What else do we do as a family?
We go for hikes!
We hadn't made it to Mt. Timpanogos as a family yet,
so we took Hiroki for the experience.
We paid to get into the National Park...
And made our way to the Visitor's Center.
"If you hear clapping, get to the mountain side of the path and duck for cover."
Life-saving words from the park rangers.
(We actually heard it!)
Here is the map of the path through the cave...
They don't show the path up TO the cave.
(Or you'd never go.)
Some fascinating geology along the way!
(Did I mention I feel TOTALLY safe?!)
These tunnels carved through the rock are so fun to me!
"We're almost there! See it way up there?"
At least we can rely on Myanna to keep the mood light.
("I think those trail guides gave us the wrong directions...")
Wait a minute... You're not Trail Guides!!!
"Restrooms... last chance. REALLY."
(I think we hiked the 6,000 feet to the cave from our car.)
But it was worth it!
The stalagtites and stalagmites like this one are always fascinating to me.
They only have thousands of years to go before they meet!
(That's all. Thousands.)
Here you can see our paths.
And the famous "Heart of Timpanogos."
(You have to ask about the red light & the Tale.)
The picture doesn't do it justice.
"The Great Heart of Timpanogos hangs 5 and 1/2 feet from the ceiling.
The Great Heart formed from several stalactites growing together."
Debany is inspired by our guide to be a Park Ranger!
We signed the guestbook and wrote where we were from...
which was extensive for Hiroki from Japan.
When we made it back to the start of the trail,
there was a snake show going on...
"Yeah! Snakes! Whoo-hoo!"
(Hiroki was happy just to see them... from a distance.)
At the end of our hike, the kids filled out their Jr. Ranger Books...
...and made their oath.
Then we slept the whole way home.
(Well, except for Dane. He had to drive.
Our hero.)
Zzzzzzzzz.....
