Two years ago, we loved the Wind Cave hike in Usery Park so very much, we decided to hit it again this trip! It was fun to see that some of the pictures we took then with my mother invariably got repeated with Aaron's mom!
At the base, just beginning the hike.
A couple shots of Evie and Lizzie on a particular rock. One with the beautiful landscape in the background, one with some amazing sun flare!
Evie and Lizzie loved climbing up the rocks. I also happen to have a few more pictures of and with the girls because Aaron and the little boys dashed up the hill so quickly.
Grandma and these hooligans, taking a rest in a depression in the cliff wall.
At the top of Wind Cave, our favorite thing from last time and easily a favorite this time was feeding the squirrels and chipmunks that live up there. We brought some granola to feed them, and someone passing us on their way down gifted the kids with a bag of birdseed. These little rodents are well fed, and just adorable to feed!
I think this squirrel begs better than our dog does!
This angle doesn't show it, but Carson is feeding a squirrel from his hand while petting it. These are nearly tame wild animals!
Carson had a magic touch, because this is a different chipmunk eating right out of his hand.
The kids with their grandma, just about ready to head back down to the cars.
Always nice to take a family photo when everyone is hot and sweaty but victorious!
This beehive at the mouth of Wind Cave looks smaller than the last time we were here, but the bees are still well and truly active.
Here I am at the very end, feeling so very proud! When we first did this hike two years ago, I moaned, cried and nearly threw up but did it. This time around, I was cheerful if slow and loved listening to Brandon Sanderson's "The Way of Kings" while I went.
Hot and sweaty, we hit up a McDonald's for a quick lunch before going over to Grandma and Grandpa's for a visit. We happened upon our cousins, who were on their way to the airport to head home. It was a happy happenstance, to sneak one more picture and visit in!
That evening, we met up with my cousin Jason and his family for dinner and family home evening. My dad's twin brother Jeff and his wife Jeri were also there. It's so fun that my kids have an 'Uncle Grandpa', someone who looks and sounds just like Grandpa but who also isn't quite him. I was so worn out at this time that I got only a single photo on my phone of the evening. Dinner was taco salad, and then there was a lot of visiting. Evie gave the lesson, passing off a YW value experience. After that, we played a dice game and then signs. It was such a full day, but we wouldn't have missed a single moment of it!
