The Pineapple Diaries: Zions

Hans has an annual work trip for "play!" This year, a lot of the guys couldn't go, so I got invited a long with our neighbors the Astles and Hans' sister Holly and her daughter Emma. The rest of the gang included Kevin (our guide), Mark (a four time olympic wrestler), Dave (a videographer) Bjorn and Kristin (funnest couple around) and Ryan (a rec therapist ).

So the trip is a canyoneering trip in southern Utah.... Zions National Park to be specific. The first day I missed because of a Peterson family reunion, which I loved, but the second day was.....

The SUBWAY!

Remember my summer of "Utah firsts?"

1. Float in the Great Salt Lake

2. Hike in Zions

Up next

3. Hike Squaw Peak

4. Hike Timp!

Anyway........

Here we are with Dirk and Suzette Astle on the beginning of our descent.

Amazing views everywhere you look.

My favorite color combination.... red rock and blue sky!

Once we got down into the canyon

(it was about a 3 mile hike down with a very steep bit at the end - right as we hit the steep part, we came upon a group of 14 that were being kicked out because they only had a pass for 12....they were scouts and 4 leaders....the rangers were dang serious and weren't giving in one bit, it was sad),

we started hitting the water.... little ponds here and there (with tons of tadpoles), then it was the "bowling alley!" A full swim, in super cold water!

Here is Suzette halfway through....isn't she beautiful & so brave!

I just couldn't believe all the trees growing straight out of the rock... it was amazing!

A little repel after lunch down to a waterfall.

And of course Hans wanted to get frisky in the frigid water.

This picture and the next 3 are great to show you why it is called the subway.... looks just like a subway tunnel.

Walking down this never ending staircase of waterfalls was awesome! I loved just tromping through the river!

Kristin and Bjorn

Emma and Holly

Suzette and Dirk

Day two was just outside of Zion's in a canyon called Birch Hollow. It was much shorter, but had 13 repels..... I've never repelled with a harness and helmet, I was very nervous, but pretended to be brave...fake it 'til you make it!

In our gear after our first repel...it was a cliff with a "swing," where we had to just swing for a while until we hit a ledge down 20 feet or so... tough girls for our first time! Our legs were shaking at the bottom!

Yes that is me, and yes that is crazy high! 100 feet!

But I made it! No problem!

Here I am belaying Suzette.... At the top you would call to the person below and say, "on belay," they would respond "belay on," then the person on the top would say, "repelling," they would respond "repel on." And if you were lucky enough to have Bjorn with you, you would say, "on Rock," and Bjorn would say, "ROCK ON!"

So many crazy caverns and canyons, things I would have never seen.... simply breath taking....but really I was just holding my breath most of the time.... the nerves never eased.