Crimson Trail

We first heard about this hike from General Conference, April 2011 when one of the Seventy, Paul V. Johnson said:

 

"The Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon is one of my favorite hikes. The main part of the trail creeps along the top of tall limestone cliffs and offers beautiful vistas of the canyon and valley below. Getting to the top of the cliffs isn't easy, however. The trail there is a constant climb; and just before reaching the top, the climber encounters the steepest part of the trail; and views of the canyon are hidden by the cliffs themselves. The final exertion is more than worth the effort because once the climber is on top, the views are breathtaking. The only way to see the views is to make the climb."

 

The trail was especially hard for me. I've been on a ton of medicine the last year, and the last 3 months I've been on Accutane. It makes my muscles and joints hurt to the point where even sitting begins to hurt. I haven't been able to be active (hence the weight gain) but I really, really wanted to do this hike. There are two ways to get up to the top: take the side that goes straight up or do the gradual climb side. We chose the straight up side. We had been hiking for a little while and getting nearer to the top but every step was becoming so hard for me. I kept asking Jeff if we really were near the top. He would say yes, but before we get to the top it actually gets harder. There came a point in the hike that I thought if this really isn't right here then I'll go back down by myself and wait for them. My body was exhausted, it was beginning to hurt to walk and put pressure on my feet. 

 

And then, one more climb up and we were there. It was amazing. It was breath taking. IT was worth it. On our way back down the easy side of the mountain, I just kept thinking that the hike was a metaphor for life's trials. Before anything becomes easy, it gets really hard. But in the end, it's definitely worth it.

So, if you're ever up for a hike that will push your limits, then this is the one I will always recommend.

 

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend

Something our family tries to do every year is go up to Virginia City Montana. It's an old ghost town which is more recently like a touristy place. It's still fun though! We go up and ride horses, eat ice cream, go to the candy shoppe, walk up and down the board walk. It's just a lot of fun! We went again this year and it was just as great as I remember! Mom and Sarah couldn't go so we invited one of my really good friends Liz Jackson. I've known her for 10 years! We met at EFY when we were 14. Fun, huh? So here are the photos from this weekend! Enjoy!

My family is super duper cool and that's all you need to know.

The Trip from Down Undah and More

I know I've been home almost a month from the greatest vacation ever. And every time I see someone they ask me about it. My usual answer is, it was fun. Probably not the answer anyone is looking for. They're probably looking for something more in depth, but doesn't take 30 minutes to explain. So, for those of you who follow my blog, here is my trip in 12 pictures. :)

1. Billabong Koala Zoo.

2. Me petting a koala.

3. Sydney Opera House picture (sadly it was closed).

4. Baldwin Street in Dunedin, NZ. The steepest street in the world. We drove the car up and down it.

5. Beautiful NZ country side. If you look hard enough you'll see sheep.

6. And I had to get my picture with a red telephone booth because I'm a  tourist.

7. Lanarch's Castle in Dunedine, NZ.

8. (a duplicate of a picture in the previous collage). 

9. We went on a tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory!

10. Cadbury!

11. Went to the Skytower with these ladies.

12. At the over look of Auckland called One Tree Hill.

And there we have it. My vacation Down Undah.