Labor Day Hike 2012

For our annual Labor Day Hike we were able to go on a little more rigorous one than last year and we were able to go with two other families from our neighborhood. There were 6 adults, 14 kids so 20 total in our group. One could say we were a force of nature hiking through the woods, definitely not a quiet one either.

We hiked to Red Pine Lake, up Little Cottonwood Canyon.

It was a little over 7 miles round trip, which really isn't too bad, but it was steep and rocky the whole way which made the hike a little challenging.

We ended up splitting into a few groups; Speedy, Consistent and Slow-Pokes.

I was a slow-poke, always have been probably always will be.

But at least I made it there.....and back.....

We ate lunch at the lake and then the kids and men explored.

The ladies were happy to relax and visit.

We were able to have a really good conversation about modesty which helped me a ton to sort through my thoughts for my talk for the next Sunday.

Banana was able to practice her photography.

She took the first 4 photographs as well as quite a few others on this post.

 Group shots.

Banana took these too.

Can you see the heart in the tree?

Just before we left to start the hike down Banana fell and sliced her knee open on a rock.

When she came to me she was acting like it wasn't a big deal and her pants just had this little rip in them. But, when I saw the cut it was one of those moments when you realize it is much worse than you thought but you know you have to keep it together so your child doesn't freak out.

It was cut through the skin to the fatty layer under the skin.

Definitely stitches worthy. 

However, we didn't have stitches and we had a 2 hr - 3.5+ mile hike down a steep rocky mountain ahead of us. Luckily we had some prepared scouts with us and we were able to bandage her knee and find her a walking stick for the trek down. The remarkable thing was she said it didn't hurt at all. I think she had some adrenaline going. MDH helped her through the steepest part and then he went on with the kids and she and I stuck together for the rest of the hike.

She sure is a delight to be with and a trooper.

I had been feeling a little off all weekend and by the time we got done with the hike I knew I was sick.

Turns out I had a sinus infection.

But it was totally worth it!

After the hike we went to the Red Iguana in S.L.C. for dinner. They always have good food there but after our long hike it tasted even better.

We are so grateful for our friends the Clarks for putting this together.

We had so much fun and we hope to be able to do it again.

Without the sliced knee and sinus infection of course.

But we had so much fun we might even do it again with those things too. :0)