Well, we’re all sunburned! The kids aren’t loving spending the day in the car so we’ve spent most of our time right around Zions Park driving in short spurts and then getting out and exploring. It’s been fun, at least as much fun as you can have with 8 bickering kids! The important thing is, we’re out without a schedule and we’re mostly relaxing. Yesterday we got up to Zions Park and spent a couple hours setting up camp. Then it was off to the ‘scenic drive’ (as if any driving out here isn’t scenic) where we saw Court of the Patriarchs, Weeping Rock and several other popular formations. We also saw a herd of deer while we were driving. I got out and loaded my telephoto lens from about 100 yards away and started snapping pictures thinking they would run. They didn’t, I continually moved closer to them until I was about 10 yards away and they let me keep snapping pictures. It wasn’t until I moved within about 5-8 yards of them that they started moving off.
Last night was VERY cold. We’re not much looking forward to the next 2 nights sleeping. I don’t know what temperature it got down to but it was uncomfortably cold. This morning we cooked up a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon and then headed out. We drove threw a mile long tunnel an took about a mile and a half hike up to a lookout point with all the kids. Along the way we stopped at several spots and explored and took pictures. Now we’re back in camp worn out, sunburnt and tired – at least the older people are, the 3 babies slept most of the day in the car and are not interested in napping now. Everyone is tired and cross – WHAT FUN!! I’m going to cook chicken for dinner here in a bit.
I wish I had a scale with me or something – well, not really, but I wish I could weigh myself so I can log it on in the weightloss war! I’m sure I’ve shed a pound or two but my begining weight will have to wait until Sunday. Speaking of which, Laura Moncur hasn’t joined the challenge yet – I’m counting on you Laura! 
Anyone that’s interested in competing with geeks to lose weight, join the competition! So far the pot is at 30 bucks – winner takes all!
I’m going to try to get some photos uploaded to flickr in a bit and start cooking dinner. More tomorrow.
2 comments
Laura Moncur
March 16, 2007 at 6:43 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Sorry, Phil. I won’t be joining the weight loss challenge. It’s just the kind of thing that would cause a huge bingeing episode after the competition is over.
I promised the wild animal inside of me that I would never starve her again. It’s amazing how hard it is to keep that promise.
Paul Anderson
March 16, 2007 at 10:39 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
If this is the Phil Burns that I remember, I’m not so sure that you need to lose any weight. I remember those buff pictures back in your prime. I’ve been looking all over for you and your family, drop me an email with your phone number.
Paul