Favorite Family Hike in Moab

Monday we were ready to head further up North to Provo but there was still time to do a couple of our favorite Moab things. After packing up camp, we filled up our bottles at the Moab spring. It has the best water gushing out: refreshing and clean. Then we headed a little further up the river to Negro Bill Canyon. This canyon has a little stream flowing through it, trees for some shade, impressive canyon walls, and varying terrain to keep the kids entertained. Perfect!

This picture is so typical. Max is always waiting to see what pose Noah will strike and then copy him. Actually, Max always says, does, and wants what Noah says, does, and wants. I know it is typical for younger siblings and Noah does not really mind (yet), so it's all good.

The whole camping trip pretty much revolved around caterpillars. There were so many at the campground that the kids found a new friend every 5 minutes. They had fun names such as Fuzzy and Tuzzy, Mud, Tiger, Dirt, Smarty etc. The kids were busy making homes for them and finding food. Unfortunately, I have to say, none of them survived more than a few hours. Good thing there were plenty...

Noah and Mama in matching race shirts. Unfortunately, Karl's did not fit and since tech shirts make bad rags, he gave it back.

Once we found a nice muddy spot by the stream, we knew our hike was pretty much over. My kids take full advantage of the fact that I just can't say "No" when they are having fun outdoors. When I told them they could take their shoes off, pants and shirts soon followed.

Only problem: it was cloudy and windy and definitely not warm. I guess that would not be as much of a problem if it was not guaranteed that Max would face plant in the water sooner than later. And he sure did! Before he had taken off his shirt... Much to our surprise, he kept the whining to a minimum and we all had a fun hike back to the car. He was also very much preoccupied with a stick twice his size that he turned into a dinosaur. He then chased everybody on the trail with it. That kid's a hoot.