Since school let out it's been party, party, party in the Gjerde household. We went to Utah for a vacation. Many people asked...why Utah? Ashton loves to watch you tube videos and many of the videos he enjoys take place in either Colorado or Utah. So after seeing many videos of Utah, we decided to look into it. There are so many National Parks in Utah. We were able to visit 5 of them! Called the mighty five! We visited Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Canyon Lands, and Arches. We also drove through Grand Escalante and visited Goblin Valley State Park and downtown Moab. Ashton adored climbing rocks and hiking!
In Zion, he enjoyed bike riding through the canyon and hiking upstream in the Virgin River. And of course, swimming in the pool!
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| biking in Zion NP |
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| Entrance to Zion NP |
In Bryce, he earned his first Junior Park Ranger badge. He was so proud!
In Grand Escalante, he was a trooper and hiked 6 roundtrip miles in the hot desert sun to a cool waterfall!
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| Hiking in |
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| A waterfall in the middle of the desert! |
In Capitol Reef, we saw some petroglyphs. I loved how he described the images. "It's a coat hanger with arms!"
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| Petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park |
We made a special side trip to Goblin Valley for Ashton. He loved climbing on the hoodoos! He even climbed to the highest hoodoo. No fear!
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| Making mama's heart race! |
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| Ashton enjoyed climbing the hoodoos |
By the time we got to Moab, the kids were done seeing red rocks, but we still dragged them to Canyon Lands and Arches. But we kept the hikes short! Of course, Ashton enjoyed climbing on the rocks!
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| Lily and Ashton at Arches |
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| Family photo under Double Arch at Arches |
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| Family photo at Mesa Arch at Canyon Lands, NP |
We ended our time in Moab by going four wheeling on the famous "Hell's Revenge". I was worried that Ashton would be afraid and crying, but he enjoyed it!
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| Four wheeling on "Hell's Revenge" |
We returned home for one day before I dragged the kids off to Ocean City for an impromptu beach gathering with our friends who are moving-Aaron Michael is moving to Texas and Ariana to Tennesse. After one day of hanging out at the beach with our friends, we headed to Tia Lisa's house where we hung out for a few days!
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| Posing at Sunset |
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| Ashton and Ariana walking down Ocean City Boardwalk |
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| Eating Icecream with cousins and friends in Rehobeth Beach |
Ashton tried surfing! I didn't think he would try it but he did. The water was really rough that day, so I don't think he liked it. I think he got out there, got scared, and wanted to go in. But I have got to say I am super proud of him for trying!
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| Wetsuit Ready |
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| Surfing Lesson |
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| Surfing Lesson |
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| Headed out to the waves |
Now we are home for a few days before we head out to the beach again with Abuelita and her grandson Carter. I hope the boys enjoy each other's company.
