The Warks' Southwest Adventures

So....have you seen this Obama initiative? Click here- Every Kid In A Park! Since Gabriella is in the 4th grade we had to take advantage of this amazing and free gift! 

We set off for our National Park Tour in October and visited 5 Parks. It was a fantastic and very memorable trip.

Warning...this is a long blog with lots of pictures. Make some tea and enjoy.

First Pit Stop in in the High Desert. Simeon was thrilled to be out of the car seat. Honestly Simeon was the wild card this entire trip. We just didn't know how he would travel. It was hard at times and then he would surprise us and last for hours in the car. He really was a trooper. We thought it was comical when Jude asked us how much longer.....when we were only in Pasadena.....Um...a couple more states son...

Our first stop....

Zion National Park, Utah

Our camp site...not a bad view to wake up to.

Breath Taking and Majestic!!! We camped in Zion for 2 nights. 

Look at this cutie camper.

The Red Rock was stunning! We felt swallowed!

Here we are at "Weeping Rock". Water gets trapped in the rocks and perpetually drips...hence the name Weeping Rock. The kids loved being in this pseudo rain.

My three jumpers

Panoramic view...See us in the far left?

Our little Jr Ranger Girl. She and her Papa matched that day.
Before our trek we took a trip to the visitor's station. There, the 3 kids were given Jr. Ranger Handbooks. They completed Zion National Park activities throughout the days were there.

After completing their hand books, they received these wooden badges from the Ranger.

Yum dinner after a day's adventure. Me and my boy.

After Zion, our next stop was....

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Another awesome view of God's creation!

I mean....can you stand the awe and wonder of it all!?

Bryce is a little over 8000 feet. It was chilly up there.

That night we camped at Green River State Park, Utah. It was a quick stop on our way to Arches the next day.

Look at this little Sunshine!

The next day we  visited

Arches National Park, Utah

Arches is known for their red Sandstone Windows, Arches and Towers...and laughing little girls.

These kids were so antsy and crazy...we opted to stay only for a little while at Arches with hopes to come back. We really needed to get to our next destination....leaving the desert and going to the mountains.

This boy was done-zo. He was ready...actually we all were ready....to be at our next destination and looked forward to some warm beds and showers that evening! 

 Telluride, Colorado

Our castle for the next couple of days

JM blessed us with this lovely cabin for the weekend. It was perfect, surrounded by Aspen trees and the Rocky Mountains. We were almost at 10,000 feet. It was chilly but so warm and cozy inside and the kids had a ball exploring all the staircases and lofts....4 staircases and 3 lofts plus a lovely little reading nook in our bedroom.

Not a bad view from our bedroom window. Gasp!!

One of the lofts above the dining room. After Simeon went down for his nap we'd all climb up and read there together.

This was a favorite reading spot as well. This little nook was in our bedroom.

Another loft in one of the bedrooms

Our cozy living room with some amazing views

 A little dark but I like that I can see the mountains.

Surrounded by Aspen trees...most of  the yellow leaves had already fallen.

On our walk, the kids found some snow. They thought that was the coolest thing....

....until their hands froze!

Look at Jude's face. I think his hands were in pain from the cold snow.

We truly has such a lovely time. What a gift. It was hard to leave this place. I think the kids wanted to permanently move in.

On our way to Durango, Colorado

Going through the Rocky Mountains

SNOW!!!

The drive was spectacular....Some of the Aspens still had their yellow leaves.

I couldn't wait to get to our next destination. I haven't seen my friend Dave and his wife since our eldest children were born in 2006. Dave was a dear friend during my days at Biola. He grew up in Colorado and spent much of his life in Durango Colorado. He married a lovely gal Mary-Catherine and they have 4 beautiful children. They generously invited us to stay with them in their home. We had the best time with them and we all agree being in Durango with the McAlvanys was a highlight of our trip.

The McAlvany Family 

(sans one son who was on a home school camping trip)

Their kids are 9 1/2, 6 1/2, 4 1/2 and 19 months. 

One morning Dave and Mary-Catherine took us bouldering just minutes from where they live.  

Look at my Ansel!!

Dave was a great teacher. We were so proud of all the kids. They were natural climbers  and showed no sign of fear.

Their son Dashel was a pro climber!

Sim-oh didn't climb but he enjoyed sitting in the dirt and eating rocks.

That's Tess climbing up.

Even Mama climbed

At the Top!!

That night we went out to dinner in old town Durango. It was a joy to see all of our kids get along.

Morning Bible time and breakfast with Mr. Dave and family. Such a special time.
Mary-Catherine made the most delicious meals for all of us. We were so thankful.

So long...we were sad to go. What a very special time we had with these dear friends. We're hoping we will see the McAlvanys next summer at our 20th College Reunion!! We're officially old.

next stop....

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

This place was so fascinating. These were ancient cliff dwelling of the the Ancestral Pueblo People.

The people of Mesa Verde must have been major rock climbers and boulder-ers. We thankfully had ladders to climb up to see their dwelings.The kids did great and enjoyed the physical challenge.

The kids completed another Junior Ranger Booklet for Mesa Verde and received another badge.

Ansel tuckered out from all the climbing.

Saying their Mesa Verde National Park Oath.

We arrived that night at....

 Grand Canyon-North Rim National Park, Arizona

Freezing!!! We camped in the low 30's.

The North Rim is the forested part of the Grand Canyon. I hadn't been to that side before. Beautiful!

Lots of trees to climb. It was supposed to snow the next day so the rangers basically closed this side of the park for the winter. We were off to Zion after this.

Nice view Jude!

Made it to the top!

We spent our last night back at Zion National Park

Setting up the tent for the last time.

I don't know why I  bothered to cook dinner....the food was freezing cold in 2 minutes! Very chilly! Thankfully we had warm sleeping bags and thermals.

What a memorable trip we had!! We didn't want it to end....yet we were ready to be in our warm beds again.....too bad we had 12 loads of laundry to do when we got home. No, I'm not exaggerating. Well worth the trouble....and besides, Auntie Mo came over to help us the next day and brought us dinner. Saint of a sister I tell you.
We are so grateful to have visited all of these National Parks. Thank you Gabriella for being in the 4th grade this year! The school year is not over and we intend to redeem our National Park pass a few more times before it expires in August. Hmm...where shall we go next? We got some ideas. More photos to come!