every-single-day

We're Back!

My Man and I just got back from vacation. We hiked, read, relaxed, ate and enjoyed ourselves tremendously! We visited Arches, Canyonlands, the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion and Kolob Canyons (which is two different sections of one park). Collectively we hiked about 40 miles and that includes cumulative elevations of more than 4600 feet.
We hiked to Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.
We felt really accomplished to have done most of the trail to Roaring Springs on the North Kaibab Trail. Considering the elevation and our inexperience in this type of hiking, I think we did fabulously. We have decided our next trip will include a stay at the Phantom Ranch, which means that we will be hiking all the way down and back up again, a round trip of 28+ miles.
At Zion National Park we hiked the Angels Landing Trail. Because of my fear of heights I stopped at Scouts Landing, my Man went all the way up to Angels Landing. I am sorry I missed the experience but glad I listened to myself at the same time. The view from Scouts Landing
was so fantastic, that I didn't feel I had gypped myself too badly.
We saw lots of wildlife, lizards, turkeys, chipmunks, deer, bats and squirrels. It is a shame that they have been made so tame by being fed human foods!

Here is my journal entry from this last week, it's not quite finished- needs a few small tweeks. I am really not much for writing in my journal. I tried to say as much as possible without using too many words. I am happy with it, it was fun to do and very engaging too!
Because I had drawn so many plants, I utilized the nature centers at the different parks and spoke with many rangers. It was fun to meet and talk with them and it made me realize that it would be a good idea to learn something of plant classification and what the latin names refer to. If anyone knows an approachable beginners reference on this topic, please pass the info along!