Heber Valley Day 1

We had another opportunity to take a trip for the website, this time to Heber. They put us up at the Homestead, gave us an itinerary, and even planned out the seven restaurants they wanted us to write about. We told them upfront that we had a kid playing baseball in the State Tournament, but that wouldn't take up much time from our agenda.

Our first stop was for lunch at Dairy Keen. It's already on our list of family-friendly restaurants because of the train theme. We enjoyed the burgers, fries, and shakes, and the owner even gave Dax a quarter to watch the Hogwarts Express roll back and forth. After that, we went to the park right across the street and played freeze tag with Dad being "it" while Mom worked on her Instagrams to fulfill our contract. The boys always love when Dad chases them, but it got hot fast, so we didn't stay too long.

It's always too hot to sit out here, but we like to take pictures. 

We always enjoy the shakes, though.

The prize in the kids' meals was squirtguns!

Mark had to have his hotdog cut up like he was a 2 year-old because he just got his braces on the day before.

The boys know they have to pose for pictures on business trips.

The park was fun, but it was so hot!

Dad's getting too old to catch the kids these days.

Mom had heard of a cookie shop in Midway that she wanted to try, so we drove out that way next. The cookies were really huge and delicious, and we got to try as many samples as we wanted. Not far from the cookie place is Memorial Hill, which is fairly new to Heber Valley. It is a large knoll with a road that winds up and around it. At the top there are memorials to every veteran who gave their life in any war all the way back to 1812 from Heber Valley. (Don't ask how a resident of Heber could have died in 1812 as that wasn't explained.) Memorial Hill was certainly worth a visit, and the flags were flapping avidly while we were there.

The boys enjoyed tasting all the different flavors. 

The view from Memorial Hill was so beautiful and clear.

There was a reverent feeling on Memorial Hill.

The big activity of the day was riding the Heber Creeper. We have ridden this train lots of times, but it was extra hot on this day. We tried to enjoy the breeze from the windows, but we were mostly just hot. We enjoyed the pretend train robbery and the old cowboy stories. The boys like getting up a half dozen times to walk around the train. 

We've ridden the Heber Creeper quite a few times.

Last time the boys were frightened by a shoot out. This time they were a little braver.

Dad enjoys trying to control his teenager.

There was a little shade for Mark and Mom.

The tickets looked like really old-fashioned train tickets.

Mark was dying from the county music. 

There was a bit of a breeze by the gate.

The train goes up along Deer Creek Reservoir.

When the robbers came on board, we were given some wooden loot!

Mark loves looking out the window for birds.

The pictures from two cars away didn't turn out too great.

Seth got this pose just right!

Mark and Dad working on the railroad all the live-long day.

Dad and Dax then headed down to Payson where Dax hit a lead off homerun in his team's route of Saratoga to advance out of pool play at State. Unfortunately, they lost the next game, so they didn't place this year. Meanwhile, Mom, Mark, and Seth went to dinner at the Old Goat Restaurant in a little part of town that has been made up to look like an Old West town. The tacos were really good, and the boys did okay on their meals. They met us in Payson for Dax's last game, and then we all headed back to Heber to sleep.

Mark and Seth played chess while waiting for Mom to check in at the hotel.

Plain old pasta for Seth.

The Old West town was pretty cute, and we liked sitting outside.

Mom thought it was weird to just have two kids for a little while. 

Dax played great in his tournament game.