THE VORTEX

Today, we had another fun family adventure! This time we headed out near Veyo to what we call the Vortex, or the Whirlpool. It is a fun hike, first through lava rock, then sand, then the slickrock and then to the "hole". It was very windy on top of the highest peak, but otherwise, it was perfect weather for a spring picnic and hike.

I much prefer hiking in slickrock than hiking in the sand. It is also so pretty in the spring with the various nooks and crannies full of water.
View from the top
It wasn't easy to get down, but even harder to get back up. Grandpa's rope system helped a lot.


Loo Loo the lizard
Love this one of Grandma waiting for the second wave- the wave with the 3 year olds!
MaKaty started out needing a ride through the lava rock but she held her own once we reached the slickrock.
The view from the truck as we started the hike.
Nicole carved her name in today.
This was from about 10 years ago-Spring 2000.
This is also from 10 years ago, when Trent was just 9. He didn't carve as deep, but he was trying to carve his entire name, nickname,.....
He ended up just doing his nickname- ROPE
Contemplating going down into the hole
Nicole making her way down- turns out she is half mountain goat


Eating some lunch- a little windy on top.
A slickrock pool on top right next to the Vortex- full of water, but the deeper Vortex hole is totally empty.


Grandpa and Kate leading the way to the top.


Spring flowers were out.







Nicole in the Vortex

Bentley was the first to try out the rope. He was very brave- usually he is the most cautious of all!
Seth was eager to try the rope.




Chloe had a rough start, but.....
pretty soon she was a pro


Derek giving Mattix a ride- one year olds don't cooperate with being tied onto a rope real well

Mattix also needed a re-tread


MaKaty




Nicole just walks right up- she really is half mountain goat like her grandpa



Another view from the top- Just beautiful!


Seth led the entire way back. He stopped and "smelled" for footprints. He was a great tracker.
He was telling us here (in his deep, big boy, I am tough, voice) that "I was getting worried- but then I remembered there are people behind me, and I kept going". Thanks Seth!

EASTER PICNIC 2010

We headed out to a fun spot at Manganese Springs on Utah Hill. Had a fun day of four wheeling, climbing, egg hunting and eating.
All the kids were trying to climb on the four wheeler at once, so we tried to snap their picture. It's a little like herding cats- while they were all contained- they weren't necessarily all cooperative!!
Bentley, Mattix, Hannah, Cru, Jacoby, Seth, MaKaty, Ava and Chloe



Aren't these great HOOD ORNAMENTS? MaKaty, Chloe, and Ava are all as different as can be- all contain lots of spunk and independence- so sitting side by side- is quite unusual!!
Jacoby on the very top of the peak
Grandpa and MaKaty
Jacoby at the cave, above our "kitchen" - as he called it
MaKaty is a good little climber, and Grandpa's not bad either!
MaKaty and Indy
Hannah said that this is "paradise- just laying in the sun relaxing and thinking things to yourself"

Chloe is quite the driver- unfortunately the picture below is typical driving for her- she is more into looking at whose behind her than where she is driving- she took out some chairs, bushes, near misses on trees, vehicles and people



Nearly every posting of adventures- shows Grandpa on some cliff pointing out nature points
Bubble Head Courtney
Grandpa got to drive his new fourwheeler for the first time since brain surgery
McLain, Bentley and Seth

He is only smiling for the picture because I was blocking the road and wouldn't let him go until he let us celebrate this ride after months of recovery
Mattix and Jacoby
McKenna and Ava
Creative Hannah found this rock, located some charcoal in the firepit and entertained herself with Tic-Tac-Toe while we unloaded
How many cousins can fit on one fourwheeler


Makaty and some serious egg hunting
Bentley is a very earnest egg hunter, he is such a calm, careful kid
Cru wants UP

The eggs were hidden in every nook and cranny- (estimated number about 300)
I just love Ava's hair and style
Mattix was totally happy with this one soccer Easter Egg

These eggs were hidden in difficult places for the older kids- but Seth is determined to get to them
Once Mattix got one egg in each hand, he was done
McKenna is a very shapely woman
Garrett filming Ava
We are so glad that Grandpa is back on top of the world again- THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER
SOme of the eggs are in rather difficult spots



Cru sharing with Grandma