The boys did great on the drive up, about 4 hours of driving. But they were sure glad to get out and run around when we got there! We immediately set up camp, getting our brand new tent out of the package and setting it up, as well as our new air mattress. Henry was SO excited about all of that. He, Johnny, and Caleb were running around inside the tent, jumping on the air mattress, and giggling like madmen. It was wonderful.
Chelsey and Jeremy brought their new hammock, which Caleb and John liked to cuddle in with them. It was fun having everyone in a little tent "circle" where we could all enjoy each other's company.
That evening, we played on the grass around the tents, read stories (by ourselves and with the boys), Papa read some of our family history stories to us, roasted some marshmallows, and played games. Henry especially liked climbing up a little hill right by where we camped and running on the cement platform up there. John loved exploring the grass and eating snacks. Of course.
Our boys slept pretty well the first night. Around 1 am, John woke up and needed a bottle, though. We had a warm one, since Derek kept it in his sweatshirt. John was quite happy about that, but he still ended up in the sleeping bag with us. It was 4 in the bed! It was fine, though. We all got some pretty good sleep. Henry zonked the whole night, which was wonderful. I was on the edge, and nearly falling out much of the night, though. It was cold, but I was so grateful all 3 of my boys were warm. Each time I woke up when John rolled over, I kept thinking "4 in the bed and the little one said, roll over!"
The next morning, we hiked up to the Geyser. It's a beautiful natural geyser in Afton, just a few miles from where Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandpa Archibald Gardner had his mill. The weather was perfect for our hike and the boys LOVED it. We borrowed another tummy/backpack for Johnny from a friend, so he and Henry got to ride the whole way. John was totally enthralled with the stream the went right along the trail. He loved watching the water and kept talking about it and pointing throughout the hike. Henry loved talking to his Dad about all the different rocks, plants, and the water. We had a great time.
When we got up to the actual Geyser, Papa and Dallon hiked up to the source to see if they could see when it "turns off" every 18 minutes. Guess they didn't, but they enjoyed the climb up there. The rest of us headed down stream a little and broke out our lunch. Henry was definitely in need of some food, and so was I, to be honest. We stuck our fingers in the water a little, it was cold! But it was so nice to just enjoy the water.
Derek made it his mission to kill any and all horseflies that came near us. By the end of the hike, I believe he had slapped dead 17 of those bugs! I got bit twice, but I didn't swell up or anything. I was glad Derek kept a wary eye out for the boys, though. They were all over the trail, from start to finish.
When we got back to the cars, we hopped in and drove to end of the little canyon where they had a memorial to Archibald. We stopped and read it, as well as looking at the original mill stones that were there. The boys loved that.
After taking a few minutes there, we headed into downtown Afton for some ice cream and shopping. We didn't buy anything besides a few postcards, but it was fun wandering down the mainstreet and looking at the elk horn arch across the street (the largest in the world!). Henry loved the water fountains and sitting on the benches to count cars with his Daddy. John loved riding on a little quarter horse. He smiled and grinned the whole time.
After some delicious shakes at a local burger place, we stopped and took a few pictures of the new Afton temple. It is gorgeous and in a beautiful location. Fields of hay on either side, which was so beautiful. It's not done yet, but close! I can't help but think about how excited my Grandma Schofield (who spent the first decade or so of her life in Afton) and my other Gardner ancestors must feel knowing there is a Temple there now.
We headed back to camp for dinner, more games, and more marshmallows after that. We tried to get the boys to nap, but the sleep they got on the half hour between Afton and the campsite was about enough for them, they thought. Despite that, it was a really pleasant evening and the boys went to bed pretty well. John actually made it the whole night in the pack and play, which was nice.
Also that evening, Papa kept up the Gardner tradition of willow whistles. He taught Derek how to carve them, and Derek made a pretty good one! Henry wasn't really interested in blowing one, but he sure liked it when other people did.
Henry really enjoyed filling his buckets up with rocks and hauling them around. He had a great pile of rocks outside our tent by the time we left, and was a little sad to throw them back. But he was really good about it, and helped return the rocks to their beds.
The second day, we headed back in to Afton to go to some of the museums. We went to the air museum, which they have redone. It was quite nice, but very small. The boys loved a little electric plane on a track that went around the whole room. They pushed the big red button to turn it on over and over and over again.
We grabbed lunch after that museum, and then headed up to the Afton Cemetery. It was beautiful and had a beautiful view of the valley and the new temple. The pioneer museum was open after that, so we headed back down to town to go through that. At that point, the kids were tired and ready to head home. Derek, the boys and I went back and packed up camp, as we wanted to get home that evening so we could attend our ward the next morning. The boys slept almost the whole way home, which was nice. Derek and I took turns driving and resting, and we enjoyed a lovely drive though the mountains and talking.
It was a great vacation, and Derek and I agree that Star Valley is one of the most beautiful places we've seen. We're looking forward to going back again!
Camping in Star Valley: July 14-16, 2016
