Little Sahara

This past weekend, we went to Little Sahara (The “Sand Dunes”) as a family, along with Amy (my sis) and Kolby (her hubby). We had such a great time! Friday mid-day, we finished packing everything, loaded up, and hooked up our trailor and went to pick up Amy and Kolb in Highland. We packed up their gear, and headed off into the desert. On the way, we stopped at In-And-Out, my first time there since California, right out of high school. It was pretty good, but a little over-rated. I enjoyed the “animal style” burger, but the fries were definitely not my fave. We watched Goonies on the way there (Am had never seen it!), Emma loves Chunk and Sloth! In the front, since we can’t see the DVD player, I mostly read the whole time (reading material included the new conference Ensign and “Christy” by Catherine Marshall) and looked at the scenery, and Dave waved at the high-school kids on the busses. That afternoon, we got there and set up camp. Luckily for me and my small bladder, we were situated right in between two bathrooms. Am and Kolb got a huge 10 man tent, they joked that they just wanted to show us up. He he!

We then went exploring with Emma and Cal. And burying/finding “treasures” in the sand.

Cal loved all of the sand crawlers and ATV's around. He'd say "ohhhhhh!" when they'd drive by! And he loved digging!

Then we went 4-Wheeling all afternoon!

Emma loved climbing up this little rock hill they had. She was the queen of the mountain!

For dinner, Am and Kolb made tin foil dinners – delicious! Then we rode some more, and then had s’mores! We love being with Am and Kolby, they’re so much fun!

Roasing the mallows!

Em and Kolb!

Mallow face! Cal loved the roasted marshmallows!

After s’mores and chatting by the fire, we got ready for bed, and actually thought we’d try sleeping in our Pilot, as the seats fold down flat. We were actually very comfy, and warm, too! It worked out pretty well!

Saturday morning, I was the first to wake up, Emma and Cal slept all through the night! So it was a good thing. Dave and I made chocolate chip pancakes, hash browns, and bacon. Food, that’s one of the many great things about camping. For some reason, the food just tastes better when cooked over a fire or camp stove. Then we packed up camp, and rode a little ways out to go riding and play.

She and Cal had a blast in the sand with all of their sand toys. Emma especially liked the “World’s Largest Sandbox”, which is a fenced off area where ATV’s aren’t allowed, just to a bunch of sand for people to play in. We went hiking, wrote messages in the sand, buryed each other in the sand, slid down the hills, and made sand angels. Cal loved digging the best! In fact, when we got home and started unpacking, he got a little garden shovel and started digging again. A true boy, he loves getting dirty!

Sand angels!

Cal learned to say "cheese!" while we were there for the camera, so he always says that now, and has the cutest, cheesiest grin to go with it!

We just went riding and playing and relaxing all day, and then headed home that afternoon. What happy family memories. We’re really so lucky to have so many diverse places that are so beautiful right here in our own backyard to go and enjoy!

And lastly, here's a video of Dave riding! We had a blast riding. I like climbing and descending down hills, but I hate driving in bowls. Dave loves that! Emma loved going on rides with Daddy! She said “I love riding!” and told us she wanted to go all day long! Like father, like daughter I guess.