Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion, Utah

We are so behind on our blog! It is July 13 th as I write this. I am trying to catch up with weeks of missed blogs. We have been all over the place. Mostly in the Mountains where the internet coverage is poor. Also, after a full day of adventure we are too tired to even think about blogging. Unfortunately, Sam has thrown in the towel on the blogging!!  So you are all stuck with my writing which is no where as creative and  thorough as Sams. He spent a lot of time and thought on his blogs, I dont think I will be able to that. Maybe Sam will join in after I catch us up.
We made our way to Arches National Park and Canyonlands in Utah. It was so HOT!!!! The hikes we took were awesome but just hard to find any shade.  But once we got to the  pay off they loved it. The Delicate Arch was our first hike. That is the Arch you see in the magazines etc. when showing Arches. So cool. The pictures we took on this and really every place we have been just do not show how it really looks! We had a full day hiking both parks and driving to the various look out points.
We camped at Dead Horse Point near Arches. The gnats were swarming but the surrounding canyon over look was amazing at sunset. It is like a smaller version of Grand Canyon. I have never seen anything like it. Looked at it during sunset. It was so still and quiet (until Jackson and Ben got there that is!)
The next day we packed up and drove through Capital Reef National Park on our way to Bryce National Park. We were blown away by the amazing formations on the way to Bryce and in Capital Reef. We ended up staying in Torrey Utah, just outside of Capital Reef since we got side tracked by how cool Capital Reef was.
We spent 2 nights at Calf Creek Canyon Campground  a few hours from Bryce. This campground was another place we just stumbled into. It was so beautiful and we were lucky to get the last camping spot (which seems to keep happening to us). This place had a really nice creek running through it. We all loved hanging out there since the last fews days were so hot with new water. The boys ran up and down it. Sam and Jackson took a freezing cold bath in it! We hiked a wonderful trail up to Calf Creek Falls. A hard hot hike with the end  being a 42 degree water fall. After getting the courage, Sam jumped in the water and swam to the falls. Sooo cold! We had a clear night looking at the stars. Really nice for all of us to see so many stars and so close to us. Great campsite and fun couple of days and then off to Bryce.
Bryce was beautiful! Did one hike and the drove to look out points because it was so hot. Hard on the boys.
Next stop is Zion National Park. We loved this park so much. The parks are all so amazing but this was was really cool. We stayed in Flannigans Inn just outside of Zion National Park, in Springdale. I was the happiest girl ever! I had just camped a few days, hadnt showered and was ready for some comfort. Flannigans was great! Pool, hot tub, great bed, laundry facilities and  a great resturant! This hotel was even featured in Oprahs Magazine which is always a winner!! And I got to shower!
We ended up staying there for 2 nights. We also camped across the street at a really nice campsite right on the Virgin River.
The boys tubed down and it was pretty rough in some spots. The water probably was in the 70's and Ben practically got hypothermia going down it. He was miserable. He wont be going tubing anytime soon!
Zion had amazing formations and canyons. They surrounded our campsite. Sam hiked the Narrows which is a very intense hike that you actually walk through the Virgin River in most parts. The water was up to his chest at some points. Having to hike through narrow slits through the canyons. He enjoyed it. He also hiked a challenging trail called Angels Landing. Right before the top there are chains to help you get to the top. Scary! On both of those hikes the boys and I were swimming in the pool or sleeping in the tent!!
We loved Utah and all the incredible parks. So much to see,every corner we turned was something more amazing!

Flaming Gorge, Utah

On our way to Flaming Gorge, Utah we decided to stop at Fossil Butte National Monument. It was perfect because they had a Jr. Ranger program there and the boys are racking in on their badges and they were able to earn one there as well. We met a nice family there from Orlando. Patty was full of great advice for us since she has been traveling in their RV every summer with her 3 boys for the past several years. It was fun talking with her and the boys got to run around and play hide and seek together.
We arrived in Flaming Gorge and checked into the Red Canyon Lodge. We stayed in  a really cool cabin on the lake. Marmots running around and deer passing through. So beautiful and comfortable. We cooked out  and had smores.
The next morning the boys and I went horse back riding with Cowboy Wayne. What a blast. We rode on the trail and stopped to look down at the Flaming Gorge.  Bens horse was named Shakers, Jacksons horse was named Shorty and I had Foxy. The boys loved their horses and of course now want one. Cowboy Wayne was a lot of fun and nick named  Ben "Cotton" since his hair is so white. Ben loved this and for the rest of the trip we had to refer to him as "Cotton" or he just wouldn't  respond!
He now says he only goes by the name "Cotton " when he is in Utah! Very funny couple of days with "Cotton" for sure!!
Cowboy Wayne was very good to Jackson too. Jackson had brought his BB gun and was shooting it one night. Cowboy Wayne came over  with his BB gun that he had and showed Jackson how to shoot the gun properly. To everyones surprise Cowboy Wayne gave his BB gun to Jackson. It was a special one that was given to him from his Uncle when he was a kid. Jackson was so happy.
Cowboy Wayne made our visit to Flaming Gorge very special and the boys will never forget him and the sweet horses.
Oh yeah...before we left we went on a drive to a look out point that Carol, the manager at the lodge suggested we go on. The road was  a bit muddy and slick on some parts and unfortunately the Scallywagon just couldnt handle it. We got stuck big time. Sam  tried hard to get us out of  but we got deeper into it. So he walked a few miles until  a nice family drove by in their 4 wheel drive. They pulled us out  pretty quickly. That was our first bit of bad luck we have encountered so far. Now the Scallywagon looks like we went 4 wheeling!