Havasupai Falls Backpacking Trip

At the beginning of June, Dustin backpacked to Havasupai Falls with some of the teenage guys and leaders from church.

Hiking through a tunel to get to one of the waterfalls.

Jumping off Cliffs...

...Dustin only jumped off the small ones.

Dustin's brother, Chris, and cousin, Casey also went.

The trip was a huge success!

The group:

 

They left at 4 a.m. and drove to the trail head.

It's just over 10 miles down the canyon to the campsite.

View on the hike down:

During the days they hiked to various waterfalls and swimming holes.

Those who jumped off the high falls:

They stayed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and hiked out Friday.

(The paid mules to pack out their gear.)

No injuries aside from sunburns, bruises and minor sprains.

I wish I had more photos, but Dustin was behind the camera for most of them.

I will get more from the others who went.

Dustin said it was one of the best things he's ever done.

The photos just don't do it justice.

Dustin wants to go back.

I have wanted to do this hike for years.

I was sad I couldn't go on this trip, but it was guys only.

We hope we can go together soon. 

Let's go fly a kite...

It has sure been windy this year! But it's perfect kite-flying weater. We spent several days in a row flying all different kinds of kites.

Christopher

Matthew

Dustin launches Katie's 2-hand kite

Matthew, Mitchel Anne

Matthew doesn't even have to pay attention. His kite always stays in the air.

I hold Mitchel Anne's kite while she winds it up. Mitchel Anne, Sarah keep an eye on Christopher's high in the sky.

Dustin got me a box kite for Christmas last year, but it was TOO windy this day! 

I flew it the next day when we also finally got Katie's kite to stay in the air.

What my bike looks like

So I haven't had a chance to take a photo of my birthday bike yet,

 but I easily found a photo that someone else took.

My bike looks exactly like this, except I put a basket on the front.

I love riding my bike around the neighborhood.

Dustin and I cruise.

The teenagers who are skateboarding or hanging out

especially think our pair of red Schwinn cruiser bikes are cool.

I was talking to my mom the other day, and she reminded me that I learned to ride a bike on a red Schwinn. I remember I would ride on the grass in case I fell off, which I did a lot. My dad would help to steady me as I got on, and then I would try to make it the distance between two trees in our front yard. I don't remember ever using training wheels, but I don't know. I love red Schwinns!