Zion, Springdale, Utah

I know this is a wee bit late, but my vacation to Zion, Utah was something I'll never forget and something I definitely want to share with you guys. Vacation in Utah, you say? I swear I told so many people that I was taking a week away to Utah and they responded all the same way: "Why Utah?!" 

Even though there are about a million places around the world that I'd love to see in my lifetime, one of my lifelong dreams is to see all of the beauty that the United States has to offer, because, well, there's so much of it! Zion was just one of the most unbelievable places I've ever been to. The landscape... oy, it's like nothing I've ever seen and something I've never even dreamed of. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

{weeping rock, zion national park}

our first official hike in zion after a 6-hour + all night long drive up. we were such troopers, driving all night then hiking all day long!

{weeping rock, zion national park}

weeping rock is literally a huge overhung rock that weeps. slow trickles of water drip down its sides and even though the hike is short and uneventful, the end stop is nothing short of breathtaking.

{the narrows, zion national park}

our second official hike and definitely one of my favorites! wallowing through ice cold water in deep lush canyons was such an awesome experience - we even had to swim through some parts!

{the narrows, zion national park}

NARROWS we rocked you!

{the narrows, zion national park}

a quick long-exposure to capture the awesomeness of the fast rapids!

{the narrows, zion national park}

oh hey it's me!

driving through utah while the sunrise greeted us!

a guided multi-repel trail through outer zion land. amazing - except for the one repel where i basically skinned my hands. ick!

{angel's landing, zion national park}

the gorgeous beginning to my favorite hike of the trip.

{angel's landing, zion national park}

finding inner peace in zion.

{angel's landing, zion national park}

oh hey, it's my girls & i in a rock! what's upp?

{angel's landing, zion national park}

angel's landing was by far the most gratifying hike of the trip. climbing 12,000 ft. up was challenging and most definitely terrifying but the view... oh that view!

{springdale, utah}

such a small quaint town! almost nothing to do once the sun went down, but after 8+ hours of hiking everyday, sleep was on our minds anyway.

{springdale, utah}

we ate out one night and decided to cheers with some ice cold beers... they weren't that refreshing though. did you know utah reduces the amount of alcohol in all of their alcoholic beverages?! another interesting fact: they don't let you order an alcoholic beverage without the accompaniment of a meal... interesting.

{bryce canyon, utah}

like nothing i've ever seen - definitely the most visually stunning hikes of the trip.

{bryce canyon, utah}

my girls & i in the most epic canyon ever.

{bryce canyon, utah}

of course, there had to be a jumping picture!

{bryce canyon, utah}

ugh, seriously!??!

{bryce canyon, utah}

me, wandering a new world. btw, camelbaks save lives!

{bryce canyon, utah}

{bryce canyon, utah}

taking advantage of the gorgeous sunlight.

{bryce canyon, utah}

utah, i sure will miss your golden horizon!