Canyon Cavorting

I mentioned that the family went up the canyon to drive around the Alpine Loop. I distinctly remember an argument beforehand in which I asked Tyler to take pictures and he complained that bringing a camera would only slow people down and take away from the general grandeur by trying to capture the perfect shot. I told him that was complete poppy-cock and it was only fair to take the camera if Ivory and I couldn't enjoy the splendor. We compromised by letting Robyn be in charge of the camera. She took photos and Tyler didn't have to worry about it.

However, those photos seem to be lost to the world. I have no idea where they ended up or in what folder. (So much for making them take the camera.) (However in looking for those photos, I did find the missing scrapbook photos. Bonus.) Luckily, they weren't the only ones to go into the canyon. It just so happens that June went on a field trip to Rock Canyon and I accompanied her. It isn't the Alpine Loop, but it is beautiful in its own right.

June was in charge of the camera for her school project and I just had my phone, but I enjoyed the pictures I got and I hope you will too. (I could have looked at June's pictures, but she took over 200 photos and I didn't want to wade through her stuff. Thus, you get no pictures of me, but the canyon was prettier anyway.)

The field trip was broken up into stations. Our group started at the station at the top of the trail, so we had to hike up there right away. Then we worked our way around the circle and back to the top. (Essentially, we hiked up the mountain twice, but the exercise was good.) Here is our group at the top of the trail waiting for our instructor to catch up. (He had to hike up too.)

At each station we were taught something. Topics included erosion, environment, rock formations, fault lines, etc. Some stations were there for contemplation or to answer a question. It was very insightful. I learned a lot of things that I almost instantly forgot. (Science is very cool, but it doesn't always stick in my brain.)

I got some pictures of the kids as they toured the area. That red tree picture is one of my favorites. The leaves were such a brilliant color in the canyon.

I also took a lot of pictures of the amazing scenery. The canyon sure is lovely this time of year. (June and I came back a couple weeks later for her birthday pictures, but already the fall colors were muted. You have to catch it at just the right time.) Tyler proposed to me in this canyon. It will always have a special place in my heart.

At the end of the trip, we were missing one boy on our bus. We called his name many times, but no one responded, so finally teachers went looking for him. I felt awful and it was the son of one of my friends. After a good 20 minutes, we finally found him...at the back of the bus. He had never heard his name and apparently the kids next to him didn't know him, so didn't know we were looking for him. Then we simply had to wait for the teachers to come back to the bus. We were just a little late getting back to the school. Oops. But I'm glad we didn't leave anyone behind.

All in all, a great field trip.