June 28th we started our Summer vacation. First stop was Omaha, NE to visit Becky's Grandma & Grandpa Chadderdon. We ate out at Godfather's Pizza and had a nice time.
We drove a couple hours further, stayed at a hotel in York, NE. Then next day we drove across Wyoming. There's a "historic marker" sign off I80 right next to a lone tree that I've always made fun of as we drove past, "Hey, look! A tree! In Wyoming!" This time we actually stopped to see what it was and found it the marker was actually because it's a tree growing out of a rock. Moreover, it was used as a landmark for railway men back when the rails ran right along where the highway now is.
I'll probably continue to make fun of it, though, because you know, Wyoming.
We spent a very nice evening at our niece, Christie's, place in Rock Point, WY. She took us for a walk to a nearby park where Becky caught some pictures of a fabulous sunset.
On Thursday we arrived earlier than than rental place was available, so we checked out a dinosaur park in Ogden, UT. There was a museum indoors and some paths around the park lined with dinosaur models. Including one of the fearsome MARSHOSAURUS!!! Apex predator of its domain!
It was a pretty cool park. We had fun there.
The rental place my sister, Jennifer, lined up for us was up Ogden Canyon a little past Pineview Reservoir. It was very a very pretty place. Becky caught some deer on camera a couple blocks away from our place.
Friday morning was time for a hike up Waterfall Canyon. I'm sure that for any serious hikers, the trail is a breeze. For a group of, I dunno', like 25 with old people (that would be me & Becky, the oldest two in our group) and little kids, it was good exercise. The first quarter mile or so is pretty exposed. It was hot, but level, easy walking. After that the trail got steeper, a little more rocky, but also a lot more shaded with a nice stream running alongside it. About a 1.5 miles up there is a cool little waterfall. Also a zipline. $30 for a there and back ride on the line. None of us did it, but it sure looked cool.
Ellie, Elizabeth and Tabby were virtually inseparable the whole weekend.
Funny thing. Becky was so vigilant making sure that we all had shoes appropriate for walking up a canyon. Then when we actually did so, she forgot to put hers on and didn't notice until we were far enough up that she didn't want to go pack to the parking lot to get them out of the car. Not only was she the oldest in our group, but she made it up the canyon in her hiking sandals! Way to go Becky!
After the hike we all got cleaned up and met at Memory Grove in Salt Lake City for family pictures.
Color coordinated by family, of course.
Facebook sometimes labels Ben as his cousin, Adam.
Joined by Katie, they became ... the Four Amigas!
Boy cousins are weird.
On the way back from the pictures there was a beautiful sunset over the mountains.
Most of the day Saturday we just hung out playing games. It was very relaxing.
That evening my aunt Diane invited a bunch of family to her place for dinner. It was a nice time. I got to see some family I haven't in a very long time.
Sunday morning we spent some time at Jeremy's. Tabby had a great time with Leah and Katie & Peaches.
Sunday evening we stayed at my parent's house. Watched The Martian. Good movie.
On the Fourth of July we watched Galaxy Quest because it's awesome and Isaac Penrod (who also was at my parents' place) had never seen it.
Then that evening we went over to Joel's place for a grill out. While we waited for the firework time, Becky took Tabby & Elizabeth to the park. The rest of us stayed home and watched Captain America. Because AMERICA!
We watched fireworks from Joel's balcony which had an awesome view of the Salt Lake Valley. Fireworks went off non-stop for hours. So many I couldn't even tell where community firework displays were happening. It was really cool.
Tuesday we drove all the way back to Omaha. Yay having four drivers in the car. Wednesday we arrived back in Milwaukee to drop off Sam at about 5:30 PM, or so and then got home to Green Bay about two hours later.
It was a great vacation.
