Family time in Utah

Monday afternoon we took the kids to our favorite (local) hiking place - affectionately named Fat Mans' Misery.  It is a red rock canyon above St. George.  We love to go there because there is so much to see.    Now that we've been there a few times the kids know it well.  Devon immediately started hiking up to the top (50 ft above the floor), while Robert and Marissa headed off the go through the Fat Man's Misery crack - and by crack I mean crack in the rock.

Robert at the mouth of Fat Man's Misery

Marissa ready to enter Fat Man's Misery

As you can see after the mouth the walls get very close to each other - actually at times they get so close that a human body can barely fit through - hence the name.  Robert, Marissa and Devon have done it several times ... Mark did it for the first time the last time we were here, but Betsy had never done it until today.

Devon on top - Betsy looking up

Others in the area call the canyon "The Narrows" because the walls are so narrow.

Marissa in the Narrows

Betsy in the Narrow part

As you go through the narrows, it also gradually inclines so you not only have to walk through a very narrow slit in the rock, but somehow you also have to go uphill.  At times it is very difficult because of the angle of your feet proportional to the angle of your hips and head.

After everyone made it successfully through the narrows, Robert decided to go back in to the spot where Devon climbed down and up - straight up and down climb.

Robert going back in from the back side.

He climbed up at a difficult spot.  Once we made it to the top we had a spectacular time admiring the landscape.  As you can see the sun was bright - the day was gorgeous.

Family photo:  Robert, Devon Marissa,
Betsy and Mark - center

All three made it to the bridge

Devon climbing

Robert hanging

The kids loved the rented SUV.  They especially love the sun roof - here they are poking their heads out top.