Poppy asked if we could go to the canyon again for her birthday this year, like we did last year. As it was a Sunday and the weather was good, there was no reason not to. So after her requested chocolate chip pancakes after church, we loaded up all children and dogs in the van and off we went.
Odin felt safer half under a seat, apparently.
The road down into the canyon is really bad, and it certainly hasn't gotten any better since we last drove it.
This isn't even one of the worst parts.
Adventure Van was undaunted, however, and we made it to the bottom without incident.
Patient Adventure Van in the distance, awaiting our return.
There was less water in the river crossing than last year and I did not fall in. Yay, me.
After crossing the water, we set off on our short hike.
Poppy had gotten her feet wet when crossing, and asked if she could take her shoes and socks off to hike.
She did, briefly, before getting some burs in her feet and deciding wet socks and shoes were better than that.
The skies were blue when we started, but those clouds started gathering.
By the time we got to the cliff the kids like to climb, there was a pretty solid cloud cover, and a surprising number of mosquitos. Bummer.
This year's cliff climb was cut short by a considerate rattlesnake that rattled as the three younger children were climbing near it. They took the hint and scrambled back down without ever seeing it.
Good call, kids.
A. brought his fishing pole and some chicken livers to fish for catfish. He caught a small one, which he did not keep. He also found some giant clam shells.
We did keep these.
Given the clouds and the fact that we really couldn't risk getting caught in a rainstorm on the road out, we decided to leave after playing for about an hour.
The kids, of course, wanted to stop and play in the water on our way out, although it was cool enough they just went wading rather than getting soaking wet like last year.
Then back in the van for the slow and jolting ride up the road.
I am very happy to leave this sort of driving to A.
There were a few sprinkles on our way, but nothing of great concern. We made it out of the canyon without any trouble, with four tired but happy children. The birthday girl was especially happy.