Roadtrips with Rugrats: Day 8

Kodachrome State Park, Utah

The kids sleep until 6:45am! Woo hoo! I will take the confused time clocks. Last night everyone slept well and we think we finally got the best floor cushion combo for Arlo on the floor. It was the last pin to drop in our figuring out the RV setup. We have an easy morning with a little playground time while Daddy gets the car unhooked and then head to Kodachrome state park, where we have read about a few hikes that are short and safe, including one to an arch. We find out that Kodachrome was in fact named after the color film that had just been invented by Kodak and can hardly believe just how commercial that origin is. Thank goodness the big canyon in Arizona wasn't discovered by Polaroid.

Arlo, screwing up a picture. His refusal to wear sunglasses or a hat with blue eyes is getting quite frustrating.

Just chilling in my cave. Normal 4 year old stuff for a Sunday.

Let's do this bro!

Look down, sons. Daddy is master.

Arch!

Let the sunshine in! I have no idea how Mike got it to look like we are floating on green mist, but kudos to him for the awesome shot.

The hike to Shakespeare's Arch is short, hot and easy. It's so easy that Arlo actually walks the whole mile with us, hanging in like a little toughie. He is pumped to be out of the backpack and car seat, running free. We get why it is named after color film as the reds and oranges are so vivid, especially with the green trees against it. Although the park is truly beautiful, the tiny little arch in the park just makes me a little sad we never made it to Arches. Mike tries to tell me that Arches is played out and Kodachrome is the "Brooklyn of 10 years ago." I try and believe that. In reality Kodachrome is so beautiful and amazing, that in any other state it would easily be a National Park, but it seems Utah has maxed out it's National Park allowance. Basically the whole state should be a National Park.

World's tiniest arch?

G working hard for his badge.

After the hike, we head to another part of the park to enjoy a picnic lunch and let Graham work on his Junior Ranger activity book. He is taking his task quite seriously, and the need to find trash to pick up is really a challenge with how well the park is kept! We finally find a spoon and head to the gate to get sworn in. The Junior Ranger swearing in is freaking adorable. G is so serious anyway, so he took his oath with pride. It was freakin' adorable. Mom fail: I forgot to bring the camera in. So no pictures of the swearing in. I didn't realize the Ranger would be so good with him and I am kicking myself for not documenting it. I'll just have to burn it in my brain forever.

"You search for things like this Mom."

We come back to camp and have the first "parked RV" nap experience and the boys finally get a more normal nap while laying down. Those tiny hikers were kicked! During the nap Mike and I read, write and enjoy the sun in camping chairs outside. Mike naps too. I make iced coffee. It's pin drop quite with the mountains all around us. HEAVEN! Seriously, I can feel the good vibes of the trip soaking in finally, and I'm really not stressed at all. Everyone wakes up well rested for a beautiful cookout picnic and a post dinner water war with the super soakers the cousins gave to us (awesome send off gifts!). Sunset is late again and it's nice and warm until bedtime giving you that fun summer feel. We look like a KOA commercial at this point.