Our Own Front Yard!

So in an effort to bolster our long term savings, we are trying to train our children so that when they want to go somewhere and do something they will ask us to go to a park or up the canyon instead of going to Lagoon or some other expensive amusement that forces you to draw into your financial reserves just to buy a cotton candy and a churro. So far this month I've taken the boys up the canyon 4 times, usually while Alice is working although she came with us one of the times. We live only 5 miles from the entrance to American Fork Canyon, which is a national forest and home to a National Monument (Timp cave). It is absolutely gorgeous and we are so glad it is so close to us! We buy a national parks pass every year and so we get into the canyon for free. There are tons of picnic areas and even 4 campgrounds, but Tommy loves just parking at random areas and getting out to play in the water. He found a big rock he loves to throw into some shallow slow moving water. He asks every day to go play with his big rock in the canyon and, sure enough, it's in the same spot we left it each time we return. I don't imagine it will be disappearing any time soon! I'm so glad Tommy loves going up there and I hope Jonas does too. Hopefully it will breed within them a love and appreciation for the truly great outdoors (it's not just a cliched saying, it really is true, the outdoors are GREAT). The high alpine views are gorgeous, and especially with the rain--it really has brought a vibrant glow to the trees. I personally love thunderstorms and rain, I think it is a welcome variation to the monotonous doldrums of sunny and hot. Rain adds a refreshing beauty to the landscape, not to mention it smells great! If anyone is every in the area and wants to head up the canyon, just let us know! We're always ready to go!