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This weekends trip we had talked about for a few months on what we were going to do. We were originally going to go hike the Zion Narrows, but we couldn’t wait that long and did that earlier in July. Down to the wire we kept changing out minds on what do go do, but we finally decided to go to Escalante and start at Calf Creek. We got there late Friday night after Markai got off work and driving just over 4 hours through the winding roads up and over mountains and through the desert. If you have never been on HWY 12 from Escalante to Boulder I recommend doing it. Just don’t drive to fast or you will fly off either side of the road on the Hogs Back and fall to your death. We got there a little after dark and found the campground was FULL! I sort of expected that so I had plans for a place to stay off the beaten path if this was the case. We slept in the car, since my car is awesome and fits us both with pleanty of room, and when the morning came so did a sweet sunrise. In Calf Creek you don’t get to see sunrises like we did cause your in a canyon, so this made it nice for us. We packed up after taking some pictures and went back to Calf Creek right in time for someone else to pack there camp so we had a place to set up there! After we set up then we hiked to Lower Calf Creek Falls. It was in the 80′s and this round trip 5.6 mile was worth the hot hot sun baking down on you. At the Falls the water was COLD, you really wanted to swim but it was unbearable. The breeze and mist that came from it was excellent. Wish I had a lawnchair to lay there and take a nap all day. The hike back seemed even hotter, and Markai I thought was going to pass out. We climbed in the creek to cool off, it felt so good!

The next morning we packed camp and went to hike Escalante Natural Bridge, it is about 4 mile round trip through the sand and crossing the Escalante River a few times. We only passed 2 peolpe on this hike, so it made it even better. This bridge is in a grotto area with lots of green plants and trees. I would love to see it in the rain with the water falls that would fall in this area. This hiked I finally got to test out the video on my new Canon Rebel T1i it works pretty well and can’t wait to test it more down the road. After this hike we decided to head to Tropic Resivoir, a place we have never been. It is located just West of Brcye Canyon, and after we got there we decided that it is a place for 4 wheelers and didn’t know what we were going to do the rest of the day if we stayed here. So we decided to head toward Cedar City to hike Kanarraville Canyon again the next morning. The closer we got the more smoke was in the air, there was a huge wildfire across the valley so we decided no to camp around that area and we continued south to Zion! We camped in the park at the South Campground, we love this area cause it is just a short walk to the shuttles durning the busy season, but you don’t feel crammed like other areas I have been too. We rode the shuttle in and walked around a bit chasing some deer and getting some sunset pictures before it was dark and we had to finally call it a day. That was a long day!

The next morning we weren’t sure if we should hike the Narrows or go back to Kanarraville……. we love both spots! We did pick Kanarraville and pack our gear and headed out. This was our last day before back to work. We started the trail about 9am and we were the only car there. After hiking up a bit I saw some tracks going in and out of the water so I knew we weren’t alone. Finally we came across to people heading up too, they were taking a break not knowing the cool stuff was just up 100 yards. Once I let them know they were right on our tails. Once we got to the first climb up the log I didn’t think they would go further then this, it was a little bit of a shakey climb, steps missing broke screws sticking out, potential for some serious injuries! Did that stop us, no way! We made it up to the same place as last month. The water level was lower this time but still made for some sweet pictures and video! Once we headed back down the guy of the 2 person group made it up the climb and was heading to the last fall. We came across the lady below the climb waiting for him to finish is shots, but it is so awesome up there she might wait all day for him! After talking to her a little we found out they came all the way from Germany to hike this and Zion. I thought that was cool that we had this canyon all to ourselves and the only other people here came from Germany. We made it back to the car and drove that last couple hours home so we could go through all the pictures. I was a great birthday weekend! Now to wait for the next trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons!

The summer is coming to an end soon, but that just means it is time for my favorite time of the year, FALL! That means a few more trips are on the way soon. We are heading up to Idaho this weekend, but more to visit our new Niece, and of course the rest of my brothers family. But then the following weekend it is Markai’s Birthday weekend trip. We have change the plans a few times on where to go, but I think we have settled on going to Escalante. Planned to stay there earlier this year 2 different times but the weather was cold so now it is time to just get there. Then the end of next month we are planning to go up north to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for Fall Colors. We thought about doing something new but just couldn’t stand missing the bright leaves up there. Last years trip to the Tetons was so good that I hope it is as good or better! However before we go it is time to try and get some new gear! Sold one of my cameras so I can buy a new one. My Rebel XT is now in my Brother-in-laws hands and I will be picking up the new Rebel T1i. It is 15 megapixel and shoots HD video. Now I can get rid of my video camera and just pack one around on some of these trips. 2 if you count my 20d.
Now just to order it and start shooting!