Back at the end of May, the Singles ward (where Adam is 2nd counselor in the Bishopric) had a ward activity down in Moab! One of our awesome ward members Bryon, has family who lives down in Moab and they were kind enough to open up their home and lawn to about 40 of us who went down. We lucked out and got a bed in the house, but the rest of the ward pretty much slept outside in tents. Adam gave Smurfs star presentation that evening and did a great job, and then we got a big fire going and roasted marshmallows and eat smores. It was awesome. By the time we all started getting to bed it was 1:00 am!
The next morning Bryon took us on a really fun hike (that very few people know about) up to a place where you have to rock climb/repel to the top and that overlooks an arch. It was really an awesome hike, and so beautiful, but quite the challenge with the 3 little boys since a lot of the terrain required climbing.
And I took Dawson in the Snugglie
But we made it to the top and it was beautiful!
This is the natural arch next to the climb we were doing. You have to look closely to see it.
Another view from the top
Looking down at the arch now
This is at the bottom before you climb up with a metal rope
that is a permaneant fixture to the rock
Branson really wanted to go up, but we didn’t think it a wise idea, so I took him and the other two boys down to see the arch while Adam and the rest of the ward climbed.
At the top everyone tried to get a jumping in the air picture…but our camara is a little slow! 🙂
This is standing next to the arch
Branson looked like Mikey Mouse in the gloves used to climb the metal rope
Getting ready to climb
up they go.
So I had to do a little dance to let everyone know they had arrived! 🙂
Adam caught it on camara!
I was happy to be reunited with Ad once I reached the top!
And happy to be back with my kids when I climbed down.
We all decided to take a snack / water break under the shade of the arch.
The singles slowly started joining us!
Dawson decided it was nice enough to take a nap.
and before long….
more and more kept coming…
And we all took a breather!
Then it was time to head back down.
Some took alternative ways…
It was seriously an amazing hike. We split up afterwards into two groups since half of the ward wanted to go cliff jumping and swimming, and the other half came with us to go rock climbing!
On the way we stopped to check out an old indian ladder set in some cliffs
and we looked at some petroglyphs.
Then Ad took us to some great cliffs for climbing.
Branson was just excited about the lizards!
Ad climbed to the top, set up the ropes, and then repelled down.
Such a hotty!
I took a turn later.
And it was a blast! My arms and legs are still recooperating, but it was worth it!
We absolutely loved spending so much time with the singles ward and getting to know even more amazing people. We count ourselves so fortunate to be in such a wonderful ward.
Thanks everyone for a wonderful time!
Oh and P.S. For journalings sake, Branson got car sick and threw up in the car on both Adam and I’s lap-tops on the way to Moab! Adam’s laptop has never been the same since.
Gotta love adventures! 🙂