Counting down and keeping busy has been the theme of these last few weeks before I head out to my next park. With a new schedule at work, it keeps things exciting and busy. I’ve been giving a program almost every day which is how I prefer it… we’re down to just evening programs and 20-minute patio talks but I am loving it all the same. I really enjoy giving the longer programs such as my EP (evening program) because 40 minutes plus time beforehand truly gives me an opportunity to build a rapport with my audience. And recently, I got the best compliment of all, “It’s clear how much you love your job and enjoy what you do.” Some days are hard, but overall, I really do love the work I do!

Recently, it was Michael’s turn to have a visitor! His friend Erin from scouting came all the way from North Carolina to come see us in Zion! Even though we had work, we made the most of fitting quality time in by driving the Kolob Terrace Road, hiking to Scout Lookout (Erin went on to do Angels Landing) and sitting around chatting it up. It was so fun to host her and get to know her, thanks for coming!

Erin’s visit was a short whirlwind, and after Michael and I set out for our biggest adventure of the summer, hiking Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon. A two day, one night stay, and a wonderful way to close a rough chapter and have a second chance. We camped at the North Rim the night before our adventure, and set off from the North Kaibab trailhead around 10am!

Honestly, the hike down was longer than we expected time wise, and it demanded a lot of physical and mental endurance from us, but we made it to Phantom Ranch around 8:15pm, got our lemonades and postcards, and set up camp for the night.

Phantom Ranch is a unique setup because there are about 10 cabins down there, a large campground and a canteen store with refreshments and souvenirs. You can buy a T-Shirt there that is only sold at the bottom of the canyon, and best of all you can send postcards from the bottom. Everything is carried in by mule once a day and carried out, even the postcards, and they are stamped with this neat mailed by mule emblem! We got to send out about 10 postcards to family and friends and have started to hear back on how excited they were to get a card this way!

Day 2 we got up feeling refreshed and ready to embark on our long journey uphill. 9 miles and 4,800 feet of elevation change. Quite a climb, but we readied our packs and set off. Of course, we had to stop at the iconic black suspension bridge and take photos with the ranger station on our way up.

We made it to the top around 8:30pm. It was a long day, and easily the most mentally, physically and emotionally demanding experience I have ever had, but I am so proud of us. When I started at Grand Canyon, I did the Southern Loop (South Kaibab to Bright Angel), and after I broke my foot there, I have a lot of good and tough memories of my time. So being able to come back, do Rim2Rim with my guy and close that chapter was incredible. Once we reached the top, I broke down crying, just in awe of what we did.

After an eventful weekend, I needed to spend some time decompressing, so I had a pretty chill 3-day weekend. I explored some of the popular social trails on the East side of the park including Many Pools, and a small slot canyon.

We also went to Snow Canyon State Park and did a toasty 3-mile popular loop hike with lava tubes, petrified sand dunes and slickrock.

The final day of my weekend, I tried to cross one more thing off my bucket list, biking from the top of the Scenic Drive (Temple of Sinawava) all the way home. About an 8-mile ride and mostly downhill. Unfortunately, I made it about halfway before I got a flat tire, but luckily, I was by another bus stop and hitched a ride most of the way home. I got a new tube and guess I’ll have to try again another weekend!

As my time here comes quickly to a close, with only 2 weeks left. I am trying to soak in the moments, and slow down. I saw so many great things, went to many places this summer, and now its time to just relax and prepare for the next journey. Until then, Ranger On!