Hiking is Hot

You know what's really fun to do when it's 104 outside? I bet you didn't say "go on a hike." 

But we're on a schedule here people. We've got places to see and teenagers to disappoint. Onward!

Today's stop was Zion's National Park. It was amazing and beautiful and no photograph I took could possibly capture the awe these red sandstone mountains and cliffs inspire. But, that didn't stop me from trying.

We decided to take a short hike to the Emerald Pools. Now, "Emerald Pools" sound beautiful and exotic and refreshing. Actually, they were slimy moss-filled water holes. But they were definitely emerald in color. The hike was easy, but did I mention it was hot? And did I suggest that maybe one of our company wasn't fully on board with the adventure?

The path took us under a couple small waterfalls that lightly sprayed us with water as we walked by. So refreshing--I could have stood all day in the spray. At the end of the one mile trail, we took the short path down to the Lower Emerald pool. We all dipped our feet, except Ethan. Who was . . . well . . . not quite on board with the adventure and fairly determined to have a miserable time.

Here he is, in the photo that will haunt him for the next 15 years. See that "headband" he's wearing? Well, take note young ladies, because this enterprising young lad removed his socks (the ones he'd just hiked a mile in) and dipped them in the cool water. Then he tied them together to make a headband. That's right. A sock headband. 

I don't know if this is something he learned at Scout Camp, but I was conflicted about whether to be impressed with his ingenuity, or disgusted by the fact that every time he got hot, he'd squeeze some liquid out of the sock headband and let it trickle down his face.

Just three years and he'll be available for dating, girls.

Jonah spotted a little frog down in the pool and it hopped onto his hand. He returned it to its habitat and continued to look for more interesting things to see. He also spotted a lizard and little fish.

Both Jonah and Isaac took their Junior Ranger duties very seriously and helped out Ranger Sarah with her demonstration on how the different layers in the rock are formed. They got to help make her geological "cake" as part of her presentation. 

We stopped by one of the several rock shops on the way home and Jonah and Isaac picked out some rocks before we finally headed back to Grammy and Poppy's house--the air conditioner blowing full blast all the way home.

104 degrees! But it's a dry heat.