Thursday, October 29, 2009

Kohler’s Annual Birthday Trip

In our family Kohler has the unique distinction of having a birthday in the middle of summer vacation, right before the 4th of July Holiday. For the past two years I have taken the kids to the national park of Kohler’s choice as part of his Birthday present. Last year we went to Mt. Rushmore. This year Kohler decided to go to the Grand Canyon.

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The canyon is amazing. As you walk up to the edge you suddenly see how gianormous the canyon is. You suddenly feel small and insignificant. There are places that you can stand at the edge of this enormous canyon where you can see the curvature of the Earth. You get an impression of just how big the world is. It is almost unfathomable.

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At first you do not feel safe standing at the edge. In many places the drop to the next step is not as far as it appears when you are further from the edge. Dylan and Kohler saw this right away. Sierra did not get close enough to the edge to see this until later. She could not understand why Dylan and Kohler were jumping around all over the place so close to the edge.  It took her hours to get enough courage to walk up and peek over. Even when the drop is not so far you still get the feeling of vertigo when you look up and out over the expansive canyon.

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Sunset was the greatest. The canyon lit with a dizzying array of colors, tints, and hues. We were rained on. We were haled on. It was well worth the wait.

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Kohler did NOT like it when the rain made it so his hair lost it’s fluff.

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Sunset  was when Sierra finally got brave enough to go to the edge.

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I LOVE the colors that come out at sunset. Skin tones are much more rich.

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Even I looked okay with the canyon behind me.

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Bothers and sister goofed off together as always

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We explored.

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The park's architecture was impressive.

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Thanks Kohler! It was another fantastic summer vacation.

Hmmmm. Where will you choose next year?

2 comments:

Rockin' Rowes said...

Wow! Your kids are so big. What a fun vacation. I think I will take my family there next spring.

Ernest Pratt said...

Wow! Let us know. We'd love to go back of course. Maybe we could meet you for a day.