Busy Summer

 Our two oldest grandkids flew out to visit without their parents, a first for us. 

We fished, hiked, checked out dinosaur bones, and visited the zoo with cousins.  The bird show at the zoo was impressive, with raptors swooping in right over our heads.  Afterward, the cousins had their picture taken with a bald eagle. 

On the drive back from a fishing expedition, Daisy enjoyed bonding with her boy.   

A few weeks later, our son was back with his whole family.  The cousins posed on a bridge. 

A hike in Albion Basin, near Alta Ski Resort, is a family favorite. 

The views and wildflowers are great. 

There are rocks to climb.

Some of the rocks have fossils. 

For an added treat, a little patch of snow remained for a short glissade.

We also had a special addition in June.  On a trip to visit the newest family member, we caught both our son and his daughter wearing Mona Lisa smiles.

Hiking with Kids

Going on a hike with all ages requires extensive preparation.  And lots of kiddie backpacks. 

Some of us take sun protection seriously.

Some of us, not so much. 

We trekked to Lake Mary, above Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood  Canyon.

and, on another day, to Cecret Lake, in Albion Basin near Alta, in Little Cottonwood Canyon. 

Salamanders in the lake were interesting.

and a marine fossil rock (at 10,000 feet!) provided diversion. 

We had an opportunity to learn each other's habits, good and bad.

Most of us thought it was all pretty fun.

Albion Basin

The Albion Basin trail starts at 9500 feet, at the base of Alta Ski Resort near Salt Lake City.  We've had many memorable family hikes there. 

The wildflowers are spectacular most summers.  This year, we thought they were not as tall and prolific as we remembered.  A combination of  60% snow year and record heat must have slowed them down. 

One son and his wife posed in front of the jagged cliffs of Devil's Castle.

Our daughter and her family took a break with ski slopes in the background.   Our eldest son and family weren't able to join us this time.

Cecret Lake was the destination.  The reason for the name's unusual spelling is a secret, as far as we can tell. 

This granddaughter is having a fine time exploring the shore with her dad.