Trip to Palo Duro

We usually go to Palo Duro canyon during spring break, but we didn't go this year since we went to Oklahoma City.  When we asked the kids what they wanted to do for Labor day they all agreed on Palo Duro.  We were excited to go and got up early, packed a lunch, and headed out.  We realized when we got there a lot of other people had the same idea.  We had to go further into the canyon than usual to find a spot for lunch.  After lunch we decided to do the Lighthouse hike.  It was 6 miles round trip and we figured that wasn't too bad.  Everyone started out excited, but two miles into the hike Ryan and Abigail were done.  I decided to head back with them while the rest finished since they were so close.  It was 102 degrees, and there are very few trees and the water was all dried up for the year.  It was a long two miles getting back because Abigail refused to walk so I had to carry her the whole way, and Ryan thought he was going to die and wanted to be held, but I couldn't hold both of them.  Ryan asked why we said this would be fun when it was just hot and tiring.  I was thinking the same thing by the end.  The older kids and Jeff made it to the top and they said it was beautiful.  Tyson said it wasn't really fun, but more rewarding to know you had finished it.  I think we all agreed going in the spring is a better time of year at Palo Duro than the end of Summer.  Here are a few pictures of the occasion.