Zion National Park Get-away!!

The kids comments as we drove into Springdale, Utah. "Yeah, we made it to Zion!!" "We're here!! We're in Zion!!" It was all pretty funny as they made comments throughout our stay. "We just love Zion, Mom. Let's stay here forever!!" Who knew "making it to Zion" as a family would be so EASY!!!

We stayed for four days and three nights in Springdale, Utah, just a mile from the entrance to Zion National park. We had a fabulous time together and it was so fun seeing the kids excited about it all. Our favorite spot was towards the end of the canyon, near the entrance to The Narrows. It was a great little hike for the kids. We saw lots of lizards, squirrels, caterpillars, butterflies, and wild turkeys. We played in the water in the shade of the canyon walls and it was perfect!!

Logan and Ellie were so cute in commenting about how high the cliffs were. They kept asking if their aunts and uncles had climbed "that one?" because we told them how Darin's siblings have spent a lot of time climbing and repelling, hiking, etc. in the canyons near there. 

We of course had to stop at the Zion Park Lodge, the only hotel located inside the park itself--for an ice-cream break. Darin also took the time to play a game of chess with each of the kids in the lobby area of this hotel. The Park runs a bus system now. You get on the shuttle bus and hop off at the stops where you want to hike and explore.

We brought our bikes with us, and went on two great bike rides on the paved Parus trail. Here are the kids all geared up to go, and some pics of us all on a snack break on one of the bike rides. We kept having to tell the kids to slow down--they were loving the freedom of the wide trail and the down-hill speeds, as well as the fun bumps going over all the bridges.

We stayed at the "Majestic View Lodge". It was the perfect place to stay. Here are the kids out on the little balcony. 

Here the kids are the second morning. Having breakfast in the hotel room!! They looked pretty wiped out from all the hard hiking and swimming the day before!!  These shots of the pool show the view from our room. Our room was the top window on the right. Perfect to be so close to the pool!! Since we spent a LOT of time there!!

Yes, LOTS of time at the pool. Seven separate times going swimming!!! I think we spent half the trip putting sunscreen on the kids!! At least they have pretty much full-body swimming suits to cut down on the sunscreen!!! I know, I know--the suits are hilarious!! But everyone that knows me, knows that's how we usually do it!! If my kids get skin cancer--it won't be my fault!!!

The kids were both little fish!!! The played and played and played in the water. They figured out how to dive for the rings. And like most kids, if you ask them what they liked best about Zion National Park--they will say THE POOL!!!

Logan and Ellie are definitely growing up way too fast. But on little family outings like this one, I can't help but think what a perfect age they are at--it was all so enjoyable and perfect with two perfect six-year-olds!!! Darin keeps trying to tell me it's more fun the older they get--maybe he's right!!??