Numero Siete!

Dave and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on Sunday.  Not only was this the first time away from Isaac overnight, but for three nights in a row - gasp!   Originally my parents were going to watch Isaac, but because my maternal grandfather passed away a few days prior, Jiri and Miki (Dave's parents) very graciously and generously changed their travel plans and spoiled Isaac with 4 days of love!  We were very grateful. 

The first part of the day Saturday was a bit emotional, because it was spent attending my grandfather's funeral services, then spending another 4 1/2 hours driving down south, with my thoughts ruminating.

Once we were there, however, we had a SPECTACULAR stay in Zion with our friends at Zion Canyon Bed and Breakfast.  I would HIGHLY recommend this B&B.  It may be a little more expensive than a motel/hotel in Springdale (just outside of Zion,) but if you are treating yourself to just 2 or 3 nights for an anniversary or something special, I would say it's worth every penny!  Our friends Hillary and Quin got married there about 6 years ago.  We were lucky enough to be part of their wedding party, and this is the third time we have returned there with them.  It's become somewhat of a tradition, that we hold dear.  Zion has also been a place that we have enjoyed sharing with friends and family who had not yet discovered it's wonders.  Julie and Tim joined us this time (their first time in Zion,) which was awesome!  There was plenty of adventure, nonstop laughter, friendship, delicious food, sore muscles, and beauty.  There are many places that I still hope to one day travel to, but I can say that I have been to a lot of places around the globe.  I can honestly say that southern Utah National Parks (especially Zion) vie for the top spot of favorites (if we are voting on beauty!) I can't wait to return!
In the past, we have always hiked the Narrows as one of our activities while enjoying Zion.  This year, the water was running between 350 and 500 cubic feet per second (compared with about 75-100 at this time of year normally.)  The Virgin River was raging, and because the Narrows is a hike where you must wade through the Virgin river nearly the entire time, the hike was obviously off limits.  At first I was pretty bummed about this. However, it's closure allowed us to discover a hike we'd never done, and I am so psyched!  See photos for explanation!
I know this is a shitload of photos - sorry, it's hard to choose when you are in love with a place!

Best B&B I know! 

The only other non-hiking photo of this post.  Julie, Tim and our special friend "Enis."  There are lots of Eni story to tell, but what happens in Zion...

I hadn't done Angel's Landing before.  Half of our group had, half hadn't.  It was a great hike (and a great workout - lots of vertical hiking/climbing!  AMAZING views.)

Quin, Hill, Dave, me, Julie and Tim...on the first stretch of Angel's Landing.

We were lucky enough to see 4 Mexican Spotted Owls on this hike.  The one here is just a baby.  They were adorable.

Walter's Wiggles section of Angel's Landing.  When we hiked back down, some of us had to hike walking backward on this stretch because it's hard on the knees going forward!

At the top of Angel's Landing!  I felt like this was a personal accomplishment because I'd always been a bit nervous to do it in the past because of the height and hiking on the edges of cliffs.  It's a little sketchy in places, but not as bad as I'd imagined.

This was one of those sketchier parts of the trail.  I am just glad there were chains to hold onto.  I also used a strategy called "not looking down."

Dave and I at the top.  I love this photo because you can see how far up we are by looking down over the cliff behind us.  You can see the road and the Virgin River.  It looks like a trickle from up there, but down below it's a roaring, scary river right now!

Cute Julie and Tim.  While we were down there they got the good news that everything is a "go" on a house they put an offer on.  I also tried to convince Tim that perhaps it was time to  propose to Julie with a nice engagement windmill (Julie saw this awesome windmill garden thing.  It was $2,000.  Who needs an engagment ring when you can get an engagement windmill?  No dice.)

This was our alternative to the Narrows.  We hiked a full day in a lesser hiked/known area of Zion called Left Fork, or the "Subway."  We had to get a permit to hike here, and therefore, there were very few people on this hike.  It was GREAT!  About half of the hike was through a smaller river called North Creek.

There were a lot of wildflowers, cacti, toads, lizards, and other beauty on this hike.

Some beautiful cascades on the trail with some of my very favorite people.

It was a long, strenuous hike to get here, but 100 % worth the sweat.

Lots of random holes in the river rock like this :)

The area of the hike called the "Subway."  It is hard to tell how beautiful it really is through pictures, but the pools were emerald green, with crystal clear, sparkling water. 

Dave and I with Hillary and Quinn.  We love these guys :)

Another view of the Subway.

Dave, finishing taking a dip in one of the many pools...