Three Breathtaking Hikes





A plaque adorns the stone wall along the Virgin River which backs up to our campsite here at Zion; it's been placed in memory of Joe Bomers and reads:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
But by the moments that take our breath away."

By this vacation, I feel my "life" grow and lengthen and stretch as I take in GOD's wonder through creation on a daily basis. Observing beauty and appreciating it, drinking deeply of it -has got to be one of life's most refreshing filler-uppers!

After surviving our harrowing drive and our Emery gas station rescue, we woke up at Ruby's Campground just down the road from Bryce Canyon National Park.

From "Sunrise Point" to "Sunset Point," via "Queen's Garden" to the "Navajo Loop" is toted as "the best hike in the world." I agree with this commentary; Bryce Canyon is unique beyond words. It's known for its bright orange sandstone "Hoodoos" - which fill about a mile's worth of canyon, like a forest of trees. Picture 2 and 3 story sized monoliths looking to have been created by Dr. Seuss, in various shapes, resembling, and named things, like "Queen Victoria on Her Throne" and "E.T." (the alien from the movie.) So, the hike down into a canyon of these above described Hoodoos (exotically named by early settlers fascinated, at the time, with discoveries in the Pacific Islands,) feels like a surreal stroll through a real life cartoon. They are truly awesome and beautiful. Mr. Bryce, who discovered the canyon and lived there as a "farmer" in the 1800s is quoted with the comical exclamation: "It's a H--- of a place to loose a cow!"

Having attempted this above described hike in the morning, and driven back to the camp by pouring rain, we took advantage of Ruby's amenities - an indoor pool at the lodge, with couches surrounding it, and free WiFi for non-swimming "watchers".

The kids played all morning with 4 children from Switzerland on holiday, while I chatted with their parents. It's fascinating for us to continually meet people from all over the world.

We found the Hoodoo hike even better later in the day as it cleared up and the sun set, adding more golden colors to the already dazzling sandstone "forest."

From Bryce, it was a relatively short but scenic drive to Zion. We are actually camping at a private campground with electricity, showers (yea!), a nice swimming pool and a friendly camp host named Jerry, who drives around in a golf cart souped up to look like a Cadillac. The girls have already hitched several rides in the rumble seat in back, to and from the camp store and bathrooms. Our site backs up to the Virgin River and we hear the rush of rapids all the time, very soothing. We don't have cell phone coverage out here but can use the Internet and have been able to skipe a few folks back home.

We will stay in Zion a week, taking an overnight trip down to Grand Canyon's North Rim with just our tent (girls will sleep in the car.)

But Zion is just down the road - so I'll tell you about the breathtaking hikes we've accomplished and enjoyed so far...

Monday our main hike took us about 5 miles on the Kayenta Trail, a loop taking us to three waterfalls and middle, upper and lower "Emerald Pools," where the water lays in shallow refreshing wading pools on the rock, a perfect spot for picnic. For a gal who has always loved to take her children on picnics out in nature, this trip fills me day after day, as Kevin portages our lunch of p,b&j, fruit and a myriad of other snacks, in his backpack. We dine, surrounded by vistas that could rival the best five star restaurants on earth - every day. These picnics are always an anticipated reward for our climb and Kevin's decline is always much lighter. We often share our food, or just our rock, with another thankful hiker; at the pools, we ate with a couple from Japan, drawn to the western U.S. by the husband's fascination with Native American spirituality. Part of the whole "experiencing GOD's exquisite creation" remains, for me, listening to and trying to understand, the unique souls and searchings of HIS pinnacle of creation - human beings.

On Tuesday we decided to tackle a hike we had heard warnings about all over park, on posters, on the recorded bus tour through the park, from the Rangers: "a strenuous climb which should NOT be attempted by anyone with heart problems, weak ankles, balance issues or the fear of heights...etc..." Listening to and reading this advice all of Monday, of course, only solidified in Kevin's (and the kid's) minds, that we had to hike to the precipice of "Angel's Landing," gaining an elevation of 1,488 feet in 2.5 miles - steep! 22 switchbacks in a stretch called "walter's wiggles" lead to a death defying peak climb, made possible only by metal chains installed in the rock, for clutching and pulling yourself up along narrow ledges and 3 foot wide outcroppings, with 1000(+) foot drop offs on either side. Before "Angel's Landing," I had not thought of myself as one who has a fear of heights; I now would. the first two thirds of the hike was gorgeous and tiring, though not treacherous. We loved all the hummingbirds flying in close to sip at the bright red Indian Paintbrush (a beautiful mountain flower), and the blue tailed lizards sunning on the rocks as we passed. At "Scout's Landing" many people eat lunch, enjoy the view (at 5,785 feet, overlooking most of the park) and go no further, (sometimes sending their braver family members to climb the peak while they enjoy a couple hours of rest and RELIEF. At this point of the hike - more signs and warnings, about continuing, shine like beacons of safety, wisdom and better judgement - but NO.. the Shoemaker feast would be eaten on the summit. I was outnumbered 5 to 1.

As we began the dizzying climb, we met Rob, and Indian American from Rhode Island, and his 11 year old son, Robbie, (Rob's wife and 9 year old son had opted not to take this particular hike.) After 10 minutes of climbing mom (me) nearly frozen with fear, broke out in a cold sweat and asked if our family could just stop and ask GOD for peace, and safety. Rob and Robbie joined us in prayer (though I didn't get the feeling they were necessarily Christians,) after which Rob confessed to us he was scared of heights but wanted to take on the climb for his son, fearless and determined. We stopped one other time to pray, and our new friends stuck with us to the top and all the way back down the mountain. We shared our lunches and great conversations and fellowship on top, right up next to the sun and heaven. The view WAS breathtaking, in more ways than one. I was really glad I'd done it, but not until the next day. Rob (the dad) thanked both Kevin and me for "letting them join us" and told us he didn't know if he would have made it without us. I kinda feel the same way - Love (for people) is stronger than fear.