March 2016 - Bryce Canyon Spring Break

For Spring Break this year the kids had school off on a Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. We left on Friday morning for Bryce Canyon and were hiking by that afternoon. It was cold but sunny and beautiful. We first hiked to Tower Bridge. It's a nice easy downhill hike 1.5 miles down to the bottom of the canyon. But, the hike back is all uphill and exhausting with little ones to carry. Nate rode in a backpack carrier on Dave's back on the way down and my back on the way back up. Miss Kate hiked like a true Princess and rarely let her feet touch the ground. I carried her the entire hike down, she even fell asleep, and Dave had to carry her the entire hike back up. Andrew, Ashley and especially little Hailey impressed us so much with their hiking. They were champs! 

There were lots of neat places to explore and climb on the way down. 

I tried to document it whenever Kate did touch the ground.

Here we are at the bottom. Tower Bridge is just faintly visible behind them, it looks like arches really. 

After the long hike up everyone was very tired! We checked into our hotel, went swimming and them headed to a Pizza restaurant. The food took an eternity but, it was good. 

A stop at the Ruby Inn Gift Shop 

The next morning we woke up early and there was a tiny trace of snow on the ground. We headed straight to the pool and had it all to ourselves. 

~

Ashley's cannonball entry

And Andrew next

Everyone loved the hot tub. Luckily with the steps Nate could enjoy it too without getting too hot. 

Kate loved playing on the pool steps. She is a cute, sweet, clever, funny little girl and we are lucky to have her. She does not like being of the steps in swimming pools, not even in our arms, so she stayed put. 

 

Nate loved throwing things in the pool and along the cement.

Hailey is Airborne.

Andrew too, though he is getting heavier! 

And Ashley too. 

Peek A Boo

After breakfast at a nearby restaurant we went into the park. We did 3 short hikes this day. It was sunny but cold. Nate spent his time in the backpack and Kate had to be carried for just about all hiking. The 3 big kids hiked liked champs again and had a wonderful time exploring.   

First a hike from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point along the Rim Trail, with a beautiful view of the Canyon.

Andrew's coat was temporarily lost at a friend's house so he wore mine all weekend. 

Next we did the Bristlecone Loop Hike. Part of it was covered in snow.

We then drove towards the Mossy Cave Hike and made a few stops this sign and view points along the way. 

Mossy Cave is an easy and short hike along a shallow river that includes a bridge, waterfalls, arches and a cave. It's a child's perfect playground. It was the most adventurous and fun of all. 

Nate much preferred freedom to his backpack seat. 

 

After Mossy Cave we made the drive home. It was a quick trip but, we had so much fun being together and really enjoyed everything about Bryce Canyon.