While I have not traveled to as many places as I want to in my lifetime, I do think that my recent travels will be amongst a few of my favorites. To celebrate our 30th anniversary my husband and I embarked on an outdoor adventure to the National Parks - Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon.
The trip was beyond my expectations and left an indelible mark on my soul! It was an experience that can not be fully expressed through words or pictures.
I am hoping that my journey will inspire you to seek your own adventures...
Part 1:
We started our adventures at Zion National Park with the formidable Angels Landing hike. The motivation to do the hike came more like a dare/challenge from our daughter (she had done the hike this summer) - Zion's most popular and strenuous hike. While only 5.2 mile round trip it has approximately 1,500 feet of elevation gain. The trek held a 'bucket list' stature for me - with thousand feet drop-offs on either side and sections of the trail being dangerously narrow!
The trek up Angels Landing held a 'bucket list' stature for me...
I had little experience for such a demanding hike and started with trepidations (my husband suffered no such nervousness). After about two hours we made it to Scouts Landing. A plateau area high above the river valley where hikers stopped to rest and take in the beauty of massive sand stone canyons. This was also a place to ponder the final assault to Angel's Landing. We rested several minutes, gulped plenty of water and summoned courage. The sign to Angel's Landing had an ominous warning that nine people had died on the trail since 2004. Not allowing it to deter us, we moved forward and upward one step at a time.
I had little experience for such a demanding hike and started with trepidations...
Now came climbing up those knife-edge ridges - something I will never forget. Every step, like every breath, was focused and purposeful. There was no reason to gaze at the steep drops on either side. Focused steps.
Every step, like every breath, was focused and purposeful...
Another hour later, I made it to the very top of Angels Landing! My hubby was patiently waiting for me.
If I could, I would have done a victory dance - but I could barely stand.
The reward for all that hard work - a 360-degree view of some of world's most beautiful landscape!! It was a while before I was ready to come down.
After resting and hydrating I was ready for pictures :)
Going up was treacherous but coming down was crazy scary!
The demons of both the mind and body were at play. I credit my yoga and meditation practices for seeing me through this adventure...
I credit my yoga and meditation practices for seeing me through this adventure...
In his book Tree of Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar's says, 'You only need two things for a yoga pose; a center of gravity and
a sense of direction.'
His words guided me physically and I kept moving forward...
You only need two things for a yoga pose; a center of gravity and a sense of direction ~ B.K.S. Iyengar
Meditation teacher, Tara Brach's lessons - overcome fear and develop unshakeable confidence. Allow yourself to stay open and feel your own vulnerability. Befriend your fear and you will encounter quiet resilience - guided me emotionally and I kept going...
Allow yourself to stay open and feel your own vulnerability ~ Tara Brach
It amazes me all we can accomplish once we set our minds to it. The things we can achieve when our hearts are open - open to intimacy, inspiration, passion and play!
Its amazing the things we can achieve when our hearts are open - open to intimacy, inspiration, passion and play!
~ Rimmi Singh