Saint George--March 2016

The first weekend in March, we drove down to Saint George for our annual mecca. This year we stayed at the Red Lion Hotel (the kids will tell you--it's all about the pool) for two nights and then with Angie's in-laws (the Meltons) for the next two nights. Most of us were sick with head colds upon arrival (perfectly timed for the trip--ugh!!) but the sunshine and warm weather promised a speedy cure.

The first day's adventure was a premeditated circumnavigation around Gunlock Reservoir. We'd seen amazing pictures of waterfalls and kids bum-sliding down sandstone watercourses and we wanted to scout the place out, discover its secrets. So on foot, we marched around the reservoir. At first glance it just looked like some low-level reservoir in a barren landscape. Nothing amazing. Pretty plain. After some walking, though, we started seeing it. Feeling it.

Lindy was a trooper. She loves adventures and being outside and is a congenial companion on our family outings.

Sophie, looking a little grim. This was before we entered our family flow, so at this point the adventure felt more like a death march.

Gunlock Reservoir

About a quarter of the way around the reservoir, the kids noticed some sandstone formations that extended right out into the water--they looked like castles. They looked like magic. We veered out and into them and the kids immediately found their nirvana. Exploring the castles, they all staked out houses, balconies, and decks for themselves.

Once we found this place, moral went up dramatically. Just look at that face!

After an hour or so of play, exploration, and lunch feasting, Casey decided that he wanted to jump into the reservoir. It was March 4th. I looked up the data--the water was measured at 48 degrees that day--but the ambient temperature was in the 70s and that felt like the 100s to people from Salt Lake after several months of snowy winter.

Casey, ready to cannonball in.

One thing led to another, and soon Zeke stripped down to nothing and jumped in several times. Then Hallee. Then Sophie. Then me. That moment was my favorite of the trip. Total fun. Total freedom.

Our own little private beach. There were no other people at the reservoir. Just us. Perfectly amazing!

Eventually we continued on out circumnavigation. Casey found this arrowhead:

After passing through massive swarms of midge flies and a few stray cows, about 3/4 of the way around the reservoir, we came to the Santa Clara River. A river fording turned into another session of family flow.

Lindy, becoming one with the element. She loved the mud between her toes and the wind in her wispy hair. The day spent circumnavigating Gunlock was legendary. Memorable for all of us. Serendipitously magical. We celebrated the day with Nielson's Frozen Custard back in Saint George, our bounty reward for jumping into the reservoir, and a warm swim in the hotel pool. (Or, for me, a hot soak in the hot tub.)

On a previous Saint George excursion, we visited the Virgin River Gorge, just across the state line in Arizona. On that trip we found a trail leading to Sullivan Canyon but didn't have time to hike it. This year our plan was to find that canyon! Saturday was the day.

We start our Virgin River Gorge explorations out on the north side of I-15, crossing the interstate in a subterranean tunnel to get to the river bottom.

I love these Dr. Seussish Joshua trees.

Going subterranean. 

The kids were excited for another river crossing. The chance to strip down to your underwear is apparently a welcome thing in this family.

Our Canyon. Sullivan.

The winding trail leading to Sullivan Canyon doesn't see much traffic, so its marked with these big cairns.

The desert landscape was greening up and so lovely. 

Gourmet lunch under a mesquite tree at the mouth of Sullivan Canyon.

Lindy, tearing it up in Sullivan Canyon.

The kids, especially Hallee, were captivated with the lizards and spent many minutes in their pursuit.

Indigenous barrel cactus on the side walls of Sullivan Canyon. I have to say, we have a pretty cool canyon named after us. I'd like to explore farther up on another day.

We had told the Melton's that we'd join them for dinner that night, so we didn't spend more than an hour hiking and playing in the actual canyon. The approach was about 2 and a half miles from our start location, so 5 miles round-trip just to get to the mouth of the canyon. With a herd of little people, those numbers are legit.

Zeke, brandishing a bleached piece of buckhorn cholla.

Hallee relished the return stream crossing at the Virgin and wanted to stay there and play all night, but alas, dinner awaited.

Can you see the joy in this girl's face? She looks like a total hippy child in this photo.

We stayed Saturday and Sunday night with the Meltons. Jacque and Howard are amazing and generous hosts. Our kids loved being there with them. In fact, Hallee sited our stay with them as the highlight of her trip. They are that awesome. We went to church with them on Sunday and then toured the Jacob Hamblin home in Santa Clara and spent the rest of the time feasting. Jacque is also an incredible cook.

Monday, March 7th, was our day to reenter reality, although we stalled a bit. On our drive back to Salt Lake we stopped in Cedar City to surprise Kristen for her birthday with pies from Croshaw's (Howard swears they're the best pies in St. George). Then on to our favorite hot spring stop in Meadow for a piece of this:

Hallee perfected her front-flip entry on this visit to Meadow Hot Springs.

We love this place!! We stayed until dinner time. Hours spent soaking in this beauty!

By the way, five days of family adventure, sunshine, and fun in southern Utah cured those nasty head colds.