Sundance...a nearby getaway

Once in a while, we just want to get out of the valley, find a place that feels a little less inhabited, less hectic, but still has flushing toilets. It's in those moments that we say a little prayer of thankfulness for Robert Redford and his foresight in establishing Sundance Resort.

Just a short 20 minute drive from our house, it feels like hundreds of miles from the place we call home.

Last weekend, we took two separate jaunts up the canyon to Sundance. First, Karen and I headed up for a hike to Stewart Falls; the trailhead begins at the base of Sundance. Along the way there are beautiful views of Mt. Timpanogos and the falls growing ever closer.

I took this one of us, with my arm outstretched elastic-like. You notice we weren't exactly alone.It is a truly gorgeous hike, not just for the falls but the views all along the trail.

Later that weekend, we decided to take the whole crew, G'pa included, up to the resort for a picnic at the base. The resort has a stream that flows through it, a great deli and coffee shop, as well as two restaurants (neither of which earned our business on this trip up).

We grabbed coffee for us, hot chocolate for G'pa (yes, it's much cooler up there in the evening), and spread out our abundance of food on a blanket. Sometimes the girls ate, sometimes not:Sometimes you have to check out what exactly is in the bottom of the cup when the drink is all gone:

Jenna tried to warm up her legs...inside the arms of her jacket.

Em catching a ride on Daddy:Parents utterly embarrasing their children:

The girls and their G'pa!A lovely, cool, restive break from the hub-bub of the city.

Thanks, Bob!