We knew we needed to go somewhere for spring break this year but we weren't really sure where yet. We wanted to do Goblin Valley but the campgrounds were all full but then we realized we needed to try out the "new" tent trailer. We hoped we'd find an open spot to camp and we did! That's one good thing about being near Goblin Valley...lots of space.
As soon as we pulled in the kids were off climbing any rock they could find.
We don't all fit in the trailer though so we still had to put up at tent.
We knew we were in the right spot when we noticed the rocks were smiling at us.
Home sweet home
One of my deal breakers for camping is that I need somewhere to "go." Since we weren't in a camp spot, that was a definite concern....especially because there are no trees. But Trav (planning ahead like he always does) had gotten me a little outhouse tent for Christmas. When I got it I wasn't sure I'd ever really use it but it was awesome! I loved that little tent! We had a bucket, kitty litter and privacy. After we had it all set up we realized how perfect the placement of the tent was....right behind "Bum Rock."
Those kids were non-stop!
Jonah's chair was a little on the short side for eating at the table.
There were lots of tumbleweeds to use for kindling.
It was FREEZING at night (and I was even in the tent trailer snuggled up to Will). We couldn't wait for the sun to hit our camp in the morning!
We headed off to the best hike ever...Little Wild Horse Canyon!
This hike is seriously so much fun. I'm pretty sure Josh and Kate didn't even touch the ground. They were scaling the walls most of the hike.
This is a climbing kids paradise!
I tried to get close ups of all of them but they were hard to catch!
Even Jonah was getting brave and climbing way higher that his mom was comfortable with.
There were a few meltdowns complete with the hat spike.
Josh was nice enough to carry the hat for a while.
Every time I've been there before there's been water so Josh, Kate and Trav came prepared with water shoes. But there wasn't any water at all! We hiked further than I've ever been up this canyon because you usually have to turn around sooner.
We went back to camp for a quick lunch. Ha ha! Those chairs!
Then we headed over to the goblins!
The kids LOVED this too. So much to climb on!
We played a few rounds of hide and seek which was SO hard. It's all SO big!
Jonah completely lost steam so he and I made the long trek back to the car while everyone else stayed and played a little longer.
That was A LOT of walking for a pretty tough 4 year old.
I wanted to document I was there so I took a few selfies with these cuties.
Driving back the sunset was amazing and kept getting better and better.
Cozy in the trailer!
The 2nd night wasn't as cold as the first but it wasn't warm.
We needed hot coco to get us going in the morning.
Then run to the sun as soon as it gets close!
Today we wanted to try a new hike Trav found on the map. The road wasn't actually much of a road but a dry river bed. We figured we were already here...let's try this hike out even if we have to hike to get to the trailhead.
Some of us were a little more "gung-ho" than others.
Then we found the sand hill.....
Will was immediately covered head to foot and having the time of his life.
Everyone else took a little more time getting into it but when they did...we were there for over an hour just playing in the sand and decided to not do the hike at all!
The pictures may not look like much but they really did have the best time!
Josh was letting his hair flow out the window as we drove to the petroglyphs.
We saw there was another hike to an arch that looked interesting so we decided to try that. It was a long, rocky hike.
You could never do this one in the summer. You'd melt! But it was just about right for us!
Jonah was done again. Good thing Josh is the best and let him hitch a ride.
We made it!
There were some petroglyphs here too, but I'm not sure if they were added later or something. There was no label or mention of them anywhere.
Jonah got the tiniest scrape on his hand but you'd think he needed emergency surgery if you based it off the next few pictures.
He's not dramatic at all.
This ended up being SO cool. I'm glad we stopped and did it! And there were hardly any other people there! We had the place to ourselves for a while.
Jonah in his snack shop taking orders....
It was sad to say goodbye to our little campsite. It was such a short trip but SO much fun! It was just the reboot that we all needed. Love you Goblin Valley!
