Prater Family Traveling Circus

Summer 2012

Prater Family Travelling Circus*

(*photos were taken by various participants)

Salt Lake City, Utah

The Maryland Praters made it in time to spend a few days getting re-accustomed to the desert before the big show began. The Brights arrived in time for the pre-Pioneer day festivities. The Birches spent the night in their sleeping bags on the street in downtown Salt Lake City to save a good spot for the Pioneer Day Parade. The rest of us watched from the comfort of the living room. S and S spent Pioneer Day hanging out on the back porch with Ama and Papa Moon. Jeff cooked some smokin' ribeyes for dinner!

24th of July afternoon fun

Cedar City, Utah

We made our annual trek down to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, UT and met the Texas Praters there. A and N stole the show! Les Miserables was eagerly attended by much of the group while Durango, Papa Moon, and A babysat Dr. Suzu. Wait, is that right?

Durango and Dr. Suzu spent the night at the KOA Campground in Cedar (not recommended). They had planned to stay at the Cedar Canyon Campground, but the road was closed due to a rock slide.

Zion National Park, Utah

We left Cedar at 5 am to drive to Zion and get the Narrows Canyon hikers on their way. It sounds like the water was cold and deep! They completed a challenging 16 mile hike in 11 hours and were grateful for their ski poles and walking sticks! Nancy and Terry want to make the hike next year, but plan to go overnight.

We spent time hiking several of the less strenuous trails in Zion, including Weeping Rock and the Emerald Pools. Durango was not invited into the park, but was allowed in the river near the visitors center. He discovered that he can swim! The water was warm, and the kids had fun wading and splashing.

At the Narrows Trailhead

Weeping Rock Overlook

K at Weeping Rock

I can swim!

Cooling off in the Virgin River

Splashing in the kids pool at the Best Western Zion Park Inn

West Jordan, Utah

We made it back from Southern Utah in time clean up and head over to celebrate with the Goffs in Rich and Barb's backyard. Thanks so much for hosting! It was fun to see cousins, eat great food and take lots of pictures.

How many kids are in this thing?

The various rings of the circus held still long enough to snap this picture!

Mount Olympus Summit, Utah

After making it back to Salt Lake City and setting up camp in the various bedrooms of the Olympus House- wasn't it fun to share one shower? - the hikers who still had energy "conquered" Mount Olympus.

Rachel and Ben overlooking the Salt Lake valley

That says it all, doesn't it Mike?

Butterfly Lake, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah

The Birches told us about this beautiful campground and fishing spot, so we headed up into the mountains to try our luck. It was peaceful and spectacular. Our campsite had a perfect spot for Nancy's hammock. Ben and Rachel joined us later in the evening and we roasted freshly caught trout over the campfire. Delicious!

Nancy had great luck at this spot, she caught a trout on her very first cast!

A is a great camper!

Campfire fun

Draper, Utah

We were all able to attend S's Baptism. She and her dad looked great dressed all in white! Her dad had arranged a pot-luck family picnic for her at their ward pavilion afterwards.

It was a very special day that we will all remember.