The fixing of our refrigerator ended up taking more time than we planned. We had planned to have it fixed and be headed north on 4/24 to spend a week with our #5 son and his family up in Provo, UT. But the part we need is not even scheduled to arrive until 4/30. We may not leave here until 5/2. We spent a fair amount of time being frustrated and then decided there was nothing we could hurry by allowing ourselves to steam, so we occupied ourselves with more temple, a night at the movies and out to dinner, and something we love to do... go for a day hike.
The beautiful red cliffs had been beckoning us, so we drove to the Red Cliffs Recreation Area and found the small parking area and campsites full, so we drove back to the next closest parking area, parked our rig, and hiked around that area. Then the cliffs called us, so we hiked about 1 1/2 miles towards them on hot blacktop.
We finally got to the original place we had wanted to hike today!
As we got off the road and got into the park and campground we were reminded why we love the desert in the spring time. The blooming cactus and other plants are just amazing!
We began hiking towards a canyon someone had told us of....
....enjoying more beautiful scenery and flora.
In the day use area of the campground, we stopped for a much needed shade, lunch, water and rest break. Do we look hot and tired yet?
Then up the trail headed towards the canyon and a small creek. See the green trees? That's where the creek is.
The canyon began to narrow and we were hiking closer to the creek so it got a little cooler.
Narrower and narrower!
Then we began hearing excited youth voices up the canyon. After a while we found water sliding and cliff jumping youth. It made us miss our boys and their families! We wished they were here with us!
Then there was a little narrowing of the canyon trail that required some climbing and squeezing.
And it opened up to more beautiful canyon. This hike was reminding us so much of hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park!
We both experienced aging realities on this hike. As much as our minds approached things youthfull with no care or worry, our bodies were telling us to walk and act like old people. It is and amazing part of the aging process, as ones body forces caution. Slipping and falling in our minds is no problem, but our bodies make us more careful. Our minds are 17 years old and rebels at our bodies telling us loudly to be careful.
Though we progressed up the canyon at a less rapid pace than the youth passing us and we took more breaks than we used to, it was an exhilarating hike and day together!
Further up the canyon we reached a place that the concern over falling told us we had gone as far as we should. But Wayne, with Ann telling him not to, had to overcome his body's reluctance and prove he still could be younger.
With legs shaking he overcame what once would have been something he would have not even thought twice about. Aging is interesting!
So, we rested at the end and then returned down the canyon to the campground, then 1 1/2 miles back down the road and to our truck which was parked at the parking spot of this old restored pioneer home. One of the few left of the now non existent 1860's farming community of Harrisburg.
If you look closely to the left of the house and off in the distance at the base of the mountain, you can see some white spots. One of those is our trailer.
Our hopes are to be in Provo no later than 5/2 because we have a flight to New York on the morning of 5/3. There we will visit son #3 and then to Maryland to visit son #1 and both their families. This will be the last entry until we get back from that trip in a couple weeks.
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