Day 4 - Zion National Park

Emerald Pools is a Zion classic: an oasis in the middle of the desert. The hike is a collection of short trails that meander past a small, lushly-vegetated stream that rolls down from the cliffs and forms several interesting "pools."

Cross the footbridge and follow the trail that goes north along the Virgin River.

The kids take a photo with Mom on the edge of a large rock.

In less than half a mile, the vegetation becomes more lush and the trail makes its way along a tall alcove under two tall waterfalls and the pools below.

Sydney draws a cute flower along the trail.  

There are several spots during the hike where you have some very good views of the east side of Zion.

Another great photo of Mom and the kids.  

  

The year round water supply provides for abundant vegetation, some that grows directly on the vertical rock. 

Kathy and Sydney stop for a short rest on the trail. 

Samantha and Andrew rock climbing.  

Trey and Mom rest for a bit. 

Everyone decides to get into the act. 

Something gets the girls attention while the boys are feeling quite at home.

The first part of the Riverwalk hike is paved and takes you by a swamp and lush vegetation. It seems so out of place in the desert. Then the trail ends at the river.

The well-traveled path, host to approximately 3,000 people a day in the summer, ends where Navajo Sandstone walls close in and water is forced into the narrow walls of the world renowned Zion Narrows.

The ease and beauty of this hike is the reason for its popularity and many young people do play and delight in the river at the end of the pavement on hot summer days.

Be warned that the water in the North Fork of the Virgin River is frigid in the winter and spring.  A fellow hiker aids Andrews in crossing a short section of the stream.

Mom and the kids decide to take a break and pose for a photo.

The Narrows is one of the most unusual hikes on the Colorado Plateau. Hiking is done largely in the river as, for a third of the route, the river runs canyon wall to canyon wall. The walls are vertical and sheer, and often red in color. Water levels change from season to season; most hikers will wade at least waist-deep and many will swim a few short sections.

  Here you can see two hikers returning wearing wet suits.

On a good day this trip is popular, and depending on your tolerance for your fellow visitor you might consider it crowded but its certainly worth the trip.  We hope Dr. Chris and the kids had a great time visiting their first National Parks .  We thoroughly enjoyed being their host and look forward to future adventures. 

Day 3 - Bryce Canyon

Thanks to our great cooks, we start the day with a delightful breakfast:  Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon and Hash Browns, followed by Samantha and Sydney's birthday!

The kids enjoy breakfast at Dave & Kathy's Diner.

Trey was in charge of the birthday cake decoration.

Andrew was in charge of the cupcake decoration, while the girls each decorated their own cupcakes.

Sydney did a great job with her cupcake.

Samantha with her cupcake.  Happy Birthday Girls!

Mossy Cave is the trail you want to go to if you have a very short time and want to do a little hike. Or, if you have kids that do not like to break a sweat on a hike, this is a perfect little stroll where you can get a canyon experience without the hike down.

As you come down off the low ridge, you see the first of a couple bridges that will take you across the creek.

As you step across the second bridge, look to your right and you will see the waterfall. A few steps off the bridge and you will see the trail junction to either go left up to Mossy Cave or go right to the waterfall.

We noticed that snow was still noticeable in the Cave area.

Here you get a great view of the hoodoos above and across from Mossy Cave.

  

Chris and the kids pose for a photo along the trail.

Look up to see some windows in the sandstone formations above. If you feel up to it, you can climb up to these and look through the windows at where you are now.

Beautiful views in all directions as you can look through the window down on the trail you came up on and down toward the waterfall and beyond.

After we safely walk back down the slope, we decide its time explore some more of the canyon.  

Chris has a moment for a photo.

The kids were very active and crossed the creek many times.

We arrive at the corral for our 2-hour horseback ride in Bryce Canyon.  

Samantha on Crazy Alice.

Andrew on Dynamite.  It was Dynamite's first trip down into the canyon with a rider on board.  That is why you will see a lead rope from Matt to Dynamite.  It was a wild ride to be sure for Andrew.  Dynamite didn't like to stay right on the trail - just like Andrew when he is hiking.

Sydney on Croppy.

Trey on Raspberry, Chris on Pango.

Kathy in the rear of this photo on Tuffie.

Here we are exiting the corral and heading to the trailhead.

You head down the trail into the canyon.

Taking photos while riding is not an easy task but I managed to get a nice shot of one of the Hoodoos along the trail.

Here's Matt, our Wrangler, talking about the canyon.

We are almost done and Matt asks if we had a great time during our ride.

We all take our time getting off the horses.  No injuries, that's great!

Dave riding Kimber.  

Matt with Samantha and Sydney. 

Matt with Trey and Andrew.  It was amazing that the kids were never scared.  This ride definitely convinced me that I would never ride a mule down into Grand Canyon.  I do not care how old I am, I am walking!