MOAB

We just got back from a fun weekend in Moab with my family. This year we brought along a few newbies with us and before they came we made sure to prep them about Smith Family Vacations and how they are more like "extreme workouts" than vacations. When Chris's friend, Hilary, asked what it was going to be like, Chris just replied, "Well, let's just say, it's the exact opposite of our cruise."

Yes, there are 9 bikes on that suburban (four in back)

I think we were supposed to be spelling MOAB, not sure what we are really spelling


Stacey, Alison, and me on Klondike Cliffs

After our bike ride to the cliffs, we took Daneilla on a hike to Delicate Arch since she is from the Czech Repuplic. She has never seen anything like Moab before.

More bike riding: Our butts were way sore by the end of the weekend.

The usual “boys ride” Saturday morning turned into an everybody ride since we all wanted to do the 26 mile Onion Creek trail. We kept warning the girls about how steep and rocky the trail is and about the beast of a hill halfway through, and how when dad took the scouts a few years ago, they all came back bloody and broken. This didn’t discourage anyone. We ended up doing the whole ride in just a couple of hours and there was not one single injury. We rule! I absolutely love that ride… it has the most amazing views and scenery that just can’t be captured on picture, no matter how great the camera. That's why we just keep going back!

Daniella and "Bruiser", I mean, Alison.

26 miles later we were exhausted, but we only got in about a 20 mintue nap before dad was rounding us up again for another hike to the swimming hole and the sand dunes.

Hilary and Chris on the sand dunes

Sand dune fun!

We did a lot in two days, but we still had a good time and found a little time to relax by the pool and play Ticket to Ride. Daniella put it best when she commented on how our family vacations are like "fat camps" lots of exercise and very little eatting.