The Smithfits: Utah – The R. Cox Family Reunion

After the graduation we went down to southern Utah for a little "Family Reunion" of sorts. We'd rented a cabin in Duck Creek Village and enjoyed the time of relaxation and hanging out.

The entire Cox crew at “Bear’s Den” our cabin

Duck Creek Village is actually between Bryce Canyon and Zions National Park. So, on the way down we stopped in Bryce Canyon to go for a short little hike (about a mile) with a packed picnic lunch. We were fortunate enough to not have to pay the entrance fee ($25/car) since we were on the “scenic route” of the main highway. The hike was called “Mossy Cave Trail” and it was right off to the side of the road.

I should mention that to get all 10 of us down we took 3 cars. Actually 2 cars and a truck. We

took my parents rental (a Ford Taurus which is now HUGE), my sister’s car (a Mercury Grand Marquis, another HUGE car), and my grandpa’s truck because we also brought down his 4-wheeler (P.S. You get awful gas mileage pulling a trailer in a 1996 Tacoma through the mountains of Utah).

Here’s some pictures from the stop at the Mossy Cave Trail

Stephen with my grandpa's badge we found in his truck

Close-up

Charisse with Samantha

Boys will be boys, even if it's off the trail

And everyone but the girl carrying the baby joined them

Destin posing in the Mossy Cave

We settled nicely into our cabin on Saturday, had a campfire and all that. On Sunday we decided to go out for another hike and explore our surroundings. Destin was lame and didn’t join us, opting instead for a nap. My mom offered to stay with Samantha so she could take a much needed nap.

Embarking on the decided upon trail

(Decided upon because it was the only one we could find)

After a while hiking through a pretty washed out trail, we came across this fallen tree and decided it was a good turning around point. (Stephen and Doug both wanted to get to the top)

Maraina slipping down some snow. We had very wet feet by the end of our hike.

I really tried to keep my feet dry... but sometimes you just have to jump in full steam ahead

The mighty hikers! Charisse and Stephen

Cox kids with Dad, I’m about to punch Raina in the face and who knows where Dalton is going.

After the hike Stephen was ready for the next activity, but most of us just wanted to take a nap. Maraina was willing, however, to go on the ATV with him.

Raina all ready to go on the ATV. (Open faced helmet… oh so cool!)