It was such a rare blessing to meet friends from California and friends from Maryland in this beautiful place. We aren't exactly halfway but it worked out that we could all get here at the same time which is something of a mini miracle.  While we were all in the same vicinity each family did their own hiking based on the age of their kids and what everyone wanted to see.  Our family opted to hit Kolob Canyon this trip.  We had driven into Zion and it is breathtaking.  Truly.  But it is pretty "people-y" in this, the high season.  I'm not a crowd lover let's say. My husband  did some homework and found some less traveled but still amazing trails for us.  (ps we do plan to go back again in off season)

On this hike we went down to the canyon floor and followed the river.  There was forest and red rocks all along the sides of the trail. 

The temps were in the upper 90's much of this weekend but we got some wind while hiking which kept things comfortable.  Ducking into the shade of red rocks helped too.  

These little lizards were spotted several times darting across the path.  We didn't see many other hikers which meant lots of little critters were daring to come out.

"Look!  It's a dinosaur face!" 

It's always a treat to find a semi-secluded trail and I can't tell you how amazing it is to see these places.  I won't pretend that all family members are equally enthusiastic over every single hiking or sight seeing excursion however.  That's just not real life.  Kids are delightful.  They skip rocks over pond water.  They hide behind big trees and leap out when you pass.  They yodel off the top of the summit to see if their voices echo back.  

Kids.  Are.  Awesome. 

Kids are also childish at times, being that they are children and all.  Their shoes bother them.  They drop the last protein bar in the sand.  Sunscreen annoys.  So do brothers.  Or sisters.  And you would not believe the passion with which they can argue that riding a scooter round and round and ROUND the pavement of the RV park is a better option than seeing, oh, you know, a NATIONAL PARK.  They can however.  

One person was having such a day when we began this hike.  It was sort of the pits for a while.  In fact that part was kind of a drag riiiiiiight up to the turn around spot at which point all of a sudden it was SO much fun crossing the stream hopping on the dry rocks or being the first to notice the huge butterfly or watching the grasshoppers fly through the air.  The snacks were good.  The drink hit the spot.  All was well with the world for the second leg of the hike. 

Thing is, it always ends that way.  It would be swell if every single family member was always on the same positive page.  That's not real life though. Still there are ways to deal with those crummy scenarios which can get everyone back on board and keep your sanity as well.  You can listen.  You can empathize.  You can troubleshoot little problems.  Sometimes you encourage them to push through anyway because you know something awesome is up ahead and it would be such a shame to miss it because of a temporary bad mood.  Perspective – you've got it, they don't.  If you can just keep your game face on and encourage them to hang on for a little bit it pretty much always turns around and ends on a high note.  

So that's how we hike.  My disclaimer is that all the above applies to generally well children who are rested and fed and in good health. Sometimes we get frustrated when a child's behavior is really the fault of a parent who has not met their needs and planned appropriately. That's no good obviously.  Empathy goes a long way.  Know when they for real are not ok and call it.  As the saying I've shared before goes, "The purpose of the task is to strengthen the relationship."

So here we are refueling.  You get to the end of the trail some hikes and look at each other and the two of you just have to laugh because he is wearing one sock since he gave the other to a child whose shoe was bothersome. His giant Curious George hat was claimed shortly after that.  And someone got wet.  And two were having a hysterical conversation in made up voices.  And one joked that little kids were fired from the next hike.  And you're sort of tired and sore but happy you did it anyway and suddenly it all strikes you as super funny.  It just really is. 

You gotta laugh y'all.  It's a crazy life.  

Alannah sent me some video she took so you can walk along with us for a minute.  We are working on getting more video.  #goals