Escalante Day 2

We woke up in a beautiful yurt and found the kids already stirring by 7 o'clock. Breakfast was sausage burritos we found in the fridge with some apple juice and fruit cups. After showers and a little exploring we hit the road. Before we got even a mile Mom decided to turn back for her contacts. Dad and the boys played on a slickrock hill just outside the yurt property. There was a grooved slide someone had built, and we had fun sliding down it.

The boys love climbing up the slick rock.  

Dad snapped a cute picture of them at the top. They were nice to wait for Mom.

It was fun to watch them scoot down the hill.

Our first adventure of the day was Anasazi State Park all the way over in Boulder. We arrived after nine and checked it out, even though we'd seen it before. The boys were excited to see an ancient atlatl as they had studied that particular item in Knowledge Bowl.

Mark loved popping in and out of the rooms.

Seth was great at grinding corn.

We love the ruins at Anasazi State Park.

After about an hour at the park we took a scenic drive out the Burr Trail. This is an old cattle road that runs between Boulder and Capitol Reef National Park. The road runs through Long Canyon, which is beautiful. Tall, sheer walls towered over us, and we argued about whether it reminded us more of Capitol Reef or Zion.

Looks like Capitol Reef!

Or does it look like Zion?

At one amazing stop, we entered Singing Canyon. This very short slot canyon provides and perfect echo. The boys were shouting and screaming like wild monkeys all the way to the end. They even tried singing a few old rock and roll sings, but mostly hooting produced their favorite echo. After the canyon, we drove the road all the way to the end of the pavement where it enters Capitol Reef. It was much too muddy to go farther.

Singing Canyon was a lot of fun.

The boys were excited to say they went to Capitol Reef on this trip, too!

The scenic drive was great, and we took a ton of pictures, including some along the hogsback and million dollar road along Highway 12. We were gearing up for the longest hike of the boys lives. It's three miles to Lower Calf Creek Falls, which means six miles roundtrip, and we'd never pushed them that far. We stopped for lunch right in the parking lot, so we'd have plenty of fuel for hiking. As we were finishing up our sandwiches, the ranger came over and gave the boys Junior Ranger badges for Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument. He said they hadn't earned them yet, but they would by the time they got back to the van!

There were some great overlooks on Highway 12. 

Mom trying to take an Instagram worthy picture. She failed!

Mom told the boys that they looked like they were peeing off the overlook. 

Dax and Mom had a great moment on the drive.

The day was partly cloudy, so the sun would come out and overheat us, and then the clouds would take over and we'd get a little chilly. Mostly it was perfect weather, and we were surprised that thousands of people make this unshaded hike in July. Even though it's still March, we passed dozens of people along the trail. I guess I should say most of them passed us, because we took it quite slowly. The climb was very gentle, and the trail wasn't muddy, so we managed to stay clean and dry. The hike seemed really long, though, and Dad had to tell stories to get Seth all the way to the waterfall.

The trail started by this little bridge and we spotted a few fish.

Seth said he was ready to take someone's order.

Dax was going for an Alex Cora dugout impression.

There wasn't much shade, but we did find one shady spot to rest along the trail. 

We all took a breather on the bench they provided.

Mark loves looking for animals no matter where we hike.

Mom made him take this picture, but Mark was a great guide as he read us the information at each marker.

Lower Calf Creek Falls is totally worth it! There is a sandy beach with a huge pool of water. Had it been warmer we would have dived right in, and as it was, Seth splashed around the edges a bit. But the wind was really cold coming off the cliffs, so most of us went back to wearing jackets. We took a bunch of pictures in front of the 126 foot waterfall. Because it is Spring, the water was really crashing down. It definitely made our list of Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Utah.

The waterfall was amazing, and freezing! 

Dax and Seth especially wished it was warmer. They would have gone right in! 

Mom and Dad by Lower Calf Creek Falls. 

I think this one might be a book cover. Right, Dad?

The walk back wasn't so bad because Mom and Dad took turns telling stories about growing up, and the boys' feet just sort of glide along without them noticing when stories are told. Before we knew it, we were back at the van. We'd spent four hours along the trail, and every minute was enjoyable!

Back at our favorite resting spot.

This is what happens when Mom ends up wearing Seth's hat.

For dinner we checked out a new restaurant called Circle D Eatery. This was more of an adult restaurant than the kids really wanted, but they did fine with the food. Mom and Dad enjoyed their hamburgers, too.

Seth needs practice on eating spaghetti. 

We got back to the yurt a little after six o'clock. We might have played on the swings, or lit a fire and tried some s'mores, but instead, we sat on the couch in front of the fireplace and rested our aching feet. It was the longest hike we'd ever done, but one of the most satisfying as well.

It was a long, but wonderful, day!