"I feel like I'm at freaking Disneyland!" exclaimed, Camm Clark, a skinny blond-haired rock climber from Orem. We were heading down the steep, red rocky cliffs of Bryce Canyon, entering nature-made alleyways and towering water-carved rock sculptures. In front of us walked a group of six Asians, each with their tiny digital cameras snapping pictures and talking fast. Behind us hiked two Germans, and behind them, five people from Portugal. As I made my way down the steep path, I couldn't help but think how right Camm was! With tourists galore, lines of people dressed in signature cargo khakis, rimmed hats, sunglasses and fanny packs, all waiting to have the experience of their lives, the similarity was quite profound. The only difference? This theme park wasn't a spin-off of a figurative mouse, or for that matter, a product of any imagination - except God's. And I can tell you right now, He really knows how to design them! Bryce Canyon National Park is breathtaking in natural beauty, and it left my jaw dragging on the red dirt-covered ground.
The adventure began late Friday evening, when a group of us loaded up the back of Camm's Explorer with our sleeping bags, bread and peanut butter, and the energy that only crazy kids in college can muster up. We made the four-hour drive in the dark, finally arriving at our campground, where we drove around blindly looking for a place to rest our weary, travel-ridden bodies. We had hardly opened the doors to the SUV when the park ranger drove up and upon seeing our age told us that quiet hours PROMPTLY start at 10:00 and that our neighbors get up at sunrise. We looked around...What neighbors?? Nevertheless, despite having just been completely age-profiled, we politely nodded our heads and told her thanks for the information. After eating hobo dinners and roasting my new obsession (toasted coconut-crusted marshmallows) we bundled ourselves up to the hilt, ready to take on the 20 degrees forecasted for the night. I tend to have what I have termed "Camper's Luck" and ended up sleeping the night away on the hard, cold, gravel, with only the tent tarp between the lumps and my body. Nevertheless, I arose in the morning, excited to discover Bryce Canyon (and to eat the sausage, bacon, eggs and banana bread made by your's truly!) In the bathroom we ran into a lady from Holland brushing her teeth. It was a short but bonding moment as we talked about our individual hiking experiences. She too, was headed to Disneyland, along with the crazy Hungarian women we met ten minutes later. I never realized Utah could be so multicultural until I spit in the sink alongside two new friends!
Hike #1 was the main event. We made the 6 1/2 mile trek, scaling canyon walls and sliding down trecherous drops (ok, so only because we went off the main path! I know, I know...) In between dying and, well, dying, I gulped down water like I had never tasted it before. The warm, Southern Utah sun beat down us in strong spurts. And I loved every single minute of it. By the time we finished, we were dirty, hot, sweaty, exausted -- and we couldn't wait to get to the next one! We fuled up on peanut butter sandwhiches and black pepper jack Dorittos (my second new obsession), jumped in the Explorer, and drove to the site of our next hike. Three out of the four of us fell soundly asleep in the only 15 minute drive (no, the driver was not one of them!) and when we arrived we had to be woken up by cocunut-covered marshmellows. Sugar will do the trick ANYTIME. Hike #2 was called "Swamp Canyon." Dissapointinly, however, we did not see swamps, let alone the alligators that Dalin, one of the more interesting boys on the trip, was expecting to see. Sorry Dalin. As it turns out, the forrest had experienced a recent fire, and we found oursevles walking through black, crumbling trees and piles of ash. At some point, someone finally realized the fun in it and we stopped going any further, where we of course promptly sat down among the death and whipped out the playing cards to play SCUM. Have you ever played SCUM? It is my third new obsession. I ruled it.
By the time we returned back to the car, we were again dirty, hot, sweaty, exhausted, and smelling of death. One by one we piled into the welcoming cushy seats of the Explorer and waved goodbye to the majestic red mountains and towering columns of Southern Utah. Forget Anaheim. Bryce Canyon is the Happiest Place on Earth.
The adventure began late Friday evening, when a group of us loaded up the back of Camm's Explorer with our sleeping bags, bread and peanut butter, and the energy that only crazy kids in college can muster up. We made the four-hour drive in the dark, finally arriving at our campground, where we drove around blindly looking for a place to rest our weary, travel-ridden bodies. We had hardly opened the doors to the SUV when the park ranger drove up and upon seeing our age told us that quiet hours PROMPTLY start at 10:00 and that our neighbors get up at sunrise. We looked around...What neighbors?? Nevertheless, despite having just been completely age-profiled, we politely nodded our heads and told her thanks for the information. After eating hobo dinners and roasting my new obsession (toasted coconut-crusted marshmallows) we bundled ourselves up to the hilt, ready to take on the 20 degrees forecasted for the night. I tend to have what I have termed "Camper's Luck" and ended up sleeping the night away on the hard, cold, gravel, with only the tent tarp between the lumps and my body. Nevertheless, I arose in the morning, excited to discover Bryce Canyon (and to eat the sausage, bacon, eggs and banana bread made by your's truly!) In the bathroom we ran into a lady from Holland brushing her teeth. It was a short but bonding moment as we talked about our individual hiking experiences. She too, was headed to Disneyland, along with the crazy Hungarian women we met ten minutes later. I never realized Utah could be so multicultural until I spit in the sink alongside two new friends!
Hike #1 was the main event. We made the 6 1/2 mile trek, scaling canyon walls and sliding down trecherous drops (ok, so only because we went off the main path! I know, I know...) In between dying and, well, dying, I gulped down water like I had never tasted it before. The warm, Southern Utah sun beat down us in strong spurts. And I loved every single minute of it. By the time we finished, we were dirty, hot, sweaty, exausted -- and we couldn't wait to get to the next one! We fuled up on peanut butter sandwhiches and black pepper jack Dorittos (my second new obsession), jumped in the Explorer, and drove to the site of our next hike. Three out of the four of us fell soundly asleep in the only 15 minute drive (no, the driver was not one of them!) and when we arrived we had to be woken up by cocunut-covered marshmellows. Sugar will do the trick ANYTIME. Hike #2 was called "Swamp Canyon." Dissapointinly, however, we did not see swamps, let alone the alligators that Dalin, one of the more interesting boys on the trip, was expecting to see. Sorry Dalin. As it turns out, the forrest had experienced a recent fire, and we found oursevles walking through black, crumbling trees and piles of ash. At some point, someone finally realized the fun in it and we stopped going any further, where we of course promptly sat down among the death and whipped out the playing cards to play SCUM. Have you ever played SCUM? It is my third new obsession. I ruled it.
By the time we returned back to the car, we were again dirty, hot, sweaty, exhausted, and smelling of death. One by one we piled into the welcoming cushy seats of the Explorer and waved goodbye to the majestic red mountains and towering columns of Southern Utah. Forget Anaheim. Bryce Canyon is the Happiest Place on Earth.
2 comments:
How fun is that?!?! I love it!! I know what we are getting you for your birthday!
LOVE YOU
Mandy
Incredible pictures Jess. Thanks for taking me along.
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