Road trips are keeping us all sane somehow. It’s hot. We are together a lot and heading up north to make memories makes a lot of sense right now.

As we drove, we noticed signs explaining trail restrictions. I was hoping the trail I had chosen wouldn’t be closed, but as we approached, we realized it was closed. Brian came to the rescue and found that Tonto Natural Bridge was still open and was only about 20 minutes away.

I love this place. I so wish I could take a picture that shows you how absolutely magnificent it is.

We looked at the bridge and listened to the water fall from the roots of the trees to the cave down below.

Julia, Nate, and Riley decided they wanted to do the hike to the bottom. It is not an easy hike. It is steep and awkward. The cave floor is slippery. Nate smiled at me and promised he’d help Riley, so off they went.

Sweet Mary Alice was so upset. She wanted to go. We promised we’d go to the overlook and watch for them to go down.

I was completely relieved when I saw Nate’s reflection in the water. He was bending over to help Riley up. We yelled their names and waved as if they could hear us.

Brian, Sebastian, Mary Alice, and I enjoyed the breeze and the views and headed back to meet up with the others.

As the kids came up the trail, Riley’s smile said it all.

We attempted a group picture, and I took whatever came out – just happy to have everyone in the same place at the same time.