Creeper

My sister, Sarah, called me at the beginning of last week to inform me of the the "Haunted Canyon" ride on the Heber Creeper. She said the whole family (which includes Sarah, her husband Blake and son Owen, my parents, Andy and his wife Sarah, maybe Peter and Tim, but certainly not pimp daddy Bob) would be going on Friday and for me to plan on it. As I got off the phone, I thought, "whatever", for a few different reasons. First, Sarah lives in Ogden and rarely participates in family activities. And second, we rarely have family activities.
But Thursday came with a phone call from my mother who said she was at Smiths and wanted to know if we would like her to pick up our tickets. Of course I said yes (I'm not a party pooper) and Vivian park and the Heber Valley railroad were added to the docket for Friday night.


The night started at my mom's home for dinner. My parents' next door neighbors have often won the 'Orem beautification award' for their Halloween decorations. Their yard also provides my children with endless hours of entertainment and nightmares.


Dinner conversation at my parents house always seems to focus on the dating practices of my twin brothers, Peter and Tim. Tim informed us that he wasn't able to join us on the railroad because he had a date. He also informed us that the next night he was going on another date with his date's roommate. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement that dating 2 roommates means trouble. Tim has so much to learn.


My brother Bobby wanted me to make sure to post a picture of the pimp mustache he has grown. I guarantee that this mustache is not getting Bobby any dates with two roommates.

So up the canyon we headed and into Vivian park we walked.



We feared that Brad would miss the train. But we were so wrong. The train was delayed because of technical difficulties, so we waited and waited.

While waiting, a heckler came through the line to tease the children.

Norah wasn't having any of it. I wonder where her non-compliance comes from.

Finally we were able to board the train. As we found our seats, scary, foreboding noises filled the train cars.

This is my favorite photo. The trepidation in Norah and Abram's faces is classic.


For those of you who have not ridden the haunted canyon railroad, there are stories told as your make your way up the canyon. These stories are about ghosts that inhabit the railroads path. With each story, an apparition appears on the banks of the Provo River or in your car window. Although it was all very amateur, it was a little creepy for me and I have to assume, very frightening for my children.


As you make your way back down the canyon, the ghouls board the train and walk down the aisles. Lulu in the photo above was clearly afraid of the werewolf man.
The canyon ride was entertaining and I am glad Sarah corralled us all in for the night.
Now, if I can get a few costumes sewed, we will be all set for Halloween.