Sunday Walk

Sunday September 12, 2010
Today Dennis and I thought we would go down to the lake for a walk, after noticing the car was out of gas thought we better go to Payson to fuel up. When we got out there we decided to drive up Payson Canyon and hike to the Grotto. Neither of us had been there before so we had no idea how long or hard it might be. We started up the trail about 3:15. There were a few people here and there going up and down the trail lots of different ages so we figured we could handle it.

We could hear the water coming down out of the canyon and it sounded like a small creek. At the crossings there were these cool log bridges to walk over.

It was very shady and

cool in the canyon.

Perfect day for a hike.

So I tried to take one of those cute pictures all the kids take where they get close, hold the

camera up and get a cute shot of
themselves with a friend...

Didn't work!

But I kept it anyway.

Dennis was a good sport to stand in the pictures, Maybe

someday he will learn to use the camera so he doesn't have to

be in all of them!

We were wondering what the Grotto was and if we would know it if we saw it or if it would be like the dirt road that suddenly ended (see Vernal post). We came around a corner and the rocks started to close in and Dennis said "I think we are here." Sure enough we went around the corner and saw this Got another Pic of Dennis,
and tried the cute picture thingy, I think this was better, I wouldn't go so far as to say good, but definitely better!Then some dummy saw kids up on top and wanted to see it from up there. This is the trail up.
And here is the trail down. As you can see that tree is barely hanging on. Guess who the dummy was? When I got up there which was above the falls, the kid (wearing a cast already)told me you had to either go this way and jump down or go that way and climb down the tree, either one was doable. I make it a rule never to trust a kid in a cast. So I went back and slid down the trail on my feet. Dennis waited at the bottom but I'm pretty sure it wasn't to catch me, only to identify the body.

It was a fun "hike" and we were back at the car within 30 minutes, I think we will take the kids next week.

Long time no see

I can't believe how hard it is to hike to the Y. I swear it is straight up. We started and it was a beautiful sunny day, about one turn into it I swear the temp went up about 15 degrees. It was blazing hot, there were clouds out there, but the just didn't want to go in front of the sun. by about half way up they did start to play peek-a-boo a little but it was still crazy hot. I don't think I would have made it on my own, good thing I had lots of support even if they did go on ahead. Sissy was kind enough to stay back so we could nurse our head colds together. Next time we will bring inhalers, neck coolers and our jazzys to cruise up the trail! It really turned out to be a fun trip and we do want to do it again maybe at the end of the summer when it cools down a bit, Brandon was my only child that could go so next time we will get every one up there for a family portrait. Tim says next week we will try rock canyon, easier trail! We did encounter a little bit of wild life and I don't just mean Colton and Chase! The boys found a lizard on the Y, and as we were coming down the trail a snake slithered across the trail. Any one who knows Sissy knows snakes just aren't happening. Alexis yelled out "MOM STOP!" (she has obviously been in the vicinity at previous snake sightings) and Sissy did. She could see it from there. As Tim scared it off the trail Sissy hurried down. I forgot how bad she hates them. I am not a fan, and am glad it didn't come out in front of me. It was a great family gathering, Tims fam, Kristens fam, Chase & Colton, Me Dennis Brandon and Brit, Hopefully more next time.

Well, I'm not very good at keeping this up, I started it as a way to let family and friends know how Dennis was doing when he was in the hospital, then I just kept writing about our adventures,but I found I was spending way too much time on the computer and not enough time doing everything else! I have been blogging over at my heart challenge blog marlenemurray@blogspot.com about once a week or so. We have been really focused on doing our heart challenge so that has taken up most of my time, you know stressing over what I ate, and what I am going to have at my next meal. Dennis is doing really good, he has now lost 23 lbs. and I have lost 20. We both feel better and our kids say we look better too! I still struggle with being tired all of the time but if I plan my day well I can usually make it through without a nap. Another plus to weight loss is a lot less snoring! Kaysha usually sends me to my room when I fall asleep because she says I sleep too loud but last night she let me sleep with her on her bed while her Mom was at work. Dr. took me off my blood pressure meds that I have been on for years. That is a huge victory for me since I just figured I would be on them the rest of my life. Well, can't stay in one place to long, gotta go! maybe I will be back soon!