Deserts are People Too!!!!

Yes, I know the statement is pathetic but what can I say. So, this past weekend, I was in Utah visiting my family. I got to see my Grandma and Papa and the dogs and hellions (Birds from the epitome of HELL) and spend some time at a church that was way too small for its own good. But most importantly, I admitted that I was wrong and almost got killed doing it. Once upon a time when I decided to be my usual stubborn and obnoxious self, I told my boy that there was no such thing as a pretty desert. Last year, he showed me Zion (which, to me, is not a desert) so I refused to recant my statement. This past weekend, he took me to see the Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon where we decided to attempt suicide by taking a little hike. Ordinarily we know where the hike will end before we set out on it, but this time we ignore the voice of reason (gravity) and decided to attempt it anyway thinking that it came out at the next turn out. What we eventually determined was that the trail sign lied and that we were headed into the basin (the last place on earth we were prepared to be) to we made the stupid mistake of assuming the highway, which we had thought we had been going parallel to, was on the other side of the ledge and that we would hike to the top and to the road following that to the next lookout. When we finally got to the top we see the next turn out...over a mile away as the crow flyes with a 800 foot ravine between us and our destination. To make matters worse, this path is so unfrequented that there have been many sightings of bears in these regions. Curiously enough, we three little travellers began hearing something rather large coming through the trees.

Now, all those who know my mommy and I know that we are not in the best of shape (unless doctor's have begun counting 'round' as a shape). We are not incredibly athletic and the hike to the '1/2 mile' sign to Angel's Landing took us the better part of a day and multiple cattle prods. Knowing this as well as the fact that we are lost and have to go all the way back up the mountain with the possible running across a bear, my boyfriend tries to get the two of us back up to the trail head in two seconds (an effort which quickly ending in dismale failure). When we finally did arrive back at the trail head (without sighting any bears) the one mile hike that was suppose to take twenty minutes had become a 4 mile hike lasting multiple hours. After thirsting to near dehydration, damaging my delicate exterior and posterior, and hours of excruciating torment caused by gravity, we decided to continue the torment by hiking more well-travelled paths.

All in all, the journey that was supposed to be a gentle and exciting adventure proved to be a little too much to chew. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Papa built more of his train layout and decided to hold our Wii at ransom having fallen madly in love with Wii Sports Bowling become a Pro in just three days of game play (not continuous). We had a truly fun and exhilarating trip.