Goblin Valley

I think we went camping on the windiest night of the year! We got to Goblin Valley at 9:00 pm and got turned away at the gate because the camp ground was full, so we were told to drive 8 miles back to camp. We were meeting friends there that had a place in mind to camp, but with no cell service we figured we might as well get our camp set up. I was happy because we found a spot with a bathroom (and ya know when your pregnant you have to get up and pee twice a night!) However it was really open and felt like we were in a vacuum. We still tried to set up our tent. We got ours up and tried to hold the inside down with rocks, but the other couple with us couldn't even get theirs up. So Tyson and I were going to sleep in the SUV and the three of them in our tent. (because  there was no way to sleep under the stars with all the snakes we saw) But then the wind got even stronger. ugh. Optimistic Clint convinced my ornery self to drive around for a bit and see if we could find our friends. If Tyson hadn't fallen asleep as we drove I know i would have made us go back to camp because finding our friends seemed like finding a needle in a haystack. Luckily! We found that needle just as they were finding their camping site. Yea!! This campsite was awesome. Right next to the mountain so there was hardly any wind!! It wasn't hard to suck in my pride and tell Clint it was such a good idea to look for our friends. 

The morning was great. Tyson and I slept in (7:30 am, which is way late for camping) and woke up to a hot breakfast. Pancakes and a dutch oven egg casserole. Way to go hubby for have that great idea. Look how cute Tyson is sitting in his little chair. (Thanks TJ, he loves it)

Next, on to hiking. Look how scary it looks to climb around on these Goblins with a baby on your back.   

The whole group, minus a picture taker, in one of the little canyons. Tyson loved loved drinking from my camel back. 

When we got as far in as we could go they found a spot to repel down.  A couple guys went down first to scope out the area and make sure there was a way to get back up. The only way back was to walk all the way around the goblins. Bummer. But Clint really wanted to go down but that meant that  I would have to carry his son back through the goblins on my back (scary! did you see some of the climbs we did, what if I slipped) he was determined that he could find a way back up so down he went. 

We waited and waited for him to come back but Tyson was getting tired and grumpy so I decided to head out. Luckily a couple of friends went back with me so I had extra support as I headed down. I was going to be really upset with Clint for leaving us, but it really wasn't that bad and Tyson fell asleep and when I saw Clint he couldn't stop talking about how much fun he had. So I was glad he went. 

I don't know how kids fall asleep in these positions. Oh! and check it out, no more braces!!

Cory found his bull to ride. I love how John is over looking him in the background. 

After the hike we had lunch and everyone was ready to drive back home. What?  A three hour drive each way and they wanted to do one hike? It was fun and beautiful, but we wanted to do more.  So we decided to stay and hike some of the slot canyons near by. 

It was a great time. I can't wait to do more camping with my little family this summer. Now if it would only stay warm for a while. 

*** Disclaimer, Clint didn't leave me alone. There were healthy young men that would have carried Tyson if I needed. And he did find a way back up, I just didn't wait long enough. I guess I made him sound pretty bad so I had to throw this in.