Summer! Fires and Hikes

We have tried to take advantage of the summer months already. I mean, if we are going to live in Utah, we might as well enjoy the aspects of the State that many other people plan and pay for trips just to come and do. Most of those happen outside--much to Lucky Dragon's joy.

This includes evening walks to smell the flowers--and to see how all of the toy cars race down complete strangers driveways. It also means that we have gone to the outdoor drive-in theater and found we really like the experience. We have camped--more than the last 10 years combined, we have learned how to do tin-foil dinners, roast marshmallows, dutch oven (chicken, breakfast and cobbler), been sunburned, bitten by bugs and swam. It is really busy, but we love it. (So busy in fact that I have not blogged about it!)

Here are some of our favorite places and the thoughts about them:

"Herriman Beach" Blackridge Reservoir
 We loved it here. It is a small reservoir nestled in a neighborhood and the nearby hills. The city has built fale's for picnics and have brought in sand for kids to play in. We had fun having a family outing just as we would back in Hawaii. I fell asleep and was FRIED!! Even two week later I am still peeling! Not good.

Willow Creek Park
Located in the middle of Lehi, just off Lehi Center street almost to Saratoga Springs. You can camp, have a bonfire and there is plenty of room to run and play.

Heber Valley Camp
This is a camp run by the LDS Church for girls' camps. But on the weekends they rent out the cabins to external people. So you can book them on their website. The cabins are immaculate, have cook stoves, firepits, electricity and bathrooms nearby. For a small fee you can use the boats on the lake and the ropes courses.

Murray City Park 
This park is complete with a pool, space to explore gardens, ducks to feed in the creek, hills to roll down and walking paths. It is easy to get to  and a relaxed atmosphere.

Willow Pond Park
This is located in West Murray near the Taylorsville border. It bridges across I-215 just west of I-15. But you have to drive through residential neighborhoods to get there. It is a long park with soccer fields, three toddler playgrounds, a small splash pad and a creek to play in. We also like to take the "nature walk" up the creek to see the animal life and vegetation.

Wardle Fields Playground and Splash pad
This is a new Salt Lake County park. It is amazing. It is large, has a HUGE splash pad, plenty of slides, swings and some ziplines. It is really popular right now so it gets crowded.

It has been great to be outside and enjoy the world around us. It makes my heart happy to be with my little family. I love them. we have made a good effort to enjoy the summer so far. It will be fun to see how the rest of the summer goes!