Shawn and Becca decided to take advantage of the presence of Grandparents and took a little break from the kids to visit Moab, Utah and Arches National Park. This is one of my favorite places in the world. Byron and Elizabeth and baby Nathan and Greg and Wendy joined us since they didn't get to make it out east for the Nauvoo/Kansas portion of our trip.

We just got started, and Shawn's already taking a nap on the slickrock!

Becca standing in front of Landscape arch

Shawn in front of Wall Arch

Rock fins... Some of the most beautiful land in God's creation.

Becca taking in the vistas

Don't fall backwards, Shawn!! (Ok, it's not as steep as it looks on the other side)

We made it all the way to double-O arch. AWESOME hike!

Shawn getting comfy in the bottom O. He tried to make it up to the top O, but his mega-mountain goat skills didn't quite surface until Greg arrived to egg him on.

This little arch is called Private Arch, and it's off a side trail off the primitive trail return from the Double O arch. It's pretty intense getting to this arch, but WOW! it's so worth it! It is hidden away in this little alcove that feels like it's own little piece of paradise. I could have stayed here all day. Especially if I had known how LONG and PAINFUL the rest of the primitive trail was going to be...

We may all look like ants, but here's Shawn, Becca, Byron, Wendy and Greg standing under Delicate Arch. This was the first time I sucked up my fear of heights and actually went all the way out to the arch. Totally worth it!

Ok, now you can see us, but you can't so much see the arch... Oh well.

Shawn's trying to push the arch over... Delicate, my foot!

Byron, holding the arch up

Wendy and Greg in front of Delicate

Shawn and Becca in front of the arch

Wendy and Greg in the window right around the corner from Delicate arch

Greg and Shawn showed some mad skills climbing rocks. Wendy and I spent our time planning how we'd be spending the insurance money if they fell.

So this time, all of us exercised some mountain goat skills and climbed up to this alcove on the delicate trail. Yes, it is as high as it looks, but the views were spectacular.

Shawn and Greg on top of a sandstone fin above Sand Dune arch.

Wendy and Becca sitting on top of Sand Dune Arch. We couldn't let our husbands have ALL the fun!

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