Didn't turn out quite as we planned, but better than we hoped.
We had a fun filled weekend planned with some of our friends to go camping in Southern Utah at Calf Creek. Regardless of the weather warnings of flash floods in the area, we were determined to enjoy our extended weekend! After getting lost and driving through podunkville after podunkville we arrived at our destination at 1 AM only to find the very inaccuarate weatherman, just so happened to be dissapointed-ly accurate. We stepped out of the car, grabbed the umbrella and followed the river to our campsite, where at least 8 other tents were soggingly sleeping.
After a brief walk through the camp Blair decided the car would be our tent for the night (wouldn't recommend it - not the most comfortable bed but better than a water bed in the wild). We woke up only to find buckets of water still pouring all around us. Watching the water-logged hikers just didn't appeal, so Blair called a quick audible, and ditched the optomistic "it's gonna stop any second" campers. So, we hit the road, to St. George.
Blair's "tough-guy" look!
We passed these man-made arches on our way through Escalante, it was the most excitement Blair showed since we had hit rain.
We stopped at every other Scenic Turnout to take pictures! It was gorgeous.
Apparently, it costs money just to drive through Zion's. I'd never been, so it just added to the adventure. Our first excited citing through the park.
Half way point of what turned out to be the hardest hike of my life! On the trail of Angels Landing. If you can't tell, i'm not super happy about having to smile for the camera. I was tired!
Nothing a little water and some shade can't fix. I had to have a change of heart if I was gonna make it to the top of that mountain!
We both made it to the top! YAY!
The last 1/2 mile of the hike is on a narrow trail of rock with cliffs that drop thousands of feet on either side of you. Nerve-racking to say the least. As we got to the top we could see dark clouds and lightning in the distance. We knew we had to get off that mountain! We started to make our way down, as we are watching other's still climb and claw their way to top. With only chains and some boulders to save us, 50 MPH winds hit hard! We literally thought we were going to get blown off the mountain and plummet to our death. I said my last good-bye to Blair. We couldn't see with sand in our eyes and the sand was blowing around so hard it felt like pellits as it hit our body. There were still those anxious and determined to make it to the top, we tried to warn them it but wasn't worth the risk. Some listened, some didn't. We'll never know if everyone made it off that mountain alive. ;)
Once we were back on solid ground, feeling weak in the legs but proud, we got back on the road and continued our journey on to St. George. That night everything was sold out except the 1980 honeymoon suite at the Best Western, heart-shaped jet tub and all.... but just didn't know if we were willing to take the risk of actually using it so we passed but laughed at the thought of it!
The whole weekend was a big success full of In-and-Out burgers, rock-climbing, shady hotel rooms, aimless driving, and lounging pool-side.
