Trail Mix

Back in May of this year, we decided to go for a family drive to the Parawon Gap. The Parawon Gap is a physical natural break in the  mountains formed by an ancient stream. It allows easy access to the other side of the mountains and is ripe in history and native american petroglyphs.  The area has been made into a nice stopping place with parking, picnic area and paved pathways from one side of the gap to the other. Petroglyphs are highlighted all along the walkway which made it easy for us to take our son TNT Lando along with us.  After exploring the location and on our way back to the car. we decided to power up the cell phone and check to see if there was a geocache around. Sure enough not far off the beaten path there was a cache. Torran had wanted to put the stroller to the test, so he guided it towards ground zero and found the cache easily.  This was a very nice, easy paced adventure for us, especially with a newborn. If ...

On the morning of March 19, 2016 Torran set out with Joe Teton, Zer0 and Ranger Dale to explore the Shinob Kibe trail down by Washington, Utah.  The trail was a good hike up the Shinob Kibe mesa which climbs about 650 feet. The pathway up was clear but had slick areas where loose stones could cause one to become off balance. Combining that with steep slopes made for a cautious climb up the side of the mesa. Even halfway up the views became spectacular. Along the way, Joe Teton pointed out the various geological features which gave us a new perspective and appreciation for this hike. In the days of old, natives would use this natural wonder as a place of refuge. Evidence of this was pointed out to us by Joe Teton who has spent many years studying various aspects of Southern Utah.  Once we had reached the plateau, the hike became much easier and we were able to find the Shinob Kibe Cache quite easily. The views from the summit ...

With the new year underway and our life starting to get settled since our move, Tatterhood and I decided to tag along with Joe Teton and Anyatoo on one of their regular tours to the Valley of Fire. The Valley of Fire is located to the northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. The weather when we went was rainy and only a few weeks later there was a super bloom that took place in a lot of these places. Despite the weather, the temperature was nice... seriously how could I complain knowing that normally we're under 3 feet of snow back in Canada. This was the first time that Tatterhood and I had gone to the Valley of Fire so it was pretty amazing to see. As a bonus there turned out to be quite a number of virtual geocaches (that's where there isn't a physical cache, you just take a photo and answer a question or two about the area). All of them took us to some amazing views or some historically interesting locations. The petroglyphs were really interesting as wel...

In March 2014, we randomly decided to take a trip south to Utah to visit family and escape the dragging out of the Canadian winter. While down there, we went with the family on a relatively short trip over to Zion National Park. Though we have been there many times before, each time we stand amazed at the dazzling sights, sounds and epic landscape that surround us. Almost every year since we first met, we have managed to make a trip to this park. We usually try to get a photo at Weeping Rock. Unfortunately this year that hike was too busy. In fact, the entire park was busy the day we visited. With several of our young nieces and nephews in tow we instead choose to do the riverwalk. The riverwalk is one of the easier hikes in Zion. It's a longer hike then some, but the path is a paved one mile and there are many advantageous locations for photos. Although photos really don't do justice to the immensity and wonder of seeing this incredible formation in its natural glory. ...