We headed to southern Utah over fall break for some sunshine. Because of the government shutdown all the national parks were closed. The state park campgrounds were full of displaced tourists and we couldn't make a camping reservation anywhere. We planned on going to the Red Cliffs nature reserve where the campground is first come, first serve. When we got there the campground was closed due to the shutdown. Apparently Red Cliffs is a national and a state reserve. Very confusing. We were prepared to primitive camp on BLM land but didn't know exactly how to get there. Fortunately in St. George we saw a climbing/biking store and they told us where we could camp. Scott loves exploring new places but I find it rather stressful not knowing where I am going to sleep at night. It all turned out though and we had a great vacation. I think Bethany even enjoyed using our "porta potty".
The kids favorite place was the sand dunes in Snow Canyon State Park. The weather was wonderful, just right for hiking around and not too hot.
Carter's big hole.
Climbing around a slot canyon in Snow Canyon. We also went to Pioneer Park in St. George. Not a park in the playground sense, it has lots of red rocks that are fun for kids of all ages to climb on. There is also a very narrow slot canyon there which everyone but myself went through. It found it too claustrophobic! Ryan loved it and climbed through it over and over giving hints to all the other hikers on how to get through.
Carter loves to build fires...
Camping in the rocks in Moe's Valley.
We did some rocks climbing in Green Valley which is just over the hill from Moe's but which we had to drive all over St. George to find. Green valley has lots of family friendly climbs that are just right for us. I was higher off the ground in this picture than it looks. ( I have some pride...) It was scary but fun.
