OHH Babylon

 I am in love with this place.  Historic Babylon is a hidden swimming hole.  Best time to go is in the spring and early summer.  There is no shade what so ever so make sure you pack a umbrella or some kind of shade.
The turnoff is on the north side of Leeds.  There is a sign that says Historic Babylon. There are a couple of hikes and cool places out that way but Babylon is at the very end of the rocky and sandy road.  I would take a 4 wheel drive to be on the safe side.

THE VORTEX

The Vortex is amazing, I felt like I was in a different world.  This hike took my breath away. There was  a bit of hiking in sand and I didn't take my kids all the way to the top where the Vortex is. I went twice,with kids and without.  This is right out of Gunlock.  How many times have you been to Gunlock and probably had no idea this gem of a hike was hidden behind it. You take the first right as you come into Gunlock.  It's a dirt road but a good road for any cars.  The road goes past a little lake called Lower Sand Cove, then in about a half mile the dirt road crosses over a stream and take that right turn.  There is a parking area but it is not marked so I parked anywhere.  It really is easy to find.

Start of The Vortex

Nancy and Baxter  almost to The Vortex

The actual Vortex.  It was so cool, it's deeper than it looks but I couldn't get
a good picture with the lighting.

Pine Creek

 HOLY.AMAZING
Pine Creek was so awesome.  (I may rename it "gangsters paradise" Luke and Abe felt the need to throw gang signs in every pic)  Again another place that my husband had never been after living here for 38 years.   FOR REALS!!!! This is the last pool of Pine Creek hike that starts up past the tunnel and you have to do some rappelling, so it's not so kid friendly.  To start this way is easier with kids and the hike is only about a 1/4 of a mile.  If you drive into Zion and drive past the junction like you are going up the toward the tunnel it's the first pull off for cars on the first switchback.  That is where you start, this hike is not marked so don't be looking for a sign.  There is  one section you come to that you go through a little pool and rocks you need to climb over that you need to be careful with the kiddos. It's not bad and my kids were able to climb over all the obstacles.

The kids were so excited as we walked around the corner to this perfect view.   Hudson couldn't hold in his excitement.  The kids couldn't get enough of it and loved the waterfall slide.  I will spare you the pictures of Juddy and I going down the slide but we did love it as much as the kids.  Abe said he wants to build a house there,  me too Abe me too.   It was a perfect heavenly Sunday.

Beaver Mountain

We were melting in the St. George summer so Beaver Mountain was the perfect weekend getaway.

 Fishing, camping, ATV trails is every little kids heaven.  This year we went up to Big Flat to camp, gorgeous view and big open fields.  10 mins away was Puffer Lake to fish and Beaver River close by to fly fish in.

Little Jamaica

I think yes, Little Jamaica is another rad spot I had never been to or seen.  The water is from a natural spring and pools up to make this swimming area.  The pool is made of sandbags that people have put up.  The muddy water behind it is the Virgin River not the water you would be swimming in.  The small hike down to the waterfall was covered in wild grapes and so green.  The hike is easy from the dirt parking lot but once you get to the waterfall that goes into the pool is a little slick so just be careful with the little kids.  I wouldn't go alone with my kids either, it is just safer with more than one adult.  It was so pretty to see the hill covered in green vines with grapes and then this crystal clear water flowing into this pool.  We didn't get to spend a lot of time but next time we will make a afternoon of the trip.

Directions:
We drove from Santa Clara and took old Highway 91 over Utah hill.  Drove through Beaver Dam and got on I-15 North.  Took the next exit which was Exit 9 Desert Spring.  Take the first right and then a quick next right.   Straight down that road for about 1/4 mile and you drive into a dirt parking lot.  The hike starts from there.  The hike was maybe 10 minutes till we got to the waterfall down to the pool.

Red Creek Fishing

 Red Creek reservoir is a spot Juddy loves fishing at.  He said "It's raining fish here."  Red Creek is in Paragonah, UT, about 4 miles north of Parowan.  Most likely you will be catching Rainbow trout and Tiger trout.  Fly fishing, bank fishing or trolling in a small boat all work well up there. Springtime is  fun to go see the fish spawning in Red Creek where the creek flows into the reservoir.  It's beautiful and peaceful.  Come on what little kid doesn't like going fishing with their daddy.   One of the best parts for me is there are restrooms out there.  Those sage brushes aren't very big to be hiding behind.

Toquerville Falls

Toquerville Falls is one of my most favorite places. (Toquerville in Southern Utah) It's so easy and fun with kids, you are able to drive right up to the falls.  No hiking involved, unless you decide to hike down the river.  The road to it is not great, it's long and bumpy.  A little car wouldn't be able to make it, but great road for ATVs.  My littlest one loves to swim and catch frogs in the shallow part and the older ones like to jump off the cliffs if it's deep enough.  It's a smart idea to climb down the bottom and check out the depth of the water first.  My husband who grew up here had never been to Toquerville Falls till the past two years.  It's gorgeous, how could you not want to be there.