I'm back!

The boys and I got back pretty late last night from our camping trip and I am absolutely exhausted! It was by far the most physically challenging thing I have done in a really really long time, maybe ever. My old bones aren't what they used to be :D I said in the last post that I thought I would handle the trip copiously and I did... to an extent :) I actually managed to have the heaviest pack of the group, about 45 pounds to start off with. I have no idea how this happened as I could've sworn I packed light! Yesterday on our hike out was the hardest part of it all; it started out with a 1200 ft hike in about a 1 1/2 miles... NOT easy! Then after that we had about an 8 1/2 mile hike to the car from there. The most enjoyable part of the hike for me was the 50 or so river crossings; they were welcomed because it felt so good to be in the water and to get your feet wet (even with the shoes and socks :). We had some great time hanging out at our campsites. Our first night we stayed at the Jordan Hot Springs, literally a few yards from the actual springs. Now I don't have to explain how good it feels to do a 7 mile hike, almost too tired to set up camp and gather wood etc., and then finally dip into a warm spring and soak your wary bones. It was heavenly :)

I really enjoyed the times we had at our camps and just hanging out around the fire. It was a good break from the valley and I am glad I got to do it with some of my good friends.

Do you guys have any suggestions for other great backpacking spots?

I also was missing my wife and baby like CRAZY! Still am as they're in Hawaii!

You don't know this part yet because I couldn't write it in the last blog post; Emily was trying to surprise her mom, who is spending 6 weeks in Hawaii, and so I couldn't post anything on the blog because Mama Thatcher reads it :) Emily, her sister Aubrey, Temple jumped on a plane Thursday for Kauai and I haven't seen them since :( I am picking them up tomorrow morning and I cannot wait to see how things went.

Would you guys like to read a post from Emily about her trip??? :D Comment if you do!

Here are a couple shots from our trip; I will have more pictures to post soon! Happy Monday everyone!

Andrew

This was what he had to look at EVERY day on the hike; these HUGE towering cliff walls on either side of the canyon...

A place called the Meadows

"Our camp was waaay down there" :)