Arches!

We just got back from a 3-day camping trip to Arches National Park with one of my brothers and his family of five children. It was our first time taking Jared camping. Wow! I have a lot of admiration for families who take their little kids camping often!! It is tough! Jared woke up one morning around 5:15, and I could not for the life of me convince him that it was still dark outside and everyone was still asleep.

Some of the gang on a lunch stop

These are the remains of Wall Arch, which collapsed just over a year ago. I shed a tear or two as we passed.

Um, I don't remember taking this picture. I must have been trying to get some more shut-eye while the boys took the kids on a morning hike. Is this Skyline Arch???

Yes, I am wearing a maroon hat with a red shirt. Sue me.

My two boys in front of Landscape Arch

Skull Arch in the Fiery Furnace

In front of Kissing Turtles Arch in the Fiery Furnace
(the arch is right in the middle of the picture, but kind of hard to see for Arches amateurs)

My good little hikers--at the Windows section

Eating lunch at Partition Arch in Devils Garden

All tuckered out!

Jared was too big for a hiking backpack, but too little to do much walking. He spent a lot of time either on Alan's shoulders or in my arms. He fell asleep in my arms for about a half hour while I was carrying him on our hike in Devils Garden! I have no idea how he could do that with all that bouncing.

It was lots of fun! We can't wait to do it again sometime.