Day 2--Bridal Veil Falls and the Heber Creeper

That sums up the day but for pictures--see below:

We lucked out and found a nice camping spot at Nunn's Park just below Bridal Veil park.  I had actually been to the park at least once as a BYU student for a ward activity.  It has been expanded and upgraded since then, probably more than once.  It was a pretty spot next to the hiking trail and also along the Provo River.

Heading up the trail from Nunn's Park to Bridal Veil

Going under the highway next to Provo River
I loved the sounds of the river as we walked.

 This was one of our first sighting of the falls--this would be the upper portion.

The Provo River

You can see somewhat the two stages of the waterfall--

 It fell into a pool of very cold water but it felt great on a hot day.  Even Scarlett walked on the rocks and enjoyed the water until her feet turned pink from the cold.

Scott headed up the falls to check out some drift wood.  After we finished the hike, GAry and Scott came back with the stroller and the car and retrieved two big pieces of wood for use in his new 100 gal. fish tank.  I didn't go and can't find my picture of the wood so no pictures but I am sure they were a interested site as they pushed the wood down the path in a stroller.

Jena on the bridge at the Falls

Friday we met up with Jessica, Elessia and Liam who made the return trip to Heber to join us for a western BBQ and a ride on the Heber Creeper.  Gary and I love trains and we want to share that with our grand kids.  I don't think they were big fans as it was a bit slow moving and perhaps dull for a 1 and almost 2 year old.  However we loved sharing it with them.

Liam and Scarlett liked this wooden train set up in the gift shop

 The all important group shot, but Scatlett was not in the mood for a picture.  She had places she wanted to go.

We got a smiling picture of these Halls---- 

We had a traditional BBQ dinner with yummy big cinnamon rolls for dinner along with some western music to get us in the mood.

 Before we got on the train, they had a little skit with the good guys and the bad guys which included some blanks being shot (which were a bit loud for the kids).

Finally we are on the train for our ride.  The car we were in was mostly empty which was fun.  It was a 1938 train car.  The seats could be switch so that you would be facing forward no matter which way the train was traveling.  However it also worked to face each other.

Chantel, Scarlett and Scott

During this family picture moment I couldn't get Liam to look
Elessia, Liam and Jessica

We enjoyed our train ride through Heber Valley.  We were amazed how many people would wave at the train as it went by their yards or their cars along the sides of the tracks.  Even people on boats at the reservoir waved at the train.  We joked that they got paid to wave to support the local economy.  It made it fun.  They also had some teenagers who fiddled familiar folk songs off and on during the ride.  It was a beautiful night, with a breeze blowing and watching our kids and randkids interact, sing, dance and relax.

They also had some teenagers who fiddled familiar folk songs off and on during the ride.  It was a beautiful night, with a breeze blowing and watching our kids and grandkids interact, sing, dance and relax.

Funny story:  We were put into a car that they don't normally use on a Friday night so that we could sit together.  There was only one other family in the car so it was nice.  When we got on, they mentioned that there was a bathroom at the back of the car.  As the train was going along, Gary sent me to check it out.

And here was the 1938 bathroom--train style.

Yes, that is the ground you see as the train is moving along.  I guess wastes were not a concern in 1938.  This is old news for any one who has lived in Hong Kong.  There were some old ferries that went out to outlying islands who had the same arrangement although the hole emptied directly to the ocean.  Unfortunately I have some personal experience with that set up and if the boat bounced you might end up with a wet bottom.  Back to the story--

Well about an hour into the trip, a boy from the other family who was about 10 years old, headed down to use the bathroom.  We were laughing and expecting him to come right back out.  When he didn't, we assumed he decided to try it out.  After he returned to his seat, his younger brother soon headed to the bathroom.  I am guessing that he didn't believe his brother about the opening to the tracks and wanted to see for himself.  Unfortunately for him, one of the fiddlers was coming in and stopped in and said, "Oh, that isn't a bathroom to use.  You need to go down to the other car."  He headed back to his seat and I imagine he was disappointed that he couldn't report using the same toilet as his older brother.  Adventures come in all shapes and sizes when you are a kid.

It was a beautiful night, with a breeze blowing and just having fun watching our kids and grand kids interact, sing, dance and relax.

Life is good when you are traveling on a train.

And thus ended our first formal reunion.  It was a fun time and I can't wait to do it again when Tosha, Austen and Niki can join us.  Everyone except Gary, Jena and I headed up after the train and we had a peaceful night and a slow morning at Nunn's Park before heading home.

(Side note:  The men in my family DO NOT like to wear hats with hearts on them.  They are asking for design oversight for the next family reunion swag.  Who knew?)