Broken Record

I feel like I must sound like a broken record sometimes.  I remember the days of the old LP albums.  If there was a scratch on the vinyl, the needle on the player would skip or sometimes even get stuck, replaying the same piece of music over and over.

But as annoying as that was, I still don't know that I could compare a broken record to my hiking trips.  Because, while I may see the same hike often, it's never the same experience as previously.  Rarely a repeat. The colors, the smells, the conditions, lighting, seasons, time of day, as well as admittedly...my health and mood, all impact my experience.  Those factors can create an infinite amount of variables and adventures.

We spent a lot of time in Zion National Park this week.  I can't think of a better place to be on a glorious spring day.  And so it was my fortune to traverse the East Rim twice in one week.  The upper west side of the park is still under a patches of snow and closed.  But at the slightly lower elevations and with the early rays of sun exposure, the season of exploring has begun in the east.

I hiked both the East Rim and Cable Mountain trails.  Next week I hope to visit Deertrap Mountain.

A view of Observation Point (one of our normal hikes) across the way from Cable Mountain.

At one time a saw mill operated on the east side of Zion.  Lumber was lowered from this cable system over 2,000 feet below to the valley floor.  By wagon load it would take an entire day to make the trip around and back into the canyon, whereas, this cable system would take minutes.  After a shortage in lumber supply, and numerous lightening strikes, the cable system was closed in 1930.  Directly below is the Weeping Rock parking lot now.

My comrades approaching the Observation Point trail junction

Isaac Behunnin, a founder of Ephraim, Utah was called to help settle Springdale (entrance to Zion) in 1862.  He was 60 years old when he arrived at Zion Canyon and at that time the Salt Lake City Temple was being built.  As he reflected on that occasion while resting in the canyon when he poetically said...
"These are the Temples of God, built without the use of human hands.  A man can worship God among these great cathedrals as well as in any man-made church--this is Zion."


I heartedly concur and it's worth repeating, even if I hear it over and over, it still sounds good to me.

On-the-job Hazards

I think a lot of people don't know that my daily forays into the desert involve my employment at Desert Cliffs Fitness Spa as a Hiking Guide.

Let me explain some of the 'hazards' of my luxurious vocation.

In the last 3 weeks, I've seen 4 snakes.  Yep, snakes are a part of my job site.  They are only hazardous to my health due to the spiked heart rate they cause when I nearly step on them.  And then there was the little guy, laid across the trail this morning, basking in the sun...who wasn't budging.  Not even a toss of a pinecone his way would persuade him to allow us to pass.  Those are the fellas that we give a wide berth to and go on our merry way. For the most part, they are non-poisoness, like this Gopher Snake, but I would be lying if I said I hadn't startled or been startled by a few Rattlesnakes too.

Then there is this issue of heights.  Try as I might, some fears simply cannot be overcome.  1,000 foot cliffs are not my friends, I find them rather hazardous to my health.

Hiking can be hazardous to my toes.  I've lost two toenails in the last few months.  Not a pretty sight but something that happens occasionally.

Speaking of feet...I'm constantly having to watch where I put my feet. One wrong placed hand or foot can land you in the Dr.'s office to have barbs removed from even the tiniest of cactus, agave or yucca plants. Random rocks have been known to suddenly appear to twist ankles and knees.  The rule is:  while moving, keep your eyes on the trail.

And when I stop and take a moment to look up from the ground, the most hazardous of all conditions occurs...my breath is taken away.

Come to think of it...feeling breathless is my favorite on-the-job hazard.

Observing Vulnerability

I'm afraid of heights.

I'm afraid of being vulnerable.

I spent some time on Observation Point today.  And the point is...when you put yourself out there, you are vulnerable.  You are exposed.  You experience an uncomfortable sensation.

But after the brief terror, comes growth, strength and courage.

For the last 4 years I have been pouring my heart out in a very public venue, concerning my spiritual beliefs.  It has not been easy.  It's a bit like standing on the edge of 2,000 foot drop off...gradually creeping closer and closer to the brink of disaster.

It's not easy to find the kind of courage required to socially put myself out there, to stand on the ledge and to expose myself to 'danger'.

But, in the last couple of years, I've dared to go there.  And I've survived.

I have challenged myself physically, socially and spiritually.  The rewards for 90% of the time are worth the effort.  Sometimes I have a set back.  Sometimes the world spins.  Sometimes I expose myself a bit too much.  Sometimes I feel rejection.  Sometimes my beliefs and I are labeled.  Sometimes it hurts a little, sometimes it hurts a lot.

Today's hike hurt a little.  I think I've discovered I have neuroma in my foot.  So, with pain in every footstep accompanied with drop-offs that make me swoon, I once again conquered Observation Point.  Each time it gets a little easier.  Just like that, so it goes with criticism.  The more I persevere, the less it hurts.  There will come a day when I master my vulnerability, as I've mastered real fears.

Until then, I may be suffering from what Brene Brown refers to as a "vulnerability hangover".  But already, it's not as bad as previous setbacks. I believe by allowing myself to experience some level of discomfort, I become stronger.  Just as I confront my fears of heights, so too will I continue to battle my insecurities.

Because, views of success, and growth, stamina and courage are worth it.

On Fire

Yesterday as we met to take a hike in Zion, we checked one last time at the weather forecast for the park.

It was 34º and lightly snowing.

We changed direction and headed south for the heat of the desert to the Valley of Fire, oldest of all the State Parks in Nevada.
Oh my.

What can I say except...Oh.my.gosh.

Sony cannot possibly make a camera that can do justice to the color and magnitude of this hostile, hardy sliver of earth.

Pictured here are the remains from a 60's movie set....The Professionals, starring Burt Lancaster.
Also filmed in this Mars-like area:  Airwolf, Total Recall, Star Trek Generations...where Captain Kirk died, and Transformers where autobots are driving in the valley with military vehicles during a sunset.

Petroglyphs galore.  Older than my familiar locals and mucho plentiful.

No, that's not a petroglyph with a blue t-shirt on, that's my client and pal, RJ from South Carolina. 

Eye candy, Neapolitan ice-cream sandstone, ancient playgrounds, all beyond visual stimulation.

And did you know that 80-90 years ago a major dirt road thoroughfare highway from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles went through the Valley of Fire with a high speed of 25mph?  True story.  You can walk along the original road still strewn with camping equipment, pieces of antique cars and even tin cans left over from dinner in the rocks.  Blows my mind.

Slots, hoodoos, vistas, blue skies, staggering expanse, hiking and more colors than you can count.  What took me so long to come here?
I can guarantee it won't be long until I return.

My Cup Runneth Over

More like delugeth over.

I have much to be grateful for.

Plenty of sunshine along the way of my daily hikes.

Nieces that I get to play Aunt to, feed candy to, and snuggle with during a pre-Easter Spring Break.

New friends that soon become old friends on the trails.

Seeing God's hand in creation witnessed to me in the largest butterfly I've seen in my life in secluded slot canyon.

Feeling peace when asked to "take a leap of faith" and accept a new calling to work with the Young Women.  Once again, boarding the crazy train of schedules and the lives of 20 or so, beautiful young ladies.

Hanging on to promises of "All is Well" and counting my many blessings this Easter.  Humbled by the daily breath I'm granted and the temporal needs that are miraculously met each and every day.

Happy Resurrection Day, to my Savior, even Jesus Christ.  Because of Him and and His great mercy, my cup, undeservedly, runneth over.