ZNP the ANDEFAM way

Let me just say, Zion's is awesome, the Andersons are awesome, the combination is out of this world! --appropriate considering how much ZNP looks like it could be another planet—We drove down with mom. The best company in the world + squeaky cheese and coconut almond ice cream cones + happy or sleeping Rho = the best car ride. After checking in to the hotel we went for a drive and hike on the east side of the park. A 1920s journalist once described it as mother nature striped nude-- indecent! We are more wholesome and think looks like soft serve ice cream. I guess Feud knows where our minds are, back in Fillmore at the dairy.Rhosie did great in her backpack. She likes to be up high and get trotted all around. Canyon overlook is one of my favorite hikes. It is so beautiful, doesn't take long at all, and has a breathtaking view at the end. There is a big blind arch on the side of the cliff that you can see as you drive to the east side and you end up on top of this by the end of the hike. It is incredible and one of the only places you can see the sunset in the park.Charles, Janet and Adele joined us that night and the next day we all took the shuttle out and went on another hike.We decided to do riverside walk and a bit if the narrows because of the heat. (It was a scorcher that weekend!) Riverside walk is another beauty with cottonwoods and hanging ferns. It is usually pretty shady and cool since the canyon floor only gets direct sun for a couple hours a day but no such luck for us. A dip in the cold river was never so welcome!Once in the water we were cool as you please. We took it easy and gave the babes a chance to zonk out in their packs.This woman is incredible! I could not imagine a better mother-in-law. She really is like a mother to me. Only a mother loves you enough to take an cold dip and slip n' slide with you in the river. I love her!We went for a late dip in the pool back at the hotel that night. It takes a secure person to be photographed in their bathing suit and an absolutely crazy person to put those photos on line. And after all, who is more crazy than proud parents, determined to show their baby off in any and all situations she encounters.(Don't worry in southern Utah there is no need to heat the hot tubs. It was like bath water.)Finally James, Sharon, Katie, and Richard joined us. Unfortunately, J, S, And K were confined to quarters due to some pre-natal shenanigans. So we didn't get to see much of them. Despite the heat we wanted to have one hike with Richard. He is my true kindred spirit in hiking and I look forward all year to hitting the trails with him. This lead to an ill advised trek around emerald pools. Even Doc and Chuck’s sweet new hiking hats failed to keep them cool, in temperature that is, they were of course supper cool in all other ways.Awesome pic of the fam!During the trip we ate at, my fave, Oscar's for almost every meal. They have the best burgers and sweet potato fries on earth!After dinner Rhodie and I took a nostalgic walk around Springdale so I could show her some of my favorite old haunts. She especially liked the "zoo" with elk, buffalo, and long horned cattle.A -not quite- family photo. (Basil's nick-name is Basil Buffalo)Later we had another swim. These cousins loved the pool! Adele is such a water baby. It fascinated Rho who mostly wanted to eat her fancy flotation device. Sharon got this great pic of our hotel and pool. All in all it was an awesome vacay with our awesome family!