Christmas Vacation 2009 A-Z: V is for

Valley of Fire: Beyond the Petrified Wood and the Petroglyphs, there's so much to see. We really just zipped around quickly. This was more of a scouting trip for future photo shoots. It's hard to hike, chase after little mountain goats, try not to pass out or fall down, squint AND and take pictures. Plus, I have camera lens envy. Here are just a few of the shots:

A lot of the rock formations in the park have names. This one doesn't. I want to nickname it the Syphinx.

(But people totally were. WE followed directions.)

Fire Canyon/Silica Dome:

What a lonely place and difficult way to die.

Christmas Vacation 2009 A-Z: P is for

Playgrounds: Lots of playing around on the 'grounds with Drew

I let Drew take this one. It must be love.

Petrified Logs: At Valley of Fire. More hiking...

Petrogylphs: At Valley of Fire .. even more hiking

and

Pecan Pie: With Kelli at Blondies. "Warm, with ice cream?" he asked innocently. "OF COURSE! Is there any other way?" She said loudly and emphatically, whilst not checking him out (too obviously) as he fled to the safety of the kitchen. And that would have been Kelli. NOT me.

As you see, The Shushing Librarian was also with me on the trip and got to eat some pie too. (More from her later)

Christmas Vacation 2009 A-Z: H is for

Herons: Watching a mated pair of blue herons take off over the river and the cottonwoods during a perfect dusk, with the mountains backlit in pink hues ... wishing I wasn't driving and that I had my camera handy.
Hurricane (Utah): Pronouced: Hur-i-kun ... not Hurry-cane ... It's sure windy up there.
Hiking: You know you're not in shape when ... Well, let's just say, you know you're not in shape. First we hiked up to Atlatl Rock at Valley of Fire.Then there was hiking to the Cabins...
Then I was scrambling after my fearless nephew/mountain goat. Yo DREW: Slow down kid. Please. If I loose you or you break on these mountains your parents will KILL me. Plus, (panting and wheezing), I'd have to haul you back UP the slopes.Kids can get stuck in the darnedest things. and HUGS: Lots of hugs

(Finally, a sighting of the elusive family triple hugging phenomenon! This is a miracle!)