More Bryce Canyon!

So the second day of the trip we headed into Bryce Canyon for some more hiking and sightseeing! Unfortunately there was a fire burning and most of the park was actually closed. Of course by the time we got done with the first hike we couldn't have paid the kids to go on another hike so it turned out for the best! We stopped at Sunset Point in the park and chose a hike that was rated easy, to bad the groups map reading skills didn't match are hike selection. We were supposed to hike the Queens Palace, but somehow ended up at the Navajo Loop trail. After talking to a ranger and being assured that there were no steps (HAHAHA) and that with a group our size we shouldn't have any problem getting Zachary's wheelchair down and back we headed out. It was pretty steep and there were some steps and some really narrow switchback portions to the trail then when we actually got to the bottom a storm started rolling in so the second half of the trail was a race to beat the storm. We made it back to the top just in time for the dust storm to hit us making the trek back to the cars a real treat!


The whole Just Gang on the edge of the canyon at Sunset Point!


Olivia with Grandma and Pampa on Sunset Point! Grandma and Pampa didn't do the hike and its probably a really good thing because it was a tough hike and we barely got the kids through it.


Tammy, Carter and Hunter still heading down the Navajo Loop Trail!


Amanda, Quinn, Elina, Olivia, Carter, Josh and Hunter enjoying the hike down and finding some great places to take pictures.


All the Just cousins pretty close to the bottom of the trail!


The cousins again!


The trail actually continued through this gap in the rock and the tree you can see is actually growing out of another tree it was really cool!


As you can see by the time we were heading back up the trail Josh, Quinn and Carter were riding on shoulders. For some reason those little legs just couldn't do it anymore...or as Quinn put it "Me leg is broken carry me"! It didn't last long though because most the adults were helping push the wheelchair and Zachary up the hill! We did get some help from some other tourists who didn't speak much english but were great to help push Zachary all the way to the top. I think Zachary enjoyed the hike more than any one else he was so excited the whole time just checking everything out. It was worth it just to see that smile!


The incredible view that also gives a glance at how steep the trail really was and of course no railings!


Here is a picture I took of Quinn, Taylor and Melody from the ridge above while waiting for them to catch up! Taylor was awesome with Quinn and really kept him going. I had my hands full trying to keep Amanda going. We actually skipped and sang we're off to see the wizard to keep her motivated, of course once we were skipping then Elina came and joined us. So funny people thought we were nuts but it kept them going so whatever works!


The Johnson Family in front of the Bryce Canyon Sign!
Sam, Quinn, Elina, Olivia, Amanda, and Me