#3 - Geological Wonderland!

Sunglasses make a great filter- Zion Canyon

Zion – WOW!!! 

Sedona was beautiful, but it is clear as the days here why Zion has been made a National Park – it is breathtakingly beautiful in every direction you turn; and everything is so huge, yet peaceful, that it is quite humbling.  I think most people here feel it – there is a sort of calmness about everyone – you see a lot of quiet gazing and contentment with just being in this greatness.  It’s the calmness I know a few people get while staring at the ocean.  As my dad says, “It’s a good reminder to be in the presence of something that is so much bigger than you” … humbling.

View from our campsite in Zion

Besides all of that J  This place is AAA-MAZING!!!  Not only is it gorgeous, but they make being here so convenient and fun – all the while without feeling like you’re at an amusement park.  There is a free shuttle that leaves from our campsite every few minutes that drops you off at several trailheads, the museum, the lodge, etc.  There’s an outdoor amphitheater where they do different “ranger talks” at night – Shannon and I stumbled across one about bats on one of our evening strolls.  We’ve been taking long walks every night around dusk to check out everyone’s camp set-ups, then walking down to the RV ares to check out those.  It’s perfect out at that time of night – actually, the weather couldn’t be better here … besides the crazy wind that hits every night around midnight and whips against our tent until about 7 in the morning.  We’ve woken up every morning shocked that our rainfly hasn’t been whisked away during the night.

On the look-out for Big Horned Sheep! 

But back to how amazing it is here!  We have been doing some awesome hikes, and everything is just so pretty, it’s hard to not be in constant awe.  Yesterday we rented “dry suits” to hike through the icy cold water of the ‘Narrows’ – so much fun!!  There were some brave souls who hiked it without a wet or dry suit, but their poor legs were bright pink from the cold waters of the Virgin River, and we were thankful to be nice and dry as we hiked our way through the water (sometimes chest deep) up the narrow canyon.  We had walking sticks for balance, and the most amazing shoes for clamoring through riverbeds.  It took us about 6 hours and by the time we were done we felt like our legs had 10lb weights in them – but it was super fun and unbelievably pretty!!! 

2 Chix about to take on the Narrows

Bouldering fun!

We were all geared up and pumped to take on the ‘Angel’s Landing’ hike – a strenuous and challenging trail that rises 1,488 in 2.5 miles and ends on a narrow path with shear drop offs on either side.  With amazing views and a good challenge we headed up the hill, but after my camel pack started leaking as well as Shannon’s draining out completely (mind you we have NEVER had any problems with our camel packs), we took it as an omen and decided that maybe something was trying to tell us that we were not supposed to do that hike … at least not this trip.   So, we will put that on the list for next time, because we have decided that we are definitely coming back to Zion – it is way too amazing to only visit once.

Shannon dwarfed by the canyon walls

From Zion we  headed to Escalante, passing through Bryce Canyon for a hike through the otherworldly ‘hoodoos’.  I will say that both Shannon and I have been blown away by all the different land formations in Utah – it’s pretty amazing here!  From there we arrived at our current campsite in the Petrified Forest, were we thoroughly enjoyed a much needed shower after 5 days!!!  Yeowza!!!  - we have been taking “hobo showers” with little wipies, but nothing beats actual running water … and soap.  There is a lake here and we have enjoyed looking at the stars out on the dock every night.  Also, there is no nightly howling wind, so we have actually been getting full nights of sleep – aaahhhhhh.   We are in an awesome little coffee shop/café right now called Kiva Koffeehouse that is built right into the cliff, overlooking the sandstone canyon of Escalante – pretty awesome!  We are heading out to hike some slot canyons today and will be heading towards Moab and Canyonlands tomorrow.  We are happy clams!  Thinking of you all and wishing you well – happy mother’s day to all the moms in our lives!

The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Shannon here-

Two things of importance Bree left out about Zion-

      1.  I taught her how to play Chess!  I have to say, just after 2 games I am impressed with her strategizing skills! And now I have someone I can play with…yay!

2.  Zion has very aggressive, persistent spiders.  Or I guess I should more accurately just say “spider,” singular.  But man, that thing was big, and really wanted in our tent. 

Ch-Chec-Checkmate!

#2- Into The Vortex!

           

Bree & I are officially on the move for what we’ve coined our “Epic Adventure”! After a great visit with our buddy Tessie & her awesome family in Santa Barbara, we headed to Sedona, Arizona on Thursday arriving around 8 pm. that evening.  As we arrived at Pine Flat campground the first thing we noticed looking up was the amazing canyon wall right next to our campsite, with the stars and bright moon overhead.  Pretty sweet.  Setting up camp at night has never been so easy with the moon acting as something of a street lamp.  Our first night of many camping for the summer had begun, and we were ridiculously excited.

Our sweet campsite in Sedona

Sedona itself is insanely beautiful. The red rock canyons that it is known for, against the blue skies, was some of the most beautiful examples of contrasting colors we’ve ever witnessed in nature.  At sunset, it’s like they glow orange. Amazing.  Take that orange glow and add a rising super moon, super awesome!  On a side note: it’s crazy that the formation of Sedona red rocks dates back to 320 million years!  Due to water, erosion, wind, etc. gives these rocks their current formations, whereas iron deposits that are throughout the porous sandstone and have oxidized (essentially rusted), give them their red color.  In case any of you were wondering.

            The first hike of our journey was referred to us by the “nice” old man camp host.  Turns out, he’s evil.  I mean, nice in every sense of the word, just don’t ask him where to go hiking.  He directed us to a trailhead across the street from our camp, saying “it’s a little steep at first.”  First my ass.  It was steep the entire hike!  Bree & I basically climbed straight up a mountain. Bree almost puked.  And I almost passed out (I blame the elevation).  Needless to say, we made it to the top, and the views of the surrounding canyons and green valley below making it all worthwhile.  Not to mention, overcoming the hellish climb and getting our blood pumping at the same time was a nice bonus.

The view from the hike from hell

Stay hydrated!

 In contrast to the first hike, the second hike in Boynton Canyon wasn’t quite as hellish, but even more stunning in scenery.  This area is one of four in Sedona that are considered “energy vortex” sights.  An energy vortex sight is essentially a spot where there is an abundance of spiritual energy that interacts with ones personal “energy” to help facilitate meditation and healing.  While I do subscribe to the belief system of everyone containing energy, like attracting like, etc.,  I will say I don’t know if I got a super-shot of energy at this spot or not, but we both felt incredibly happy and content.  Vortex or not, it was absolutely stunning to look out at all the red canyons, green valleys, and blue skies stretching as far as you could see.  I did get 2 Yahtzee’s in a row that night to start off the game, to which I give the vortex full credit.

            Back at camp, it has been an interesting (and fun) process getting accustomed to our manner of living for most of the summer.  Both of us already being big campers, and organization freaks, has definitely come in handy.  The amount of stuff we have fits perfectly into the back of the car, with no room to spare, and everything has its

place.  With a few changes here and there of where to keep stuff to make it more easily accessible, I’d say we’ve got it down pretty well.

Super moon over red rocks!

On top of our great campsite and amazing hikes, we also had super tasty bbq’d ribs, and got to listen to our friend Matt perform his electric cello at a house concert here in Sedona, which fit the mood/scenery absolutely perfectly.  While Sedona was an absolutely perfect place to start our adventure, we are now excited and ready to move on to explore Zion! 

That red rock spire is the site of an energy "vortex" here at Boynton Canyon