Angels Landing

I know you are all dying for pictures but I lost my USB cord so here is another boring post without pictures until I find it.

This weekend I decided to hike Angels Landing which is by far one of the most dangerous hikes in the park. It was a beautiful day, perfect for hiking. I set out alone with the rule that any hesitation I would turn around. (And yes I did say a pray before I went.) I hiked for about two hours and then almost instantly, without the usual "you can keep going, just a little further speech" I turned around. I am still not sure why I turned around, but I haven't questioned that decision yet. The hike was incredibly hard. Reading the signs along the way that said one misstep and I would die did not help. Still I was proud of myself for at least taking the risk and trying. For going beyond what was comfortable and trusting myself to know when to come down.

A thrilling night at the movies

Ethan, Tyler and I decided to drive into St George last night and see a movie. They usually let us take a resort van when there is a group of us going into town. So while I went to get some money and a jacket the guys came to pick me up. I heard a screech and then crash. I ran outside to see the van crashed into the side of the building. The brakes had gone out!

We all stood there for a minute taking in the damage and realizing that ten minutes later we would have been driving in a van with no brakes down a canyon. We all knew that we were being watched out for and I knew that the prayers being said on my behalf were being heard.

We still went to see our movie in St George but I drove, very slowly and safely.

Bonjour

While I am living in a secluded location I have decided to turn my desire to learn another language into a reality and I am learning French. I ordered a program online and the nights when I have extra time I sign in and study. Although I am learning the vocabulary rather quickly my pronunciation is terrible. Bama (who is studying Spanish while I study French) constantly laughs at me while I pronouce the same words over and over, trying to figure out how to make it have the correct French accent.

Au Revoir

Walmart and Mountain Men

Last night Bama, Ethan, Tim and I decided to drive into town or St. George for a fun filled night at the closest Walmart. Yes, seriously. Walmart. Because St. George is about an hour and a half away from Ponderosa it sounded like a great idea to get away from the resort and back into the "real world" for a couple of hours. (Entertainment is obviously limited here at night) We picked up some movies, treats and office supplies.

Before moving to Utah I wondered if I would still get ready every morning, wear makeup and care about putting together a stylish outfit for my day. While at Walmart I realized I was wearing jeans covered in red rock, the t-shirt I had cleaned houses all day in and my uggs. I was horrified!! I realized at that moment that I looked like I had been camping for a week.

As I started to look around all I could see were cute college aged girls everywhere that looked put together and stylish. Then I looked at Bama, Ethan and Tim and realized that we all looked like we had been camping for a week. As we left and drove back to Zion I felt so lucky to be heading back to an awesome job with three amazingly fun guys. Feeling that I looked like a mountain man didnt seem to bother me so much after that.

Probably not a story I should tell my Mom

The past few days we have been talking about hiking in some near by caves after work. Last night was finally the day we went. There were seven of us. Bama, Brandon, Ethan, Tyler, Seth, Louise and Seth's dog Dixie. We left around eight at night and drove out to the caves. We explored, told stories and got really dirty and had the best time.

Right as we were getting ready to leave Seth called for his dog and she didn't come. He went back into the caves and started looking around. Right at that moment I heard a howl and nervously asked if that was a coyote. Bama said that it sounded more like wolves. All of a sudden we heard six or seven wolves attacking something nearby. You could hear them howling, fighting, whimpering and then nothing. Silence. We knew that if that was Dixie she wouldn't have survived. The boys immediatly went to try and find the dog while Louise and I stayed in the car, worried and prayed that everyone would be kept safe and that we would find Dixie and be able to take her home.

They searched for about an hour when all of a sudden Louise and I heard a whimper. We got out of the car and started calling for Dixie. I flashed my light back into the cave and saw two scared eyes looking back at me. I had found Dixie!! Louise and I climbed into the cave and carried her out. I yelled "We found her!! She's fine!!" The boys came running back and were so relieved. Seth kept thanking us the entire drive home. One thing we all agreed on was that we are family up here. We watch out and support each other, even if it means searching for a lost dog in the dark.

How I spent my first day off

Today after listening to Saturdays session of conference the recreation guides let me join in with the guests for an ATV ride. It was so much fun. While on our ride it started snowing!!!! It is so cold here, beautiful but cold.

Tonight our plan is the hot tub under the stars, a movie and a game of chess. (One of the guys up here is teaching me to play chess. I surprisingly really like it. I cant decide if it is the game or the one on one time with someone I think is so cool. I think it might be a little bit of both.)

I am starting to see possible reasons that I am supposed to be up here. The majority of the people who work here are fun, laid back, and very valiant members. I cant remember the last time I watched all of a Saturday session of conference. I cant remember the last time I have spent so much time with genuinely good, caring and fun people. I cant remember the last time I have felt this quiet sense of peace.

I might be turning into a cowgirl

Tonight after dinner some of my coworkers and I went shooting for jackrabbits. We didnt see any rabbits, but we did shoot some cans. On our way back to the resort we came face to face with a bobcat!!! They said it looked pretty small but I thought it was huge!! Kylene would have freaked out!!!

Arrival at Zion Ponderosa

I am officially a member of the staff at Zion Ponderosa Resort and let me tell you getting here was quite the experience. Friday I was planning a day of packing, getting organized and then having Saturday to spend time with my family before I headed out on this grand adventure Sunday, arriving at the resort Monday morning. Friday I received a call from Zion and they asked if I would be able to come a day early to have dinner with the staff and get to know people before they put me to work. I was so impressed that they wanted to include me even before I was working there. Then it hit. That gives me one day to pack, and drive to SLC before heading to Mt Carmel on Sunday. Thanks to such a loving and supportive family they helped move me out of my apartment and get things packed that I needed and on the road by Saturday at 2:00 pm. That would have been impossible for me to accomplish on my own.

My drive to SLC was horrible. I cried from Boise to Burley. Once I reached the Utah/Idaho border I witnessed a semi truck over turn and come skidding into my lane of oncoming traffic. After witnessing that accident my adrenaline was going and again I start crying. The "fun" continued when about thirty minutes later my engine light went on, almost simultaneously I lose power in my car. So I pull over and turn off my car and called home. I surprising didn't cry until my Mom got on the phone and once again the tears. I know. I know. More tears. I started my car and drove to Aunt Janell's and Uncle Bryce's home. With many tearful calls back and forth between my Mom, my Dad and Amber. The next morning came the next dilemma. Being Sunday there was no one open to look at my car. After talking to my Mom and Bryce I decided to go ahead and try to drive to Zion. I said a million prayers along that drive. I was so worried that my car would break down on in the middle of nowhere, no cell service and no idea what to do next. Not only did I make it to Zion safely but the moment I drove up to the resort my engine light shut off.

I honestly have no idea why I am here. All I know is that it is the right place. I am scared, lonely, and homesick but there is a peace that surrounds every moment. And that peace verifys that this is where I need to be. Having all the problems getting down here also verifys that this is the right change. There seems to be many obstacles before greatness comes. I just wish that I knew more about why I am here. Is it to meet sigificant people, become more independent and brave, increase my reliance on the Lord? The only friends I have met so far are a cockroach in my dorm and a bat that flies by my window at night.