Our Latest Trip

Thanks to our generous neighbor with a spare laptop, my sanity and easy access to the Internet has been restored! I hadn't quite realized how COMPLETELY dependent upon the Internet I have become. So here is the promised travel log from our latest and greatest adventures:

Dinosaur National Monument

On our way out to Colorado we decided to make a stop along the way and Dinosaur seemed like a great spot for some exploring and camping. Unfortunately a lot of the park was inaccessible and there wasn't much shade, so after enjoying a quick hike and lunch we decided to continue on and find elsewhere to camp.

As many times as we have driven between Utah and Colorado we have never driven the scenic route from Dinosaur across the northern part of Colorado - we just kept driving and driving, enjoying the hills and antelope - Annabelle slept and we arrived in Steamboat, CO for dinner around 8pm. It was definitely too cold to camp (still snow on the ground) and Anna was wired so we pressed on made it to Colorado Springs about 1 am, set up a tent in Mike's parent's yard and slept! Annabelle thought it was so funny and when Jake (Mike's brother) discovered us in the morning he informed his Dad that there was a bum sleeping in his yard. Correction from my mother-in-law: 3 BUMS!

Off to Arkansas

After a few days of relaxing with the families we left for Arkansas. We have been wanting to go out since we were married (nearly 4 years ago) so that I (and now Annabelle) could meet Mike's paternal grandparents and Uncles who live out there. Uncle Stan and Aunt Sue welcomed us into their home. The trip was SO wonderful :) We spent loads of time with Mike's grandparents and were able to visit with all three of his uncles and their families that live out there. We were spoiled with good food, fun with cousins and an overnight trip to Stan's lake house.

Annabelle warmed up to several relatives, including Grandpa Sherwood who administered 1st aid for a stubbed toe!

These pictures are from a BBQ at Uncle Karl's. Look how GREEN Arkansas is!

These cute cousins totally made Annabelle's day - they shared with her and entertained her and even put up with her bossing them around :)

We spend part of Mother's Day at the lake house and Annabelle and I had our first ever rides on these 4-wheelers!

The lake level has risen quite a bit higher than normal (Note the sign in the background).

It was a blast . . . and of course totally safe.

Despite a storm the threatened a tornado we were safe and even got to try out Sue's new fire pit.

Our Sherwood hosts took their duty seriously and made sure we had a wonderful time. This is Stan, Sue and Allie with us, out by the ever approaching water edge - Look how high the water is, usually those trees are growing out of dry ground!

We loved playing 'Grandma Sherwood Rummy' with Grandma herself.

We have adopted one of Grandpa's sayings into our home and it can be heard several times a day: "We pinch bare bellies and we spank bare bottoms" - Annabelle loves it and still encourages belly pinches.

Back in Colorado

Relaxation, time with family and rock climbing with friends took up the rest of our time in Colorado, but we felt that there was ONE more adventure to be had - so after longing to on several previous trips we FINALLY hiked to Hanging Lake (which is found on I-70 about 1/3 of the trip from the Springs to Provo).

The trail was only 1.2 miles each way but it was really steep, but totally worth it. The hike followed a river up the mountain side and little water falls could be seen as we ascended the trail. At the top is a lake sitting at the top of the falls. A boardwalk allows you to walk between the lake and the falls.

The lake is also supplied by water falls that fill the almost glass looking aqua colored lake.

Our trip was amazing, a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure!