Simon and I were married on a Thursday in Costa Rica and I was back to work on Monday....needless to say, we did not have a "real" honeymoon.
Here is how I spent the day after the wedding:
Yes, it was FREEZING.
Yes, my horse was NO WHERE near, "moving quickly", he actually spent a lot of the time standing still.
Yes, I was miserable (even though other people were having "a blast!")
Simon had Fall Break Oct 11-15 from law school which nicely coincided with time off the doc I work with was taking as well as our 3 month anniversary (Oct. 15) so we packed up A LOT of gear and headed to Zion National Park.
Hike of The Narrows at the Temple of Sinawava
Day One: "Cave Climb" 5.7, there were not many "moderate" climbs in the park. It's the #2 Big Wall climbing park in the US behind Yosemite. Simon had to hike up to a cave, set up our rope, then roll out of the cave and repel with the bag of gear on his back.....glad he was willing and able, there would have been NO chance that I would have done it!
Surprisingly, we both had enough energy to go on a hike after. It was beautiful and interesting. Weeping Rock then Hidden Canyon. The rock in Zion is sandstone, similar to Sedona for those who have been there. The rock is very porous so it soaks up any water. Then there is a layer of slate-like rock which is very hard. That means that water hits that layer then literally get "pushed" out of the rock. Per the information we heard while riding the shuttle, they have tested water coming out of the rock and can date it back 400 years!!!! Crazy! The Hidden Canyon hike could have been even better if we had started earlier and had warmer clothes with us. I just have pictures from the high point of the hike. That white rectangle in the last picture is the shuttle on the road waaaaaaay below!
Day Two: Keyhole Canyon Canyoneering trip. We had to obtain a "back country permit", wear wet suits (for the 50 degree water), have a "dry bag" (waterproof for our gear since there was a 100' narrow swim and multiple pools of very deep water), a waterproof map and permit bag, harnesses with a repelling device and a canyoneering rope (for the 20+ foot repels).........
Yes, it was my first time canyoneering.
Yes, I HATE cold water.
Yes, I HATE my hands being wet for long periods of time.
Yes, I was EXTREMELY nervous!
It was actually SUPER, SUPER FUN!!!! And hopefully we can do some trips in AZ. Some of the pictures did not turn out very well but it was difficult to get good shots not having a waterproof camera, but THANKS Simon for taking the time to document the adventure for me!!
Day Three (our 3 month Anniversary): Angel's Landing hike. This description is much better than I could do:
"The Angels Landing Trail is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in the national park system. Zion's pride and joy runs along a narrow rock fin with dizzying drop-offs on both sides. The trail culminates at a lofty perch, boasting magnificent views in every direction. Rarely is such an intimidating path so frequented by hikers. One would think that this narrow ridge with deep chasms on each of its flanks would allure only the most intrepid of hikers. Climbers scale its big wall; hikers pull themselves up by chains and sightseers stand in awe at its stunning nobility. The towering monolith is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Southwest."
Elevation Gain : Long steady climb. 1488'
Peak: 5785'
Here we go!!!
It was definitely a FANTASTIC and very memorable trip. A " Belated Honeymoon-ish" trip that was PERFECT for us!
