There is a beautiful trail in Kanab that is being closed down by the BLM. Honestly, I don't know a lot of the details, but this I do know; It is a beautiful area and I would NEVER want to hike it. With this closure that is really the only option left to enjoy this area! It is a 25 mile road that leads in and out of a river. These are some of the sights that will be missed by those not willing or able to hike into this area.
When we first started the ride it was very dusty! I was happy Steven was driving so I could just close my eyes and avoid the dust. All of us looked like we had just gotten very bad spray on tans. Once we got to the water it was much more enjoyable...except of course when Steven would try is hardest to splash as much as possible so that I would have to attempt to dry off my glasses on a soaking wet shirt. It didn't take too long until I started imediatly putting my hand over my glasses when I saw that water was near.
There was a warning on the ATV that we rode in that said you shouldn't use your arm or leg to keep the ATV from rolling over. I thought that it was a dumb warning. Other than Superman who would actually even think they had the strength to stop an ATV from rolling with their hand? Then I realized that everytime we started to tip a little I would instinctivly put my arm out to brace myself. So...I'm sure that warning has saved many arms and legs from perminate damage.
After several hours of stop and go while Steven got shots and interviews we stopped for lunch. Elese really needed this break badly! For a little girl that begged to wear her helmet the entire drive to Kanab she sure didn't like actually having it on! Max on the other hand loved that he looked like a storm trooper and wasn't as anxious to take his helmet off. 
Chad (Steven's boss), had drivin the Suburban up to the end of the trail. He wanted the kids and I to enjoy the entire trail so that we wouldn't have to turn around half way to make it back to the car before dark. He started at the other end and we were following another group of men who were mostly named Steve. One of the Steves was our potographer for our family picture and also my model so I could show you an ATV riding through the river. All of the men were very nice and willing to stop whenever Steven needed to shoot something. I told Steve (my model, not my husband), that he was going to be all over my blog. At that point he took my camara from me and started taking pictures of us so that we could also be in my blog. This is Steve riding through the river (he enjoyed driving the the water and splashing his friends).
Once we caught up with Chad our group of guides went off on their own while Steven took the kids to play in the mud. I was a party pooper and just took pictures.
After getting all muddy I took over driving the ATV. I love it! It's so much fun! It's kind of like a roller coaster ride but scarier. On a roller coaster you know that the car isn't going to fall off the track. On an ATV you are never quite sure if you have chosen a path that may or may not cause you to tip over and break your arm trying to save yourself. I really enjoyed driving and I love making the ride as bumpy as possible. Elese, however, does not like a bumpy ride, espesally when she missed her nap. So...Steven climbed in back with her and held her nice and still so that she was able to fall asleep for about a half hour. Max sat up front with me and held on for dear life. He looked very nervous but happy at the same time. In 1952 3 people were driving near the Canyon (Grand Staircase) in their brand new Chevy when their car stalled. They had just crossed the narrow bridge when this happened and were on their way up a hill. The car began to roll backwards and off the bridge into the canyon. It got stuck. One of the passengers jumped out in time and surrvived but the other two were killed. They were unable to remove the vehicle so they repaird and built a wider bridge on top of the car. Chad drove us past this on the way home. I wish that I had taken a picture that would show how far of a drop it was but I was getting a little panicked standing next to the edge just to get this picture.
After that we headed home. We stopped in Panguitch and ate at The Cowboys Smokehouse. It was YUMMY! Max slept just fine in the car. Elese woke up about every 10 minutes screaming. I slept off and on in 10 minute incriments in between the screams, while Chad drove and he and Steven visited. We got home at 1:00 this morningm, showered (we were DUSTY!) and went to bed.
This made for a very adventurous Mothers Day weekend. I had so much fun watching my kids smile and just having fun with them. Too often I am worried about dishes, laundry, and everything else to take the time to just have fun. It reminded me that I need to be a mother, not just a chef, laundrous, personal shopper, accountant, dr....and so forth. It also reminded me how greatful I am for Steven's job that he loves and his boss who is willing to let me and the kids tag along.
1 comment:
Sounds like you had a blast!
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