We had a total of two free days while we were in St. George, on the second one we decided to go hiking. I love the mountains in northern Utah, but there is just something special about the red rock as well. It had rained in the morning, but it was a beautiful warm rain which made it perfect hiking weather, not hot and not cold + fun puddles for the kids to jump in!

I have a slight obsession with turtles, and I find these little "keep turtles safe" fences absolutely adorable!

The dessert was in full blossom while we were there. It was breathtaking! After some light hiking, climbing, and countless explaining to Piper that there wasn't any tigers in the little caves, we stumbled upon a place people were calling "The Crack". I was surprised at how many people came to  squeeze themselves through this little crack! 

We watched a few children work their way through, I was determined that I was much to big to squeeze myself through and after listening to this cute little 7 year old boy yelling that he was stuck there was no way I was trying! It really just looked so small! However, Josh said he was going to to do it, and if he could do it I could do it. I let my husband go and adventure all by himself while the kids and I safely played in the red sand and waited. 

To my surprise, Josh returned rather quickly after making it all the way through and was helping that same little 7 year old that had been screaming; and his sister find their mom who had also opted not to go through. Josh said and I quote "you'll be fine! there was only one spot that I had to suck in my belly in to squeeze through!" Ha um, no thanks! However I saw my little 3 year old watching me and mimicking my fear, and not wanting my fearless three year old to be fearful, I put a smile on my face and made her go through with me! 

We made it! It really only took about 5 minutes to make our way through and now that its been done. I really can say it wasn't bad at all.. but, those 5 minutes really can play some tricks on your mind! It looks like it gets thinner and thinner, but in reality it got wider towards the end. However, it was especially weird not being able to turn your head to look behind you, so if you go through with little kids make sure they go ahead of you, that way you can help see/help them. Piper, on the other hand was able to walk through like normal. She was a trooper, She had the most worried face the whole time, but every time dad took a picture, she gave him the biggest thumbs up! When she made it out of the crack she was so proud of herself!! She is still, a month later, asking Josh and I, "remember that time I was so brave?". 

As it turns out you can actually take a road to a parking lot that is just a minutes walk from "The Crack" if you ever want to go. There is parking at Pioneer Park right by the Dixie Rock.

On our hike back we let Piper gather her own bouquet of wild flowers to take back to her Great Grandma, shes our little collector and there wasn't a flower she didn't stop to inspect.

After the hike back to the car, we realized we weren't ready to call the day over. On the drive up we had passed some sort of garden that we decided to check out. It was called Red Hills Desert Garden, and it was a place you can walk through and check out desert landscapes and learn about the plants that live in them. The best part was that it was free! 

Piper wanted a picture next to this tree, she called it a "Piper Tree". You know since dad has one she needs one too. :)