Brown Family Vacation

The Brown clan on vacation near the Big Saddle--the place where my Great Grandfather used to drive his cattle.

Last week we took a family trip with the Browns. Keeping with the general national economic theme of the past year it was a simple, economical camping trip this year. Wait. . . that wasn't keeping with the national theme at all. We should have taken an expensive vacation that we couldn't afford and then pay for it using a loan from the Chinese, which Eric and Lily could pay off in 75 years. Oh well, there's always next year.

For our trip we spent several nights camping at Jacob Lake (lakeless) near the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We made several short hikes, ate great food, and spent a lot of time playing games and talking with each other free from technological distractions. A wonderful time was had by adults and children alike (excluding the night that I spent suffering from a serious case of the flu).

For the kids the highlights of the trip included playing in the back of Grandpa's truck, eating homemade ice cream, swimming, and generally being spoiled rotten by Grandparents, Uncles, and Aunts. For us adults the main highlight was just being able to relax and enjoy the company of family for a few days. The Grand Canyon was amazing (I always think what's the big deal about a hole in the ground, regardless of how big it may or may not be, until I'm actually standing in front of it--pretty cool). We also got to visit the place where my great grandpa used to drive his cattle to graze in the summer, and we got to play some killer frisbee golf in the forest. The worst part about the trip was that we eventually had to pack up and come home. Oh well, there's always next year, right? And this time Eric and Lily's future selves will be footing the bill--Italy here we come!

A view of the north rim of the Grand Canyon from a location near Big Saddle.

The three Grand kids in pajamas and hats made by Grandma Brown

Mmmmm . . . homemade ice cream.

The north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Hiking on . . . Mars? No that would be the toadstools hike in the Grand Staircase National Monument. Mars has more vegetation.