On Tuesday morning we left Page for Zion National Park. We hiked all day Tuesday, and then camped over night. We packed a lot of stuff into the short time we were there.
Jamey and Addy enjoying the Virgin River near our campsite. This little adventurer loves the water and just took off across the river to get dad.
Addy and Me at Weeping Rock. She loved getting dripped on by the waterfall. We love Zion because it has so many "family friendly" trails. We were a little sad that we couldn't do Angels Landing this time, but Addy wouldn't have lasted that long in her pack.
On the trail down from the Emerald Pools.
We took the trail to the Temple of Sinawava, but didn't do the Narrows (again because of Addy), This was toward the end of the day, and she was mighty tired from all of the hiking we did.
Going up to the Emerald Pools.
The Court of the Patriarchs
Addy loved the tent. I may have to set it up in the backyard to keep her occupied.
On Wednesday, we got up and left Zion for Bryce Canyon. I had never been there and was really looking forward to getting the full experience.
We decided to hike the Queen's Landing trail. Addy refused to ride in her pack, so we took turns carrying her. She fell asleep on the way back up.
On the way down, while carrying Addy, I slipped on some sandstone and took a spill. Addy had only one scratch on her hand. My knee and shoulder took the majority of the impact, but after cleaning up my knee and a little doctoring from Ranger Jamey, I was good to go and finished the hike.
Needless to say, I was pretty much done after my little incident. By the time I made it back to the trailhead, my knee was very stiff and swollen.
We left Bryce to head back to Page. On the way, we saw signs for Cedar Breaks National Monument and decided to have a look. It was amazing and totally worth the stop. It kind of resembles a mini Bryce Canyon, but it's in the mountains and so pretty.
And, the temperature was about 15 degrees cooler than Bryce.
On Thursday, Jamey had to work, so we headed up lake for our week long stay at Dangling Rope. Jamey works at the Dangling Rope Ranger Subdistrict at Glen Canyon National Park (Lake Powell). I was very excited to see where Jamey lives and works, and experience the lake by boat.
Dangling Rope is pretty much just a marina and government housing. It was really interesting, and the marina store has the "best soft-serve west of the Mississippi".
Addy and I took lots of walks (and tried to avoid rattlesnakes and scorpions) while Jamey worked Thursday through Monday.
Addison loved loved loved Jamey's boat.
Especially when she got to drive! It was so fun to see Jamey in action at work. We met all of his coworkers and had a great time.
On Tuesday, we headed back down lake. We took Addy to Lone Rock Swim Beach. She loved playing in the sand.
Glen Canyon is so gorgeous. I am jealous that Jamey gets to live there and experience it everyday. She also loved swimming.
She screamed when I took her out of the water.
When it was time to leave, she started covering herself with sand.
On Thursday, we made the long trek home. Monument Valley is so cool and the only thing to keep you entertained on the long drive across the reservation.
Glen Canyon Dam and bridge
We also visited Rainbow Bridge National Monument. I forgot to post a picture of it, and I'm too tired to do so now, so I was save that for another day. We visited six National Park Service units (national park, national monument, national recreation area) in 10 days. It was a wonderful vacation!
