Timpanogas Cave

We decided to squeeze in one last hurrah before it gets too cold so we headed up American Fork canyon for the weekend. It was gorgeous! The leaves are just starting to turn to yellow, orange and red. The temperature was nice and cool. It was the perfect camping weekend.

Our adventure started with the purchase of a new tent, which turned out to be a portable house complete with an opening and closing door. It was much bigger than we expected, but we would rather have that than be too cramped.

We headed out Friday with a stop at the ginormous Cabella's store. The girls loved it! Tyli couldn't get enough of the animals, and the waterfall, and the fish. Jon just kept saying, "Look how many dead animals their are!" I chose NOT to focus on the "dead" part and just enjoy it all. Madi was most excited about her new flashlight.

My sisters Jill and Jami were suppose to meet us that evening, but by 10:15 they hadn't shown up. Finally we got a hold of them. Apparently my directions of "just go up the mountain and then come down the other side and you'll run into our campground" were not clear enough for them. They were perfect to me. I mean, how can you get lost with such straight forward directions really?

Saturday we hiked up to Timpanogas Cave. It was beautiful! The cave was exciting. Madi was a true explorer with her own flashlight. Our tour guide/motivational speaker was a little strange, but other than that it was perfect. Tyli loved it! She squealed and giggled and tried to grab everything she wasn't suppose to touch. Jon loved trying to maneuver through the tight spots holding Ty. Jami and Jill were great sports with the kids. Madi was an awesome hiker! She did the entire 3 1/2 miles by herself, without a complaint.

That night we cooked tinfoil dinners in the campfire and made smores. It was a little chilly at night, but we just bundled up and it didn't bother us too much. Jon said the Gabberts are the coldest people he knows, so we might have complained once, but I'm pretty sure that's all. :)

Sunday we cleaned up camp then headed to Cascade Springs. The girls loved looking for fish and walking the boardwalk trails. We had a picnic off of the path that wasn't crowded before we sat down for lunch, but once we started eating somehow our spot became a main attraction. Hope people enjoyed watching us eat.

This weekend was the perfect farewell summer, hello fall expedition! Our favorite moments were:
Jon-Spending time with family and the long silences around the campfire while Jodi read. (Seriously! Am I the only person that can carry a conversation?)
Jodi-The hike to and through the cave. It was awesome and beautiful and other better descriptive words I can't think of.
Madi-Going on a hike down the rock river with Jami.
Tyli-Playing in the car every chance she got, reading to everyone around the campfire and being doted upon by her aunts.

Tyli all bundled up. Gabberts aren't cold, just smart.

This is how I found Jon, Jami, and Jill. Aren't we an exciting group?

Lovin my sisters!

In the cave.

Definitely a "Daddy's Girl"!

OK, a "Mommy's Girl" too!

Enjoying the view.

Tyli can't get enough of her aunts!

Madi's kickin' it with her dad.

Tyli's entertaining everyone by reading to us.

Isn't it beautiful?

Lovin it all!