Day 7 - Grand Canyon

I made it! Waking up to a gorgeous sunrise and mild (not cold) morning, my day was off to a good start. I packed up and hit the road for the 3 hour drive to Grand Canyon, and with the time zone change, I ended up there by 9am! It was already packed. I knew that it'd be a big tourist spot, but oh my gosh the people were everywhere. That, not heights, was my biggest struggle at this spot. I got my first glimpse of the canyon immediately I thought they should call this place the "Big F***ing Canyon" because "Grand" doesn't do it justice. WOW!

Big F-ing Canyon! 

No photos can capture the magnitude of just how gorgeous and awesome the views were. I sat on the edge of the canyon in a few hidden away spots just to get away from the crowds... of course, when people see a person sitting on the edge of a canyon, they wander over to check out the view (as if there are no other view points). That happened a few times, so I gathered my stuff and moved on each time. 

Just sitting on the edge enjoying the view!

Notice I did back a few feet away from the edge for this...

I couldn't believe how not fearful I was as I approached the edge time and again for another view... until I had someone take my picture sitting farther out on an open ledge (not surrounded by trees like many others). That was a bit frightening! Aside from that, I did my goofy attempt at yoga pose photos, climbed on a tree, and enjoyed the view from as many points as  possible! It was incredibly windy, which was a bit unsettling when standing close to the edge.

Quiet spot, until other tourists found me.

Hanging on a tree atop a canyon...no biggie.

Because I got there so early and was able to walk the rim and see all I wanted, including a drive through Grand Canyon Village, by early afternoon, I decided to forego camping the night there. The forecast also called for freezing temperatures in addition to the wind, and I already learned that I don't thrive in that! I hit the road with no phone signal, just a good old fashioned map... and I ended up only half an hour outside Vegas by the Hoover Dam! I also got to drive into a gorgeous sunset over the mountains that spread out as far as the eye could see. I honestly didn't realize northern Arizona and southern Nevada had SO MANY mountains... and frightening mountain roads. 

I can't believe I stood out on the top of the ledge on the right of this photo

Day 6 - Monument Valley

Monument Valley!

Capitol Reef to Monument Valley was an incredible drive! It took nearly 3 hours but I felt like I was driving through a different planet’s landscape. It was all great until the road turned to dirt and rock as it became a mountain road, tight corners around the giant cliffs, pinhole turns with a steep decline (better than incline though), and a speed limit of 20 mph or less… not sure because I was going about 12 mph!

A view of Lake Powell along the drive

Monument Valley is beautiful. Even though I took a ton, pictures cannot do justice to the picturesque landscape. I got the first open tent spot, higher up towards the parking and with a fuller view of the picturesque valley below.

Monument Valley...wow.

Not the worst place to set up camp!

 My hike through the sandy terrain was exactly what I've wanted… desert wandering with a view! It was like walking into a scenic backdrop with every step.

Perfect day for a sandy hike in the desert.

I had to empty out my shoes a few times.

I finally cooked my first hot camp side meal and watched a beautiful sunset from some rocks that made a perfect spot to sit (and earlier a perfect counter for cooking). The sunset was perfect, and because I was finally at a lower elevation, the temperatures at night weren't too bad. It was the best night of camping, and I awoke on day 7 to a perfect sunrise. Off to the Grand Canyon.

Eating dinner by my tent watching this sunset begin

Sunset over Monument Valley

The sunrise I woke up to on Day 7... beautiful.

Day 5 - Capitol Reef

It felt great to get sleep in a real bed last night! I needed the energy for the 5 hours of hiking I managed to get in today. Capitol Reef was gorgeous, but I learned today how poorly marked some trails can be. I encountered another fear of heights situation today, but it also happened to be on a "strenuous" trail... quite the combo: steep climbs with narrow passages overlooking deep drops. Clearly, I didn't finish that trail. The views I got were amazing, regardless. The altitude was also a challenge... climbing at 6000 feet is rough on the lungs.

This is the face of fear...right before I turned around on this trail.

Hiding from other hikers, of course.

The next trails were easier, but not as well marked... which led me 45 minutes down the wrong trail before I realized I'd basically climbed a mountain when expecting to be hiking in a canyon. Again, great views, but not exactly what I was after.

Don't forget to stretch... even if you're on the wrong trail.

I could have spent all day playing around in here, once I found it!

I turned around and got my canyon hike in, and I still had enough time to hike out to the natural bridge... another poorly marked trail which led me to shout (and echo under the rock bridge), "where is the f**king trail?" I found it... a stack of rocks, as usual, was marking the trail. The only problem is that literally everything around me at this point was a stack of rocks. Minor setback, but I got back to my car before sunset began and the temperatures started dropping. 

And... another good, way too high view!

Made it just in time to hike out to the natural bridge and back before it got too cold.

Speaking of sunset, my half hour drive through the middle of nothing (I cannot describe Utah in any other way... beautiful nothing) involved a gorgeous sunset over the mountains of rock and nothingness. 

Seriously... crazy terrain out here.

And what trip is complete without staying at a roadside motel in a town that consists of the motel, a steakhouse, a gas station, and a campground... I figured I'd either get a good story out of this or end up in the middle of a horror movie. It's bedtime and I'm not freaked out yet, so I'm going to go with the good story route. I walked back to my motel from dinner across the street to the sounds of live music being played in the shack on the motel property... walking under the stars in a small Western town to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun" wasn't on my bucket list, but it should have been.

Day 4 - Escalante

Around 4am, after tossing and turning and not feeling warm enough to sleep as the wind blew violently outside my tent, I layered back up and ran to the car w/ my sleeping bag. I spent the rest of the night at Bryce Canyon snuggled in the backseat of a cold car, but at least the wind wasn't as bad. By 6am, I turned the car on and saw the temperature at 25 degrees! Yeah, not my thing... I went into town to kill time before hitting the road to Escalante. Another gorgeous early morning drive!

I stopped at a Western-themed diner for a solid breakfast and hot coffee - much needed! My legit real meal since setting out on this trip, unless you consider my "banana almond butter taco" legit - almond butter slathered on a tortilla wrapped around a banana. (Don't worry, Mom, I did eat more substantial food items too.) To keep the western theme going, I'm staying in a place called the Cowboy Country Inn tonight... and it's exactly like I expected! The best part... a hot shower and comfy bed! 

Off-roading in my rental Rav4

Aside from discovering my fancy lodging for the night, I also discovered a random trail off the beaten path. I was looking for slot canyons, and that's what I found.. sort of. Because the trail wasn't well marked and I was alone with no phone service at all, I only hiked about 45 minutes in and then came back out. I still enjoyed the hike and the views... I needed an easy day, though, because my body is tired!

I think this is the trail... ?

And this is what I found!

I wore so many layers today while goofing off in the wilderness.

Day 3 - Bryce Canyon

Temperatures dropped over night, and I woke up kind of chilly in my teepee. Luckily I didn't have to break down a tent as I set out for Bryce Canyon before dawn. The drive was absolutely gorgeous as I watched the sunrise over the canyon walls... as the sun came up, the dark wall of canyons began to take shape and the darkness turned into the varied orange colors again. 

Early morning on the road

I opted for a scenic route (instead of highway) since it wasn't a long drive. That route took me through Cedar City and Dixie National Forest... the tall pines lined the road and other trees were showing off fall colors, glowing a golden yellow in the early morning sun. In addition to the beauty were curvy mountain roads that scared the crap out of me, particularly with the "icy road" signs everywhere!

Just climbing on a tree at the edge of a canyon...b/c that made sense.

Bryce Canyon

Hiking on a very warm day (that would turn very cold at night)

I survived and made it to Bryce Canyon, secured a campsite, and set out for some hikes. It was absolutely breathtaking. Photos and words can't do justice to the experience. I got in a good 3-4 hour hike and then took the scenic drive up to the view points along the canyon. While the hike presented no "fear of heights" moments, the drive was another story. 

Twice in one day, I found myself gripping the wheel with sweaty palms, stiff-necked, and driving as slowly as possible... freaking out if any other vehicles came up behind me! As I neared the top, I tried to talk sense into myself. Suddenly, I was at the top as I slowly edged toward the lookout points... it was worth it! I managed to hit all the view points on the way down, peering over the edge like a normal person only to get nervous in the car again around every corner.

Facing fear at the top (notice I'm not facing the edge yet)

Worth it for this view!

 The temperature kept dropping.. more than expected. By 8pm, I was sitting in my car with the heat running because I didn't have fire wood and it was dropping into the upper 30s. The forecast called for a low of 35, so I was prepared for it, just not looking forward to it.

A cold sunset over the canyon.

Day 2 - Zion (part 2)

I got up at 4:30am to try to secure a campsite in Zion for the day. I was at the building by 6am with only one other person in line... a fellow triathlete and runner, so we spent the next hour chatting while we waited. He was in line for a permit to hike in and camp, and I thought I was in line for a campsite... as it turns out, I was in the wrong place and didn't get a site again. I ended up back at the same place as the night before... but this time in a huge teepee b/c that was all they had left!

Some of the steeper, narrow trails definitely freaked me out at times.

Day 2 of hiking allowed me to see a lot more of Zion, although there were some snags in the plan again. My crippling fear of heights and anxiety in crowds had me pinned to a corner mid-hike (Emerald Pools and the Grotto combined trails). I found myself sitting on a rock shelf in a corner for half an hour waiting to pass on a portion of trail… people just standing there, plus a steep ledge. Bad combo, but after having turned back on two trails the day before, I refused to let this stop me from completing a trail (as it turned out, I was doing a trail in reverse that I'd attempted the day before and given up on).

Determined to conquer the fear of heights!

So pretty!

Although the day got off to a rough start, it turned out quite well. It is a busy weekend in Zion apparently… there is a marathon this weekend, fall break locally, and apparently it's Rocktoberfest at the park brewery! I got some good hikes in, actually did an easy trail run for a portion too. After getting cleaned up a bit, I checked out the Rocktoberfest and enjoyed some local beer, eclectic live music, and enjoyed gorgeous weather all day.

It's Rocktoberfest at Zion Brew Pub!

The night ended with a little bit of teepee yoga because when else in life will I get to do yoga in a teepee!?

My teepee!

From Vegas to Day 1 - Zion National Park (Part 1)

I'm not counting Vegas as Day 1 because the legit trip began en route to Zion, Utah. I wasn't sure if I'd post to a blog or what, but it's been a few days, and I've taken some amazing photos and had quite an experience that I just want to share (plus, it'll be easier than telling the same stories over and over when I return). So now, I'll share what I've experience up until now... day by day. Literally copying/pasting day 1 from what I wrote throughout that day.

About 30 min from landing in Las Vegas, and suddenly I think “what the hell am I doing?” No turning back now, I'm in it. I guess I've been too busy these past few weeks (work, house, injury recovery, etc) to actually stop and think long enough to entertain fearful thoughts. I'm going to be fine, but a week and a half traveling alone in a car, from unfamiliar place to unfamiliar place, is intimidating! I decided to get my night in Vegas and worry about the rest in the morning.

Day 1 has ended. I'm about to spend my first night camping. Today was kind of a rough start…I was winging it a bit and almost ended up at the wrong place, but luckily paid close attention to signs! The drive was gorgeous...even if I did make it last longer than necessary by taking a few extra pit stops.

When I finally got to the area, I was unable to get any campsites in Zion or Springdale just outside the park, so I ended up with a campsite 30 mi outside of Zion and made it into the park by 5pm. In my quick 2 hrs, I hiked what time allowed and realized my fear of heights is a legit issue for this trip! This is going to be a challenge.

I made it to Zion!

View mid-hike!

I survived my first day of hiking!

All in all the first day could've gone worse... at least I got my tent pitched successfully, although it was probably entertaining for nearby campers to watch as I made my first ever attempt with this borrowed tent.

Itinerary for the runaway

Even though I'm likely to have little actual internet access throughout most of my trip, I'm going to plan to write and share about the trip in bits and pieces.

The goal of my 10 days away from chaos is to unplug, but for me unplugging often involves writing. I don't know what to expect or what I'll even write about, and that's kind of the joy of a trip like this. I will be experiencing new and different things in every location. Life has been chaotically leading up to this trip at a crazy pace for months. In just the past month, I've begun work on my house as I prepare to sell it after 6 years, I've started house hunting and packing up all that I own, and I have shifted roles at work after two years in the same role on the same account. It's been quite a ride, and I'm ready to wander away from it all for a bit.


My tentative itinerary is as follows:

• 10/5 Day 1: Fly to Vegas (overnight in Vegas) 
• 10/6 Day 2: Drive Las Vegas to Zion (camp) 
• 10/7 Day 3: Zion National Park (camp)
• 10/8 Day 4: Drive to Bryce Canyon (camp)
• 10/9 Day 5: Drive to/stay in Escalante (overnight in a hotel in town) 
• 10/10 Day 6: Drive to Capitol Reef (camp)
• 10/11 Day 7: Drive to Monument Valley (camp)
• 10/12 Day 8: Monument Valley to Grand Canyon (camp)
• 10/13 Day 9: Grand Canyon to Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
• 10/14 Day 10: Return to Atlanta