Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Geocaching

While Steve was stuck at work today we headed out to Red Rock Canyon to do some geocaching. My MIL is a big geocacher, and I have lots of fun going with her. Plus I love any excuse to go out to RRC and wander around. The day involved a lot of walking, hiking, and for me, looking out for scary creatures in the middle of the desert! Geocaching often involves a lot of digging, turning over rocks, and looking in dark places where scary things hide. We had SUCH a great day though. Easton and my FIL were total troopers to tag along with us. We found 5 caches total today and we had so much fun!!
This is the first one we did...it was more of an educational cache, in that we didn't actually find anything. We measured the different layers of erosion and other scientific and geological stuff...it was cool. Lani is a science teacher, so she was able to teach me a lot about the area. My cute little man.

Ok, that rock was a LOT farther away than it looked. That's where the geocache was. We were out in the middle of nowhere!
On our way to the far away rock we walked through lots of this...and I learned while in AZ that it's called "jumping choya" and that if you get too close and it feels heat or something, their spiky things can jump out at you. Awesome. We tried to steer clear of these, although this one in the pic was about 1 foot from the geocache we found next to it.

And right next to that were these egg shells, holding who knows what kind of creatures. I thought I did a good job of not letting on how paranoid I was about trekking through snake territory. Don't worry, we made it out unscathed, and successful.
Possibly one of my favorite pictures of all time. The boys were so patient while we were off all day exploring.
After we found our last one...we hiked to the top of a hill in LV at sundown and it was WAY windy! I wish we had more time with Steve's family...they have to go home tomorrow. I had a blast today getting out, being active and enjoying the sunshine! I need to do it more often because I'm SO out of shape and I'll be feelin' it tomorrow!


30 comments:

Alifinale said...

Ok, I had my doubts about geocaching but now that looks like fun! Easton looked so happy in his pics and you are right the one with his grandpa is so stinkin' cute. I am glad you had so much fun with your in-laws but we are ready to play with you again. Emery misses her pal.

Kara said...

I think I just heard about this the other day. Is it where you use a GPS and coordinates and try to find stuff. You'll have to explain it more to me. Easton looks so happy out in the desert. We need to go out to RRC and go hiking! How come I never knew you were so into the outdoors and climbing mountains and stuff? Share the love with me and Na Na! Easton and Nathan can chase snakes and lizards together. And we can be paranoid together!

Teresa, mom, Deitz, Aunt Dee Dee said...

Love the post. Glad you had so much fun with the family. I love family pictures and stories. What great memories Easton can cherish.

Cut pictures of my sis, Gotta love her enthusiasm for geocaching. She's a maniac about it. Sounds like you had a lot of fun in the desert. I would have been looking out for snakes too. Anything that moves without legs is too creapy for me.

Love ya all,

Ilene said...

Oh, you need to come teach me how to geocache when we move to Boise.

Still don't know when we are moving but we are, I promise.

rose said...

we love geocaching! so fun.
and cholla are great huh? we call them "owies" so the boys don't get near them. g stears way clear of them on our hikes. and wildlife in the desert is fun and exciting! who wouldn't love cactus, snakes, bats, mountain lions, big poisonous spiders and scorpions??? but at least it's not raining....

Kricket said...

You guys look really happy together and I am really glad that you have each other.
Kricket

Margaret said...

Um...you are not out of shape...whatever (I'm totally offended now...ha ha)

How fun! I love stuff like that.

Yeah...so sad NO LOST tonight. What am I supposed to do instead?! Hmmm...

The nose running story is coming much to my shagrin (sp?).

I loved the Grease show too! So good. Did the actors you wanted to be in the musical win?

Emily said...

Meg, I'm telling you...Eli Stone!

destiny said...

My bro and sis in law go geocaching or at least they used too. Seems like a fun sport, or hobby, whatever category it falls into? I am jealous you were out having fun yesterday, I was stressing about landscaping my backyard! AHHHH!!!

Cassey said...

Don't you love Red Rock? I think my kids could spend all day there. This is Cassey Bloomfield by the way. ("Malachi, Emmy and Ruby's mom"- I feel like that is real name) :)

Aimee said...

I wish we could have spent more time at RRC when we were down there. That place rocks! Love the pictures. Love you guys.

Margaret said...

I did DVR Eli Stone since nothing else was on last night. I'll give it a try soon.

Lindsay said...

Ok i have NO idea what Geocaching is. I need to Google it I guess. Eli Stone IS good huh? Didnt catch it last night cause the Blazers were playing and since Lost is out I forgot about my regular tv watching schedule.

Brandi Harty said...

Wow, Emily you are still the same old girl. Active and doing tons of stuff. Easton is adorable. I cannot believe you have a kid. It just seems so weird to me that everyone is growing up and becoming adults. CRAZY, well, I love reading your blogs and looking at your pics. Cut fam.
Brans

Brandi Harty said...

Wow, Emily you are still the same old girl. Active and doing tons of stuff. Easton is adorable. I cannot believe you have a kid. It just seems so weird to me that everyone is growing up and becoming adults. CRAZY, well, I love reading your blogs and looking at your pics. Cut fam.
Brans

Bringhursts said...

Am I the only struggler who didn't know what geocaching was? I totally had to look it up on wikipedia. Seriously.

Jenni.Woodmansee said...

sweeeeeeeeet! you know how I love gecko catching hahahahaha!!! sis i'm SO SO SO SO SO excited to be there! easton is SO CUTE I can't stand to be away from him for another minute. and that sunshine is SO enticing to me. It was 9 degrees here this morning! sheeeesh! I really am just feeling so excited right now! that place just looks so fun! and plus- YOU'RE THERE! and that's all I really care about!

LOVE YOU!

Jenni.Woodmansee said...

oh and i totally dug the abbreviations... "MIL" and "FIL" hahaha you totally went to BYUI

Eischens said...

You know I have never been geocaching, but you have motivated me! I agree, sometimes it is so hard to go exploring with just a kiddo, good thing you have so many visitors to show around!

Tara said...

That looks like fun, but I still don't really get what Geocaching was. Seriously I clicked on the link and everything... what is it??

Chelsea said...

Still not sure I know what geocaching is, but sounds like fun...as long as you don't get bit by a snake or pricked by a cactus.

Margaret said...

Did my purse contents scare you or something?

You were right about the crap though...although I wouldn't call it holy.

Brynne, Aaron and Cade said...

Hmm, I now know of two friends who geocache and can't quite understand it but sounds like you had a blast so I'll believe you! And awesome that you got to get out and explore some beautiful country! WIsh I could be there to do it with you.

Jill said...

I think I could get hooked on the geocaching thing too.

Um, I think you could be a photographer. Your pictures are amazing! It's making me miss Easton so much. Good luck getting through your week before more visitors! Love you.

Jill said...

P.S. Eli Stone is addicting. He's such a great guy. We like him. I hope we can make it through the month before more Lost.

Aimeeable said...

My parents are so crazy about geocaching, that they've done in on several continents and even underwater!

Megan and Greg said...

I can't believe I'm the 27th comment- you have SO MANY FRIENDS!!!! That sounds SO COOL!!!! Egg shells and plants that shoot you!!!! CRAZY!!! So different than oregon! Sounds like so much fun. Easton is getting BIG. You look great. I like that last pic of you. Man, I miss you! It's been awhile! Are you coming in town this summer?

Carol and Bruce said...

So glad you had a great Easter and got to do all these fun things. It feels so good to have a nice break from the norm, doesn't it?
Love you all so much and can't wait to see you soon.

HAPPY APRIL! March went so fast and I was so grateful my daffodils were still out when I got home and my Easter Lily.

Kim said...

Wow! So many comments! Quite popular you are! :o) So I had never even heard of geocaching. I'll have to look it up sometime and learn more about it. :o)

the splendid life of us... said...

Easton looks like such a big boy now!