Goblin Valley

This is a long post (because of photos, not words 😅) I usually split my posts up because I, um, take too many photos.... but for whatever reason, I didn't do that this time. Sorry.... 

Anyway,

We took our first family camping trip in the new tent trailer (Buck's newest pride and joy) and we decided to go to Goblin Valley area. We ended up leaving later than we wanted to.

You know it's never a good sign when you're driving into storm clouds for camping... 

We didn't have a campsite reserved but had planned to find a spot on BLM land so that was stressful to do in the dark in a new area we weren't familiar with. It truly was so dark and we finally decided to take a camp spot that was next to some other people and I felt bad about that, being so close to them when they probably wanted solitude. So as we parked I went to apologize and discovered that WE KNEW THEM. It was the Murdoch family, good friends from our old neighborhood! Their daughter Tracy and I are good friends still too and she was with them with her husband and boys. It was SO CRAZY how it happened! I still can't believe it! And Tracy's dad and brothers got right to work helping us set up camp in the dark. It was such a blessing and something we'll never forget! 

We all got to bed late and it ended up raining the WHOLE night. 

The Murdoch's camp site next to us! 

Our muddy view

Our poor rained on tent.

Tracy! 

Hazel's face of amazement upon seeing where we set up camp. It was quite a surprise to wake up to for us all since it had been so dark that night getting in! 

Breakfast in the dry tent

And Millie came too! Great idea to bring a white dog camping in the red mud.

Then the kids got exploring around the campsite and let's just say that it was a muddy event. I could have cried or laughed so mostly I chose to laugh about it. What else can you do?!

If you don't laugh, then you'll cry for sure. 😂

Eventually we left and went exploring near Hanksville. We got to go off roading and down this great path that takes you past the Mars research station! 

And then we got to explore these other worldly hills that are blue, purple, grey, orange and red. We had the whole place to ourselves too and it was during a window of time that there wasn't any rain! They were muddy in some spots but not everywhere. Mostly it was super cool and the kids LOVED it. I hope they never forget it! But in case they do...  I took a million photos haha

When your sweatshirt matches the landscape

Spot Rose and Hazel!

Then we drove back and attempted to go into Goblin Valley but a thunderstorm had different plans so we went back to camp to wait it out. Once it passed we explored some more and had dinner and a campfire (where we had to make roasting sticks out of tin foil since we forgot real ones) and we were gifted with the MOST amazing sunset ever! 

The MOST attractive photo of me

June wanted to go barefoot in the mud so that's what happened

We also got to hang out with the Murdoch's and swap stories from the day. Then it was time for star gazing! 

And shadow puppets

The next morning was better weather so we adventured into Goblin Valley and had fun exploring all around it!

This structure is called "The three sisters" so of course they had to take a photo with it. 

And then of course Johnny wanted "a guy's photo" too

Then we went back to camp to pack up. We spent some time with the Murdoch's too and had to help Tracy get her van unstuck from the mud. 

I love fateful happenings in life and I'll never forget this one, such a fun little gift form God to be near our friends. There are hundreds of campsites and somehow we ended up right next to each other. 

Then we packed up and headed home. 

We ended up getting stuck for a couple hours on the canyon highway due to a bad accident up ahead. Johnny peed on the side of the road and at one point June peed in a bucket in the car. It was a long wait and there weren't many options haha. So it was an adventure the whole weekend! I'm grateful for the beautiful things we got to see, that my kids got to be free and explore and that we got to spend time together. Here's to more summer camping!