Just Around the River Bend

When Julie Anne asked me if I wanted to go camping I was more than a little hesitant. The last time I camped I was a senior in high school. When she asked me if I wanted to go camping and hike up a river I said yes for some reason. I know why. It was because I love adventures, and the ones including water always win. So, on the day we would be leaving I was pacing my apartment and feeling really anxious about the adventure I was about to embark on. When we finally got there and set up our tent we decided to go on a short hike. Guys! The lizards... They are massive. More than one I froze because one was right in front of me. Julie Anne had to go ahead and get them to move. On our hike, we ended up getting in the river and ultimately having a mud fight. When we got back to camp I am pretty sure I had more sand in my shoes and clothes than there was in the river. When I dried off and wiped some of the sand off of me I fell asleep on the picnic table bench.  Julie Anne had to wake me up to go to bed. It was nice and cool in our tent. It felt so good. I will say that with the drunk guys in the camping site next to us I did not get much sleep, but it was still a good night. Now, if you want to hike the Narrows let me tell you that you have to scale boulders, climb over fallen trees, slip on rocks in the river, go against the current most of the time, go through waist deep mud pools, and your muscles are so sore by the end. Let me also tell you it is beautiful. At the very end, there is a waterfall and with all of the ginormous butterflies it is almost like you are in a different world. There are also little springs along the way, when you climb the big rocks they are nice places to take a water or snack break, and you don't really get too hot because you're in water the whole time. I loved our trip even though my leg didn't quite clear a fallen tree and a scratch turned into a giant bruise. What is an adventure without a battle scar? I fought long and hard for my bruise. The hike up the river is 10 miles round trip not including the one mile hike there and the one mile hike back. I am thankful to be back and clean, but I really did have fun. Going to Zion National Park was on my Utah summer bucket list. I did not get to it last summer, but I can check it off now!