Monday, June 16, 2008

Adventure in Hiking





















June 2008
We took a trip to St. George, Utah with our son, Brett and his family. Two of the children, Matthew and Katherine were part of a violin group, The Madsonians, who were performing at the Tabernacle there.

The next day we took a short ride to Zion’s National Park where we went hiking. Have you ever gone hiking with two teenage girls? It is an experience. The hike to Emerald Pools begins with a nice trail and a gentle slope. Brett, Claudia, Matthew, Katherine, Analisa and Sarah along with David and me (the grandparents) merrily began the hike. The first pool was about a half mile in. All was delightful ….until…Matthew suddenly had to leave. Brett unhappily took him down the trail. We went on for about fifteen minutes more when Katherine began to be weaker and hotter and finally had to rest. We hadn’t reached the second pool yet. She had been sick for a couple of days so it wasn’t surprising. So with Claudia and Katherine leaving us, Sarah and Analisa and David and I continued up the mountain.
It was incredibly beautiful; indescribable really. We came to a lush area where the trail goes under a waterfall which creates the two lower pools. To this point the trail is easy going. As we begin to climb again to the third pool the trail gets rocky and steep and sandy. Sarah and Analisa laugh and run up the trail never getting breathless. We follow like the tortoise follows the hare. The trail up seems to get longer and longer. Those coming down are encouraging saying “You’re almost there.” “It’s worth it.” The sand and boulders make it necessary to watch your every step. Up and down we go winding our way up the mountain while Sarah and Analisa in their little flip flops and little “woosy” shoes seemingly float up every incline and spring over every obstacle laughing and playing. We continue on taking a minute here and there to catch our breath. All and all we kept up quite well for the “elderly”. When we finally got to the upper pool, Analisa was sitting on a log waiting for us to come around the bend. Sarah had stayed back with us taking photos and keeping us entertained.
This upper pool is the biggest and most impressive. It lies at the foot of 300 foot cliffs and is so compelling that the girls just had to wade in. It scared me to death. I could imagine one of them disappearing under the water. David said “Go on in…you’ll be fine.” He was right. They loved it.
Pure Joy!
Stay tuned for the next adventure at Bryce Canyon the next day.

4 comments:

Brett Nielson said...

That's the bomb! What a great memory. Thanks for sharing it with us. The pictures are wonderful!

Claudia said...

It was great having Grammy & Grampy along. Those two giggly girls keep us hopping, don't they? So fun to spend those days with you! I'm sure the girls will look back someday and smile upon their silliness.

Carrie said...

That looks like a fun trip! The pictures are beautiful!

katherine said...

THAT WAS SOOOOO FUN!!!
LOVE,
WILLOW WINKER