TUNA Yurt at Norway Flats

 Dad had reserved a yurt in the Uintahs for his scout troop this past week.  However, they have just changed ward boundaries and he is no longer the scout leader of those boys.  So he had a yurt all paid for and had no one to use it.  He invited anyone who wanted to join him to backpack in and enjoy the yurt overnight adventure.  I was excited to accept Dad's invitation!

We had a FABULOUS time on the hike.  This was our first backpacking trip on the snow and we enjoyed TWO BEAUTIFUL DAYS!!  We debated getting snow shoes or renting skis but in the end decided to just hike it and I'm glad we did.  We hiked in with Grandpa Hoover and Jodie.  They wore their teli-skis with skins on since it was all up hill.  They were about the same speed as we were walking, sometimes slower, especially when they had to take their skis on and off to walk over the bare spots at the beginning of the trail.  It was a steady incline the first half.  Megan pulled her pack in a sled with a harnes but needed help about half the time.  I'm glad it was in a sled, that made it easy to just strap on myself and pull it behind me.  It would have been too hard for me to carry two packs.

About half way up Grandpa and Jodie offered to swap boots with Dominick and Jaron (turns out they almost have the same size).  So Dominick and Jaron skiied up the last half which was more flat with small incline sections.  I think it was harder skiing than walking up to be honest but it was a fun change/experience.   

We had fun throwing snow balls, laughing and talking as we hiked.  We took breaks when we were tired and just enjoyed the hike in.  It took us about 3 hours to hike in the 3.5 miles so it was a slow but steady pace up to the yurt.  Everyone was happy hikers and we all joked that the yurt was just around that next bend, just behind those trees in the distance, or just over that next hill.  And it was....eventually!

Once we arrived everyone hurried inside to claim their bunk and drop their packs.  All the kids claimed top bunks and Dad, Jodie and I all claimed bottom bunks.  The yurt was small just 4 wood bunk beds around the edge and a circle folding table we set up in the center with a few stools.  Next to the door there was a little wood burning stove and another little shelf with a propane stove for cooking.  After getting things set up we headed out to play in the snow.

I set up my hammock and watched as the kids had a giant airsoft war.  SO FUN!! Grandpa Hoover headed out for an adventure on his skis and Jodie just laid in the sun and tried not to get hit by too many stray bullets.

 The snow was HEAVY and WET and GREAT for packing.  Jodie made a giant Olaf Snowman to be the guardian for the fort Jaron, Dominick and I were digging.  The snow was really deep and hard so we had to use a shovel to dig down.  But we got it big enough to fit a person and a half all the way inside and even  a window.  Only bad thing was that we dug it right on the trail that lead to the spring water..oops.  So the next morning I had to fill in the hole so noone would fall in.  Olaf was just the right size :-)   

 As the sun went down it got cold since we were all soaking wet so we headed in to get dry and cook dinner.  As we cooked Kody and Wade arrived on their skis.  We all had fun cooking up food and play lots of cards.  We stayed up quite late just enjoying the night together under the disco ball.  SO FUN!! That night we all slept good, a few cold toes and a mouse but all was well.

The next morning Kody left early before breakfast so he could get to work.  The rest of us enjoyed warming up and eating before we did a few chores that needed done.  Dominick, Megan and Wade went for a ski up to the meadow just above the yurt and then had fun skiing down!  Jaron and Jodie laughed some more as they played another card came in the yurt.  And then it was time to head out.

The hike out was easy, downhill or flat all the way.  Dad, Wade and Jodie had fun skiing cross country through the trees while we walked on the trail.  The boys immediately started gathering dead aspen sticks for their chins, even a giant log at one point. But were eventually persuaded to wait and gather sticks closer to the car rather than carry them for over 3 miles.

Megan had fun pulling and sliding on her sled and even let me, Wade and the boys have some fun sliding with her.  Mostly CRASHING with her.  There were LOTS of laughs, SMILES and even a few sunburns before the day was over.  

When we were over half way down Grandpa and Jodie offered to let the boys ski down the rest of the way with Wade.  They had fun skiing for a bit before coming to all those dry spots where they had to remove their skis.  Jodie and I ended up carrying the skis while they walked in the ski boots the last bit of the way.  They did get their sticks though and skied the last leg to the finish with their arms full!  Grandpa pulled Megan that last stretch and were the first ones to the truck.

Mom made us all some yummy pizza to eat for lunch when we got home and the kids were all asleep in the car as we rolled into Centerville.   We were all worn out but happy.  We had a FABULOUS and MEMORABLE time!  THANKS DAD for another GREAT ADVENTURE!!