Bayless Family Reunion

This summer we had our very first family reunion with matching shirts! We went to see The Hole in The Rock. The Bayless family has a rich pioneer heritage which includes those who were on the mission to find a route to the San Juan river and settle the Bluff and Blanding areas. For our trip we stayed in Escalante UT and drove on the Hole in the Rock road to see the actual "hole" where the pioneers completed the seemingly impossible road down to the river. It was a 57 mile trip on a bumpy dirt road that also took us past Dance Hall Rock. A natural amphitheater in the red rocks where the pioneers held meetings and dance parties! The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and climbing the rocks. It was southern Utah in July so it was hot! The whole time I kept thinking, we have a truck with air conditioning, plenty of food and water, and a hotel bed to sleep in when we are done. I can't imagine making the trip in covered wagon, especially down the narrow canyon road called the hole. I am so grateful for those who came before us and sacrificed so much to settle this place we call home!

The top of the hole. Can you imagine driving a wagon and team down that?

On our way home from Escalante we stopped at Bryce Canyon. I hadn't been there since I was a kid and I was just as overwhelmed now as I was then. It is such a gorgeous place and I'm go glad my kids were able to see it.

Fun summer trip!