"Spring Break" Mini-Getaway {Goblin Valley}

One of the perks of home school this year has been to take little (or big) trips on a whim, without worrying about missing school or fighting crowds of people who are also on a break. We did it with Vermont (big) in the fall, Mesquite (medium) in the winter, and again with this spring-time excursion to Green River (little?). We picked a couple of days (April 22nd and 23rd) after everyone else's spring break was done. Originally we thought we might take our trailer 2.0 for it's maiden voyage, but then realized it was a long trip for a test. But we still wanted to go, so we booked a cheap night in the Super 8 in Green River and went anyway.

We left early Thursday morning, taking the "back way" through Coalville and Heber and Duschene, then over to Helper (that portion of Highway 199 was brand new for us, always a fun part of an adventure) and on down through Price to Green River. We didn't stop there, though, but continued on to Part 1 of our getaway: Goblin Valley. We loved Goblin Valley when we visited last summer on our way to the Elwood reunion in Bryce, and we knew we wanted to come back (and we still do want to come back to camp someday!). It is such a fun and interesting place for kids and parents alike!

We explored and climbed and hiked through the hoodoos and made sure to find some shady caves whenever we could to rest, refuel and rehydrate. When it was dinner time, we drove down a dirt road that we had heard has some pretty good dispersed camping on it, just to check it out and find a spot to make our dinner. We pulled out our little table and camp stove and got to work making breakfast for dinner. We had corned beef hash, eggs, and pancakes. Yum!

After dinner we made a quick stop near the beginning of the road to take a peek at the pictographs we had noticed a sign for. Turns out they were awesome! It's always fun to be surprised by something on a trip, when you think you have it all planned out.

We then headed back to Green River to check into our hotel and (fingers crossed) get to swim if the pool was open and empty (that's our family's covid hotel swimming "rule"). Luckily it was and the kids had a great time splashing for a bit before bed.

Can't say I've ever seen a "no horses allowed"
sign before. But I guess it's a thing in Duschene.

Park pit stop on the drive down south.

Goblins!

Sam and Gregg made it to the top of this
big hill.

Shady cave break - and photo op!

This was an attempt at sunglass, I think?!

Do you see the smiley emoji?

This was my attempt at snapping a pic of the pink-bottomed
clouds. Didn't really come out in the photo, but it was
so cool to see!

Here we are hiking the Carmel Canyon trail - a new
spot for us. It started out pretty blah and boring.

A peek at the three sisters - hi there!

But then we got into a cool slot canyon
and climbed and squirmed our way out
back to the top. That was an adventure!

About the only blooming thing we saw
in the area.

Manly dinner maker.

Not a bad view for dinner!

It was windy so we tried to use the car
as a wind block to keep our flame alive.

I spy pictographs!

Finished this book during our drive
back to the hotel. We are fans!

Happy swimmers!