Angel's Landing

Last year Matt and his cousin Brent successfully did the hike to the top of Angel's Landing, one of the classic hikes in Zion National park.  I heard about the 'most stunning views you will ever experience' and decided that I did want to make the attempt to reach the top of Angel's Landing, even after I read descriptions like this:'This hike is not recommended for those who have a fear of heights. Angels Landing is a unique fin-like mountain formation that juts out to the center of the main canyon. The trail follows the narrow spine to the final viewpoint roughly 1500 feet above the canyon floor. This hike will take between 3-6 hours; your legs will burn, your knees may shake, and the view will take your breath away!'Here's another description: ' Angels Landing is an exposed hike along a narrow and precipitous rock formation. It is not recommended for small children or those with a fear of heights. Be polite, share the trail, and allow others to pass at safe spots.'Even though I had been planning on doing this hike for several month, I did have second thoughts because of my bad cold.  But when my sister-in-law Katherine said that she wanted to go on the hike, I decided that Yes I was going to do it too.  Having Katherine with me turned out to be a BIG plus.  We rested a lot and amused lots of people as we were definitely among the oldest people on the trail.  One fun guy called us ‘power hikers’…got a lot of good laughs at that one.  We said that we were going to get that printed on the back of our shirts.  

At first the trail follows the river and then does some long switchbacks.

After this part of the trail, you actually have a relatively flat hike until you come to 'Walter's Wiggles' which are a set of many compact switchbacks that takes the trail all the way up to the top of the ridge above Refrigerator Canyon.  A few more minutes and you are at Scout Lookout - a nice little viewpoint where you can get a good look at Angel's Landing and the main canyon below. 

Matt and Scott were way ahead of us since we rested for a minute at each switchback and also took lots of photos.  When the boys reached Scout Lookout and Scott saw the steep, exposed push to the top, he wisely decided that it wasn’t for him. He waited with Matt until we joined them and then hiked down and went for a horseback ride.  A much better choice for him since he inherited his Dad's feelings about heights!

This is the ridge you climb up to get to the top!

'The last half mile of the hike is what really ranks it as one of the nation's most dangerous and exhilarating. Angels Landing itself is a fin-like formation jutting 1,500 feet out of the canyon, and this is where you make the final 500-foot climb. You literally walk on the narrow spine of the mountain. Guardrails and chains bolted into the cliff help you keep from tumbling over the extremely steep ledge. You're literally living on the edge, and you don't want to trust the "angels" down there to catch you. There are many exposed sections where you can look down on both sides to the canyon below. All of the chains, guard-rails, and carved steps are provided to help ease the mind. And I guess they do!  There are also several areas suitable for resting if you want to pull over and catch your breath and let other people go by. If you have no mountain-climbing or exposed hiking experience, this hike can be quite intimidating. If you are overcome by panic at the first section of chains, do not continue any further. It doesn't get any better!'

I don't remember feeling any panic as we climbed but now that I look at the photos, I realize that there are parts that I have NO MEMORIES of whatsoever!  I must have just blocked out all the dangerous looking spots.  Because it was quite crowded, we didn't stop too often to take photos on the actual climb.  When I look at the photos on line, I just think WOW!  I can't believe I did this!

'After a fair amount of hiking and scrambling, you will make it up to the final viewpoint and all of the effort will be worth it; the view is simply stunning! Even though Angels Landing is significantly lower in elevation than the rims, you get an amazing 360-degree view that rivals any other viewpoint you will experience. If you have any snacks, this is the perfect place to relax and partake. But don't let the aggressively friendly chipmunks steal your sandwich!'

Here are a few photos from the internet to illustrate just how crazy of a hike this is. 

The 'most challenging part of the hike' definitely lived up to the name.  As the photos show, it was very exposed.  At some spots you could look down thousands of feet off either side of the pathway.  It was crowded which meant that there was a lot of waiting in line.  I was most thankful for the chains which gave me something to hang onto.

The views from the top are amazing! 

This is the spot that I don't remember at all on the way up. On the way down, Matt took photos of us.  I'm glad he did.

We talked to people from Belgium, the Netherlands,  Germany and all over the US.  Matt talked to some Spanish speaking people but didn’t ask which country they were from. 

 On the top 

Not bad for two 66 year old Grandmas! 

At the top the chipmunks were just as friendly/aggressive as we had been told.  They climbed on Katherine’s back, my backpack and ate out of our hands. It was so fun to see them grab a bite of granola and then go bury it.  It was on the way down that we noticed the signs that said, “$100 fine for feeding the wildlife.”.  Glad no one reported us! 

Even half way down the canyon the views are spectacular!

 I’m so glad I did it and so thankful for Matt. He was endlessly patient and helped us both through the hard parts by suggesting where to put our hands and feet. I don’t think I could have done it without him….in fact I wouldn’t have wanted to. 

And I’m thankful to have had this experience with Katherine too.  She really is the funniest person ever and such a wonderful buddy with whom to share adventures! 

John bought us shirts to proclaim our accomplishment to the world.  I think we earned them! 

That's Angel's Landing right in the middle of the photo.  Can you believe we hiked all the way up there?

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

A few days after I returned from Kenya, we went to Zion National Park in Southern Utah for a Lewis family meeting.  I knew that Matt would be there with George, what I didn't know was that my 'boys' had hatched a surprise and Scott got to come too!  It was a terrific to have 3 of my handsome men on this little trip!

Matt, George, Scott

The scenery is stunning!

First stop on our Zion mini-vacation - the Ghost Town of Grafton, Utah.  It is on the road to Zion and I've always wanted to stop there but never have. Grafton's claim to fame is that is was the setting for the famous 'Raindrops keep falling on my head' scene in the classic movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. 

 If you have seen it you will remember their visit to the school teacher and the fun bike ride with Butch and Etta. We were right there. If you haven't seen Butch Cassidy, please do.  Some call it the 'most likable film of all time.'

Can't you just hear, "Raindrops keep falling on my head!"

Naturally we had to visit the Grafton Cemetery.   Diphtheria, Indians, scarlet fever and a broken swing are the causes of death. Interesting start to our Zion weekend! 

October

Crazy times for me!  I do love being busy and I love traveling but this may even be a bit much for me. A recap and a preview...

September  26 - Drive 431 miles to Portland

• Fun visit with our good friends Martha and Larry.
• Our traditional fall lunch at Skamania Lodge
• And traditional burgers at Burgerville
• Uneventful visit with my cancer doctor - no news is definitely good news!
• A chance to spend time with Scott
• And the Downton Abbey Movie - It is magical!

September 29 - Drive 431 miles back to Eagle, Idaho

September 30 - Finish getting ready for my trip to Kenya

• Stuff 4 bags to the brim with books, sanitary kits, and other supplies plus a few clothes
• Organize all my 'to-do' in Kenya Lists and supply inventory list
• Bake George a birthday cake and also 4 loaves of bread; put a roast in the crockpot.  Matt and George are thrilled!

October 1 - Happy Birthday George! - Drive 353 miles to Salt Lake City

• Check everyone on the team's bags to be sure they have maximized their weight limit
• Add more books if possible
• Spend the night with my friend Carolyn

October 2-3 Fly 9374 Miles from Salt Lake to Mombasa Kenya

• First to Amsterdam - then Nairobi -then finally Mombasa
• Hopefully sleep some 
• Read and watch movies!

October 4 - 19  Be an ambassador for Kenya Keys

• Visit schools 
• Pass out almost 300 books
• Give several hundred sanitary kits from Days for Girls to the most needy young women you can imagine.  Without these supplies, they have to stay home from school during their periods.
• Participate in a conference put on by the Kenya Keys Kenya staff for the International Day of the Girl Child- they are expecting almost 500 girls!  Can't wait to see this unfold!
• Take 1000's of photographs - probably closer to 3000!
• Enjoy a two day safari
• Help the team to be safe and happy

October 19-20 - Fly 9374 Miles back to Salt Lake - This time through Paris

October 20 - 23 - Rest and Recuperate at Tammy's house in Provo

• Laundry
• Get over jet lag
• Write trip reports
• Visit with family

October 24  - Drive  279 miles from Provo to Zion National Park

October 25-27 - Enjoy being with all George's siblings and spouses 

• Hiking
• Eating
• Visiting
• Hopefully a 'bucket list' hike to Angel's Landing

October 27 - Drive 279 miles back to Provo

October 28 - Drive 353 miles home to Eagle

Sounds kind of crazy but I am excited too!

Goblin Valley on Halloween

What better place to spend Halloween than - Goblin Valley!

There are definitely some spooky looking rock formations. 

Goblin Valley is a Utah State Park and it was not crowded at all on this Halloween Day.

 The hiking was quite an adventure. 

We explored this wash and made our own trail.  There was no danger of getting lost since we had some unusual rock formations to mark where we had started.   

I loved walking on these narrow, sandy trails at the bottom of the canyon. 

This desert lizard didn't seem at all bothered by the paparazzi!  He was just soaking up some rays. 

A longer hike took us around behind the rock formations to see the "Goblin's Lair". 

The Goblin's Lair looked very "Lord of the Rings-ish."  I could picture the goblins up there throwing boulders down on us! 

Great last stop before we started back to Boise.

The drive to Provo was also an adventure.  We listened to our GPS which decided to play a trick on us and took us on a crazy drive on what was barely a road.  At one point the GPS didn't even think it was a road!  No worries though as we made it to Provo to spend the night with Tammy and Richard and then home the next day.  I love making memories!

Monticello

I love Monticello, Utah!   Here was where the seeds were planted that culminated in my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My Aunt Dawn Boyle and my two cousins, Scott and Bill still live here.  When we decided to do our little trek across Utah, I knew that Monticello had to be on our itinerary! We were welcomed by Scott and his wonderful wife, Cassie.  These are the two Mary and I visited in Madagascar and they are simply the best in every way.  Cassie's homemade bread alone would be worth the drive! Yum! 

Monticello has the first of the small temples the church has recently built. With smaller temples, more can be built so that many more members have easy access. 

We had planned a day of hiking but the weather didn't cooperate too well.  It was very cold and rained so we took a short little jaunt to the top of "Salvation Knoll."  Many members of our church will know the story of the so called "Hole in the Rock" pioneers.   Here is a very brief explanation.  The route they took is similar to the route George and I had just driven in our warm, comfortable car. 

At the call of Mormon church leaders in 1878, a company of pioneers was sent to colonize the San Juan Valley in South Eastern Utah.  Throughout the winter of 1879-1880, these Mormon pioneers built a wagon road, through the terribly rugged terrain between Escalante and the Four Corners area.  As the main body of pioneers labored to widen the treacherous descent through the 'Hole' or cleft in rock above the Colorado River Gorge, four advance scouts traveled through this area, searching for the most feasible route between the Colorado River and Montezuma Creek.  By the time the scouts reached this area, they were lost and out of food. 

On Christmas morning 1879,George Hobbs climbed to the top of this knoll searching for a recognizable landmark.  Hobbs recorded, "This was surely salvation knoll.  For looking to the northeast...I discovered the Blue Mountains about 10 miles away.  This was the landmark we had been looking for the last several days."  Although hindered by severe winter storms, the scouts, George Hobbs, George Moreel, Lemuel Redd and George Sevy succeeded in plotting a wagon route through some of the most difficult terrain in North America. 

That knoll that George Hobbs climbed is the very one we climbed. 

And we also could see Blue Mountain from the top.  And yes just like for the scouts, it was cold and windy.  So glad we could go back to our warm car! 

Blue Mountain is right by Monticello.  One of its claims to fame is the horse's head that is easily visible.  Can you see it?  I remember as a little girl trying so hard to find it.  Once you see it, it is totally clear.  It is right in the middle of the photo.  A horse head with a white blaze.... 

Of course the main reason we had come to Monticello was not hiking or mountains but the Boyle family that I love so much.  My Aunt Dawn is one of the kindest, sweetest, most pleasant people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  She married my mother's brother, Eddie Boyle, lived in Lonoke for a short time and then moved to Monticello where they raised their family.  Our summer visits to them are what led me to the Church.  

I have 3 Boyle cousins, Doug who passed away a few years ago, Scott, and Bill.  All wonderful men who married well!  Bill's wife Linda wasn't home the evening we visited them.  

Here we are....cousins, in-laws and even a dog cousin!
 I am so glad that Families are Forever!  And that they are my family!

3rd National Park - Capitol Reef

Our 3rd and final National Park on this trip was Capitol Reef. 

Probably the least known of the Utah National Parks but certainly just as stunningly beautiful. 

I learned that Capitol Reef encompasses the Waterpocket Fold, a warp in the earth's crust that is 65 million years old. It is the largest exposed monocline in North America. Monocline is a new word for me.  It means  a step-like fold in rock strata consisting of a zone of steeper dip within an otherwise horizontal or gently-dipping sequence.  Does that describe this?  I think so! The park is filled with brilliantly colored sandstone cliffs, gleaming white domes, and contrasting layers of stone and earth.

The area was named for a line of white domes and cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, each of which looks somewhat like the United States Capitol building.  See that dome under the arch? 

Early settlers referred to parallel, impassable ridges as "reefs", from which the park gets the second half of its name. The first paved road was constructed through the area in 1962. Today, State Route 24 cuts through the park traveling east and west between Canyonlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, but few other paved roads invade the rugged landscape.

We hiked by what is called the 'Pioneer Registry'.  Early pioneers of the LDS Church were called to settle here.  Their names are immortalized on the sandstone. I think they did take President Young's words to heart  as he sent settlers to remote corners of Utah "… make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations." When the area became a National Park, the orchards were preserved and today you can buy delicious fruit pies made from that fruit.

Just so happened that today was our anniversary so we were excited to see this heart rock placed carefully just for us!  Do you see it? 

Spectacular canyons! 

And yes we did carry water!  Supposedly the outlaw Butch Cassidy had a hide out in this canyon. 

We hiked up on one of the ridges with some people from Boston.  So fun to listen to them talk about the Wild West!  Right in the middle of the photo you can see a hiker on the canyon bottom.  It was quite a scramble to the top. 

The purpose of the climb up was to see these natural water tanks.  Important natural resource in this desert country! We wondered how the pioneers found them.  I assume the Indians knew about them and shared their knowledge. 

Another fantastic day in Utah....I think instead of 'greatest snow on earth' as a state slogan, they should say something about 'greatest rocks on earth'.