Lost Bridge Trail

We have enjoyed Spring Break.

I got a little time off work while

Eric had time off school.

I officially hit the 20 week mark

on Saturday.  I can't believe I'm halfway

 through this pregnancy.  But we

are anxious to meet our sweet boy.  

On Friday, we drove to Springdale, Arkansas

and spent the evening with friends.

Summer and her husband Trey live there. 

It's always great catching up with friends.

We enjoyed some yummy burgers near

the University of Arkansas campus.

Summer and Me - we've been friends since early childhood.

After a delicious breakfast Saturday

morning, Eric and I traveled to Lost

Bridge Hiking Trail near Garfield, Arkansas.

This trail is on Beaver Lake, which

is one of the most beautiful lakes in the area.

It was a brisk 40 degree morning when

we started our hike.  It warmed up a little, 

but the wind kept it pretty chilly.

Trevor and Candace got me a selfie-stick

for Christmas - so I was able to take lots

of pictures of us on our hike...

I want to do this hike again in the fall - 

maybe not this fall since I'll have a newborn,

but I can only imagine how gorgeous this

area is with leaves on the trees.

Taking a short break by a neat rock formation

We came across this temporary shelter

on our hike.  It looked like something

straight off the Dual Survivor Show

Eric watches.  It was a neat little

shelter with a fire-pit and a gorgeous view.

  

Overhanging bluffs like this one were typical
of the dry shelters which were favorite living
 quarters for the Indians in the mountainous
portions of the Arkansas Ozarks from the earliest
 times until the time of contact with Europeans.
There were several other landmarks along this trail,
including a plantation foundation with a fireplace.

...and we finally got to the end of the trail.

This is the part where I looked at the map

and realized the 5 mile hike was actually

a 7 mile hike.  Phewww.  Needless to say,
my legs are tired today.

I will most likely not be going on

any more lengthy hikes during this

pregnancy, but we had a great time

exploring this trail together.

Memorial Day Hike

I told Eric a while ago that I would

hike Ben Lomond with him

before we left Utah.  Ben Lomond

is one of the tallest in the area.

It is 9,712 feet tall!  

Well, that day finally came.  

The hike to Ben Lomond is

about 8 miles one way. 

(doesn't it just make you tired

to think about it?!)

Needless to say, today my body

absolutely hates me.  And Oliver

has been asleep since we gave him 

a bath last night.  But the sights were

beautiful! Here's a taste of

our Memorial Day Hike! 

Ben Lomand has to be just around this corner... nope.

Oliver got so hot.  Fortunately, There 

were patches of snow for him to lay on.

Blending in with his surroundings 

Our friend Ben came hiking with us

There were lots of big snow patches we had to travel across... slippery and scary.

That big mountain back there is Ben Lomond - still so far away!

This photo shows the trail with snow on it...
nothing to stop you if you slip on the snow... YIKES!

Eric and Oliver reenacting a scene from the Lion King

OGDEN!

 So we walked as far as we could on the trail...

and with about a mile to go to get to the summit,

there was nothing but snow and it seemed too 

dangerous.  So we turned around a walked back.

All in all, we figure we hiked about 13 miles roundtrip.

And we saw a snake... which I did not enjoy...

Poor Oliver had to be carried part of the way back.  He was WORN out.

This is a beautiful hike for anyone

that has the opportunity.  You don't

even have to hike very far before the

scenery is gorgeous.  But if you

want to go all the way to Ben Lomond,

probably wait until July when all of the

snow has melted.

A Visit From Eric's Parents

We really enjoyed our time with the Underwoods.

We stayed busy hiking, exploring Park City and shopping.

Our first adventure was hiking at

Antelope Island.  The pictures don't do justice

to the beauty of this place.  It was the perfect day

to be outside - and the dogs enjoyed being with us.

The water was so calm - like a mirror.

On the Great Salt Lake

On the Great Salt Lake

We attended the Easter church

service at Washington Heights and then

drove to Snowbasin Ski Resort for

a fabulous Easter Brunch.

The Easter Bunny even stopped by to

say hello!  He was very nice.

After our Easter Brunch,

we drove to Park City to see the

Olympic Park and walk around Main Street

I took Ronda to Salt Lake City to do some shopping

on their last day here - we enjoyed City Creek Center.

I also showed her the Salt Lake Temple.

It was great to spend time with Eric's parents!

We love having visitors.

Who's next?