Weatherholtz Family: The Badlands

Lily saw rock formations with trails when we came into the park and started begging to climb them. Last night, we decided to tackle Notch Trail first thing in the morning. It's a 1.5 mile moderate-to- strenuous hike with a ladder at one really steep part. We felt the girls were up for it, and they assured us they were. We told them it was a very hot day. They said they were ready.

SE did her own sunscreen this morning.

Taking a rest about .05 miles into the hike,

It was hot and the hike felt more strenuous than moderate. The girls were miserable and reminded us every other step. Daddy was ready to throw them over the mountain. We stopped to have a little family meeting. We told them to SHUT UP. Okay, so we didn't really tell them to shut up, but we explained that their behavior was unacceptable. They had a choice, they could turn their attitude around and we would encourage them through the rest of the hike or they could keep up the fussing and be completely ignored by us. Thankfully, they got it together and the second half of the hike was much more enjoyable.

To the girls' credit, it was hot! And yes, this picture does give me a little bit of quilt.

Look at all the Junior Ranger badges I the girls got this summer.

Next we drove the park roads in search of wildlife and prairie dog towns.

This guy must have been the designated ambassador. He hung around and let us get close while literally every other prairie dog in town fled, chirping madly as they went.

I would hate to be around when the guy that left this track comes back.

SE was having trouble with the grass "hurting" her when she walked, which caused lots of fussing and squawking. We let her lag and then told her to run and catch up. She did, crying all the way. We're nominating her for an emmy.

I remember a trip to NY as a child and my dad got really frustrated with me because I was always up under his feet. Sarah Ellen must get it honest, because during this trip, I've been reminded of that about 50 times. She seems to have a sixth sense for where I'm headed, she somehow veers in front of me blindly, without even looking back, and she walks a half-speed pace when she's directly in front of me. Love her though! Here's a picture of me hugging her after I stepped on her foot when turning around in the middle of prairie dog town.

Bighorn sheep, we think.

Daddy's night to prepare dinner - PB&J and corn chips.

There was a huge climbing mound next to our cabins. Lily was dying to get on them, so we went after dinner. She was fearless, even in the highest and tightest places, and there wasn't a trail that she didn't want to try. We conquered them all, and added this to the growing list of barriers she has broken this summer. So proud of her!

Some parts were really steep and slippery.

Mommy here: While I am more than proud of Lily and so thankful she is trying daring things, I just couldn't watch. James insisted they were safe. SE and I decided we were better off fossil hunting.