Kolob and Sand Hollow State Park.

 After the Grand Ranch tour we drove to Kolob Canyon which is part of Zion National Park so our pass from the previous day got us in.

It was another beautiful drive

through the canyon to the end of the road.

There had been trails along the way but we chose this short one.

We joked with the kids about being able to run faster than them (though it was clear with my bum knee that they were pretty safe)

There were clear "No dogs" signs and I just don't understand people who still bring their small dogs on a hot hike when told not to.

It was quite busy,

along a ridge with rolling terrain on one side

and the canyon views on the other side.

The trail ended at a rocky outcrop

with magnificent views all around.

River relaxing into the experience again.

Walking back, I took my time

and talked to Maya about using trees to frame a photo.

Desert Spiny Lizard sat for the photo.

Back to the house for Cigi's nap time. She has been skipping these as we have just been too busy and it is beginning to result in some excess crankiness. After nap we went to the pool where there were lots of jumping competitions (Cigi and River) and races (Maya and Avery), back and forth between the pool and the hot tub.

I had seen a Road Runner in the back yard yesterday but no chance for a picture. Today one obliged and sat for us, on the curb, as we left.

 

Today we were packed and out of the house before 11 and drove to Sand Hollow State Park.

 

As we drove in there were signs about an event "UTV Takeover." (we asked and UTV is Utility Trail Vehicle)

There was a lineup of vehicles for the event. This huge RV was towing a trailer

that had a hotub and a UTV. It was followed by a truck pulling a trailer with a forklift. We are guessing to lift the hotub off!

The park had a reservoir, big enough to boat and fish on, a campground and  extensive sandy trails for mountain biking, motor cross and UTVs.

We parked at one end of the lake by the rocks and clambered around for a while.

Mike took River on a more extensive exploration

While Chris and Jason decided to "chill".

We then drove around to the beach side of the lake

to have our picnic lunch.

There had been plans to swim but there were notices up indicating that you could get "swimmers itch", caused by a parasite found on the ducks. I was able to identify the nearest ones as American Coots.

Female Great Tailed Grackle.

 

After lunch we said goodbye. Mike, Aimee, Avery, Maya and River fly out today and I wont see them again until I visit, in Edmonton, in January. Chris, Jason, Cigi and I fly back to Toronto tomorrow.

Nap in the car on the drive back to Vegas.

The Grand Ranch tour.

 Chris had booked us a farm tour, so a very quick breakfast and no time for coffee!

A code to get in the gate and then we were greeted by Hollie, chatted a bit about the farm and then

we went to see the miniature highland cows. This is Love Bug. We could pet and brush them while we learned about the breed.

We also met Hay Hay, the rooster who loved to be carried, and Duck Duck, the goose that was scared of everyone except River.

River and Maya were definitely the bravest, wanting to touch and try everything.

We petted the miniature pigs, no idea why I have no pictures of them, and then fed the llama.

He would eat a carrot from your mouth

so it was almost like getting kissed by a llama.

Maya is still carrying around Hay Hay.

Hollie was a very relaxed guide; tending to the animals, explaining things to the kids, answering all our questions.

Miniature goats were next. Some are yoga goats and they give you a goat back massage. Chris and I both tried that.

The others opted to just let them climb on their shoulders

to get the treats.

Maya getting mugged by goats.

Then there were sheep and a donkey.

That's one spoiled rooster. Mike has talked about wanting to get backyard chickens. I think Maya is in!

The last pen and the highlight of the tour was the 4 miniature highland cattle calves.

We were introduced to them, got to pet and brush them and then

fed them

their

milk

bottles.

Cigi was getting braver

as she watched everyone

getting

into it.

Left with a baby cow equivalent

of a milk mustache.

After Hollie put halters on them we walked them out of the pen. That's one of the ranch's holiday homes in the background. There are 3 on the property and more being built. You can sit in your hot tub and watch the animals or feed them from your kitchen window.

We walked them over to an old tractor for

a family picture.

Not quite as comfortable with the cow

as Mike was with the rooster.

After the tour some home made bread with some of the ranches own honey. Hollie told us that the bees were the most difficult to keep alive then revised that

to say the flowers were the most difficult. They have a 350ft well. They also had a vegetable plot and a fruit orchard. Lots of work.

Two chicks and a chicken.

 The farm tour was great fun and although the kids were a bit cautious at the start they all warmed up to it and got more comfortable with the animals. Maya wants to go back and has renewed enthusiasm for keeping chickens.