August 27, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 6

(Click for today's pictures) 

My alarm went off at 6 this morning because we are in Operation Beat the Heat. It was warm yesterday afternoon so we knew that whatever we did today needed to be in the morning and evening hours. The kids surprisingly stirred pretty easily. Keaton is really loving this trip the most since she is the one who really wanted to go to Utah. 

We left around 7 and headed to the back of Arches. Before we stopped at our destination, we did drive around their campground. There are some beautiful camping spots but not for our rig. Then we started our hike to landscape arch. It was a mostly flat hike compared to last nights, plus there were long stretches that were in the shade of the rocks.

It was about a mile to the arch, but landscape arch is a super long arch plus it is super narrow (I think they said 5 feet in a few spots). After our pictures there, we took a short trail to two other arches, tunnel arch and pine arch, before going back to the car. Back in the car, we had some more water and some snacks.

Then we stopped at two other arches-skyline arch and sand dune arch. These were both about a half mile, but sand dune was my favorite by far. There was sand everywhere and it was incredibly cool because you were surrounded by canyon walls. 

We then went right back to the camper. The girls walked the dogs while Whitman explored the putt putt course. Robby and I went to the store to pick up a few necessary items: gallon sized ziplock bags, body wash, ice cream, teddy graham cookies, and more water. They weren't all necessary items, but some were (body wash and water!)

Back at the camper, everyone ate, and then everyone napped! Well, Whitman didn't nap, but the rest of us did. Our naps were long enough that we may not sleep tonight. I was going to make meatball subs for supper tonight, but my bread must have gotten a little bit warm so it wasn't usable. Instead, we did walking tacos which was even easier to make. The kids all ate before we left this evening, but Robby and I ate when we came home. 

Tonight's hikes were in the windows section of Arches National Park. We first walked around North, South, and Turret Arches. Two of the arches were pretty deserted so that was fun to explore them without anyone around. 

Then we drove just a bit to get to Double Arch. This arch is the one that Robby climbed up on when we were here last and got a bit panicked because he wasn't sure how he could down. Keaton climbed up pretty high tonight, but she didn't have any problem getting down. It was pretty, but I think that the pictures would have been a bit better if it had been sunnier-however, the attitudes would not have been better because the temperature was perfect tonight, and we all enjoyed the evening.

On the way back to the camper, we stopped at 7-11 again for some refreshments. Now, we are taking turns showering because tomorrow is again an early morning. 

August 26, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 5

(Click for today's pictures) 

We slept in this morning since we couldn't check into our spot in Moab until 2. Robby and I walked the dogs around the lake on the campground. It was a mile walk and was pleasant when we started. However, it started to get warm by the time that we finished.

When we made it back, we immediately hooked up the car because we wanted to do it before it became too hot. The kids were stirring when we came back, and around 11 we headed towards Moab.

The drive was just about 2 and a half hours. We only stopped briefly at the Welcome to Utah sign. We took a few pictures there-with Campbell and Keaton both taking pictures, we have over 800 pictures so far on this trip. 

We made it to Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway campground a little bit before 1. The girls were worried that we did not know that check in was at 2, but we thought we would try anyway. We were able to check in early, and we have a pretty perfect spot. We are next to the dog park (though the girls took the puppies, and the dogs just stood in the shade.) Plus there are mountains on both side of us, so it is a pretty perfect campground.

We had a slow and wonderful afternoon. It was too hot to go and do anything, plus our plans included a sunset hike, so we just rested until time to leave. I read some of my book and napped some. We should have been doing school, but there is always tomorrow.

At 4, we left for the Arches National Park visitor center. Keaton went with Whitman this time when we turned in our junior ranger book. The guy looked through it, and then gave use the badge-it was super easy compared to last time. We were actually finished before Robby had finished stamping all of our passport books.

We watched some of the film about Arches. It was better than the last one, and I stayed awake. Robby bought a guide that tells you about the sites as you drive by so that was interesting. We stopped at most of the overlooks plus we walked around Balanced Rock on the way to our main evening attraction.

Around 6, we made it to Delicate Arch trail. We knew that it was going to be steep and 1.5 miles each way. It was a haul. If we walked that every day, we would be in the best shape of our lives. Seriously! Our goal was to make it by sunset, and I wondered for a little bit if we would make it.

Keaton and Campbell were in the front of our group. Robby was in the middle, and I brought up the rear with Whitman. He is not a hiker, and he will tell you this. However, this was a hard, hard hike. It is about 1.2 miles straight up the side of a mountain, and then the last little bit is on the edge of a mountain with a drop off beside you. Whitman does not like heights at all, but he did super well on this part. 

I got a little bit wigged out when we made it to the top and saw the Delicate Arch. There are steep drop offs everywhere plus you are walking on super slanted ground-one slip and you just roll down the hill. We had read that up to 100 people or more could be there to watch the sunset. There were just about 20 or so which made things nice.

After we took our pictures, we sat down and had our snacks and water. We ate and enjoyed the view for a good while. Then one of the girls said that we should probably start back down. They were right, and we were prepared with flashlights to walk down in the dark, but that wasn't preferred.

Robby and I took one last picture before leaving the arch because we knew that we sure were never making it back there! Then it was down the hill-Whitman was the last one up, and the first one down. He walked with our ahead of Keaton and Campbell. They only slowed down when a family of mule deer were waking on the trail with them.

By the time we almost made it to the car, it was pretty dark. We could still see, but the man in front of us had his flashlight out. However, on the way down we passed at least 10 people going up. I wanted to tell them that they were not going to make it before dark and encourage them to turn around or even give them a flashlight, but I kept my mouth closed. 

Back in the car, we rested for a minute before we left the park with many other cars. Then we drove into the town of Moab looking for a Sonic. They didn't have a Sonic, but they did have a 7-11 so we had drinks on the way back to the camper.

The kids started their showers while Robby and I walked the dogs. Marley was terrified walking tonight, and would have given anything to run back to the camper. We all had a bit of supper after showers even though it was super late...and the morning begins super early because we are going to try to beat the heat. 

August 25, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 4

(Click for today's pictures) 

Robby and I were awake around 7 this morning. We quickly walked the dogs before waking up the kids. We weren't in too much of a hurry, but we did want to leave at a decent time. I'm glad we did leave when we did because the weather was fairly decent while we were out and not blazing hot. This afternoon in the camper, we could tell that it was warm outside because the air in the front was struggling to keep up because of the windows.

We about a mile from the entrance of the Colorado National Monument. I was disappointed at the entrance because we couldn't buy a park pass-it is the 115 birthday of the National Parks today so there was no admission. I wanted to buy the pass, use it, and count the $25 from today's fee towards our total of money saved by buying the pass. The park is beautiful; we even discussed why is the Grand Canyon the most popular of the National Park places when there are so many other just as pretty sites. 

We had just began the climb up the hill when we turned the curve, and there was a big horn sheep on the side of the road. We slowed down and snapped quite a few pictures before our next stop. We were a few minutes before the visitor center opened, so we pulled off into the park campground to check it out.

Robby said that the camper could make it up the hill, but I'd prefer for it to stay on level ground. We would even be able to fit in a few of the spots size wise-though after seeing the spots I'm not too sure. However, we do enjoy being able to plug up and those sites didn't have any of those amenities. However, the view on some of them were excellent. 

At the campground, we walked around a short nature trail, Window Rock Nature Trail. We had actually just stopped for someone to go to the bathroom, but after a bit of exploring, we decided to do the trail too. Then it was on to the visitor's center. 

We watched the video, and I tell you even just the room that they show park movies in makes me sleepy. I was struggling to stay awake listening to the man talk about the video before he started it. And it was a good movie, but gracious I guess I'm used to listening to everything in 2x speed because the video could have been sped up a good bit. I suggested that we leave in the middle, but Robby said that we were almost done.

We bought a postcard and a sticker for the camper before turning in our Jr. Ranger book. Whitman has helped me on some of them, but since even adults can do the books, I did most of them this year. I would turn them in myself, but Whitman went with me and before we knew it, he was being sworn in as a Jr. Ranger, and it took forever. The man was thorough and wanted to talk about every page, and every page was completed. 

We went to Otto's Trail next. John Otto pretty much founded the Colorado National Monument and made most of the trails. He even suggested that the park be named Smith National Park because it draw lots of Smith families to come and see it. It was just a short little trail, but gracious the views were impressive. 

From there, we continued driving over Canyon Rim Road. We stopped at quite a few overlooks. The prettiest part of the park was definitely the beginning. However, the end of the park put as in the town of Grand Junction which had a ChickFilA. 

The plan had originally been to eat CFA for supper tonight, but since we were in the town, we had our lunch there. We wanted to the try the waffle sandwiches. They were good, but too pricey to buy regularly. Keaton and Whitman just had nuggets though Keaton wanted to try it but was afraid she wouldn't like it.

After CFA we stopped at the post office in Fruita before going back to our campsite. The puppies were happy to see us-we left Marley in her kennel, and we also left Bentley's food out for her to eat. She doesn't always eat, and she will not eat if Marley is around because Marley will snatch it all up. Bentley had not eaten, but she had taken Marley a few pieces of food-she didn't get them in the kennel, but she had laid them close by the kennel door. Maybe she was buying nice or maybe she was taunting Marley.

We had a lazy afternoon-Robby worked and did the laundry, I napped and did math with Campbell, Cambpell and Keaton also napped before doing their school work, and Whitman, who has never been a napper, played on his ipad before doing his school work.

Around 5 everyone had some supper, and then we loaded up to go and eat some gelato from the Fruita Gelato Company. It was really good-Robby and I had birthday cake and chocolate. Whitman had vanilla while Campbell had chocolate. Keaton saved her dessert for a Starbucks drink at our next stop. Keaton did want to buy a tote bag from the store-she really debated it, and then decided not to. However, tonight she is regretting not buying the bag. I told her that Grannymom could help her make it, so they  might have another project coming up soon.

After picking up our snacks, we headed back to the Colorado National Monument to watch the sunset. On the way, much to Campbell's delight, we saw more big horn sheep. Then we stopped at Independence Monument View where we didn't watch the sunset-we couldn't really see the sun setting, but we could see the sun changing the colors of the landscape, and it was super pretty. 

Then it was back down the mountain, where we saw more big horn sheep on the way down. In the camper tonight, Whitman showered, I emptied the trash, Robby unhooked most things, Campbell and Keaton straightened. Then we took the dogs on a walk before playing a game. Now, it is my shower time, plus bedtime for this sleepy crew. 

August 24, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 3

(Click for today's pictures) 

I slept well last night, but I did keep waking up wondering what time it was. I was always super glad to see that the clock was not nearing wake up time. We still slept in a bit, but ended up leaving at 8:30 this morning.

Our trip was smooth again today. However, there were a few hiccups: 1. Marley hurt her paw somehow and started limping. We trimmed a bit of it off though, and she seemed fine tonight. 

2. The camper wouldn't move out of low gear on the hills, but that fixed itself (probably with all the prayers I was sending up.) 

3. Most of the way today was construction, and most of the construction was during the mountain passes. I'm not sure how stressful this was for Robby, but I was a nervous wreck. 

4. The generator stopped while we were driving which terrifies us since we have had to replace it before (not cheap) However, Robby knew it was just an easy fix because of the altitude, and it started right back up. 

5. Anderson wrote saying his phone got crushed today by a weight. We have ordered him a replacement, plus Pops is able to get him Reagan's old phone tomorrow. (Anderson has started the semester off with a broken phone and a broken monitor. I hate he is having to start his semester off like this, but he said, "it can only go up from here.")

So we did have a few hiccups, but honestly, everything went super smoothly.

We stopped a few times today at gas stations. At one of them, we were all outside with the dogs when it started pouring, and we all had to run to the camper. 

Our main stop today though was in Golden, Colorado. They have a huge Golden Retriever festival in February. However, today, it was just our Goldens walking around the town. It was a super cute mountain town with a stream running through the middle. The stream had people floating in inner tubes. It was one of those things that we wished we could have known about ahead of time so we could have done it.

Even though the mountain passes semi terrified me, they were still beautiful. The last section that we went through was the most beautiful. I with that I would have thought about taking a picture. 

We arrived at our campground in Fruita, Colorado around 6. It is a pull through spot which makes things so easy. Robby unhooked the car, the kids brushed the dogs, and I made English muffin pizzas for our supper. After supper, Robby and I went on a walk by the Colorado river. It was a bit longer than expected, and we made it back just as it became very dark.

When I came back in the camper, the kids were already working on their school work. It didn't take them too long just like it didn't take us too long to clean the camper after supper. Keaton and Campbell have had their showers and now it might have mine...or I might read a little bit.

August 23, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 2

(Click for today's pictures) 

Marley was not the most cooperative last night. Robby moved her kennel to a much more comfortable spot, but I guess it wigged her out. She fussed enough that he took her our and moved it back to the regular spot. Of course, she quickly figured our her ticket out and fussed until Robby relented.

I was so tired, that I was having a problem keeping up with what was going on. I could have let her bark for a bit longer since I was sleeping so well, but that might have disturbed the kids. Marley ended up sleeping with us, and she did very well. However, when we leave her during the week to explore, she will have to be in her kennel, and she probably won't like it!

We left the parking lot around 8 or 8:30 this morning. I'm not really sure what time it was, but things went incredibly smoothly today. We drove, we stopped for gas or for driver potty breaks, and we just drove some more over and over again. We did stop at one gas station and ate McDonalds ice cream while we let the dogs run in a dog park. 

Since we left yesterday, that changed the original stop that Robby had for tonight. Then throughout the day, he kept adjusting where he wanted to stop and finding new places for us. You can't just sleep anywhere so he has to do some research on each location. We have ended up at a little campground in Seibert, Colorado for the night.

It is little, but it is perfect for the night. We are right off the interstate, but just far enough away. Our site is a pull through so we didn't have to unhook the car, plus there was even a dog park. The girls took some pictures of the far off sunset, before we ate our barbecue for supper. 

After eating, we walked the dogs one more time. Then the kids and I played a game before we all settled in our beds. 

College kid update: Reagan was very happy to get back to her church in Arkadelphia. The boys both went to another church this morning. Anderson's monitor isn't working, so he is going to have to get a new one of those. And Graham said that so far school feels like summer camp, and he is having a blast. 

August 22, 2026-Sophomore Move in Day for Anderson and Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 1

(Click for today's pictures) 

• The morning started early, but not quite as early as the day before. By the time that I woke up, Robby had already folded our laundry and was working on last minute trip things. I woke up Anderson, and he started on his last minute packing things.
• At 8:30, we left to take my little boy to college. I know he's been there a year already, but it still makes me sad especially that half of my crew is not home anymore. But they are just were they are supposed to be.
• We stopped to pick up breakfast this morning, but not at Buccees-we were changing things up. We had worried that move in today would be crazy, but it was relatively calm. We pulled up to the front door and unloaded everything. Then Robby got the things to the elevator, I brought them upstairs (on the elevator), and Anderson moved them to his room. It was incredibly smooth, and no one broke a sweat.
• Anderson's room was a bit tricky. How he wanted his room wouldn't work initially because there wasn't room for his desk. We tried another configuration, but that would mean the door wouldn't close, so we pivoted back to the original plan. 
• For this plan to work, Robby and Anderson had to take the bed frame apart, turn it over, and reinstall it. Robby has carried his tools with us all week and hasn't used them, but when they are needed, they are handy to have. This didn't take too long, so the next project was moving the crazy heavy furniture around so we could lay the rug down.
• Once the rug was laid, we started emptying bins pretty quick. We did most things, but Anderson was fine with us leaving a few things for him to do later. He said at lunch today that he wasn't why moving in stresses him out. We thought everything went really smoothly and weren't stressed at all. 
• Anderson's roommate showed up, so the room quickly got full. This is when Anderson said that he could just do the rest later. Everything was really done except for a few decorating things. Graham came by to see us-or possibly he came by to see Brooklyn. Either way, we were able to lay eyes on him and see that he is having a great time. He ran 4 miles this morning and was going to most of his Wow weekend activities.
• Robby and I were pretty sure that Anderson would choose to go to LPs, the Mexican restaurant we went to yesterday. Graham had picked it yesterday, and we had even discussed what we would get today. However, Anderson suggested Fat Boys, where we went last year when we dropped Anderson off.
• Our sandwiches were really good. Then we went to Reagan's room to drop off some books. She has really done a great job making her room adorable. Everything is just perfect. Then we took Anderson back to his room before saying goodbye to him. 
• Robby and I didn't stop at Buccees on the way home, but we did stop at Sonic to get drinks for Keaton and Whitman. Campbell had gone out to lunch with some friends and had just gotten home. 
• Robby and I worked for a few hours around the house and in the camper. Then I had to take myself a power nap because I was exhausted. When I woke up, it was time for us to start getting ready. 
• I had just text the kids saying we were leaving soon when my phone buzzed saying heavy rain was coming so we kicked it into high gear. Even though the wind was really blowing and the rain was starting, we were able to get out of town before the storm rolled through.
• We had smooth sailing until before Russellville when we ended up in another rainstorm. Robby had to work pretty hard because it was pretty windy, but we made it through just fine. We only stopped when we made it to our stop at Roland, Oklahoma.
• We filled the camper up with gas and then found ourselves a nice parking spot for the night. Once we were settled, Campbell and I did some math (we are trying to get ahead enough that we don't have to think about math for a few days.) 
• Robby and I then took the dogs on a short walk around the parking lot before settling in for the night. Tomorrow will be a long day!

August 21, 2026-Freshman Move in Day for Graham

(Click for today's pictures) 

• Graham has been ready to move into college for a few weeks now. He has been so excited, and we are so excited for him. We left the house a few minutes after we had planned to this morning. We wanted to leave a few minutes before 7, but it ended up being a few minutes after 7 plus we even had to turn around and go back to get Robby's computer.
• However, we still had time to stop at Buccees for some breakfast. Then we zoomed on to Ouachita. I think that Graham was a little nervous when we pulled onto campus. I was nervous for him too!
• Last year, dropping off Anderson, we had to wait in a crazy long line, but this year, we were there an hour earlier, but also the line was moving well. Within 15 minute of driving on campus, we were at Graham's dorm with everything from the white van unloaded. 
• We parked as he went in and found his room. The first thing he did was grab the desk by the window. His roommate made it to the room right after Graham, and the first order of business was arranging the beds and putting down the rug.
• Then we had to put together the couch. Anderson bought the couch last year, and since he isn't using it this year, Graham is making good use of it. It took a few minutes to get it together, but once it was done, we started putting things up. 
• Graham is sleeping on the top bunk and climbed to the top to start making his bed. We had packed mostly in bins, and I loved emptying a bin. Graham has a pretty good set up-they have lots of storage in their room. 
• We weren't able to get his phone cord to stay where it needed to go, and the bathroom shower storage is lacking, but other than that I think his move in went perfectly. After unloading everything, we went to eat Mexican at the restaurant at the edge of campus.
• Then we went to Walmart. I would have thought that a Walmart in a small town with two colleges would be lacking, but they were fully stocked with all of the things you would need. Robby and Graham went on the hunt for cord things and key chains while I picked up things for our trip along with something for Reagan's birthday box. 
• We went back to campus and dropped Graham off in his room. Then Robby and I went to change the light bulb in Reagan's headlight. It would have been easy to do, but the wires were practically apart so Robby had to tape them up, and hopefully it holds. We hadn't gotten sweaty all day, but we sure did then.
• We saw Reagan earlier in the day. She was helping move freshman girls in, but she took a break to come and see her brother's room. She even came back later in the day to check on him again. After fixing her headlight, we met up with Graham and walked to the bookstore to pick up Anderson's books. 
• Each time we passed Cone Bottoms we did have some punch and a popsicle-I had cookies and cream for 2 of the 3 popsicles I had and they were delicious. Soon it was time for the little ceremony that they do. 
• It was warm in the auditorium, and we were all tired so I struggled keeping my eyes open. However, the last bit they pray over each of the students and call their name. The admissions counselors are spread out across the room calling names, and it is pretty neat. 
• Then it was back to Cone Bottoms to tell our little boy good bye. We left Graham only to find Reagan again. She was getting ready to meet her group for the next few days. I think that she was excited about meeting new people, and Graham was excited about his group too because Brett is his leader for the next few days.
• Robby and I then headed home. We decided that we would stop at Buccees to pick up barbecue for a supper on our trip, plus we got us a bite of cookie dough to give us some energy for getting home. 
• Once we were home, we unloaded the car. Then Robby reloaded the minivan for the trip while I started working on loading the food in the camper. He then helped me, and after we had the food done, we loaded up Anderson's things before loading up the car on the dolly behind the camper. Lots of loading up happened tonight, but I feel pretty good about everything we accomplished (though I still have a few more things that need to happen tomorrow.)
• We celebrated our big day with ice cream at the Wilson's house tonight. We visited with them for a little bit. Then we had to return home to get back to work for a little bit longer. Now, we are headed to bed, and I'm just exhuasted!