Sunday Hike in the Gully

 When I was a kid, I remember occasionally going on Sunday drives to go explore. We didn't know where we were going, we just went to go enjoy the views and spend time together as a family.

I still love that sense of just going for a wander, and being with my family makes it even more memorable. Last Sunday we went out for a family hike in a place we've wandered before, but that holds enough twists and turns to make it different every time: a gully made in Pleistocene times.

The rock and soil is highly eroded, creating wonderful formations.

 Desert Girl climbed up near one.

While I was photographing her, Desert Boy disappeared and then reappeared with a shout.

 He had found a way (up the backside) of this tall wall. We joined him and then meandered up and down side gullies, climbing, sliding, observing how water had carved out the landscape.

 Later we went back into the main gully and just goofed around.

 The kids love showing off their balancing skills, which are continually improving.

 Desert Boy made a "restaurant" and we enjoyed the "food" he created.

 Then we started hiking out, taking a different side gully, where we found some very long roots.

 It was time to practice leaping skills, too.

Desert boy of course had to give it a try (but where the walls were a little closer together!). The afternoon was so refreshing, as we all felt like kids out exploring and stretching our brains.

Here's to a little Sunday exploration!