Udall Family Camping Trip: Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park: July 13-15, 2017

This year, Curtis and Shannon had the idea to do a family camping trip to Bryce Canyon. Since it was July, we didn't want to endure the heat of most of Utah's other national parks. Bryce Canyon is a great one for the middle of summer because of it's high elevation and cooler temperatures. We left after work and met with everyone in the afternoon. Curtis, Shannon and Carli's parents had already secured a first come first serve campsite in one of the parks campgrounds, and it was an awesome site! We were shaded by lots of trees, but still had a nice open area to pitch tents and set up camp.

Camp Life

There was rain forecasted for the time we were there, so we set up a nice shelter over our picnic area that kept us nice and dry. It rained less than was predicted which was nice for hiking, and just enough to make it fun.  

It started to downpour as we made dinner one night, and I had to make a makeshift shelter for our fire so that Curtis and Shannon's stew could continue cooking.

When the downpour started, we also had to go dig trenches near the tents to divert the water.

While we were out protecting our camp and dinner from the rain, the women were doing what they do best. Talking, sitting, and looking pretty.

The stew turned out great and we were all happy campers!

This camping trip was really the first rain test our tent has been through, and it held up great. not a bit of water on the floor. Just a bit of condensation on the inside of the rainfly. 

The guys were usually on fire duty.

For Dessert, Curtis and Shannon introduced us to Woof em's. They are simply biscuit dough cups cooked over the fire, filled with any type of pie fillings or dessert toppings you can thin

Little Kolby was really the life of the party. He's such an awesome baby, and loves food and having fun.

This might be my favorite picture from the entire trip. Kolby LOVED the bubbles and was going ballistic over them for a very long time. Kids are the best entertainment.

That is the face of pure amazement!

Carli's mom is an awesome Grandma, and I'm excited for our kids to learn from her and love going to her house. 

Hiking

We did two big hikes on two different days. The first was the fairyland canyon trail loop which was about eight miles, and the other was a shorter loop with more prominent formations. The pictures are kind of jumbled, but still help you see what Bryce Canyon National Park is all about.

It looks like this picture was taken with a selfie stick, but it was just taken with our tripod. I will never own a selfie stick...

Maryann and Todd

Shannon, Curtis, and Kolby

Stephen and Nichole

Carli and Benjamin

Our little blue jay friend.

Our little chipmunk friend.

Baby Kolby and his Grandpa Udall!

I'm really very proud of this picture. It makes me feel like I could be a real photographer someday. ;)

This formation is called "Thor's Hammer."

All in all, it was an awesome trip! Everything went perfectly. We had great food and even better company. We're hoping to start a tradition of having an annual Udall family camping trip!