House on Fire Ruin hike

We decided to do something different again this year for the 4th. We have wanted to do some hiking in our corner of the State and decided that this would be a good time to hike to the House on Fire Ruin. We talked Ford and Shiala into going with us. We tried to get an early start to try to beat the midday heat. The ruin/canyon is managed by the BLM and they only allow so many people in per day. We paid our fee and found the trailhead. It descended into a small canyon and wound northward. It was an easy trail to follow except that we didn't know exactly how far up the trail the ruin would be. We ended up hiking a ways past the ruin and had to backtrack to it.
We finally realized that most people had stopped at a certain point and went to it and climbed up and there it was. It wasn't really visible from the bottom of the canyon. In fact, we had stopped to rest in some shade and didn't realize that the ruin was just around the corner from there.

The crew: (L-R)Hannah, Sadie, Shiala holding Kami, Ford, Charles, Curtis, Soren and James in front of Curtis

Kassie trading places with Curtis

Resting in the shade of a deep overhang

Hiking up the wash

I have always been fascinated by Anasazi ruins. I'm sure I romanticize it all. When I was little I used to think that EVERY hole in a sandstone rock was an Anasazi home. HaHa. These ruins were really small and I wonder if they were just food storage or something similar. They wouldn't have made very comfortable living spaces.

After finally finding the ruin we climbed up and rested in the shade
Hannah holding Kami, Sadie, Shiala and Ford

Don't look so excited, Ford!

There were some cool slots between large boulders to explore

The boys had to check out the ruins, of course 

This photo shows why the ruin got the name House on Fire. If the lighting were better, those streaks would really look like flames. I hear that later afternoon sunshine is best.

The ruins were very small and the floor sloped so I wonder what they were used for?

We had accidentally hiked a ways past the ruin on our way in, so we were really glad to find it and some shade to rest in. July hiking in the desert is not a cool activity.

my three littles: James, Soren and Charles

My sweetie and I. Such a flattering angle. NOT!

But it's proof we were there.

Grandpa patiently hiking back with Kami. She wanted to walk and her little legs cover the ground pretty slowly.

The boys and I stopped at this pool of water to wait. It was full of tadpoles and water skippers. Fun for them to watch.

I was surprised to find this large pool of water in the desert. We have had a very unusually rainy summer this year.

Thankfully no one fell in.

We also found this tiny little toad. 

It's so amazing how tiny and intricately detailed life can be

Soren and his hiking stick on a large boulder

James got a ride back on his dad's shoulders because the grass was taller than he was.

I never expected to see it so green and lush in July

One of the best parts of the hike for me was seeing all the blooming wildflowers. I have no idea what kind of flowers they were but the variety was amazing. I always drive my family crazy trying to get pictures of the flora and fauna when we're out and about.

I really liked this one, it looks a bit like a lily

prickly pear blossoms

This bush is so interesting. The leaves grow vertically.

This one was also very interesting I was surprised at the the tropical look of it.

Loved all the colors 

When we got home we decided to end the adventure with lunch at PJs. They are a little burger place in town and they have great burgers, sandwiches and fries. It's a real treat for the kids, as they don't often get to eat there. It was also fun just shooting some pool and being together as a family and enjoying the day. We are blessed to live in a free country, and in a beautiful state. We are thankful to be able to enjoy God's handiwork so easily from our home. We are most thankful for our family!

Playing a little pool while waiting for our PJs burgers and fries. Mmmmm.

Don't scratch, Ford!