Memorial Day: Stewart Falls

Stewart Falls

The big boys and Aaron got right up close.

Lincoln and Ivan

Ollie crossed the stream, and Aaron had to go fetch him back.

Adelia and Claire were cute hiking buddies

Ivan and Jeremiah climbed every fallen log they came across.

Cal was my buddy and as always a happy hiker.

Ollie found a walking stick

Rue is ready to start the hike.

We kicked off Memorial Day with a hike up to Stewart Falls. It seemed appropriate that since we couldn't go see my dad's grave and put flowers there, that we at least do something that honored his name (my dad's name is Stewart). Stewart Falls has been on my bucket list for a long time.

Aaron's sister Stacey and four out of her five kids came and hiked with us, which made the total three adults versus ten kids. Yikes. Ages of kids 12, 9, 8, 8, 6, 5, 5, 4, 2, 0. Yep, we're crazy. Haha!

The hike was about 3.5 miles round trip. And not too steep, although a couple parts were a little rocky and uneven ground. Every one and their dog (literally, Lincoln said he counted at least 20 dogs at the falls, and that's not including the ones we passed on the trail) decided to hike this hike with us on Memorial Day. I have never ever been on such a crowded trail in my life, not even when we were down in Arches over Spring Break. There was just a crazy amount of people.

But we still had a great time! Maybe I don't hike to enough waterfalls, but I was amazed at how much wind the falls created. I was sweating and super hot while we were hiking, but once we got close to the falls there was mist in the air plus the wind, and I was almost cold. We ate lunch by the falls. I think it would have been a little more leisurely if it hadn't been so crowded. As it was, we spent a lot of time trying to keep track of children, and we didn't stay as long as we had anticipated.

The falls was so beautiful though. Seriously a nice hike with a huge payout at the end. Definitely go see it if you are ever up that way. Just pick a day that isn't so crowded.

The kids were all great hikers on the way to the falls. Going back was a little harder. I was already carrying Cal. Then Rue got tired, so Aaron carried her. but the Ollie got tired, so Aaron carried both for a bit, and then had to switch back and forth carrying one and encouraging the other, which made the going slow. Stacey was fighting that same battle with Sam and Claire, taking turns carrying one and then the other. But the older boys were all about trying to speed hike outta there! So, I left Aaron and Stacey with the Littles, and Adelia and Cal and I tried to keep the big boys in sight so they wouldn't get to far ahead. I just didn't want them to end up back at the parking lot with no adult supervision on such a crowded day.

Eventually we all made it back to the car in one piece. I'll probably be a bit sore from carrying Cal on my back for 4 straight hours, but it was great conditioning for Timp in the fall, and it was a beautiful day, and a fun hike, and Cal was happy the whole time. So I can't complain.