Where are they now?

In early September we left Curacao for some adventure in the Southwest U.S. Our first stop was Reno, Nevada. This was only because it was the nearest big airport to Lake Tahoe. The following day we set off with our rental car stuffed with the added luggage required by the addition of a baby, and drove a very picturesque drive though Ponderosa Pine forests to Lake Tahoe.

We were joined there by Dom's parents and spent a week climbing, hiking and exploring the area.

Here's our first glimpse of the lake as we approached from Carson City:

Dom and Joshua in his brand new carrier:

Having a snack at Donner Pass (if you don't get the reference, google the Donner Party):

From Lake Tahoe, we moved on to a house just outside the Red Rock Canyon in Nevada. This was a great staging area for climbing, hiking, canyoneering, and just enjoying the outdoors in general. We spent two weeks there and the weather was perfect the entire time.

Here are some Joshua trees in the desert in Red Rock canyon:

Lianne, Joshua and the Bakers hiking on the red rocks:

Dom leading the first pitch of "Lotta Balls" (Lianne had been wanting to climb this one for years and we finally did):

Here's our boy relaxing in the house we rented:

Dom and his dad went to Utah to hike the Buckskin Gulch; the longest slot canyon in the world. It takes 2 days to complete the hike and they were going to camp on the canyon floor for one night. Unfortunately as they were travelling there, thunderstorms in nearby Zion National Park caused a flash flood (and this only happens 3 times a year!!!), so they couldn't hike the Gulch. They returned to Zion and spent the day hiking through the park instead. They will be back to hike the gulch...

Midway through the day, they ate the supper they had packed for the night in the canyon - beans and weiners!