Mother of all hikes

Ribbon Falls

I'd wanted to hike the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim for some time.  This spring we had 7 hikers committed to go but one by one they bailed ( for good reasons) until it was down to Dan and me.  That turned out to be a good thing.  I love spending time alone with my one and only.

Crossing the Colorado River after over 14 miles of hiking.  It was 98 degrees.

We loved soaking our feet and cooling off in the mighty Colorado.

Going up was switchback after switchback surrounded by breathtaking beauty.

This view, from many elevations as we climbed, was what we took in for hours.

There were many signs that warned hikers to not do this hike in one day and for good reason.  It was over 24 miles of hot, strenuous hiking.  As my title says, I'd call it the mother of all hikes.  We were prepared, though, and did it in one day.  We had  lots of company.  We saw hundreds doing the same hike on the busy Memorial Day weekend.  I can't wait to get back to take the rest of my family.

Hope

This week there is a little secret that is alive and well in Logan Canyon.  I feel so blessed to be in on the secret.

The Maguire Primrose is a darling little flower that blooms for a short time in the spring and is found no where in the world but Logan Canyon.  It's easy to miss because it grows high on the rock walls and in only a few select places in the canyon.

I've visited it 4 times already in the past week and hope to go again.  It brightens my day.  Here is a dainty, beautiful flower, hanging precariously from the cliff walls.  It blooms after the harsh winter but before the warm temperatures, bringing color to the gray canyon and a hope for the coming warm weather. 

It's symbolic to me of our trials in life.  Life can be harsh like the cold winter.  Sometimes through our trials it feels as though we are just barely hanging (maybe for dear life) to the cliff wall but as we hang on with hope and faith we see the color and the hope of the future.  Sometimes we receive a tender mercy or divine signature but whatever it is we can move forward with faith and hope for all that is in store for us in the future.  There is always, always hope.

Ward Party from H. E. double toothpicks

Friday we had a Cinco de Mayo party with our ward full with pulled pork burritos topped with cilantro sauce.  Entertainment-pinata!  Great turn out.  Lots of fun.

Saturday night I went to bed after vomiting and feeling very sick.  Dan slept in another bed so he wouldn't get sick but he woke up in the middle of the night with the same symptoms.  John also woke in the middle of the night.  Same thing.

Sunday morning we got a call from the Relief Society president. She and her husband had the same problems.  We got another call from one of the Sacrament meeting speakers.  Same thing.  Primary president and her family?  Same.  We were suspicious.  As we called around, a lot of the ward was sick.

Dan decided to cancel the auxiliaries that day so people wouldn't feel pressured to come to church with responsibilities if they were not feeling well.

Sacrament meeting attendance which is usually 180 was 100.

Scary business.  What was it?  The pork? The cilantro sauce?  The rice (yes, the extension office in Logan thinks it's the rice) The beans?  The tomatoes?  The lettuce?  Who knows? 

Symptoms seem to last less than 24 hours but for some, longer.  I hope everyone recovers okay.

I'm 52 and have been to a lot of ward parties in my day.  This is the first problem.  Should I think twice when eating at a ward party from now on?  I don't know.

Good bye snow shoes

This winter has been so much fun for me and a lot of that has been because of snow shoeing with my friends.  So many people complain about winter.  I love it!

On this day is was a freezing cold inversion in Logan but we were enjoying blue sky and enough warmth to take our coats off.

We always find beautiful snowy places in the canyon.

We play and laugh which is therapy for all.

These women inspire me.  The mountains inspire me. 

 I think that Spring is finally here and, while I'm looking forward to a fabulous Spring, Summer and Fall with these ladies in the mountains, I am really going to miss the winter.  My snow shoes are put away but they'll be ready to go with a happy me come next winter.

Cousin Jessica

My brother's daughter, Jessica, and her husband live in Moab.  Jessi took us on a hike (on her birthday) that is a little secret for the locals.  We felt special.

Not many people see this arch.

I climbed the rope but was more than a little nervous.

The arch taken from above after we climbed the scary rope.

The rope was nothing for Jessi,  an experienced rock climber.

John went up and down the  rope with ease.

Jess showed us this interesting petroglyph.  I think she called it the child birth petroglyph.

I missed Dan and the rest of the family on this little trip but was so glad to have this time  with John.  I love making memories.

Porcupine Rim

John nick  named this trail "Angels Landing on a bike."  If you've ever hiked Angels Landing in Zion NP you'll get the picture.  It was scary in places because of the cliff exposure.  It was very difficult for me and my ability but I loved it and especially loved being with John.

 

 

We're alive so it was a success.

One more Moab post to come.

Moab with my bud

John and I took off on a last minute trip to Moab for his Spring break.  Dan couldn't come because of work and the risk mountain biking would be to his shoulder. 

First we rode the Slick Rock Trail.

The next sequence is of John riding up a hill on the trail and then waiting, as he often did, for me to catch up.

The trail was too technical for me but I still had a great time.  John was very patient and waited. 

More to come...