OASIS

Last weekend we spent some time in the west desert. First we hiked up to an old hermit cabin. A guy lived in this cabin he built around a cave for 30 years.

Poor Ava....it is a constant challenge to stay upright.

This was our campsite. This huge spring has created an oasis in the desert. We were literally in the middle of no where...just us, the bugs, coyotes, and cow pies. The spring has been dammed up into this little lake. Tyler thought there might be fish, so we brought the gear. Zoe was ready to get her line in the water EARLY. No, fish...but at least she got some practice casting.

Big sister teaching Ava how to fish.

Catching snails

Zoe's secret garden. She said this was her favorite part of the whole trip.

It was a rainy and chilly weekend, but we decided to swim in this warm spring anyway. The girls had a great time while it lasted.

More snails...these we brought home for the fish tank. Ava kept calling them her babies.

Last stop was a hike and some rock hounding at Crystal Mountain.

RED CLIFFS PRESERVE

Last weekend we went down to the Red Cliffs Preserve. I have camped and hiked many times in this preserve on the west side of I15 but didn't realize how much more there was to it to the east. Tyler did a little research and put together this little adventure for us.

First we hiked to some sand dunes and sand hill. The girls got a work out climbing to the top and then sliding back down on their bellies.

Part II of the day was to this old mill and the Virgin River.

Tyler and Zoe of course found a friend.

If you look closely at the rock wall there are swallow nests all over it. The birds were flying around us like crazy because some dumb kid was throwing rocks at them right as we came up. Makes me MAD! Mostly at the parents who were just watching him do it...until they saw us coming.

Part III of the day was to hike to some petroglyphs and dino tracks. Tyler had been to the dino tracks during a field trip before, but wasn't able to find them. And Zoe cut the hike a bit short when she fell into a large cactus. She was really brave while we picked out all the spines. Now both my girls have learned their lesson with that plant!

DRAG ME TO...

You could say I'm really lucky to have found a husband that I have so much in common with. We enjoy the same music, food, and movies...well most of the time. Last weekend we decided to go out and that almost always consists of a movie. Tyler started BEGGING to go to a new horror film because this is where we do not agree. I was holding my ground, but in the end started wavering because he REALLY wanted to see it. Even after successfully beating him at rock-paper-scissors (which I NEVER do) I reluctantly agreed to see it. I made it about 20 minutes into the movie and had to leave. I think it is getting worse with age, but I HATE horror movies. I took everything I had to stay that long. My stomach twists and I my entire body tenses. Tyler likes to make fun of me by saying "you know it's just pretend...right?" So we spent the rest of our date at the movies in separate theaters while I watched Star Trek for the second time. Even after leaving the theater it took a good 15 minutes for my stomach to relax so that I could enjoy some dinner. Am I the only person alive who detests the feeling of being scared and grossed out by the big screen??