Well the day has come…..we have a permit and they are shutting the road down. The tunnel hight is 11.4 with a 13.1 clearing in the middle we are 12.9…you can do the math!!!!! Our length was too long so we had to unhook the car. That meant we got a picture of rockstar nana driving into the beast!
Bryce Canyon is a must see! They have a huge program for kids. The boys did junior Ranger Program, Night Ranger Program, and Hiked the Hoodoos! It was a very busy day. The good news is that I remembered to pack lunches for everyone!!!!!
I think the junior ranger program is the most brilliant thing ever. It teaches the kids about each park and why it is special. It gets them involved in the future of these amazing places. They usually have to attend a ranger talk or hike and there are different subjects covered like history, geology, plants, animals, antimony…you name it, its covered. They have earned 6 badges thus far. Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Canyon De Chelly, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capital Reef. They will earn 4 more this week. For anyone interested in getting their kids involved in the junior ranger program they can earn badges online.
www.nps.gov/webrangers
Today we visited one of the least visited National Parks. It’s called Capital Reef. The Fremont Indians first inhabited it. There is little known about them except what they left behind, the huge orchards, and the information they shared through the pictographs. They disappeared and no one knows what happen to them.
NOT loving the Ranger Program
I would of liked to explore it more but the boys were out of control today. They earned another badge but barely. During the ranger talk, they got caught poking a caterpillar, the ranger promptly reminded them that they were trying to earn a junior ranger badge and a junior ranger would NEVER harass the wildlife.
We visited the Gifford House. This was an old settlement by the Mormons in the 1800’s. It had a little store attached to it where you could buy jam, fresh baked bread, and pies. The boys reeked havoc here as well. Sooo, we called it a day and left Capital Reef wanting to see more!
We had our first scheduling conflict. We showed up a day early to the camp ground in Capital Reef. They had no room for us. We ended up at a great little place and now we have a down day. We decided to go for a 5 mile hike just for fun! We went down the Grand Wash at Capital Reef. The boys found caves to explore and huge rocks to climb. There were some valuable lessons learned too. Aiden and Griffin got stuck on the top. I told them that if I came to there rescue that they wouldn’t be allowed to climb (non-mom-approved) rocks because they were not being safe. They should never go up if they think they can’t get down. They insisted they could do it, so 45 minutes later, they were all down without my assistanc.e. Funny thing is, they didn’t feel like climbing rocks after that. I like to call that natural consequences!
I was giving a lesson on how to find good rocks to climb (not sandstone). Different holds and footing and body placement, you know stuff boys need to think about when climbing rocks…..well my darling Mason was not paying attention. He climbed a rock and once on top thought he’d walk to the edge. It was sandstone when it gave way, Mason came tumbling down!!! He decided not to climb anymore rocks either! Success! Now if I can get my little dare devil Preston to have a close call, my job is done!
Look Closely…snow on the ground!!
We went to Canyonlands National Park today and guess what…. IT SNOWED!!!! We didn’t let that stop us though! It was definitely worth dealing with the cold to see Mesa Arch!
We are zooming through Junior Ranger Programs! The boys received their 6th badge today. They hiked a two-mile trail with a ranger and talked about geology, plants, and animals of the region. There was so much information that they were tuning out, for a bit. They tuned back in when I informed them this was there schoolwork for the day and if they weren’t paying attention there would be a badge and I would give them extra schoolwork when we got back. That ranger didn’t know what to do with my little wiz-kids after that! Mason was answer questions about the difference between a mesa and a butte…..Aiden was talking about Uranium and Preston was all excited about the fact kangaroo rats don’t pee…..Griffin…well he was playing in a puddle…But he did the whole hike and for a 5 year old…that counts!
brrrrr
Whohooooo!!! As we were pulling out Cap and I were freaking out about HWY 12. The lady at the RV park was very comforting. She asked us if we normally go off the road. We don’t usually go off the road……so why would we now!!!! Classic!!! We lived by that saying the entire way. Cappy drove and she was a champ! I was in charge of video taping it. Which was kinda hard since my eyes were closed for some of it!!!!!!
The tunnel is in two days!!!
Ever since I planned this trip there has been dread about highway 12. There is a portion of the road that’s called Hogs Back. Its elevation is 6600 with shear cliff on each side of it. There is no shoulder and hair pin turns. I’ve been freaking out for months about this road. When we make it off the Hogs Back, we get to go through a tunnel that has a clearance of 13.1 and I’m 12.9. I have to get a permit because they shut the tunnel down so the I can go through the center of it.
WISH US LUCK!!!!!
Mason’s Birthday was Sunday, the same day as Mother’s Day. We planned a “down day” so everyone could just do what they wanted to do. Well it was a good thing that we planned nothing, because in came a storm! Cold and rainy! Cappy had wanted to ride camels that day..yes camels! Apparently, Moab has everything!!! No camels, no river boat, no jeep tour! We settled on shopping and lunch. Like I said Moab has everything….there is Moab yoga and next door is the Peace Tree Cafe! whoohooo! We were on our way to the Peace Tree when Mason spots a brick building with the sweet smell of garlic and butter protruding from its doors. He says to me,’ hey mom….” When I point out the Peace Tree and say, “we are going there.” He reminds me that its his birthday and he loves pasta and pizza not things from a tree! My pasta was delish and so was the wine! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MASON!
HEY LOOK WHO SHOWED UP TO THE PARTY!!! FAMILY PICTURE!!!
We were suppose to meet a ranger at 9PM last night for a night hike through the arches at Windows. We grabbed milkshakes and headed up the mountain. By the time we got up there it was lightning and thundering. The ranger canceled the hike and by the time we made it back to the car it was pouring rain. it waspiitch black and pouring as I’m winding my way down the pitch black canyon …I was stressed out but the boys weren’t! They were fighting and tickling and screaming. It was really annoying! Nana tried to warn them that I was loosing it. She tried to calmly explain that as adults we are trying to keep them safe and their part is to be respectful and keep it down. Well they clearly didn’t listen because they were pulling on my seatbelt and trying to stick their smelly feet in the front seat.
Once we got back to the campground, I kicked them out of the car in the rain and told them we were in site 70. I wished them good luck and handed out flashlights. I watched from the car and then headed to the site. Well they saw my car and started running after it. Griffin was running beside it and I told him to get away from the car….he didn’t listen and got so close to the car that I thought I was going to hit him. I stopped the car and got out and smacked him right on the butt!!! A first spanking..it shocked him….and the rest of the boys. Needless to say….it was a rough night.
Lesson learned last night. I need to be more direct with my words when telling them I’m at the end of my rope…..they need to pay attention when I tell them to get away from me….let that be a warning…it’s for their own safety!!!