Big Cottonwood Outing

19 October 2012  

As the mountain color is quickly fading and the sunny days threatening to end, and having school out for the day, we decided to take a picnic lunch up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Though the road is still a stomach turner, it is a little wider in many places and there are more private side roads than I remember. But the canyon is still the thrilling beauty I remember so well from my youth when we had annual ward picnics by the cool stream and spent wintry Saturday mornings alternately sticking to the chair lift and delighting in snowplowing down the ski runs at Brighton.  Kyah, Isaac and Ahsha thought we would never find a place to eat, but Alyssa finally found tables at the Spruces, not far from the top of the canyon.

Kyah giving Asher a taste of the Spruces.

A Mountain Blue Jay joined us for lunch.  I was amazed at how quiet the children were as he hopped on the table to snatch the bread David  set out for him.

Asher kept an eye on the chipmunks,
going after them more than once.

A walk around the longer-than-expected campground road after
lunch, gave us all an opportunity to snuggle with Asher.
Here Nana snaps a self-portrait. 

Isaac, the carrot-eating guy, and Queen Kyah
try out the throne.

Grandpa's turn.

"Now where did that chipmunk go?"

Kyah  navigating one of the "bridges" crossing a stream
that meandered through the Spruces.

"Can I really do this?"

In true Ahsha fashion, "I can do it by myself!"
And she did.

 

It's easier going downhill!  Everyone heading
back to the car after a nice walk which took
us past great scenery, two moose (really),
chattering squirrels and an abundance of
initialed aspen.

Saying good-bye to our pleasant picnic spot.  Blue skies, perfect temperatures, the best company, entrancing fauna, enticing streams--what more could you ask from an autumn afternoon?