2017 Total Solar Eclipse

August 28, 2017 The Provident Princess 0 Comments

I have always tried to nurture a love of science and especially space with my girls. They love to play on NASA Kids Club building rockets and driving the Mars Rover. When I heard that there was to be a total solar eclipse in North America this August, I just knew we needed to go. Luckily, the closest point of totality to us was only 3 1/2-4 hours away. Salt Lake City was going to experience 94 percent but I wanted to experience totality.

So this weekend we packed up the car and drove to Idaho. Unfortunately, everyone else in the western United States thought the same thing. My husband and I thought about renting a camper but there weren't any available in the western United States. Most of the hotels were booked. I found a 2 star for $750 a night! No thank you.

I knew quite a few people who were going up and camping out in their extended family's backyards and many farmers decided to open up some space for people to set up for the night, but usually with no utilities. That wouldn't work for us since we would have both our babies with us.


 Luckily, I found the Sun Shine Camp on Facebook. A woman decided to turn some of her dad's farm land into a camp ground and they had some vacancies. She had cleared the land and had port a potties dug and it was right in the path of totality. Not only that, but it was in the most idyllic spot.


It was gorgeous! Wide, open views of a property surrounded by the famous Snake River with lots of shade for trees. Fire pits stocked with wood and lots of peace and quiet. Which was amazing given that over 300,000 people traveled to the same area to view the eclipse. That's in addition to the people who already lived here!


The kids had an amazing time. There were horseback rides available.


I even risked an allergic reaction and joined in. The hour or 2 of itching after were totally worth it. Saddest day of my life when I realized I was allergic to horses. But that's a story for another time. 


 The girls got to float in the calmer part of the Snake River that wound through the property. A perfect way to cool off during the heat of the day. Wasn't my dad the sweetest to take them? Totally made their day.


Lots of shade to sit out and relax. Aaralyn brought along a book of course. She's a girl after my own heart.


This was the first time we had gone camping with both babies. Needless to say, we got very little sleep and a VERY early wake up call.

Now it was time to pack up the site and get ready to watch the eclipse over the next few hours.



 Unfortunately, the solar eclipse fell on the first day of school so we had to make it a quick trip back to Utah so the girls wouldn't miss any more days. Otherwise, I would have loved to combine this trip with a few days in Yellowstone.

My husband was hoping to hop in the car right after the eclipse to hopefully get a head start  on the aforementioned 300K other people but while packing the last few things in the car a few minutes before the eclipse he realized our car battery had died!

Luckily this Japanese family near us had a cordless car battery jumper. Have you seen these things? They are awesome. Tiny, and best of all if your car dies with no one around, you can now jump your car yourself. We totally bought one after this trip. What a life saver!

Next thing we knew, Bailey's beads appeared. Which is when all the mountains and valleys are backlit by the sun and it looks like little beads of sunlight shining on the edge of the moon.

Silver Lake- Best and Easiest Nature Hike for Young Kids

July 16, 2017 The Provident Princess 0 Comments

Silver Lake is hands down the most beautiful, easiest nature hike for children. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon just minutes from Salt Lake City, Silver Lake has it all. The trail starts at the parking lot and has a boardwalk through a marsh that leads into a more wooded area. The change in terrain and landscape is so fun for kids. They can go down to the lake on different viewing platforms to see the ducks or look for fish. And, there always seems to be someone fishing which is really fun to watch.


The lake itself is in a little basin surrounded by mountains so the scenery is just breathtaking. Especially in the late spring when all the wild flowers are blooming.


 This trail is our go-to lazy Sunday outing. Quick and not strenuous, which means the adults can enjoy conversation and relax while letting toddlers walk by themselves and the older kids roam ahead with plenty of things to catch their interest...it seems like we see a moose at least half the time we go among other wildlife. Oh and don't forget to catch the visitor's center in the summer. They have a lot of great exhibits for the kids to learn about the environment and even a junior ranger program where they can earn another badge for their collection.


Whenever someone visits Salt Lake and asks for a recommendation for a hike, Silver Lake is the answer.

Happy Trails!