Cascade Springs

Oh Dad.
Will you really ever be able to live this one down?
I should hope not!

Dad planned a family outing to the springs which we all assumed would be a relatively short drive into the National Park. About 5 miles in, he pulled over and we all assumed we'd reached our destination. Anthony and Betsey even got out of their vehicle! Whoops, no, Dad was just checking on Carlie's progress. (She has a tendency to get car sick) So, we all got back in our respective cars and proceeded through some of the most gorgeous, breathtaking, TERRIFYING driving for the next 20+ miles. The roads were winding and weaving and at one point I was almost done in by an oncoming Volvo!

Once we arrived, it was easy to see why Dad had chosen this spot. It was downright amazing. I felt like Julie Andrews in the opening sequence of "The sound of Music". The snowcapped mountains in the distance, the green fields, birds chirping, flowers blooming, animals scurrying and well, you get it. LOL Despit all of the breathtaking beauty, I'd realized something dreadful on the way up the mountain. I was out of gas. I mean REALLY out of gas. My gas-o-meter was reading 9 miles to empty and we had a 20+ mile trip DOWN the mountain. Believe it or not, I made it down that mountain later that afternoon. I put the van in neutral and coasted that sucker all the way down to Provo! Ah, good times, good times! LOL

PHOTO DISCLAIMER: I am sure that all the photographer's in the family are going to cringe through every frame of these posts. During this trip I suffered continually from "Crap!-the-camera-is-on-the-wrong-setting-itis", or it was the simple fact that I still don't really know how to use this camera. (If a certain brother would ever come visit, that might be rectified sooner or later. HINT HINT).

Ok, that being said, here are the pictures from that day:

The mountains:

Hiking Pictures:

Dom checking out a trail sign









Taking a break:

Family Pictures:

Aunt Betsey and her gorgeous smile!!!


Dad


Mom looking a model (what's new???)


Carlie showing off her pearly whites:


Christina making us all look bad! LOL


Will and those blue eyes:


Diana and Kristen being best Buds:

Group Photo:
From L-R: Anthony, Diana, Carlie, Kristen, Christina, Dominick, Will, Jansen & Brooke


Papa's Girls:
This photo means a lot to me. I have a photo of Dad holding Carlie and Brooke just like this. One in each arm that was taken when the girls were about a year old.
Allie and I are so very blessed two have two sets of girls who will grow up together. (That should be as good a guilt trip as any to keep us getting together more often!) LOL

 

More scenery: