was very introspective. Lucy always had a smile and giggle, except for her one meltdown, and Eliza was the same.
Seeing this amazing scenery out in the middle of nowhere was mind boggling. I think of the creation of the earth happening in 5 days. I know that's not literal but that's how my brain makes sense of it. The formations that I saw took over 30 million years to evolve. It's crazy to think of the earth being even older than that and my time on it is so small yet so precious. Anyway it has given me a lot to think about.
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