Summer Vacation in Utah - Hike to Grotto Falls (Payson Canyon)

Sometime in July we went on this awesome little hike to Grotto Falls which happened to be located on the Nebo Scenic Loop, which is just a 10-minute drive from Payson where we were staying. I first found out about the Grotto Falls from an article that listed the six most adventurous family friendly trails in Utah. This particular trail is short (about one mile round trip) and easy enough even for a 3 year old child but adventurous enough to be exciting even for the experienced adults. The entire hike you have to cross the tree trunk bridges over a rushing small river until you finally arrive at the beautiful waterfall. We loved it!

Hiking to Grotto Falls

Crossing the river over the tree trunk bridge.

And another crossing (I love this worried look on Nika's face, she is our worrier)

And some more river crossing.

And some more crossing!

And here we are - the Grotto Falls!

Here is Spencer giving instructions to Nika on how to take a good picture of the two of us.

This hike has two different areas to view the waterfall. You can see it from the bottom and also from the top. You will have to scramble a bit to get to the top but it is a great adventure of its own, and we gladly took it. 

Lexa climbing to the top of the fall. It was a pretty steep climb!

At the top!

A view of a waterfall from the top.

I love these beautiful pine trees all around!

Climbing down was a bit more difficult but exciting.

Lexa and Sophie - our little adventure buddies.

Skipping over the rocks

 I am really happy we discovered this short trail and I highly recommend it to any nature lovers out there. It has a lot to offer and it will only take an hour or two out of your busy schedules. Bring your kids, bring your pets and just have fun!

Summer Vacation in Utah - Scottish Festival in Payson

On July 11 we went to the Scottish Festival right in Payson, Utah. Apparently it is a big deal, and a lot of people (even out of state) come there. That is another thing I haven't ever done even though we lived in Utah for 6 years. And so I am glad we all happened to be in Payson on the very day they had the festival. Well, all but Spencer who was driving his brother to California. We picked up my sister-in-law Shellee (whose husband was driven to California by my husband) and Spencer's mom and went on a girls day out. And who do you think we see first?

What is Santa Claus doing here in the summer?

The festival was a lot of fun. There was Highland dance competition, athletic competitions, storytelling and singing, a lot of vendors with cool stuff, and of course pipes and bands!

Highland Dance competition

Athletic competition. This lady that is throwing the weight up in the air was pretty impressive.

Vendors.

Girls. They have a bit of Scottish in them.... a very small bit.

One of the performances I liked was done by these two very talented dudes. I can't remember if they were brothers or friends but they could play so many different instruments and sang a lot of Scottish folk songs. It was awesome!

Watching the performance

These two guys were very talented!

Lexa and I enjoying the performance.

Looking at what vendors had to offer was fun! I had no idea that our girls were so interested in weapons. First they were begging me to buy them these cool knives. I didn't think it was a good idea because they haven't had much experience with real knives (totally my oversight!) Then they saw swords. Then they saw bows and arrows. They wanted it all! I finally gave them each $5 to spend on whatever they wanted, and if the thing they wanted cost more, they had to pay out of their own pocket. Well, now we are proud owners of 3 bows with arrows and 1 sword!

This was a huge tent where you could completely outfit yourself in a true Scottish fashion. Rows and rows of all kinds of kilts!

This is a tent with all kinds of weapons that our girls fell in love with.

I just thought this dude had the coolest kilt! I think Shellee thought the same thing (she is on the right taking a picture of him)

Of course we couldn't pass this knight.

And the bows!

I was just happy that the girls didn't spot this sign. Otherwise we would have come home not just with weapons but with 4 puppies to go with them as well!

My favorite activity of the day was watching with opening ceremonies where the 4 different groups of bands representing North, East, South and West marched on the street (one group at a time) and stood at attention. It was a beautiful sight and the air was filled with pipe music. I really love Scottish music!

A pipe band is getting ready to march in the parade.

Standing at attention for the Opening Ceremonies!

Parade.

Parade

Lina at the parade.

We all had a lot of fun! 

Summer Vacation in Utah - Palisade Park and Snow College Activity Center

Our next water adventure was at Palisade Park in Ephraim, Utah. That is where we had our family reunion with Spencer's brothers and sisters and their families. We stayed at Willow Creek Inn for a few nights and had adventures during the day at various places, our favorite being Palisade Park. Palisade park is a reservoir and state park that is located about 12 miles south of Ephraim, near Sterling, Utah.

Palisade Park, Ephraim.

When we got there were quite a few campers, but we found a great spot for our base, and then the kids all went into water. And that is where they stayed all day until it was time to go. The water was really warm, the temperature was about what you get in an indoor pool. It was a beautiful day and we even rented a paddle boat for the kids and grown ups to take on adventures!

Checking out the water

This tree was a popular base for kids' water adventures including fishing. They caught a lot of little fish and saw a few big gold fish that were hanging in the roots of that tree.

Catching fish with the cousins.

Chilling on the pier.

Even Spencer got into the water.

He is pretty hot!

And that's me watching him from a safe place. Yep, he is pretty hot!

Jumping off the pier - what can be better?!

And, of course, riding on a pedal boat. I think our kids're having a pretty fun summer!

 While in Ephraim we also went a number of times to the pool at Snow College. That is where Sophie and Lexa really learned how to swim. The older kids were jumping off the diving board, so they wanted to do the same,. We told them that they needed to be able to swim across the pool on their own before they could try diving. And... they did!

Happy Lexa

One of the twins (probably Sophie) jumping off the high dive.

Spencer comforting Lexa after she accidentally did a belly flop. One of my favorite pictures!

And there she goes again!

Sophie - I just love that face!

 While in Ephraim we also took the kids to Manti to show them the place where our biggest life adventure started 13 years ago - the Manti Temple!

Manti Temple - just as beautiful as on the day Spencer and I got married!

And here we are, 13 years later!