A Memorial Day Hike

After a rather dreary weekend, Memorial Day finally delivered some of that wonderful Utah summer I keep hearing about. Life has tended to dictate that I be in the barren, frigid desert for the winter and the scorching, steamy south for the summer, missing the milder seasons in each place. I'm in that steamy southeast now, but I managed to get in one last hike on a breezy summer day before bidding Utah adieu for a while.

On Monday, Christie brought Topher, Maddie, and Caroline to Pleasant Grove, and we all ventured up Battle Creek Falls for some fun in the great out-of-doors. We've hiked this trail a few times before, once earlier this spring and again with Aaron and Jaimie on the day we moved to Etta's. It's a quick hike, and relatively easy, so we figured the kiddos on their feet and Caroline in her stroller could handle it. Aside from appropriately challenging and short given the nature of our company, it was probably an appropriate destination for Memorial Day, considering the area's militaristic history (Battle Creek is so named for a settlers-versus-Ute Indians battle that took place there in the 1800s; it was renamed Pleasant Grove later, a much more peaceful name, I'd say). We fought a few battles of our own on the way up and down - the stay-away-from-that-cliff, don't-throw-that-rock, be-brave-but-not-too-brave, that-doggie-won't-hurt-you-I-promise, stop-screaming kind of battles - but luckily, no drops of blood and only a few tears were spilled.

Here's a look at our trip:

Getting started on the trail. 

Breaking for some good, old-fashioned rock throwing. A most favorite past-time of these two.

My dashing husband by a mini waterfall near the trail.

For a lot of the hike, Maddie was quite determined to walk herself, without holding anyone's hand.
This is slightly problematic for an unsteady two-year-old on a rocky trail.

Flutterby on the trail.

Wild roses.

Wasp nest in a gutter.

Pretty rosebuds. Pretty girls.

Christie and her too-cute kiddos.

The end of Maddie's desire to walk herself and the beginning of her attachment to "Dessie".

Finally at the waterfall. It was a little cold and very wet. Just what might be expected from a mountain waterfall.

Keepin' kids alive.

Lori [wisely] chose to hang out with the calmest, cleanest, [generally] happiest of the Thompson tots.

Christie, Topher, and Maddie at Battle Creek Falls.

If he's Tarzan, I'm Jane. 

Coaxing kids onto the log. After a long hike to the top, they weren't exactly digging compliance. 

Topher being brave, finally sitting on the log a whole three feet from the ground.
"Show this one to Papa!," he said. So, Papa Barnes, this one's for you.

Taking a break for water and fruit snacks before the descent. 

We ended our hike with pb&j, chips, watermelon, and apples and dip at a picnic bench near the trailhead. It was a fun, exhausting day and a great way to say sayonara to Utah for a little while.