C'est La Vie: Grand Canyon, Zion, and Denver Fun

Hello! After a long 10 hour journey, Darren and I made it to Denver yesterday evening. We're here visiting his friends from high school. We had a delicious dinner last night--turkey burgers, corn on the cob, and banana chocolate chip bread. YUM! Thanks Tessa, Tony, and Tyler! And a BIG THANK YOU to Brian for having us!

Before Denver, we were in the Grand Canyon for 2 days and in Zion National Park for 1 day...both had temperatures topping 107 degrees. Not my kinda weather for sure. Broke out in the typical heat rash and got a little sunburnt, but we're trying our best to stay cool!

The Grand Canyon was unlike any place we've seen so far. It's huge first of all!!! The views go on for miles upon miles. Darren and I camped just 45 minutes outside of the park at Jacob Lake campground. We spent the whole day in the park on Saturday. We hiked about 7 miles into the canyon from the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail. The whole trail runs to the Colorado River, but we didn't make it that far. It was the hardest hike I've ever done (harder than Mt Washington). The terrain was pure sand, which makes going uphill a harder challenge. The temperature was easily 107 and damn did it feel like it! I was so happy when we finished the hike. Fighting heat exhaustion was our focus over the beautiful views from the hike. Advice: don't do a strenuous hike in that kinda weather without 3 liters of water per person. Luckily, we had enough water and snacks!

After the hike, we went to the visiters center and took pictures from the North Rim. Then we enjoyed showers at the North Rim Campground. We were glad to get all the sand and sweat off from the hike.

On Sunday we drove 2 hours to Zion National Park. We camped in South Campground. Thank goodness we got there at 8 AM because they didn't have any vacancy shortly after we claimed a campsite. We set up camp, packed up our day pack, and took the free shuttle around the park. They use a free but mandatory shuttle throughout the park to cut down on car fumes and traffic--love it! Darren and I enjoyed the breeze from the bus (another 107 degree day) as we listened to a voice recording on the bus speakers of the history and info of the park. We got off at a few stops to explore along the way and did 2 hikes. We hiked a short distance to Weeping Rock, and we did a longer 3ish mile hike on the Emerald Pools Trail. It was beautiful to see the water literally weeping from the rock faces. The dripping water from above formed pools and waterfalls below. It was refreshing to step into the pools with our shoes after the hot hike.

After the hikes, we took the shuttle back to our campground and changed into our bathing suits. Then, we walked a short distance to the Virgin Rivers that runs behind the campground. We waded and swam in the river all afternoon in the evening. It was nice to cool off from the heat. Thank goodness for all these water features!

Now we are in Denver! Darren thinks the city reminds him of Chicago--with the wide sidewalks and clean streets. It's a neat place. Brian is trying to convince us to move here. We're not opposed! haha

We are headed to St. Louis tomorrow morning and spending the night. Then we will probably spend Wednesday night in Nashville and wake up early on Thursday morning to get our car in line at BONNAROO! It's almost here! WOOHOO! :)