I can't believe that it is already this far into summer.
I have been so hesitant to admit it, but Utah has really grown on me.
I've realized it really is a lovely place to live.
It is absolutely beautiful...No words can describe it.
There are a lot of places here and things to do, that really absolutely nowhere else can compare to.
I got to cross off some things off of my Utah Bucket List.
Zion's National Park - check. And I have to mention that I did the most amazing, most coveted hike there is to do there- The Subway. A 9.5 mile intense hike that was worth every single second.
(Let's just note I am the most out of shape person out there - Adrenaline is one hell of a natural drug.)
Honestly, I cannot even describe the beauty. Pictures cannot even justify it. I was in awe the entire time.
That's me in blue, and Emily hoisting herself down..For a good laugh, picture me doing what Emily is doing and dropping into a waterfall behind that rock. Scary but hilarious.
I was also giddy like a little kid the entire hike- I forgot how much I enjoy adventures like scrambling down rocks, jumping around, repelling and just being fearless. It was such a liberating feeling.
We did barely miss a flash flood, and it poured during the best parts of the hike. By rain, I mean cold rain. My lips turned blue. I was delirious to the point that when repelling down a steep rock, I smiled and waved and could care less that I was walking basically horizontal downwards. But, not many people could say they hiked through pouring rain in the Subway. What a brave crew we were.
I received some freaking awesome battle wounds, almost hit my head behind a waterfall, and swam through probably less than 60 degree streams.
And, I had an amazing group of people to do it with. It was the best group ever. So diverse and so positive and excited.
I loved every single minute of it. Maybe I could have done without the switchback at the end of the hike, but it was totally worth it. Just think Stairmaster times a million and me almost crying...Because I've never been on a Stairmaster. I crack myself up.
Floating the Weber River - Check.
Sadly, I do not have a personal photo or a friend's photo of it, but picture my friends and I floating on a 'lazy river' on one of those white tubes. It is so relaxing, but at the same time we have had so many laughs and such a great time. Imagine floating down a river with not a care in the world and some beautiful surroundings. Honestly, East Coast wise there is nothing I can compare it to besides a lame water park with a lazy river. Except this is nature. Again, I can't even describe.
Hiking in general - Check.
The first hike I went on this summer was a little bit discouraging. I went with some lovely people who are also in shape. I'm not. Especially with uphill nonsense. But I did it; I didn't give up.
Last Wednesday I decided to venture on my own, on a hike called City Creek right near the Capitol building. It's easy until you go uphill. A few days before, I had gone with someone and we had to turn back due to weather. I decided to go back myself on the Wednesday I had off. I didn't believe in myself - I had it in my mind that I would get to the hard part and give up...But I didn't (I think it being overcast was helpful). But I seriously did it! I made it to the top, through knee-high brush and with some crappy sneakers. Oh my, did it feel good.
Did I mention I bought my own hiking backpack? Seriously, what a triumph.
Last - Fun in general - Check.
People come into your life for a reason - The people that I have spent this summer with have been absolutely amazing. There is no other way to describe them. They have all shown me Utah in a way I have never seen it before, along with showing me that there are actually some great people here. I have loved every minute of this summer. Thank you all for that.
On Saturday, we went to a block party. A block party that had a drum bus!! The drum bus is basically a school bus with about 20 different bongo drums. You sit there and pretend you are a pro-drummer and start some beats with everyone around you. Whoever thought of this idea was a genius. We all had a blast on a lovely July Saturday night.
P.S. Those amazing Subway pictures were by none other than Carl Heath - Future famous photographer. Thanks Carl!!!!
