A World without walls
everyday life while homeschooling overseas
Up high where only Angels should land! :) Angels Landing is the signature hike of Zions National Park. Could be that it's a pretty long strenuous hike; could be that it's infamous because many people have fallen and died on that hike; could be that it's an AMAZING view that gives a great sense of accomplishment; could be that it's NOT a family hike and that gives it more draw... Well, whatever it is, it deserves its fame! This is a hike I've always been curious about. I've heard about it for years and years (usually spoken of with dread or with the information that someone else fell off and died). Quite frankly, it's been one that I've always wanted to try. This year, we got an opportunity!! Devin wanted to do it, too, along with 2 of his brothers in law, Derek and Eric. So, we decided that since we could all stay in the cabin, we'd leave at like 5:30 in the morning and head over to do the hike while everyone was sleeping. We couldn't have timed it better!!! On our way we saw a whole herd of buffalo on the road! We also saw some porcupines and some deer! So fun to see wildlife along the way! There was hardly anyone there that early in the morning as we hopped onto the shuttle to take us to the beginning of our hike. And it was SO lovely and cool! The sun had come up, but it wasn't shining on us yet--it was hitting the very tips of the mountain. It was so fresh and beautiful...and felt like we were the only people in the park! (I have seriously come to love being in the National Parks early in the morning. If you ever get the chance to do it--DO IT!!) The following photo is the same picture...yes...but I added a little red line for your viewing convenience! The red line is the path we took up to Angels Landing! Scary? Yes. Awesome? YES!!! And this was taken after we had already climbed some serious switchbacks and we were pretty high up! The guys kept singing songs while we were hiking, like Derek's rendition of 'The Iron Rod': "Hold to the Chain! The Stainless Steel Chain!" I had that in my head the whole time as I went, white knuckling it, up the mountain, hand over hand on that chain!! The drop off was pretty serious!! I could see how people could fall to their death. And no, no one could survive that fall. On the way down, Eric started singing "Firm as the Mountains Around Us" (Carry On), and that was in my head as I hopped and skipped my way down. For some reason, don't ask me why, going down was MUCH easier than going up, and I've had no problems with any vertigo since. Interesting. (These are hymns in the LDS hymn book, in case anyone was wondering.) We had a great time hiking, and I couldn't have picked better hiking buddies! And, of course, the coveted slide show for your viewing pleasure: Angels Landing in all her glory. I can't believe we were at the top of that amazing mountain! It was an incredible experience! Am I glad I did it? YES!!! Would I do it again? YES!!! Would I recommend it? Absolutely!! But, I do have to say what the park Rangers warn everyone else who inquires about the hike: It is NOT for people afraid of heights!! :) Awesome and inspiring and worth the time. It took us 2 hours to hike up, and one hour to hike down. Good times were had by all!
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Who Am I?
As a Stay At Home Mom of 4 wonderful children, I have the amazing opportunity not only to home school them, but to do so in many different places! I am married to the most amazingly wonderful (and handsome) man in the whole world! Together, we seek out, every day, that Joy in the Journey that makes life exciting! Archives
November 2020
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Emily's books
by Dan Brown
I like that the plot twists and turns a lot...and it makes you think. However, I don't appreciate Dan Brown's endings in his books. I find the endings incongruent with the rest of his stories--why make it a romance for the last chapter...
by Shannon Hale
I loved this book. I'm a sucker for fairy tales/fantasy. This was so well written! I can't wait to read all the rest of her books!
by Shannon Hale
I'm reading this one again. I liked it the first time I read it. I'm still liking it for the second time around. I like all of Shannon Hales' books.
**Still lots of fun the second time around! I do like this book for a comfortable...
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