Zion continued

Our campsite at Zion National Park had these little irrigation ditches all around it.  At least that's what I'm assuming they were. The kids, of course, loved it. Once we set up camp, Connor asked if we could stay for a few days instead of just one.

And this was before he even saw the river, which was just a short walk from our camp site. It was the perfect solution to a hot, humid day.

While Aubrey and Donovan made mud cakes, Connor and Brant kept busy catching tadpoles.

Tadpoles were a new experience for these Arizona kids.  Connor really wanted to take some home "for pets".  Despite our warnings, he bottled up a few and checked on them daily.  Those little critters made it as far as Idaho Falls before finding a grave site on the side of the road.

After our early morning wake up and 6 hour drive (darn construction), we were ready to hit the sack at 7 PM.  Unfortunately, it was still light out, not to mention humid.  

at least some of us were able to sleep

That was the first of a week of late nights for us.  

Which made for some slightly crabby kids. 

Which made for a change of plans for our second day in ZNP.

We had planned to do two or three of the hikes in Zion on the second day.  With our tired kids, we managed one.  And would you believe that I have no pictures of our Emerald Pools hike??  We hopped on the bus for the ride up canyon and then I realized that I had left my camera in the car!  

Dean hiked/swam the Narrows, the most popular hike in the canyon, by himself, while I took the kids to a park.  He didn't bring the camera, though, as the 'trail' is the river and he didn't want to worry about getting the camera wet.

Just take my word for it, the place is beautiful.