Clay & Samantha Esplin Family: Goblin Valley

For Memorial Day this year we drove to Goblin Valley down in Eastern Utah. I had never been there but had heard a lot about it. We knew the kids would love it because of all the rocks to climb and places to explore. We were right. They had a blast! We got there Friday afternoon after blowing a trailer tire. Luckily Clay was prepared and had a good spare and tools. It also happened on the road right before the turn off to Goblin Valley, which was nice because there was hardly any traffic. No cell signal there but we didn't need it thankfully.
We arrived to a beautiful afternoon there, with great weather. Craig and Tracey Ricks, Chad and Konnie, and Mike (Clay's cousin) all came also. As soon as we got there the kids went straight to the rocks and started climbing. They even found a couple lizards. When we got to the Ranger station, they told us the well wasn't working and there was no water right then. It did come on briefly and Craig was able to get water, but Mike didn't have much. I think Chad had filled up already. Luckily we stopped in Green River and filled up. Clay wasn't sure if they would have any at the campground.
That night the wind started blowing, but died down after dark. The next morning (Saturday) was beautiful! We took a hike through Little Wildhorse Canyon. The kids all loved that the best. There were tons of places to climb up and a few slot canyons to walk through. It was a lot of fun. I think at one point Jack asked if we could live there.
Later that afternoon the wind started blowing again and didn't quite. When it blows there it's hard to even walk outside without getting sand in your eyes. It got pretty miserable for everyone. We ate every meal in Chad's trailer (that's where we cooked) because the wind would blow sand in your food or just blow it away. We went over to the Valley of Goblins for a little while that night. What a neat place! The wind was blowing pretty hard there too. It blew all night long. We got up in the morning and ate breakfast and then packed up and drove home. It was a really fun trip, just cut a little short by the wind. We got home, cleaned the dust and sand out of the trailer and slept in there that night.
Memorial Day was wet and raining. Not the greatest for a picnic I guess. We cleaned the house and then took the kids to the movies.