Field Trip

On Thursday we took the boys on a little field trip.  I, of course fell asleep in the car on our 20 minute drive, but it was well worth it to wake up to join my boys on our little jaunt through Hell's Half Acre.  Ryan had apparently taken them a few times while I was working, but I've never been past the women's restroom facility...

Just because it's summer time doesn't mean that we have to quit learning!!!  

In fact, we've learned A LOT this summer.  This day was no exception.

We learned things...

...like not to run and trip next to cement walls...taking a few layers of skin off results in ugly scabs that don't get sun like the rest of your face...

And to smile big for mom so she doesn't have to take a million pictures...I have about 12 of these shots!

We learned all about the geological features in our little neck of the woods.  The boys loved stopping at EVERY sign, asking Daddy to read it, then would skip forward to the next sign about halfway through...

And that we needed to stay on the trail...We played the game "Snake".  Whenever daddy would say "Snake", EVERYONE had to STOP in their tracks, should there be a rattler or something of the sort nearby.  It was good practice for being out in the 'wilderness' with rattlers and not moving so they couldn't sense our presence.  (It's their new favorite game!)

We learned about volcanoes and rocks and plants...and why there is Lichen on the rocks, and where the animals find food, and sleep...not to mention how the rock formations came to be.

There were two options to the trail:  the short loop, or the long loop...we took the long loop, and LOVED IT!  The trail was completely paved, was easily accessible to strollers, wheel chairs, and running boys.

We saw various forms of life that were thriving in the 'lava dust' as Tanner called it...These Prickly Pears were sure fun to spot out.  I never realized that they're native to our area!  I always thought they were only in the plan isle at WalMart or in St. George...Go figure. We live in a desert and I had forgotten that snipit of information.

The rock formations were quite the sight!  Here is a bridge of sorts on either side of big creator like formations; holes, more or less.

More of the same...Taylor pointed out every pretty purple flower, and wanted a picture of some...we saw lots of them, including sage brush, cedars, and different grasses.

And this little guy was snug as a bug in a rug...well, warm in a blanket...not a rug. Kortlen was such a trooper!

These are two of the three buttes that were visible that day.  They aren't actual volcanoes, just molten lava that was pushed through the Earth's crust.  Who knew Mother Earth had pimples!  I feel better about myself now.  :)

Instead of regurgitating this vital information back to you, click on the picture to open it in a new window and read for yourself!  Or just go for a drive.

A giant 'crack' that had Tanner and Taylor 'oohing' and 'aaahing'.  It was pretty impressive!

I don't remember if this is Putnam or Taylor Mountain in the distance, but regardless, Tanner let us all know (and I quote), "When I die and you're all still alive, I want you to walk up to the very tip-top of Taylor Mountain to bury me.  Wouldn't that be cool to have your "Big Brother Tanner" (he talks in 3rd person all.the.time.) buried on your mountain, Taylor?"  Ryan and I just looked at each other as Tanner proceeded to lay out his funeral arrangements...and then we laughed...and then we looked at each other wondering if he knew something we didn't...

If you're ever needing a break while driving through Blackfoot, stop at the rest stop just North of Blackfoot (the South-bound stop) and take a little jaunt through nature's beautiful views!

It was a great field trip for our 3 and 5 ( and almost 1!) year old...you could do so much with this neat little outing...It was a change of pace and scenery, from the tv, computer, and ghetto block we live on.  I'd almost be willing to do some personal research to teach the boys a bit more the next time we're down that way!

Enjoy!