SPRING BREAK

CAPITOL REEF

Rob and my Dad had the week before Easter off so my Dad had planned a trip to Torrey UT. We had a good time and it was really nice getting away even if the weather was not so nice. I had not been down there since I was in High School. Myself the kids and my Mom and Bryan headed down Friday Morning. Following some Google Map Directions we did not make a turn we were supposed to and ended up taking the "Scenic" route.... Which was about and hour and a half longer. Thank goodness the kids were so good. We had a Portable TV/DVD so Drew and Sophie could watch movies. Once we arrived in Torrey and checked into our rooms we headed to The Patio just outside of Capitol Reef and got some Pizza. It was a cute little restaurant, it looks like it would be a great place when the weather is warmer, they had horse shoes out back and a game room above. Drew and I had a power struggle, I wanted him to sit in his chair while waiting for dinner and he wanted to roam around the dinning area (this was a running theme for the weekend). I took him out side so he could sit in the Car and decide if he wanted to follow my rules or not. He feigned having to go Pee which he always does when he has to do something he does not want to. Well I called his bluff and he peed his pants. Lesson learned. Rob and my Dad headed down after my Dad got done with some School things. Rob said they got on the Road about 1 AM. Rob knocked on our Room Door about 5AM. We were up Early Saturday and headed out for some sight seeing.

This picture was taken at the Visitors Center in Capitol Reef getting maps and info for our weekend. they have some great driving tours here also tons of hiking. With our current state of fitness we opted for the Driving tours.... We are all going to get fit so next year we can take advantage of the hiking trails.

Below is a picture of the kids during the driving Tour. In fact they looked like this a lot during our trip. Our vacation to them was Kung Fu Panda, Muppet's and Aladdin.

So after our driving Tour we headed into Hanksville for lunch. First of all, have you ever been to Hanksville? I must admit it was rather disappointing.... Specially being in Capitol Reef all day and then Driving East leaving all the beautiful Red rock and sand behind. It looked like a nuclear bomb went off and destroyed all living things. Depressing! Then we finally get to Hanksville which seemed like a 200 mile drive really only 30 and there is nothing! A few motels a few eating places the only place that looked decent to eat was Stan's Burger Shack attached to the Chevron. It was just OK not worth the drive. The two girls working the counter fell in love with Sophie they came out and asked if they could hold her (a little weird) then they started taking picture of themselves holding her (OK off the charts weird) Rob and I figured this must be due to the fact they are sterile from the nuclear explosion. The only reason to stop in Hanksville would be the picture below.
The Hollow Mountain Gas Station. It was really cool. the front part of the store look normal but if you went to the back you could see the rock and how thick the walls were. We were going to head to Goblin Valley but it was another 30 mile ride and we were not up for it. Back to Torrey we go. Whew what a day.
PS. Ok I have been thinking I was too hard on the Burger Shack Girls. Maybe its just small town hospitality...

This is Drew on the stairs to nowhere out side of the Hollow Mountain. Sophie patiently waiting for us to get going.








Sunday was General Conference, so while my Mom and Dad were watching conference we went Swimming well it was more like walking around in the pool. Drew hates to get his head wet so there is not too much you can do in the pool with out getting your head wet.... Sophie loved it though. It did take a few minutes getting used the the water though. After the firs session we went out for some lunch which after a little bit of exploration we ended up at the Capitol Reef Inn and Cafe. It was decent food I should have order something different. My parents went back to watch the second session and we got shakes for us all and headed back to the Hotel for Naps for some of us.


That afternoon we sent into Capitol Reef for some sight seeing. We stopped at Goose Neck First you hike about 600 ft. to this overlook See pic below. The hike was just my speed. On the way up I was following Bryan and my Dad, they made me so nervous I had to be in front of them on the way down. You might ask where is Drew. He missed it all, he was sleeping in the car....

Mom, Bryan and Dad after little hike to Goose Neck. We asked Bryan if he wanted to do the 3/4 hike that was on the other side, he said he would wait for us in the car. We all decided to go and see the other sights before heading back to the hotel.

Chimney Rock

Twin Rocks

Both of these sights were right off the road in the park. We headed back to the hotel and got to bed early for the long ride home the next day. Our tip home went well all except for Drew got car sick just outside of Scipio poor little guy. It was nice getting away and Drew loved being on "cation" and staying in our hotel he was excited to get home, "Back Home, My Room" and of course to see all his toys!

THE ZOO!

So we got home Monday from Torrey and Tuesday we head to the Zoo. It was going to be the nicest day of the week plus Dad was home and we had to take advantage of that. Of course the Zoo was packed and we still had a good time. The Carousel they have there is so cool and Drew and Sophie just loved it. Drew wanted the Tiger and Sophie got the Polar Bear.

Normally I would not post a picture like this however my face kills me! How dramatic is that? You would think some poor animal is being tortured. In fact I think Drew just ate some Dippin' Dots for the first time not knowing what to expect he is spitting them out in my hand.

AQUARIUM

Thursday we headed to The Living Planet Aquarium, the highlight for Drew, the Shark tank. They also have a area where you can pet Manta rays Drew was not interested in that he liked to look at them though. There was this little girl about 5 or 6 that squeezed in by Drew and I, her top was soaking wet. She leaned over the side cupped her hand and drank a whole handful of the water. It was so gross..... YUCK!

EASTER WEEKEND!



































My mom had both the Johnsen and Hogan Easter Party's at her house which works out nice for us because we can just walk over there. The Johnsen Party was on Saturday and the Hogan Party was on Sunday. We had a lot of fun at both. The Company and Food were great! Drew loved finding the Easter Eggs and playing with all his cousins.

I'm afraid Drew might be going through withdrawals this week, back to the same old schedule... I for one am glad Spring Break is over and we can get back to the normal schedule.