Rock Hound

One of Avyrlie's current interests is rocks and minerals. Today's pacification of the obsession was a trip to the Temple Quarry at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. As per her normal routine, rock hounding was only one of the attractions of the trip.

Other activities included:

Shoe tying


Location Scouting


Log Dancing


Catching Insane Air (Ian would be jealous)


Napping


Chilling with Dad. Obviously the best part :)

Outdoor Aimee

'Outdoor Aimee' shows up every so often although like Mr. Hyde, the conditions have to be just right. Colorful leaves, cooler temperatures, and occasionally sunsets can all trigger the transformation.

Click the pic to below for additional photographic evidence of this rare transformation:

Millcreek Canyon Photos

We snapped a couple photos as we hiked along. Sadly my memory card was filled before we headed down and had some really good light, but my poor little compact Fuji did ok for the last couple shots of the day. Click any of the pix to head to the slideshow.

Millcreek Hike - video for Aimee

Just putting up a quick video of part of our hike this afternoon with the kids and Liza. Aimee is off for a geek getaway while I'm home entertaining the kids. Ian and Avyrlie know how to pick footwear, so I love to take them up for short hikes up the local canyons when we have the chance.

Today we drove up Millcreek and headed up the Terraces Elbow Fork trail. It seemed less popular and less populated. In fact, we didn't see a single other person the entire time. Liza did great the whole hike. She stayed within sight and had a blast chasing squirrels and bombing down the hillsides. Avyrlie hiked up the entire way (2 miles) and then hitched a ride on my shoulders on the way down. Not a single complaint or whine the entire time, except from Ian when we turned around to head back. Next time we'll have to do an over-nighter :)

Surprise Hike

We headed up the canyon Saturday afternoon with Aaron and Brooke. Being of the male species, it was decided that the original plan and reasons for going would never be divulged to me, but it worked out in the end with the flip-flop clad females of the species agreeing to hike up to Cecret Lake toward the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. I'll save the topic of Aimee and her choice of footwear for a later post, but really? Flip-Flops for a trip up the canyon? I will however take a moment to point the blame for Gracie's 15 minute crying episode on the aforementioned footwear decision. I feel better.

(click the pic for the rest of the set)

Up the canyon with the kids

The kids and I headed up the canyon for a bit to get out of the house and give poor, sick mom a chance to get some rest. We walked up to Hidden Falls, stopped along the river for a bit to throw rocks and then climbed up some rocks just to see the view.

click the pic for the rest of the gallery