We were very excited to return to Arches National Park this year. We hadn't been for 2 years (too pregnant 2 years ago and babies too small last year). This was Caleb and Gage's first trip there! Gibson was also very excited as he loves hiking! So we took the baby backpacks and got ready to do some serious hiking!
The Windows Section
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| The whole family, ready to start hiking! |
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| Gibson in North Window |
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| Brady and Caleb taking a rest at South Window |
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| Gibson, mom and Gage at South Window |
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| Gibson in front of Turret Arch |
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| Gibson, mom and Gage at Turret Arch |
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| Turret Arch - perhaps my favorite picture from the trip! I love the contrast of the red rock, blue sky and white clouds! |
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| South and North Windows - as seen from the backside. |
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| I think we missed most of the desert flowers in bloom, but we still managed to find a few. |
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| Gibson overlooking the valley from the backside of the Windows Section. |
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| Double Arch (Indiana Jones filmed here). |
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| We ate our lunch in the shade of Double Arch. |
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| A view of the top of Double Arch |
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| Gibson, our little monkey! He climbed all over the place at Double Arch. |
Delicate Arch
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| We got into the Park early one day so we could hike up to Delicate Arch while it was still not TOO hot. Here's dad and Caleb taking a break in the little bit of shade that there is on the trail. |
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| Mom and Gage taking a water break, too. |
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| We made it! |
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| Gage was mad because he was on his leash and he just wanted to be able to run around by himself! |
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| Caleb! |
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| Gibson hiked down to the Arch |
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| And he hiked anywhere else we would let him! |
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| We wore the boys out! Gage fell asleep on the way back down the trail! |
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| And Caleb fell asleep in the car shortly after! |
Sand Dune Arch
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| Gage LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Sand Dune Arch! |
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| Caleb wanted NOTHING to do with the sand and sat on my lap the entire time! |
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| Gibson and Gage played in the sand for a long time! |
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| Gage was covered in sand from head to toe! Look at that face! |
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| Playing in the sand.... |
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| .... and running in the sand! So much fun! |
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| Brady, Gage, Gibson, Christen & Caleb in front of Sand Dune Arch. |
Park Avenue
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| This hike is one of my favorites! It is so quiet (if you can avoid the herds of Europeans getting on the tour bus), peaceful and beautiful! |
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| Since it is a "one-way" hike, Brady, Gibson and Caleb started and one end... |
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| ...and mom and Gage started at the other end. When we met in the middle, we passed off car keys. |
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| Three Gossips |
Balanced Rock
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| Caleb, mom, Gage and Gibson at Balanced Rock |
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| The boys loved this hike because we actually let them walk by themselves! |
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| Caleb going up to Balanced Rock! |
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| Gage running down the path! |
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| Caleb and Daddy! |
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| My 3 hiking boys! |
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| Mommy and Caleb at Balanced Rock |
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| A beautiful view of The Fiery Furnace. Unfortunately, we couldn't hike it this year. It would have been impossible with the backpacks on. |
Devils Garden
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| We let the boys hike by themselves on this trail, too. (After 3 days of heavy hiking, our shoulders were killing us!) |
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| We went as far as Pine Tree Arch. This is Gibson on the inside wall of the Arch. |
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| Caleb scrambled up the side of the Arch, too! |
Pool Time!
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| After a hot day of hiking, the pool was always a must in the afternoon! Here's dad and Gage, our little fish! |
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| Gibson and Gage |
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| Gage, Gibson and Caleb |
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| Dad and Caleb |
Downtime
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| We did other stuff besides hiking - like go out to eat. This night, Gage actually fell asleep at the table in the restaurant! |
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| The bridge over the Colorado River |
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| Gibson standing in the Colorado River |
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| Gage trying on mom's shoes in the trailer! |
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| Out for ice cream - MMMM! |
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| Gibson's bed! Since the twins sleep out in the main area of the trailer, we squeeze Gibson onto the floor in our bedroom. What a cozy bed! |
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| We were fortunate enough to be in Moab during the rare eclipse! The eclipse left these awesome shadows on our trailer!; |
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| You can see the effect of the eclipse on our shadows, too. |
Bye, Arches! Until next time!
