Cross Country Day 7 (Wednesday): Vernal

I woke up to this! 

A gorgeous sunrise outside my window. Alysa came in a few minute later to make sure I was awake as Aleta and I planned to take our oldest daughters to the Vernal Temple to do baptisms for the dead. Zoë couldn't find her temple recommend before we left, so Aleta called Travis who contacted our bishop and made it possible for Zoë to go.

Early Morning outside the Leigh's house- on our way to the temple.

Zoë and Alysa wait on the steps of the temple to go to the baptistry.

They weren't really awake yet.

Alysa was able to give a smile, Zoë couldn't summon the energy.

We picked up doughnuts on the way home (Glazed Bacon Donuts!) and had pancakes Aleta made when we got home. Then the kids played a little while Aleta and I got ready for a hike. We filled bladders in Waterpacks and a few waterbottles for the boys (who didn't bring their packs).

Six cousins playing Minecraft.

Piling nine people almost legally into our van (two shared a buckle), we drove nine miles to Moonshine Arch listening to Zoë and Keven take turns reading to use from a book Nana got, "How to Share a Bad Attitude". We were cracking up! We then walked maybe a mile or two along a dirt road/path in really HOT weather. Well, for us New Yorker's it was really hot!

Miranda as we start along the path

I had to take some selfies!

Alysa, wearing her CamelBack and Sunglasses.

Nica jumping washes, Zoë, Aleta, Keeth, with Keven in the front (holding the book).

I love Keeth's smile!

When we got close to the top, we had to pause in the shade for a minute. Whew! It was hot!

Cousins under the tree: Miranda, Nica (trying to climb it), Keeth (in the tree), Megan (sitting in the tree), Zoë and Keven out front, and Alysa standing behind Keven.

Miranda was so excited! She loved how she could climb right up this rock and sit on the formation. She was glad for the rest in the shade and the (relative) coolness of the stone.

Nica thought it was pretty cool to climb on the rock.

Alysa scampered up to the top of the arch. She took some pictures of us below, and some of the view from there. She was the only one to go that far.

Megan, Nica, and me.

Keven (his head is poking up at the bottom left) Nica is talk to him. Me, Megan, and Miranda (well, her hair) at the bottom of the arch.

Keeth sitting at the top of the rock prominence- right next to a cactus!

Nica and Miranda were not interested in climbing up the arch.

Keeth showing the cactus he found.

The girls on the arch

Alysa at the pinnacle of the arch.

Saddle? Nope, just slippery sandstone.

My girls! Miranda, Zoë, Veronica, and Megan

You can see how hot we were- red faces!

Miranda, Keven, Zoë, Nica, Megan and Alysa (Keeth took off just before we could catch him in the photo)

Bailey Girls!

Stretching on the sand.

Megan resting for a minute.

Zoë could reach the ceiling of this carved out area.

While we were starting to finish up in the arch, I heard thunder BOOM. And I knew we needed to get down off this rock hill fast. We high-tailed it down. I was worried there would be a flash-flood and the van would get stuck in one of the washes! Thankfully, it only started to spit rain at us as we reached the van. It also made the hike down much cooler.

Four kids in a three-seater: Keeth, Miranda, Alysa, and Megan

Zoë, Nica and Keven sat in the middle row.

We ate lunch when we got home, and then the kids played video games until it was time for Aleta's kids and Zoë to go to mutual. While they were gone, the younger ones got to ride with Uncle Michael on the motorcycle.

Michael said Nica was a natural, leaning into the curves and super relaxed. She was so happy she was old/big enough to ride in the back!

Megan had fun, but didn't know what to do with her legs- which are getting rather long.

Miranda was happy because she got to ride twice.

When Zoë got back from mutual, Uncle Michael took her out for a drive, too.

Moonshine Arch

Moonshine Arch