We decided to take another trip to Havasupai this year. It gets harder and harder the more kids we have - mostly because it's hard to find someone who will watch all our crazies. Anyway, a few of Josh's siblings really wanted to go so we went ahead with the plans. It ended being a great trip - one of the best we've had. We had an awesome group and mostly just had a great time together. Our group: Josh and I, Daniel and Sidnee, Betsy, Andy and a few of his friends, and Bryson and Jordan Hammer who are in our new ward. Fun times.
Hiking down is always a little tough. After driving all night to get to the hilltop, we were all pretty tired. So a 10 mile hike ends up seeming like forever. But we all made it!
And of course it's worth it! Look at this amazing water. We spent the rest of that day just hanging out at camp and playing in the water - so refreshing and so nice on sore muscles!
Josh and all the boys immediately starting climbing the wall by the waterfall and jumping into it. They make me a little crazy sometimes being so daring!
Our camp - viewed from Sid's tent.
The next day we got up and headed down to Beaver Falls for the day. Daniel told us after the hike the first day that "there is no way I'm going on a day hike tomorrow. No way." Well I guess a good night's sleep helped change his mind cause he tagged along with us!
The view from the top of Mooney Falls. So beautiful.
Then the hike 200 feet down the side of the mountain. I didn't realize until afterward that Betsy and Sidnee were super nervous about going down. They both seemed so calm and collected, but Bets told me after that her heart was pounding. They fooled me! And did great!
The day hike to Beaver is always my favorite part of the trip. The hike is so fun with so much different scenery.
Looking down at Beaver Falls.
Beaver Falls. Love this place! We spent a few hours just climbing up and jumping down into these little pools.
Taking a lunch break - and taking a break from the sun.
As we were getting ready to head back someone told us about some cliff jumps just 100 feet past Beaver Falls. In all the years we've been to Havasu we have never seen the cliffs to jump off. But we were not disappointed! The cliff was perfect with a deep pool of water just below. There was a 50 foot jump and a 60 foot jump. Of course Josh and Andy jumped right away of the 60 footer. Bryson and I took some coaxing but we both did the 50 foot jump. I'll admit I was nervous about it but it ended up being super fun! We'll add that to our yearly agenda for sure.
On the way back to camp at the bottom of Mooney Falls.
The morning we hiked out we stopped at Little Navajo Falls for one last jump. Josh, Andy Bryson and I all jumped in. We couldn't resist one more time in this amazing water!
The rest of the group went on ahead of us while we changed into dry clothes. Josh was sitting by this river changing his shoes and his clothes and told me to keep an eye out for anyone while he hurried and jumped into the water to rinse off. So he stripped down to just his shoes and socks and just then the mule train started coming around the path. I yelled to him that someone was coming so he slid down the bank and hid under this bridge (butt naked) while the donkeys and their riders went by. I couldn't stop laughing about it.
I stepped on my glasses just before we left for the hike so Josh loaned me his hat.
And he had to make do with a wet shirt to cover his head.
We had such a fun few days together and are already planning our trip back next year!
